DRUGS ACTING ON THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 



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Uses. — Stomachics — particularly bitters — are service- 

 able in improving the appetite and gastric digestion in atonic 

 indigestion, and in enfeebled states of the digestive organs 

 occurring in the course of chronic diseases or during conva- 

 lescence 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 stomach and bowels resulting from indigestion and 

 fermentation, or froni excessive secretion of gastric juice. 

 Some (not ammonia compounds) are also occasionally em- 

 ployed to alkalize the blood and urine. 



Pawlow's 3xperiments, substantiated Ijy many others, 

 show that alkalies inhibit not only the secretion of acid 

 gasti-ic juice, but also all the other digestive secretions, i.e., 

 the secretions of the intestines, liver (bile), and pancreas 

 (pancreatic juice). 



If administered several hours after eating, antacids 

 counteract acidity due to fermentation and relieve pain 

 caused by this condition. Since fermentation is frequently 

 the cause of tympanites, the antacids are conjoined to advan- 

 tage with carminatives (sodium bicarbonate and ginger). 



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