436 MATER IA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



cially women, may call for a course of treatment by aperient 

 mineral waters, usually containing Sulphates of Soda and 

 Magnesia, at some watering place, or systematically at home. 



Centra-indications and abuses of purgatives. Purgatives 

 must be used with, special caution in delicate subjects, such as 

 infants and the aged ; in persons weakened by disease; in inflamed 

 ulcerated conditions of the bowels ; when there is a tendency 

 to haemorrhoids and other affections of the rectum ; in preg- 

 nancy, and during menstruation. In such, subjects and condi- 

 tions, constipation should be relieved if possible by enemata or 

 mild aperients, such as Castor Oil, Sulphur, Senna, and dietetic 

 laxatives. Aged persons do not bear saline purgatives well 

 unless they be given warm or combined with a carminative. 

 The evil effects of the habitual use of purgatives has been 

 already referred to. 



AlltlielinintiCS. In connection with the remedies 

 directed to the intestine, must be discussed the anthelmintics 

 (avrl, against, and eX/ut^s, a worm), or medicines which expel or 

 kill worms. These belong to two classes, namely (1) vermi- 

 fuges, which simply expel the parasites (vermis, a worm, and 

 ftigo, I drive out) ; and (2) vermicides, which destroy them 

 (vermis, a worm, and ccedo, I kill). The vermifuges belong to 

 the cathartic purgatives, such as Scammony and Jalap : they 

 may be given either alone, combined with, or several hours 

 after a dose of a vermicide. The principal vermicides are 

 Male-Fern, Turpentine, Kamala, Kusso, Pomegranate Eoot, and 

 Areca, Santonica and Santonin. The last named drugs act 

 specially on the lumbicus, the others kill the tape-worm. The 

 thread- worm (oxyuris) which infests the rectum is best reached 

 by anthelmintic enemata of Turpentine, Aloes, or Salt and 

 water, preceded by injections of a bitter infusion, such as 

 Calumba or Quassia, with or without iron, to remove the mucus 

 in which they flourish. 



ANTHELMINTICS. 



