MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 29 



AGENTS ACTING ON THE LIVER. 



Are hepatic stimulants and hepatic depressants. 



Hepatic Stimulants. — Increase functional activity of the liver 

 cells, and the amount of bile secreted, while the Cholagogues re- 

 move the bile from the duodenum and preve.it its re-absorption 

 by the portal vessels, thus indirectly causing the liver to secrete 

 more bile. 



The hepatic stimulants are, dilute nitro-muriatic acid, cor- 

 rosive sublimate, podophyllin and phosphate of soda. Chola- 

 gogues are calomel, aloes, colchicin, saline-purgatives, etc. 



Hepatic Depressants. — Lower functional activity of the liver. 



Bile Production. — Lessened by opium, morphine, alcohol, 

 quinine, acetate of lead, gamboge and magnesium sulphate, and 

 many purgatives lessen the production by lowering blood pressure 

 in the liver. 



Pancreatic Secretion. — Is stimulated by ether; depressed by 

 atropine. 



MEDICINES WHICH KILL OR EXPEL WORMS 

 are termed Anthelmintics, Vermicides and Vermifuges. 



Anthelmintics. — Kill or expel intestinal worms ; they include 

 vermicides, which kill the worms, and vermifuges such as purga- 

 tives which, without necessarily killing, expel them. 



The vermicides are : 



1. For bots, a combination of aloes, asafcetida, turpentine 

 and ether? 



2. For taenia or tape worms, areca nut, filix mas, kamala, 

 kousso, pepo, pomegranate root bark, turpentine, chloroform, 

 and brayera (called tsenifuges). 



3. For ascarides-lumbricoides or round worms, the above 

 tsenicides with santonin, arsenic and strontium salts, spigelia, 

 calomel, etc. 



4. For strongyli or thread worms (oxyuris vermicularis), 

 turpentine internally; tannin and substances containing it, com- 

 mon salt, tr. chloride of iron, lime water, alum or quassia by 

 enema. 



5. For fluke worms (fasciola hepatica) infesting the liver 

 and gall-ducts of sheep and occasionally of cattle and other ani- 



