130 VESICAL SEDATIVES AND TONICS 



astringents as uva ursi, buchu, and Pareira root. Copaiba, 

 sandal wood oil, urotropine, and terpenes are excreted in con- 

 siderable amount by the kidneys, and exert their antiseptic 

 and astringent effects throughout the urino-genital tract.] 

 Relaxed and haemorrhagic conditions may be treated byj 

 salicylic, or benzoic acid, or by injections of astringents such 

 as a dilute solution of silver nitrate (half a grain per ounce),; 

 and iron sulphate, alternated by salicylic acid. 



VESICAL AND URINARY TONICS are agents which increase 

 the muscular tone of the bladder. Strychnine and can- 

 tharides strengthen the sphincter muscle and thus prevent 

 involuntary escape of urine. Belladonna acts upon the 

 sensory nerve-endings, and so is believed to lessen the 

 sensibility. 



MEDICINES ACTING ON THE ORGANS OP GENERA- 

 TION AND THE MAMMARY GLANDS 



APHRODISIACS AN APHRODISIACS ECBOLICS, OR OXYTOCICS 



The sexual function is regulated by two nerve-centres 

 which influence and react on each other. 



(1) The cerebral is believed to lie in the crus cerebri, and 

 is stimulated reflexly by the special nerves of smell, sight, or 

 hearing. (2) The spinal centre, situated in the lumbar 

 region, regulates the vascular supply of the erectile genital 

 tissues. Irritation of this centre causes turgid rigidity. 

 Erection is also produced reflexly by local stimulation of the 

 genital organs, as well as by irritation of the bladder, 

 prostate, and lower intestine. 



APHRODISIACS are agents which increase sexual desire. 

 Deficient sexual activity usually depends upon want of 

 general vigour, and the rational treatment consists in the 

 administration of tonics notably iron, strychnine, and 

 yohimbine, which have a special effect in stimulating the 

 spinal sexual centres. Cantharides exerts aphrodisiac influ- 

 ences mainly by irritating the urinary mucous membrane, 

 and hence is a very uncertain and unsafe remedy. Alcohol, 

 although stimulating the cerebral sexual centre, appears to 

 paralyse the lumbar vaso-motor centres, and hence interferes 

 with the proper performance of the generative act. 



