18 



GENERAL ACTION OF DRUGS 



membrane of the pharynx in sore throat and relaxed conditions; as, for 

 example, potassium chlorate in electuary for horses. 



Excessive salivation produced by mercury salts or pilocarpine is 

 relieved by an antisialagogue, i. e., atropine. 



Stomachics are drugs which, in therapeutic doses, mildly stimulate 

 the mucous membrane of the mouth and stomach, thereby increasing the 

 secretions and vascularity of these parts, the appetite, and gastric per- 

 istalsis. These agents also reflexly influence the intestines, but this effect 

 will be considered under carminatives. 



Stomachics may be divided into bitters, aromatics (drugs containing 

 a volatile oil and often very pungent), and aromatic bitters (drugs con- 

 taining a volatile oil and a bitter principle). While both the bitters and 

 aromatics enhance the appetite, the action of the latter is more powerful 

 ■ and fleeting. Bitters act by directly stimulating the taste buds of the 

 tongue. They act only locally (not in pills), and reflexly start digestion 

 as the sight and smell of food do (p. 19). 



Very large doses of stomachics are distinctly irritating, and cause 

 anorexia, nausea, and vomiting in animals capable of the act. 



/ / 



t7*es.— Stomachics — particularly bitters — are serviceable in improv- 

 ing the appetite and gastric digestion in atonic indigestion, and in en- 

 feebled states of the digestive organs occurring in the course of chronic 

 diseases or during convalescence from acute disorders. The aromatics 

 are more frequently employed for their action on the intestines, when 

 they are called carminatives. Bitters are contra-indicated in irritable or 

 inflamed conditions of the alimentary tract. 



Antacids are drugs which are used to counteract acidity in the stom- 

 ach and bowels resulting from indigestion and fermentation, or from 

 excessive secretion of gastric juice. Some (not ammonia compounds) 

 are also occasionally employed to alkalize the blood and urine. 



Pawlow's experiments, substantiated by many others, show that alka- 



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