X54 INORGANIC AGENTS 



use for luraiiiaiits.* It is, therefore, impossible to enumerate 

 special indicatious for its administration. When a speedy 

 action is requisite, Epsom salt should be given with a large 

 amount of water, and thirst should be encouraged by the 

 addition of common salt. When, on the other hand, it is 

 essential to remove water or morbid effusions from the body, 

 the salt should be exhibited in concentration, and the patient 

 should be deprived of water to a considerable extent. 



Magnesium sulphate is an antidote to lead and barium 

 salts, forming insoluble sulphates ; also to carbolic acid^ 

 giving rise to the harmless sulpho-carbolate in the blood. 

 It is not used in canine practice so often as oil and 

 calomel, but is sonjetimes serviceable in irritable states of 

 the bowels (piles, duodenitis, and intestinal catarrh), in 

 teaspoonful doses, and as a laxative, on alternate days, for 

 eczema. 



Magnesium and sodium sulphate are more frequently 

 prescribed for dogs by German practitioners. They not 

 uncommonly occasion vomiting in these animals. 



Magnesii Carbonas. Magnesium Carbonate. 

 (MgCo,), Mg(OH), + 5 HA (U. 8. P.) 



Synonym. — Magnesii carbonas ponderosa vellevis, B. P.- 

 magnesia alba, magnesia hydrico-carbonica, carbonas mag- 

 nesicus, carbonate of magnesia, E.; magnesia carbonica, P. G.; 

 carbonate de magnesie, magn^sie blanche, Fr.; weisse 

 magnesia, G. 



Derivation. — Mix concentrated, boiling, aqueous solu- 

 tions of magnesium sulphate and sodium carbonate, and 

 evaporate. 



5 MgSO, + 5 Na, Co, + H,0 = (MgC03), Mg(OH), 

 + 5 NA2SO4 + CO2. Purified by digestion with water, 

 filtration and drying. 



Properties.— Slight, white, friable masses (heavy mag- 



* Epsom salts are given to cattle and sheep with ginger and molas es, one 

 teaspoonful of each to the ounce of salts and often with an equal weight of 

 common salt. 



