254. SPECIFICS FOR THE ALIMENTARY TRACT 



SUMMARY OF ACTION OF SALINES 



1. They irritate the stomach and are liable to cause nausea and 

 vomiting, but this can be largely overcome by administering them 

 in dilute solution and supplying plenty of vs^ater. 



2. Their cathartic action is largely due to the increased bulk 

 and fluidity of the intestinal contents, which are chiefly due to the in- 

 hibited absorption. 



3. If elimination by the intestinal canal is prevented, they do not 

 cause inflammation of the bowels and are absorbed. 



4. If absorbed, they are eliminated by the kidneys and act as 

 diuretics. 



5. The feces following salines are fluid but do not contain in- 

 flammatory products. 



6'. In moderately hypertonic solutions, they tend to remove fluid 

 from the body. 



MATERIA MEDICA AND USES OF DIFFERENT SALINES 

 MAGNESII SULPHAS — MAGNESIUM SULPHATE 



Synonym. Epsom Salts 



Description. Small, colorless, prismatic needles or rhombic 

 prisms without odor and having a cooling, saline and bitter taste. 

 Soluble in 0.85 part of water at 25° C. (77° E.) and in 0.13 part of 

 boiling water ; insoluble in alcohol. 



Doses. Horse. lb. ss — ij ; 250 — 500. Cattle. lb. j — ij ; 

 500—1000. Sheep and Goats, gij— iv; 60.— 120. 

 Swine. §ij — iv; 60.-120. Dogs. 3i*jss— §ij ; 10—60. 

 Cats and Fowls. 3ss- — j ; 2. — 4. 



Therapeutics. 1. As a purgative especially for cattle or other 

 ruminant. It should be administered in solution in water, together 

 with some carminative. Sodium chloride is sometimes prescribed 

 with it and is said to increase the catharsis. 



2. Laxative and mild purgative for the horse. In this animal 

 active catharsis does not usually take place, but if administered in 

 4 ounce doses in drinking water and repeated frequently a laxative 

 action will often result. Magnesium sulphate is not a reliable pur- 

 gative for the horse. 



3. It is often prescribed twice daily in small doses in febrile 

 diseases, administered in drinking water. It seems to lower the 

 temperature, and stimulates the activity of the bowels. 



4. As an alterative, in unhealthy conditions of the skin and in 

 cutaneous affections. Its results are here questionable. 



5. Antidote to poisoning by the salts of lead, which it converts 

 into insoluble sulphates and also assists in their elimination. 



