STIIIITLANTS may be defined as agents which produce a sudden, but not a per mauent, augmentation in the activity of the vital functions. They give increased euergy to the circulatory and cerebrospinal nervous systems, the primary effect being probably on the nervous system, while the circulation is only secondarily affected. In their mode of action they resemble tonics (q.v.) in some respects; thus immediately after their administration a feeling of increased power is produced, which, however, is not permanent, and is almost always followed by a corresponding depression of vital power; their effects are, however, more immediate than those of tonics. Many-of these agents, as, for example,-alcohol and the ethers, are closely allied to narcotics, their secondary effect, if given in sufficiently large doses, being to produce sleep, and even coma. The following are the most important of the general stimulants: 1. Alcohol, in the various forms pf spirits and wines. As a stimulant, alcohol is employed in medicine to support the vital powers in the advanced stages of fevers, particularly those of a low or typhpus character; and it is of service in flatulent colic, in some forms of indiges tion, in vomiting, and in fainting. Its almost universal use in inflammatory diseases occurring 'in persons of broken-down constitution has recently been advocated by a special school, of which the late Dr. Todd may be considered a representative. Incases of severe uterine hemorrhage and in some forms of fever, it may be given in very large quantity. According to Neligan, in the fever which proved so fatal to the British legion in Spain in the some of the physicians prescribed as much as 32 ounces of brandy (a pint and a half) in 24 hours. 2. Ammonia, either in the form of solution of ammonia, or liquor ammonia, or as carbonate of ammonia is a general stimulant, whose action is rapid, but temporary. It is of special use in the advanced stages of continued fever, in the eruptive fevers when the rash has receded (especially in scar latina), and in the latter stages of pneumonia. It is the best internal stimulant to em ploy improfound intoxication, and in cases of poisoning by sedatives; and as an external stimulant, the vapor is inhaled in cases of fainting. The solution (which must not be
confounded with the strong solution of ammonia) may be given in doses of from 5 to 30 minims, diluted with two ounces of water, mucilage, or any bland fluid. The carbon ate (formerly known as the sesquicarbonate, which in reality it is) may be given in doses varying from 3 to 10 grains in pills or in cold water. The aromatic spirit of am monia, both ammonia and its carbonate, is an excellent and agreeable stimu lant in fainting, hysteria, flatulent colic, etc., in doses of from half a dram to a dram, taken in water or camphor mixture. 3. Cajeput oil, in doses of from 2 to 6 drops on a lump of sugar, or rubbed up with sugar, is a powerful diffusible stimulant, admirably suited for cases of flatulent distention of the stomach and intestines. 4. Ether (known also as sulphuric ether) acts as a genera] diffusible stimulant; but its effects, which are rapidly produced, are very transient. It is chiefly employed as a stimulant in spas modic and nervous affections unaccompanied by infiatnntation, as "in cramp of the stomach, in sirismoilie or tintnkni colic. iu vervonspfilrilntinn. in hiccough, in nervous headache.ditring a paroxysm of spasmodic asthma. in nphonin, etc. It is also adminis k•red frequently with good effect in the advanced stages i f fever. when the twitching of the muscles. known as .0/./mutto: ten,7i» um, ;op I hiccough are present; and as an iiiiinedi-, tile stimulant in fainting and a-Tiliyxii."—Neligan's etc , 6th ed. p. 452. It usually given in doses of about IL iirnm in me aroinatic water. To these more important stimulants may be added camphor, ginger. ina•ce-r:dish, the preparations of lavender, of the mints, etc. It must not be forgotten that electricity, galvanism, and magnetic electricity operate on the animal system either as-general or local stimulants, according to the manner in which they are applied. See ELECTRICITY, MEDICAL.