PETROLATUM LIQUIDUM 



237 



A. Irritants. 



(a) Some very weak laxatives. 



PETROLATUM LIQUIDUM — LIQUID PETROLATUM 



Dose. D. 3j — iv; 4. — 16. Cat. 3ss— j ; 2.-4. 



This is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons, chiefly of the methane 

 series, obtained by distilling off most of the lighter and more volatile 

 portions of petroleum, and purifying the liquid residue. There are 

 several oils of commerce which ansv^rer this description and v?hich 

 are marketed under trade names as petrolax, mineral oil, etc. Eus- 

 sian mineral oil is probably the nicest preparation. Most of these 

 oils are practically odorless and tasteless and have been advanced as 

 mild laxatives. Liquid petrolatum is not absorbed and the_ total 

 amount administered may be recovered from the feces. The manner 

 in which it produces action is not exactly known, but it is believed 

 that it retards absorption on account of its oily nature, increases 

 the bulk of the feces, and so stimulates peristalsis. At the same 

 time it serves as a lubricant to the intestinal contents. Since it is 

 non-irrjtating but, on the contrary, soothing to the gastrointestinal 

 tract, it is proving of considerable value in small animal practice. 



Sulphur is a mild laxative due to the decomposition of a small 

 portion of the amount administered to the sulphides. Its use as a 

 laxative is limited almost entirely to cases where a mild persistent 

 action is desired, as in hemorrhoids. For complete description of 

 sulphur see p. 439. 



PEL BOVIS 



Synonym. Oxgall — Fel Tauri 



The fresh bile of Bos taurus. 



Preparation. Extractum Fellis Bovis — Extract of ox gall. — 

 Bile is of no use in medicine because it simply increases the secretion 

 of bile and there is no condition in which this increased secretion 

 is desired. 



