133 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Tucker has shown that magnesium sulphate is useful in acute sprains 

 and rheumatism, dermatitis, erysipelas, neuralgia and orchitis applied to 

 the affected parts in saturated solution on gauze compresses wrung out 

 in the fluid and covered by a waterproof material. Its beneficial action 

 is due to its dehydrating the tissues (as in the bowels), and may partly 

 be ascribed to its local anesthetic influence. In the Great War a saturated 

 solution of magnesium sulphate containing 10 per cent, of glycerin has 

 been found of great value as a wet dressing for wounds infected with 

 streptococci. It causes an outpouring of lymph and inhibits the growth 

 of bacteria. 



The intravenous injection of magnesium sulphate causes general an- 

 esthesia and death by paralysis of the respiratory centre. It acts locally 

 and intradurally much like cocaine as a local anesthetic. One mil of a 

 25 per cent, solution for each 25 lbs. body weight is injected intradurally 

 to cause spinal anesthesia and relieve the spasms of tetanus. Loss of 

 sensation and motion may last for 14 hours. 



Recently several deaths have been reported in humans by Boos 

 owing to swallowing concentrated solutions of an ounce or more with 

 absorption. He warns against using solutions containing more than 6 

 per cent, to avoid absorption and poisoning. 



Therefore there may be some danger in using concentrated solutions 

 of Epsom salt, which are often used to withdraw water from the blood 

 in dropsies. 



The subcutaneous injection of 20 mils of a saturated solution of 

 magnesium sulphate (Squibb's) in each side of the neck of a horse, twice 

 daily, will relieve the spasms of tetanus. Mohler and Eichorn in a severe 

 acute case gave this treatment with complete recovery. The spasms began 

 to relax on the fifth day and on the twelfth day the injection was given 

 once daily for another 10 days. Antitoxin should be used also to neutral- 

 ize the toxins. Ten drams of a 25 per cent, solution have been injected 

 intraspinally with good effect in equine tetanus, but such treatment is 

 not without danger. In urgent cases of tetanus a 6 per cent, solution 

 may be given intravenously at the rate of 2 or 3' mils a minute until the 

 spasms are relieved. 



Magitesii Carboxas. Magnesium Carbonate. .(MgCos)i Mg(OII)2-|-5H20. 



(U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Magnesii carbonas ponderosa, or magnesii carbonas levis, B. P.; 

 magnesia alba, carbonate of magnesia, E.; magnesium carbonicum, P. G. ; car- 

 bonate de magnesie, magnesie blanche, Fr. ; weisse magnesia, G. 



Derivation. — Mix concentrated, boiling, aqueous solutions of magnesium sul- 

 phate and sodium carbonate, and evaporate. 



6MgS04-|-5Na2C03-|-H20=(MgC03),Mg,(OH)2-|-5 NA^SO.+COi,. Purified 

 by digestion with water, filtration and drying. 



Properties. — Light, white, friable masses, or as a bulky,- white powder, with- 

 out odor, and having a slightly earthy taste; permanent in the air, practically 

 insoluble in water, to which, however, it imparts a slightly alkaline reaction; 

 insoluble in alcohol; dissolved by dilute acids with effervescence. 



Dose. — Foals and calves, 3i-ii, (4-8); D., gr.v-3i, (.3-4). 



Magnesii Oxidum. Magnesium Oxide. MgO. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Magnesia, calcined magnesia, light magnesia, magnesia levis, B. 



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