Carbonei Disulphidum,—Carbon Disulphide.

Properties. Carbon Disulphide (CS2) is a clear, colorless, diffusive, neutral liquid, highly inflammable, vaporizes at ordinary temperatures; insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and oils. It is an efficient anaesthetic, but of horribly offensive odor. It may be administered in doses of ♏︎ss-j, internally.

Physiological Action. Being largely used in the arts, its effects are often seen in the operative class. Its vapor produces headache, vertigo, emaciation, incoordination of movements, and depression of all the special senses, with impaired sensation and motility. Inhaled, it excites violent coughing, and produces anaesthesia, characterized by muscular rigidity, but it is a powerful cardiac paralyzant, and hence extremely dangerous as an anaesthetic. In doses of gtt. iij it produces severe nausea and vomiting, with a sensation of heat in the stomach, and a rapid and weak heart.

Therapeutics. It may be used in—Irritable Ulcers,—as a local application to set up a substitutive inflammation, which replaces the original disease, Gastralgia,—doses of ♏︎ss have been serviceable. Gastric Cancer,—it alleviates the pain. Nausea and Vomiting are relieved by ♏︎ss doses.

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.