MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 3 1 



Sweat, as a whole contains 1.3 per cent solids, one-fourth of 

 which is chloride of sodium, inorganic matter, and three-fourths 

 organic matter, consisting chiefly of fats, fatty acids, and about 

 one-tenth of urea ; these are held in solution in the liquid. 



The functions of the skin besides protecting, then, is first to 

 eliminate from the system effete material.; second, and most im- 

 portant, to regulate the temperature of the body by the secre- 

 tion of sweat, and in some pathological cases it is used to relieve 

 diseased kidneys. 



Use of Diaphoretics. — First to restore checked cutaneous se- 

 cretion ; second, to increase it and hence equalize irregularities of 

 the circulation; third, to counteract congestions of internal or- 

 gans by attracting blood to the surface; fourth, to lower exalted 

 temperature by evaporation of sweat and elimination of effete 

 material; fifth, to remove injurious waste products which accumu- 

 late excessively in febrile, inflammatory and rheumatic disorders ; 

 this means being especially valuable when the eliminating func- 

 tions of the kidneys, bowels or pulmonary membranes are im- 

 paired. In such cases, the skin performs a vicarious duty in ex- 

 creting waste matter, usually eliminated by the other channels. 

 Diaphoretics are very useful in cutting short chills, colds and 

 simple febrile attacks, or aborting diseases that might follow chills. 

 When skin excretion is increased, that of the kidneys is lessened, 

 and vice versa. 



Anhydrotics. — Agents which check or lessen the secretion of 

 the skin, first, by acting on the sweat glands themselves, by 

 lessening excitability of the secreting cells or of the secreting 

 nerves ; second, on sweat centers by lessening their excitability or 

 removing the excitation ; third, on the circulation by stimulating 

 the respiration center and relieving venous congestion which ex- 

 cites sweating in weakness and disease ; belladonna and atropine 

 act in this way ; they also paralyze the ends of the secretory or- 

 gans, and act most effectively ; agaracin is gcod, salt of zinc also. 



MEDICINES ACTING ON THE URINARY ORGANS AND 

 THE KIDNEYS. 



Diuretics. — Are agents which increase the function of the 

 kidneys. The functions of the kidneys are, first, to remove ex- 

 cess of water ; second, to excrete waste products ; third, they re- 



