APERIENTS 613 



without aifecting them, and only act upon the large bowels ; and others, 

 again, act upon the whole canal. There is a third point of difference in 

 purges, depending upon their influencing the liver in addition, which 

 mercurial purgatives certainly do, as well as rhubarb and some others, 

 and which effect is partly due to their absorption into the circulation, so 

 that they may be made to act, by injecting into the veins, as strongly as 

 by actual swallowing, and their subsequent passage into the bowels. 

 Purgatives are likewise classed, according to the degree of their effect, 

 into laxatives, acting mildly, and drastic purges, or cathartics, acting very 

 severely. 



20. Ordinary Physic Balls — 



Baibadoes Aloes 3 to 8 drachms. 



Hard Soap 4 drachms. 



Ginger 1 drachm. 



This old-fashioned formula answers well enough where one ball is to be 

 made up, but since Professor Tuson's pharmacopoeia has been generally 

 adopted, masses of physic are kept containing a definite propoi'tion of aloes, 

 the excipient being glycerine and the condition of the mass always suitable 

 for dispensing. Neither the veterinary surgeon nor the pharmaceutical 

 chemist spends his time in the preparation of single balls of the kind used 

 in routine practice, but the wholesale druggist supplies these things in 

 convenient form and accui-ate doses. 



21. A "Warmer Physic Ball — 



Barbadoes Aloes 3 to 8 drachms. 



Carbonate of Soda J drachm. 



Aromatic Powder 1 drachm. 



Oil of Caraway 12 drops. 



Make into a ball. 



22. Gently Laxative Ball — 



Barbadoes Aloes 3 to 5 drachms. 



Rhubarb Powder 1 to 2 drachms. 



Ginger 2 drachms. 



Oil of Caraway 15 drops. 



Mix, and form into a ball. 



23. Purging Balls, with Calomel — 



Barbadoes Aloes 3 to 6 drachms. 



Calomel ^ to 1 drachm. 



Ehubarb 1 to 2 drachms. 



Ginger i to 1 drachm. 



Castile Soap 2 drachms. 



Mix as in No. 17. 



24. Laxative Drench— 



Barbadoes Aloes 3 to 4 drachms. 



Canella Alba 1 to 2 drachms. 



Salt of Tartar 1 drachm. 



Mint Water 8 ounces. Mix. 



25. Another Laxative Drench — 



Castor Oil 3 to 6 ounces. 



Barbadoes Aloes 3 to 5 drachms. 



Carbonate of Soda 2 drachms. 



Mint Water 8 ounces. 



Mix, by dissolving the Aloes in the Mint Water by the aid of heat, and then 

 adding the other ingredients. 



