54 GENERAL ACTIONS OF DRUGS 



(2) Diuretics stimulating tJie secretory nerve-endings or 

 rencd cells. 



Potassium nitrate Colohicum 



" acetate Calomel 



' ' citrate Urea 



' ' bitartrate Theobromine sodio-salicylate 



Lithium salts (Diuretin) 



Salines generally Caffeine 



Uses. — Diuretics are useful in removing deleterious and 

 waste solid matters in the blood resulting from disease or 

 the imperfect oxidation of albuminoid substances. In fevers 

 the potassium nitrate and other potassium salts are employed 

 with spirit of nitrous ether, alcohol and digitalis. They are 

 antipyretics by eliminating pyrogenic material. Tissue 

 waste is increased by diuretics, and they are serviceable in 

 plethora, rheumatism and obesity. In acute diseases of the 

 kidneys, salines and digitalis are indicated ; in chronic renal 

 disorders more stimulating agents are often used, as juniper, 

 buchu, etc. Diuretics remove water from the system. They 

 are, therefore, employed in oedema and dropsy of renal or 

 cardiac origin, and in chronic effusions, as in pleuritis and 

 pericarditis. Blood tension is lowered by withdrawal of 

 water from the blood, and congestion may be relieved in 

 various parts of the body. Diuretics lessen irritation of the 

 kidneys by diluting the urine when the secretion is concen- 

 trated or contains toxins or other irritants (uric acid, calcium 

 oxalate, etc.). Finally, stimulating diuretics (buchu, turpen- 

 tine, etc.), are indicated in chronic inflammatory diseases of 

 the kidneys and bladder, and in relaxedaud paretic disorders 

 of the bladder (incontinence of urine) to excite the reflex 

 and motor functions of the sphincter and detrusor muscles. 



Drugs Influencing the Reaction op Urine. 



In man and animals secreting an acid urine, the basic 

 phosphates' of sodium and potassium in the blood are 

 decomposed by the renal cells, and acid phosphate of sodium 

 or potassium — being more diffusible — are eliminated, giving 

 the urine its characteristic reaction, while the bases remain 



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