ANTIDIARRHEALS 263 



purpose it may be used in solution, powder, ointment, glycerite. 

 Styptic collodion may be of service. 



3. Hemostatic. It is very efficacious in controlling bemorrhage 

 from small vessels wben it can be brought in direct contact vyith the 

 bleeding surface. In cases of hematamesis it should be given in full 

 doses by the mouth. Since it is not absorbed it is vporthless in dis- 

 tinct hemorrhages. 



4. Antidote to poisons. It is the chemical antidote to various 

 metallic and alkaloidal poisons, since it precipitates these as the in- 

 soluble tannates. The precipitate should be immediately removed, 

 however, as it is gradually dissolved by the fluids of the intestinal 

 tract. 



5. Antidiarrheal. Tannic acid is often used for diarrhea but it 

 irritates the stomach, precipitates the albumen in the contents of the 

 stomach and is destroyed before reaching the intestine, where it 

 should produce its action slowly. For these reasons some of the 

 crude drugs which contain tannin in combination with gums and 

 resins (which retard their action) are to be preferred, i.e., prepa- 

 rations of Gambir, Kino, Krameria, etc. 



ANTIDIARRHEALS 



Antidiarrheals are remedies used to lessen peristalsis. 

 Diarrhea is due to digestive disturbances, bacteria, drugs or 

 other irritant material. The treatment therefore should he 



1. To remove the cause or irritant material by use of purgatives. 



2. To control the production of the irritation by antiseptics and 

 reduction of the diet. 



3. Neutralization of the causative factor if possible. If due to 

 acid formation the alkalies work exceedingly well. Chalk, calcium 

 phosphate, lime water or charcoal. 



4. To check peristalsis by : 



a. Heat to abdomen or hot drinks. 



b. Astringents. 



c. Drugs, checking peristalsis and secretions by direct action 



iipon the nerves (opium and belladonna). 



5. Treat the weakness by giving stimulants, camphor, alcohol, 

 etc. The chief astringents used in diarrhea are : 



Vegetable Mineral 



Tannin, etc. Salts of bisrtnitli 



Kino Zinc oxide 



Catechu Silver nitrate 

 Gambir 



The Sun Cholera Mixture has been recommended as combining 

 the above actions and is very effective in many instances. Its ingre- 

 dients are 



