216 MAGNESIUM SULPHATE 



magnesium sulphate has no stimulant action on the liver. 

 It nevertheless notably counteracts ' biliousness,' alike in 

 men and animals, by sweeping away bile, which is generally 

 present in the duodenum, and which, unless removed, be- 

 comes re-absorbed. 



Epsom salt injected into the circulation does not produce 

 intestinal secretion, rather it drains fluid from the intestine 

 into the blood, to be excreted later by the kidneys. Five 

 grains to the pound of body- weight were proved by Matthew 

 Hay to produce powerful toxic effects in cats and other 

 animals, paralysing first the respiration and afterwards the 

 heart, abolishing sensation, or paralysing the sensori-motor 

 reflex centres. This effect is a specific action of magnesium 

 and is not produced by other salines. 



The several domesticated animals are differently affected 

 by Epsom salt. On horses, unless given in combination, it 

 acts uncertainly. Full doses sometimes cause violent 

 catharsis, and occasionally produce considerable diuresis ; 

 but two to three ounces, repeated daily, are laxative and 

 febrifuge. On dogs the purgative effect is irregular, and 

 often accompanied by vomiting. For cattle and sheep it is 

 a convenient and effectual cathartic, inducing copious fluid 

 evacuations, usually in twelve or fifteen hours. 



MEDICINAL USES. For ruminants Epsom salt is the purga- 

 tive in general use. In indigestion, constipation, and in the 

 earlier stages of many cases of diarrhoea, it clears the bowels 

 of undigested, fermenting food, of irritant matters, and 

 occasionally of worms. Horses liberally fed on cut, dry food, 

 or tough, over-ripened green fodder, are subject to overloaded 

 bowels, and in such cases, with restriction to fluid food, and 

 in conjunction with one or two doses of linseed oil and 

 copious clysters, two ounces Epsom salt, repeated twice 

 daily, help to moisten, soften, and expel the dry, impacted 

 ingesta. Emptying the bowels, and removing waste pro- 

 ducts from the blood, it lowers abnormal temperature and 

 blood-pressure, and relieves febrile and inflammatory 

 conditions. 



Although not a desirable purgative for horses, it is a useful 

 febrifuge. One to three ounces given in influenza, pneu- 

 monia, and indeed in most febrile and inflammatory dis- 



