DRUGS INFLUENCING METABOLISM 



59 



Drug treatment is ineffective in increasing the secretion 

 of milk ; rich feeding is the chief desideratum. Many drugs 

 are eliminated in milk and may produce their characteristic 

 effects in animals or man drinking it. Among these are : 



(b) Antigalactagogues. — Belladonna is the only efficient 

 drug lessening the secretion of milk, applied locally or given 

 internally. It paralyzes the peripheral secretory nerve- 

 endings and is useful in mammitis by diminishing the circu- 

 latory activity in the mammary gland. 



Drugs Influencing Metabolism. 



(1) Alteratives. — The term " alterative " is a vague, inde- 

 finable word used to describe the action of certain drugs, 

 modifying tissue change and improving nutrition in some 

 disorders. The word is simply a cloak for ignorance and 

 should be drop|)ed. The value of alteratives has been dis- 

 covered by clinical experience. The following are often 

 classed as alteratives : 



Arsenic and its preparations 

 Mercury and its salts 

 Iodine and its salts 

 Cod liver oil 



Phosphoric acid 

 Colchicum 

 Sarsaparilla 

 Sulphur 



Uses. — Alteratives are employed in those diseases in 

 which experience has proved them ito be beneficial. 



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