A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    97/554 (page 85)
    Nitrite of amyl is used either by inhalation or subcutaneously. Its ready volatility interferes with its use externally in the form of liniment, as recommended by Kurz, of Florence {Practitioner, February, 1882) ; because, when it is thus employed, the patient cannot fail to inhale more or less of its vapor, and in this way may come under its influence to a dan- gerous extent. All persons are not affected alike by nitrite of amyl, some being able to inhale ten drops without inconvenience, while a drop will affect others, producing great giddiness. The first dose should always be taken under medical supervision. It should be borne in mind that the symptoms increase for a minute after the withdrawal of the agent. As a rule ansemic persons bear much larger doses than those who are not anjemic. The patient should always be seated while inhaling nitrite of amyl. Patients after a time become habituated to its use, so that the dose has to be rather increased or repeated. In Angina Pectoris, nitrite of amyl, since its use was suggested by Richardson in 1864, has held a foremost place among our modern appli- ances for the relief of this distressing complaint. Three to five drops are to be placed upon a handkerchief and held under the nostril. The promptness with which this agent acts is marvelous in a large majority of cases. If it fails—as of course, it sometimes does—recourse must be had to chloroform. In Spasmodic Asthma and Cardiac Dys. PNGEA, we have employed nitrite of amyl by inhalation with benefit. In Epilepsy, according to the testimony of S. Weir Mitchell and others, nitrite of amyl may be employed with advantage as a palliative. Immediately upon the aura being felt, a few of the pearls containing the drug may be broken upon a handkerchief and the contents inhaled, or a few drops may be taken from a small phial. In Puerperal Convul- sions, W. F. Jenks found nitrite of amyl efficient, but liable to induce uterine relaxation. In Lumbago a ten per cent, solution may be injected into the back, with the most happy results, relieving both the pain and stiffness. In Chloroform Poisoning, nitrite of amyl inhalations have been employed with advantage. Diseases of the Ear, Throat and Nose.—Nitrite of amyl is used as an inhalant in Asthmatic Attacks, and to overcome Spasm of the Glottis. Eight minims of the drug may be added to an ounce of alcohol. A teaspoonful of this mixture is mixed with a pint of water at 100° F. Chloroform, however, is a superior agent. One of the chief uses for the inhalation of nitrite of amyl is to overcome the toxic im- pression of cocaine. {Journal of Laryngology and Rhinology, Vol. i, 1887, p. 166.) The inhalation of six drops of the nitrite of amyl from a hand- kerchief is found valuable at the beginning of an attack of Hay- fever. {V Union Medicale, January loth, 1891.)