DISEASES OF THE GENITAL ORGANS 123 



action of the specific galactagogues, a distinction must be made 

 between those which act upon the general condition and those 

 which act directly upon the udder. Drugs belonging to the first 

 category are called indirect galactagogues and those of the second 

 direct galactagogues. Since the greater number of the milk defects 

 result from digestive disturbances and general diseases, an im- 

 provement in the milk secretion can be brought about indirectly by 

 treating these diseases. The indirect galactagogues include par- 

 ticularly the aromatics, bitters and alkalies, which by their gastric 

 action promote digestion and in consequence increase the forma- 

 tion of the milk constituents. Cutaneous stimulation, directly 

 applied to the udder, stimulates the gland secretion reflexly, and is 

 therefore also an indirect galactagogue. It is well known that 

 frequent milking increases the milk production by stimulating the 

 secretory nerves of the gland. This is also true of electric stimula- 

 tion, as has been demonstrated by faradization of the udder. 

 Rubbing the udder with stinging nettle, as is done in many coun- 

 tries (goat herds in Verona), has the same effect. On the other 

 hand, the antimony preparations and sulphur are direct galacta- 

 gogues, as might be expected from their stimulant action upon the 

 other glands of the body. The effect of these drugs in increasing 

 the milk secretion is probably the result of direct action upon the 

 secreting cells of the udder. To what extent other galactagogues 

 stimulate milk secretion by increasing the blood-pressure (see the 

 experiment by Rohrig below) or by acting upon the secretory 

 nerves of the gland has not at this time been determined with cer- 

 tainty. But it is probable that with the secretion of milk, as 

 with the similar secretory processes of diuresis and diaphoresis, it 

 must be assumed that medicines operate in several ways to in- 

 crease the activity of the udder. 



Experimental Investigations of the Actions of the Galacta- 

 gogues. — The knowledge concerning the action of medicines upon 

 the milk secretion, quantitatively and qualitatively, is far less com- 

 plete than that relating to the other secretions, e.g., diuresis. In 

 the first place, a distinction must be made between the popular, em- 

 pirical views regarding the action of certain drugs upon the secre- 



