CATHARTICS. 



79 



or 3 grs. ; best given in divided quantities, dissolved in water. Dose 

 of Vinum Aniimonii as an emetic, f 3j, for an adult. 



Sulphate of Zinc. — A very prompt and powerful emetic, causing 

 but little nausea. Chiefly used in cases of narcotic poisons, — best 

 to combine it with ipecacuanha. Dose, (medium) gr. x ; in narcotic 

 poisons, 3j. 



Sulphate of Copper. — A still more powerful emetic than the last ; 

 — used also in narcotic poisoning ; — sometimes in membranous 

 croup. Medium dose, 2 or 3 grs. ; in cases of poisoning by nar- 

 cotics, 5 to 15 grs. ; — danger of inflammation from over doses. 



The Turpeth Mineral, Arsenic, and Corrosive Sublimate, are 

 each emetic in large doses, but are scarcely ever used with this in- 

 tention. 



CLASS IX. — CATHARTICS. 



"Medicines which evacuate the alimentary canal." They act 

 either by increasing the peristaltic movement, or by augmenting the 

 mucous secretions, or by stimulating the liver to throw out bile. 

 Such cathartics as merely evacuate the intestinal contents, are 

 termed Laxatives; those which produce increased secretion into the 

 bowels. Purgatives ; and such as cause large watery discharges, 

 Hydragogues. Cathartics also difler as to the part of the canal 

 which the'y affect ; thus aloes chiefly act upon the rectum ; gamboge 

 and calomel upon the upper bowels ; the neutral salts upon the 

 whole tract. Some occasion a great amount of depletion, while 

 others, as rhubarb, produce a tonic impression. The term drastic 

 is applied to such as act with great violence. 



Uses. — To evacuate the bowels from noxious matters ; to relieve 

 constipation and its attendant evils ; to deplete from the system ; to 

 promote absorption, in dropsies ; to cause revulsion to the bowels, 

 particularly in cerebral disorders. They are contra-indicated in 

 inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bowels ; and should 

 be cautiously employed in typhoid fever. Their activity is in- 

 creased by the addition of small quantities of emetics and bitters. 

 Their griping effect is best obviated by combination with aromatics 

 or opium. They act most powerfully when taken in an empty- 

 stomach. Hypercatharsis is best checked by an anodyne enema. 



There are several articles of diet which are laxative, and may be 

 usefully employed in medicine, such as the ripe fruits in their fresh 

 state, or the same dried and stewed, — particularly peaches, prunes, 

 and tamarinds. Sugar is also laxative particularly in the form of 

 West India molasses ; rye or oatmeal mush and molasses form an 

 excellent article of diet in habitual costiveness, and in hemorrhoids. 

 Sugar is apt to disagree with the stomach of dyspeptics, on account 

 of its liability to generate an acid. Bran is an excellent article of 



