ORIGIN.--Sodium hyposulphite is prepared by dissolving sulphur in
boiling aqueous solution of sodium sulphite.
PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms; odorless and
having a cooling, afterwards bitter taste. Permanent in air 91.4° F.,
but efflorescent in dry air above that temperature; slightly
deliquescent in moist air. Soluble in about 0.35 parts of water at 77°
F. At boiling heat the solution is rapidly decomposed; insoluble in
alcohol, slightly soluble in turpentine.
ACTIONS.--Sodium hyposulphite is an antiseptic, deodoriser and
insecticide. In the presence of acids, without and also within the body,
it gives off sulphurous acid, which it therefore resembles. It is
thought to destroy ferments and bacteria, and removes offensive smells.
Its properties are greatly increased when used along with the tar acids.
When standing long in contact with water the sulphite decomposes and
gives off hydrogen sulphide.
USES.--Sodium hyposulphite is recommended in indigestion, fermentation,
flatulence and foul smelling feces and in general septic conditions, but
have proven as useless as most other medicines in their latter stages.
It is used externally in parasitic affections of the skin and mouth in
the form of an ointment or solution.
DOSES.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ ozs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1
dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 gr.
SPIRITUS AETHERIS NITROSI--SPIRIT OF NITROUS ETHER--SWEET SPIRITS OF
NITER
An alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrate, yielding when freshly prepared
not less than four per cent of ethyl nitrate.
DERIVATIVE.--Mix sulphuric acid (40 c. c.) with water (120 c. c.), cool
and add alcohol and water each, (85 c. c.) and place in (1000 c. c.)
flask surrounded by ice and water. Dissolve sodium nitrate (100 gm.) in
water (285 c. c.), filter and allow filtrate to drop slowly into the
flask above. Wash ethyl nitrate formed with sodium carbonate solution,
to remove acid, and agitate with potassium carbonate, to remove water.
Add ethyl-nitrate to 22 times its weight of alcohol.
PROPERTIES.--A clear, mobile, volatile, inflammable liquid, of a
pale-yellowish or faintly greenish-yellow tint, having a fragrant
ethereal and pungent odor, free from acidity, and a sharp burning taste.
Mixes freely with water and alcohol.
DOSES AS A STIMULANT AND ANTISPASMODIC.--Horses, 1 to 3 oz.; cattle, 1
to 4 ozs.; sheep, 2 to 4 dr.; pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 15 m. to 1 dr. As
a febrifuge and diuretic horses take from 4 dr. to 1 oz.; 4 dr. is
sufficient as a rule every two, three or four hours, usually combined
with other medicines for all of its purposes, in fever and colic cases.
ACTIONS.--Spirit of nitrous ether conjoins the action of the alcohol and
ethyl nitrite of which it consists. It is hence a general stimulant and
a relaxer and paralyzer of non-striped muscle. It relieves acute fever
and the difficult breathing of bronchitis and asthma. It is
antispasmodic, diaphoretic and diuretic. Large doses are narcotic.
USES.--Consisting of strong spirit and a saline ether, when swallowed it
stimulates the stomach and intestines; is hence stomachic, carminative
and antispasmodic, and is prescribed to animals in indigestion,
tympanites, colic and convalescence from debilitating disorders. But its
properties as a diffusible nitrite, relaxing spasm of involuntary
muscles, also come into operation. It dilates arterioles, thus decreases
arterial tension, and hence is of special value in the acute stages of
fever, whether depending upon specific conditions or local inflammation.
It relaxes the muscular fibers of the bronchial tubes, and thus relieves
the spasmodic contraction and difficulty of breathing, which
characterise catarrh, bronchitis and some forms of asthma. It is
specially indicated when the heart action is weak and there is
difficulty of breathing--conditions frequently concurring in influenza
of horses. During excretion, notably by the skin and kidneys, its
twofold constitution is further useful as the alcohol stimulates
secretion, while the ethyl nitrate dilates the lumen of contracted
vessels, and thus diaphoresis and diuresis are promoted in fevers, local
inflammations, rheumatism and other disorders. As it is readily
decomposed, even by water, it should be diluted or mixed with other
medicines or water only immediately before it is administered. It is
usually given in cold water, beer or linseed tea.
SPIRITUS GLYCERYLIS NITRATIS--SPIRIT OF GLYCERYL TRINITRATE--SPIRIT OF
GLONOIN
An alcoholic solution containing one per cent, by weight, of
nitroglycerine. It is probably decomposed in the formation of potassium
and sodium nitrite.
DERIVATION.--Nitroglycerine is prepared by dropping pure glycerine upon
a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, kept cool by ice, and purified
by washing with water. The official one per cent solution is not
explosive unless it becomes concentrated by evaporation to an extent
exceeding ten per cent.
PROPERTIES.--A clear, colorless liquid, possessing the odor and taste of
alcohol. Caution should be exercised in tasting it, since even a small
quantity is liable to produce violent headache.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 20 m.;
dogs, 1 to 2 m. It is administered hypodermically, intravenously,
intracheally or by the mouth according to the emergency of the case. For
hypodermic injections one-half drachm is usually sufficient and should
be diluted with one or two parts of water. It may be repeated in 15 or
20 minutes if necessary, then every hour or two if required. Care should
be exercised not to repeat oftener than is necessary, or to give too
large a dose as violent headache is produced by the drug in animals as
well as in man.
ACTIONS.--Are the same as amyl nitrite, but more prolonged.
Spirit of nitroglycerine is the most prompt and powerful of all heart
stimulants, showing its effects usually within three to five minutes.
USES.--It is best used in the official solution, but for dogs may be
carried in tablets or pills containing ¹⁄₁₀₀ of a grain of glonoin. The
spirit, however is more dependable. It is a good plan in cases of
cardiac weakness to brace up the heart with Spirit of Glonoin, then
maintain the effect with Tincture Strophanthus.