* MAGNESIUM SULPHATE 163 



Magnesium. 



{The metal is not used in medicine.) 



Magnesii Sulphas. Magnesium Sulphate. MffSO. + 

 T H2O. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Epsom salt, sal amarum, sal Epsomense, 

 sal anglicum, sulfas magnesicus, etc., E. ; magnesia sulfurica, 

 P.G. ; sulfate de magnesie, sel d'Epsom, sel de sedlitz, sel 

 amer, Fr. ; bittersalz, sehwefelsaure magnesia, G. 



Derivation. — It is obtained from native dolomite, a 

 double carbonate of magnesium and calcium, or magnesite 

 (MgCOs). MgCOs + PI^SO^ = MgSO, + H^O + CO^. 



Properties. — Small, colorless, rhombic prisms, or acicu- 

 lar crystals, without odor, and having a cooling, saline and 

 bitter taste; slowly efflorescent in dry air; soluble in 1.5 

 parts of water; insoluble in alcohol; reaction neutral. 



Incompatibles. — Lime water, alkaline carbonates, phos- 

 phoric acid, phosphates, silver nitrate and lead acetate. 



Dose. — H., laxative, 5 ii--iv- (60.-120.); C, purgative, 

 Ibi.-ii. (500.-1,000.); laxative, § iii.-iv. (90.-120.); Calves, 

 gii.-iii. (60.-90.); Sh., § iv.-vi. (120.-180.); D., 3i.-iv. 

 (4.-15.) _ 



Action Internal. — Epsom and Glauber's salts are the 

 best purgatives for general purposes in the treatm.ent of cattle 

 and sheep. Its mode of action is similar to that described 

 under sodium sulphate. Briefly, magnesium sulphate causes 

 purgation by increasing intestinal secretion, retarding absorp- 

 tion of fluid from the bowels, and probably by stimulating 

 peristalsis. The salt moves the bowels, in the case of the lar- 

 ger animals, usually within twelve or fifteen hours. 



Epsom salt is absorbed to some extent, and is elimi- 

 nated by the kidneys and sweat glands, increasing the secre- 

 tions of these organs, especially when the dose is small. 



8um/mary. — Hydragogue cathartic. Eeeble diuretic 

 and diaphoretic. 



Uses.- — For uses the reader is referred to Sodium Sul- 

 phate (p. 136), as they are almost identical. Solutions of 

 magnesium sulphate produce local anaesthesia when injected 

 under the skin or intraspinally. 



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