430 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



Sulphur, Figs and the like, are classed by themselves as 

 aperients (aperio, I open), or laxatives (lazo, I loose), as induc- 

 ing a simple opening or relaxation of the bowels. 



b. Nervo-muscular Intestinal Sedatives. The drugs which 

 arrest the movements of the bowel, either directly or through 

 the nerves, include Opium, Morphia, and Lead, which diminish 

 peristalsis, and may even completely paralyse the bowel. 

 Substances which form a protective lining on the mucosa, 

 and antacids indirectly produce the same effect, by diminish- 

 ing the irritation of the contents. Bismuth, Chalk, Lime, 

 and Alkalies act, partly at least, in this way. All are 

 astringents. 



6. Cholagogues. Following naturally on the last class of 

 purgatives comes a group which act indirectly upon the 

 muscular coat, by increasing the flow of its natural stimulant, 

 the bile. These substances are known as cholagogues (x^7> 

 bile, and &yca, I cause to flow). As will be explained in the next 

 chapter, they either act directly upon the liver-cells and gall- 

 bladder direct cholagogues ; or sweep out of the body what 

 bile is lying in the intestine, and thus indirectly stimulate a 

 fresh secretion indirect cholagogues. Direct cholagogues 

 may be illustrated by Podophyllin, Rhubarb, and Sulphate of 

 Soda ; indirect cholagogues are chiefly Mercurials. It will 

 be observed that cholagogues and purgatives have complex 

 associations with each other : most purgatives are probably 

 indirect cholagogues; many purgatives happen to be also 

 direct cholagogues ; and all cholagogues exert a certain amount 

 of purgative effect, inasmuch as they increase the flow of the 

 natural intestinal stimulant. 



We do not deliberately employ anticholagogue measures, for 

 checking the flow of bile. Opium possesses this action. 



Enemata, (pb?/ui, I inject). Many of the remedies just 

 mentioned may be adminstered by enema, that is, injected into 

 the rectum. (1) Food, such as beef tea, eggs, gruel, and milk, and 

 alcoholic stimulants, constitute nutrient and stimulant enemata. 

 (2) Intestinal stimulants may be given as purgative enemata, 

 chiefly Castor Oil, Olive Oil, and the officinal Enemata of 

 Aloes and Sulphate of Magnesia. (3) Enema Opii is a most 

 valuable sedative and astringent preparation. Solutions of 

 Sulphate of Zinc or Copper, Nitrate of Silver, Alum, and 

 Decoctum Q,uercus, are also astringent. Enema Tabaci is 

 now very rarely used as a powerful depressant enema. The 

 rectum may be mechanically emptied by simple enemata, 

 such as warm water, warm soap and water, and thin gruel, 

 which soften the faeces and stimulate the parts. Besides these 



