SACCHARUM. 369 



ergotin is rapid and effective, unless it alarm the patient and 

 excite movement and palpitation, when it is better avoided. In 

 aneurism it may he comhined with rest and low diet to pro- 

 mote consolidation in the sac. The use of ergot in the second 

 stage of labour should be confined to cases of uterine inertia 

 where there is no obstacle in the passages ; so frequently is this 

 ecbolic abused, that it is calculated more harm than good 

 has resulted from the discovery of its action in parturition. 

 After the completion of the second stage, ergot may be more 

 safely given to expel the placenta and clots, and ensure con- 

 traction of the womb ; whilst in post partum hemorrhage it is 

 an invaluable adjuvant to more immediate remedies. In polypus 

 uteri, chronic metritis, sub-involution, etc., ergot is also used 

 with success. The action of ergot on the spinal cord suggests 

 its rational application in paraplegia of inflammatory origin, 

 sclerosis, etc., and instances of recovery under its influence are 

 recorded. It has also been used in recurrent mania, referable 

 to cerebral hyperaemia. 



4. REMOTE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Ergot reduces the amount of the urine, sweat, and milk, 

 more probably, however, through the blood pressure and the 

 nervous centres of the glands in the brain and cord, than by 

 direct action on the excreting cells. It is a valuable remedy in 

 some cases of polyuria (diabetes insipidus), very rarely in 

 saccharine (true) diabetes. The sweats of phthisis are said to 

 be controlled by ergot. As an antigalactagogue it is but 

 seldom employed. 



Sn rrlinriim Purificatum REFINED SUGAR. 

 C 12 H 22 O n . Pure cane sugar prepared from the juice 

 of the stem of Saccharum Officinarum. From plants 

 cultivated in the West Indies and other tropical 

 countries. 



Characters. Compact crystalline conical loaves, known in 

 commerce as lump sugar. 100 parts are soluble in 45 of water 

 or 10,000 of rectified spirit. It increases the solubility of lime 

 in water. See Liquor Calcis Saccharatus, page 50. 



Preparation. 

 Syrupus. 1 in 1J. 



Sugar or Syrup is contained in all syrups and lozenges, 

 several confections, and various mixtures, pills, powders, etc. 

 Y 8 



