294. DIURETICS 



in passive congestion of the kidneys, and in some forms of Bright's 

 disease. • 



(2) To promote absorption and remove liquid from the body in 

 various forms of dropsy. They are of less advantage in dropsical 

 conditions due to organic diseases of the kidneys than in dropsy due 

 to lowered arterial tension. If dropsy is of renal origin diuretics 

 are not indicated and diaphoretics should be substituted. 



(3) To dilute the urine and lessen irritation of the genito-urinary 

 tract. For this purpose the alkaline diuretics are useful when the 

 urine is too concentrated or excessively acid. They also relieve the 

 distressing symptoms occasioned by uric acid gravel and uric acid 

 stones, not by exerting any solvent action but by producing a more 

 copious secretion of urine. 



(4) To relieve the heart in cardiac disease. This is brought 

 about by increased elimination of water from the blood and conse- 

 quently the work of the heart is lessened on account of the lessened 

 volume of blood. 



(5) To remove poisonous drugs which are normally somewhat 

 eliminated by the kidneys. This is especially so of the mercuric 

 salts, and some of the vegetable poisons like strychnine. An active 

 diuresis will aid in the elimination of these poisons and should not 

 be neglected. 



Digitalis. This drug and its allies have very little if any effect 

 upon the renal epithelium. They produce their diuretic action 

 mainly through their stimulating action upon the heart and blood 

 vessels. Digitalis is particularly of use as a diuretic in different 

 forms of cardiac disease. As the results of its use in serous effu- 

 sions of an inflammatory nature are in doubt, it is but sparingly 

 indicated as a diuretic in Veterinary Medicine. Convallaria and 

 squill are indicated in about the same class of diseases as digitalis, 

 though possessing more diuretic properties. (See Digitalis and 

 Squill). 



Diuretic — Horse. 



B Potassii Acetatis 5 ijss 



Tincturse Digitalis 3 x 



Spiritus ^theris Nitrosi S v 



Aquae q. s ad. 3 xvj 



M. Ft. Sol. 



Sig. Give four ounces every four hours. 



Caffeine Group. These are the only drugs of any therapeutic 

 importance which cause diuresis through a nonirritant stimulation 

 of the renal cells. Just how these drugs act is not clear. It is 

 generally agreed that they act on the tubules, stimulating them to 

 increased action, but there is another theory, according to which 

 caffeine inhibits the power of the tubules for resorbing water, with a 

 consequent increase in the amount eliminated. Whichever theory 



