MATERIA MEDICA. 



Absorbents. Medicines are so termed 

 that correct any acidity that may exist in the 

 stomach or bowels, bv combinins^ with the 

 acid, and forming an inoffensive substance ; 

 in this view they are said to absorb it. Chalky 

 prepared oyster shells, magnesia, and the 

 alkalies are of this kind. 



Horses are sometimes disposed to eat their 

 litter in preference to good hay, and not un- 

 frequently they have a propensity to swallow 

 earth, or any kind of rubbish. This is sup- 

 posed to arise from the irritation of an acidm 

 the stomach ; and medicines of the absorbent 

 kind, are recommended for its removal j par-- 

 ticnlarly chalk, mixed with chaff, or cut hay. 

 It is very probable, however, that the for- 

 mation of acid in the stomach depends upon 

 debilitv, or some diseased condition of that 



