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282 DENTAL MEDICINE.
digestion by neutralizing the gastric juice, and by increased
waste of tissue causes pallor, emaciation, and feebleness. In the
blood it injures the red blood globules, and thus affects the
nutrition of the body, being largely converted into urea. The
preparations of ammonia are stimulant expectorants.
Therapeutic Uses.—Aqua ammonia is administered by inhala-
tion in syncope and shock, and as a counter-irritant ; for which
purpose ammonia liniment is also employed. The incautious
inhalation of ammonia may cause inflammation of the fauces and
glottis, but when cautiously employed sometimes gives relief to
acute catarrh and hay asthma. The diluted aqua ammonia will
relieve the pain of stings of insects, and the strong aqua am-
monia is an antidote, when at once applied, to the bite of ven-
omous snakes, and of rabid animals. The aromatic spirits of
ammonia is useful in acidity of stomach, gaseous eructations and
abdominal distensions ; also in sick headache and migraine ; but
the bromides are more effective in the latter affection. Ammonia
salts stimulate the liver and increase the secretions of the kidneys
and intestinal mucous glands and the action of the heart, hence
are frequently used in adynamic states, constipation, coated
tongue and scanty urine. The preparations of ammonia for
internal use correct obstinate vomiting when the irritating sub-
stances are removed, and the matters vomited are acid.
Dose.—Of Aqua Ammoniac, TUv to oss, much diluted; of
Spiritus Ammonias, lUx to f oj, greatly diluted ; of Spiritus Am-
moniac Aromaticus, foss to fo'j-
Dental Uses.—Ammonia is used as a stimulant in dangerous
narcosis; to prevent syncope or severe shock; in facial neuralgia,
especially the chloride, and in periodontitis when it is combined
with aconite and opium. Aqua ammonia is locally applied as a
counter-irritant to the gums in acute inflammation of the peri-
dental membrane. (See Acetate, Carbonate, Valerianate and
Chloride of Ammonium.)
Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia^ or Sal Volatile, is one of the most
diffusible stimulants and is antacid and carminative. It is em-
ployed for syncope resulting from shock, dental operations, etc.,
and acts as a stimulant where alcohol is contraindicated. As