§ VI-CATHARTICS. — 
medicines which quicken or increase the evacua- 
S, Or which, when given in a sufficient dose, 
, or whick 
pS) Mags 
of the intestines, whence the contents of the canal are more quickly 
propelled. The greater number, or perhaps all of them, seem like- 
wise to stimulate the extremities of the exhalent vessels terminating 
on the internal surface of the intestines, and hence the evacuations 
‘they occasion are not only more frequent, but thinner, and more 
copious. . 
~~ Besides these immediate actions, the stimulant operation of eca- 
thartics appears to be more or less extended to neighboring aa | 
und hence they promote the secretion and discharge of the bile, and 
luids usually poured into the intestinal canal. It is also ex- 
omach, so as to occasion a more quick evacuation of — 
nts of that ofgan by the pylorus. ee a 
ides the differences between individual cathartics in quickness, — 
slowness, or other circumstances attending their operation, there is a 
general difference in the mode in which they act, from which they 
may be, and usually have been ranked under two divisions. Some ; 
operate mildly, without exciting any general affection of the system, — 
without even perceptibly stimulating the vessels of the intestines, — 
_ and hence they merely evacuate the contents of the canal. Others 
are much more powerful stimulants: they always occasion ap influx | 
) s from the exhalant vessels, and neighboring secreting organs; 
d their stimulus to the system in general, and if taken m 
se, excite inflammation on the surface of the intestine 
are distinguished by the title of laxatives ; the latter are 
d purgatives, and the stronger of them drastic purgatives- 
os athartics, as medicines, are capable of fulfilling various i 
1ons, A 
_ Where there exists a morbid retention of the contents of the S10 
mach, where these contents are acrid, or where extraneous bodie> 
are present, they are calculated by their evacuating power to FeHeve — 
the symptoms arising from these affections, and hence their ut! ty, 
in constipation, cholic, dysentery, and a variety of febrile affections. 2 
.ba.epaiting. she intestines to action, and partly by exten 
their stimulus to the other abdominal viscera, cathartics are 
vice in dypepsia, hypochondriasis, amenorrh@a, jaundice, 4 
al obstructions. id 
_ By their power of stimulating the exhalent vessels, on the 
surface of the intestinal canal, and causing a larger portion © on 
to be poured out, cathartics are capable of producing a diminu 
of the fluids with respect to the general system, and of CONTR 
cause an abstraction of stimulus. Hence purging is 4 prim! 
part of what is termed the antiphlogistic regimen, and is e™P! 
_ as a remedy of much power in highly inflammatory disease: 
_ From the same power of causing effusion of fluid, 1s t0 | 
