cat.) 58 
CATHARTICS. 
eimai 
Substances which promote or increase the natu 
- al perisialtic action of the intestines ; or, exhibi- 
ted in their established dose, induce that excess of 
alvine evacuation called purging. They have been 
divided into laxatives, which are characterised by 
a very mild evacuation of the contents of the bow- 
els; and purgatives, which in addition to this 
evacuating effect, stimulate the exhalents of the 
intestines and cause a considerable influx of fluids 
from them, which are continued for some time 
be passed per anum. They likewise communica 
a stimulant and rousing impulse to the whole sy: 
tem. Those which cause all these effects in t 
highest degree of intensity, are again sub-clas 
as drastic purgatives. _ : 
The laxatives may be said to be local stimulan 
—the purgatives general stimulants; and t 
drastic sealed general and vehement sti 
lants. The laxatives in reference to their pow! 
and effectin promoting the general health, are tral 
sient stimulants ; the simple purgatives, impu! 
and more continued stimulants; the drastic pul 
gatives, persistent stimulants. They are all suit 
to peculiar states of the healthy and disordert 
constitution. The importance of these remedn 
requires no comment. Promoting “and i 
that intestinal regularity and functional perior 
ance of an important set of organs, without w!! 
health cannot exist, they at once are the gre 
key to unlock all the irregularities of the body, 
é 
