CATHAR.TI«S. 179 



They are all cathartics for the clog and cat, but are 

 not so active in the larger animals. The cascara sa- 

 grada is particularly useful in the habitual constipa- 

 tion of house-raised and pampered animals. The 

 fluid extract of the first two is frequently combined 

 with ammonia muriate and given to horses suffering 

 from congested and inactive liver, after having first 

 given an aloes purge. Dose of the fluid extract of any 

 of the Buckthorns: H., fl. 3 ss.-ij. ; D., 3 ss.-ij. 



Saline Purgatives. 



Magnesii Carbonas, carbonate of magnesium. 

 Light, white friable masses, or a light, white pow- 

 der, odorless and tasteless. Insoluble in alcohol, and 

 almost insoluble in water, to which it imparts a fee- 

 bly alkaline reaction; soluble in dilute HCl with co- 

 pious effervescence. Dose: D., gr. v.-xxx. 



Pulvis Magnesii cum Bheo, Pulvis Rhei Com- 

 positus^ rhubarb and magnesia, or compound pow- 

 der of rhubarb. Contains rhubarb 25, magnesia 65, 

 and ginger 10. Dose: D., gr. x.-xxx. 



Magnesii Sulphas^ sulphate of magnesia, Epsom 

 salt. Found in various rocks, soil, in sea-water, and 

 some mineral springs (it is named after the mineral 

 springs of Epsom), Small, colorless, right-rhombic 

 prisms, or acicular needles, slowly efflorescent in dry 

 air, odorless, having a cooling, saline, and bitter 

 taste and a neutral reaction. Soluble in 0.8 part of 

 water, insoluble in alcohol. Somewhat resembles sul- 

 phate of zinc and also oxalic acid. It is distinguished 



