ESERINE. 609 



Creolin 



" is a coal-tar product from which carbolic acid is excluded " 

 (WkitlaJ. It readily dissolves in water, with which it forms a 

 milky solution. It is much less poisonous (whether taken by the 

 mouth or absorbed by the skin) and less irritating to the skin or 

 to broken surfaces than carbolic acid, and is an equally effective 

 antiseptic. ^ oz. of it might be given internally. Externally, 

 it may be used pure or diluted with water up to 40 times its 

 bulk ; and can be employed as a disinfectant in the same manner 

 as carbolic acid. 



Jeyes' Fluid is the same as the French Cresyl-Jeyes, and the 

 German Creolin Pearson. Jeyes' Creolin is a superior preparation 

 to Jeyes' Fluid. For surgical wounds 2J per cent, and for foul 

 wounds 5 per cent, may be used. Despite the statements made 

 by the manufacturers of these and other proprietary antiseptics, 

 the fact remains that all antiseptics and disinfectants are more 

 or less poisonous. 



Epsom Salts {Sulphate of Magnesia) 



is a useful laxative in fevers, chest affections, and in derange- 

 ments of the liver. Its action as a purgative is somewhat im- 

 certain. It can be used when the dung is hard, clay-coloured — 

 indicating suppression of bile — and covered with mucus, or when 

 passed out in a slimy state, both of which two last-mentioned con- 

 ditions show irritation of the bowels. In such cases, the em- 

 ployment of aloes is generally inadmissible, owing to its stimulat- 

 ing action on the liver. 



Epsom salts may be given two or three times a day in doses of 

 4 oz. in the food, or 8 oz. in 1|^ pint of water as a drench. 



E serine, 



which is one of the alkaloids of calabar bean, acts as a purgative 

 by stimulating the muscular coat of the stomach and intestines. It 

 also causes contraction of the pupil, whether applied locally, or 

 when taken into the system by the mouth. It is of great benefit 

 in cases of flatulent colic and colic caused by indigestion; but 

 it is dangerous in cases of constipation, owing to its rapid and 

 violent action. It is generally used in the form of the sulphate ; 

 the doses being, according to Finlay Dun, 2 to 3 grains by the 

 mouth, ^ grain intra-tracheally (p. 635), and 1 to 1-| grain sub- 

 cutaneously (p. 633). " In intestinal obstruction, more prompt 



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