126 THE USES OF DIURETICS 



purin bodies, the volatile oils, nitrites during excretion ; and 

 (/3) drugs which are only diuretics in case of failure of the 

 normal circulation, such being digitalis and strophanthus. 

 These agents so improve the general circulation in cases of 

 heart disease that the kidneys receive supplies of fresh 

 arterial blood, and so are able to turn out larger quantities of 

 urine. 



3, Cold applications to the skin, cold air, and anything 

 which lessens skin secretion. 



The selection of a diuretic must in great part depend upon 

 the purpose for which it is given. A diuretic ball, commonly 

 used for horses standing for several days in the stable, or 

 affected with swollen or itching legs, is made with half an 

 ounce of nitre, resin, and soft soap, and may be repeated as 

 required. The same ingredients dissolved in a pint of water 

 make a diuretic drink for the cow. For a medium-sized dog, 

 Stonehenge advises six grains of nitre, a grain of digitalis, 

 and three grains of ginger, made into a pill with linseed meal 

 and water. Another useful combination for dogs consists of 

 thirty minims of spirit of nitrous ether, and five grains of 

 potassium nitrate in a little water. Diuretic effects are best 

 ensured by conjoining several drugs, by giving small and- 

 repeated doses, by encouraging the animal to drink water, 

 thin gruel, or other bland fluids, and otherwise promoting 

 excretion of the medicine by the kidneys rather than by the 

 skin or bowels. 



Diuretics are used 



(1) To increase the proportion of water in the urine, thus 

 preventing deposition of its solids in the kidneys or bladder, 

 and mechanically washing out such solids and other deb] 

 when they have been formed. Along with medicinal dii 

 etics, diluents in such cases are freely supplied. 



(2) To hasten expulsion of waste products and poisonoi 

 matters from the body, as in febrile or rheumatic disordei 

 or when poisonous drugs are required to be excreted, or whe 

 the kidneys are acting tardily. In these, as in other cases, 

 combination of diuretics is desirable, and digitalis, turpentim 

 or oil of juniper is often usefully conjoined with nitre. Ii 

 human practice caffeine is prescribed. 



(3) To remove excess of fluid from the tissues or seroi 



