EMM. | 102 as 
= 
arrayed. Murray has suggested this long ago, 
‘but has still servilely pursued the previous track 
of others, in retaining the class. { shall venture “ 
to modify his arrangement by disposing of emmen- 
agogues in a manner hereafter to be seen. In the 
mean while let me observe, it is no inconsiderable 
corroboration of the propriety of this expurgation 
of the unstable class, that the only medicine which 
beyond all disputation or denial, does exert an im- 
pulsive, sudden and specific action on the uterus, 
is destitute of the power, or at least very rarely 
evinces it, ofsanatively reinstating the uterine evac- 
uation, when retained or suppressed by any cause 
independent of conception or pregnancy. If these 
substances which are conjectured to act cpepoaiie 
on the uterus, did impel or promote its secre 
redundant fluid, by such specific controul of its 
actions, where should we so naturally look for an 
eflicient remedy in all cases whether of retention or 
suppression; whether of mild or exasperated cha- 
racter,—-as to Ergot, which in a manner so plain, 
in a degree of force so vehement. in a time so short 
as to preclude any idea of circulatory absorption 
and hence secondary agency. proves its specific ac- 
tion on the uterus’? Will it be said that it cannot 
act aS an emmenagogue, because the excessive 
velocity and force of its action, excite a constrict-— 
ing spasm on the already rigid mouths of the ute- 
yine disgorging vessels? The very intensity of 
its action wouid enable us to graduate its dose to 
the degree of obduracy of the disturbance. It is 
we know, no kind of qualifying reason against 
admitting the emetic power of tartarized antimony, 
thatin an undue quantity it paralizes the stomach, 
and kills the subject by its noxious presence, like 
arsenic or other correding poisons, ' 
