Page 33 - My FlipBook

RULES FOR REGULATING DOSES.
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given to childrcji in much larger proportional doses than those
above stated. Such as castor oil and calomel, a certain quantity
of which will, in general, not product* a greater effect in a child
two or three years old than double the quantity in an adult."
" Females usually require smaller doses than males, and persons
of sanguine temperament than the phlegmatic." The influence
of constitutional peculiarities, such as are known as idiosyncrasies,
often exist and render patients more than usually susceptible, or
the opposite, to the action of medicines, the doses of which must
be regulated accordingly. It should also be remembered that the
susceptibility to the action of medicines is diminished by frequent
and continued use. In advancing age, the dose is gradually
lessened.
Opiates aff^ect children to a greater degree than adults, but
children bear larger doses of calomel than adults. Females are
more rapidly affected by purgatives than males, and the condition
of the uterine system is very important.
Medicinal substances act differently on the same person in
summer and in winter, and in different climates. Narcotics act
more energetically in hot than in cold climates, and, as a conse-
quence, smaller doses are required in hot climates ; the opposite
is the case with regard to calomel. Owing to peculiarity of
stomach, or rather disposition of body, unconnected with tem-
perament, comparatively mild remedies operate very violently on
some individuals.
When administering remedies, the intervals between the doses
should be so regulated that the second dose may be taken before
the effect produced by the first is entirely effaced. Some me-
dicinal substances, such as mercurial salts, arsenic, etc., are prone
to accumulate in the system ; and dangerous symptoms may arise
if the doses rapidly succeed one another.
The action of some remedies, such as digitalis, elaterium, etc.,
may continue long after the discontinuance of the agent, and a
too powerful effiect occur, even by a repetition in diminished
doses. Some remedies, such as castor oil, aloes, etc., acquire
activity by continued use, hence the dose requires to be dimin-
ished.