554 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



when exhibited in pills. Gentian is often employed as an 

 excipient in the preparation of balls. 



Action. — The simple bitters, as gentian, act as stomachics 

 and bitter tonics. They are stomachics in promoting gastric 

 digestion by stimulation of the gustatory nerves, thus im- 

 proving the appetite and reflexly causing dilatation of the 

 blood vessels in the stomach and increasing salivary and 

 gastric secretions. Furthermore, the bitters excite gastric 

 and intestinal peristalsis to a slight extent. The bitters only 

 act as tonics by their local effect in facilitating the digestion 

 and assimilation, and by increasing the appetite. ExternalLy 

 the bitters are mildly antiseptic ; while internally they are 

 inimical to intestinal parasites. 



Uses. — Gentian is serviceable in simple loss of appetite. 

 It is especially indicated in feeble gastric digestion caused 

 by acute disease, overwork, insufficient and poor food, and in 

 that form associated with general debility and anaemia. In 

 the latter state, characterized by a pasty tongue, anorexia, 

 rough coat and pallid mucous membranes, which may often 

 be co-existent with the presence of intestinal worms, powdered 

 gentian is most efficient when given to horses on the food 

 three times daily with dried ferrous sulphate. 



Again, loss of appetite, general weakness, and feeble 

 digestion occurring in horses during convalescence from 

 acute diseases, as influenza and pneumonia, is favorabty met 

 by a combination of compound tincture of gentian and 

 whisky (1 ounce each), or by diluted hydrochloric acid 

 and the compound tincture. The drug is useful in atonic 

 indigestion, or mild chronic gastric or intestinal catarrh of 

 young animals, when conjoined with sodium bicarbonate, 

 which acts as a sedative and solvent of mucus. 



The simple bitters, including gentian, are contra-indi- 

 cated in any acute inflammation of the digestive tract, since 

 they are mild irritants. Gentian is a valuable bitter for 

 cattle and sheep, but quinine is more commonly given to 

 dogs. 



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