53 [Cavs 
by a timely expurgation of their prejudicial pre- 
sence in the physiological system. to restore its jeo- 
pardized healthy action, and avert. or even remove 
disease. Purgatives not only increase serous and 
mucous discharges from the exhalent vessels of the 
inner coat of the intestines, and the excretory 
ducts of their mucous glands, but they vehemently 
stimulate the adjacent viscera to a healthy action, 
as the liver and pancreas. Of the different reme- 
dies calculated to produce each of these several 
effects. more than others of the same class, Of the 
gatives. formerly ailet 
e # 
peculiar effect of saline purg: 
hydrogogues; of the mineral, of the mechanical, o 
the dietetic laxatives. Of those stimulating parti- 
cular sections of the whole intestinal tube, as aloes, 
colocynth, gamboge, scammony, croton oil, colchi- 
cum, hellebore, &c. of the peculiarity of operation 
in jalap, in the mercurial purgatives, in the nar- 
cotic purgatives, in the purgative effect of antimo- 
nials; of emmenagogue purgatives, their peculi- 
arity. Dr. Hamilton’s opinion canvassed, “That 
the different species. of purgative medicines do not 
possess distinct powers over the different species of 
matter to be evacuated.” Of Paris’ opinion that | 
Ahe, ancient division of this class into hydragogues, 
eholagogues, &c. ought to be revived. Of the in- 
utility and inconvenience of repeating for any 
length of time, what have been called the astrin- 
gent or tonic purgatives: as rhubarb. . Of the ad- 
vantages in a medical point of view, of changing — 
from one article of this class to another, in cases 
where permanent or long continued purging may 
be deemed requisite. Of the mistaken drastic 
effect of some purgatives: as aloes Of their 
contra-indication in pregnancy, and the opinions 
on this point, of distinguished practitioners of 
_ midwifery, Bint 
