MAGNESIUM SULPHATE 153 



bitter taste ; slowly efflorescent in dry air ; soluble in 1.5 

 parts of water ; insoluble in alcohol ; reaction neutral. 



Incompatibles. — Lime water, alkaline carbonates, phos- 

 phoric acid, phosphates, silver nitrate and lead acetate. 



Dose. — ^H., laxative, § ii.-iv. (60.-120.); C, purgative, 

 M-ii. (500.-1,000.); laxative, ^iii.-iv. (90.-120.); Calves, 

 5ii.-iii. (60.-90.); Sh., §iv.-vi. (120.-180.); D., 3i.-iv. (4.-15.), 



Action Infernal. — Epsom salt is the best purgative for 

 general purposes in the treatment of cattle and sheep. Its 

 mode of action is similar to that described under sodium 

 sulphate. Briefly, magnesium sulphate causes purgation by 

 increasing intestinal secretion, retarding absorption of fluid 

 from the bowels, and probably by stimulating peristalis. 

 The salt moves the bowels, in the case of the larger animals, 

 usually within twelve or fifteen hours. It is indirectly a 

 cholagogue, by sweeping bile out of the intestines. 



Epsom salt is absorbed to some extent, and is eliminated 

 by the kidneys and sweat glands, increasing the secretions 

 of these organs, especially when the dose is small. 



Summary. — Hydragogue and cholagogue cathartic. 

 Feeble diuretic and diarphoretic. 



Uses. — Magnesium sulphate is sometimes given to horses 

 as a laxative, and, in promoting the activity of the sweat 

 glands and kidneys, is useful as a febrifuge in pyrexia. It 

 is frequently combined with stimulants, bitters, and mineral 

 acids in fevers : e.g., tine. gent, co., spr. setheris nitrOsi, acid, 

 sulphurici dil., etc. Epsom salt is serviceable in assisting 

 the action of peristaltic agents, as aloes. Small doses are 

 given to horses in the drinking water to accomplish this end. 



The salt is of advantage in the treatment of diarrhoea, 

 dysentery, overloaded or impacted colon in horses, when it 

 is given in frequent and repeated doses in connection with 

 oil. An enema, consisting of Epsom salt 2 lbs., glycerin 

 5 viii., and water 1 quart, may be thrown high up in the 

 bowel to secure rapid purgation in horses suffering from 

 colic. 



Magnesium sulphate is the most common purgative in 



