r^- 
MATEBIA 
increase the secretion or tlie discharge of 
secreted matter from the various glands 
which prepare fluids to be deposited in the 
alimentary canal. 
The changes induced in the system in 
consequence of the primaiy effects of eme- 
tics are : the evacuation of the contents of 
the stomach, and, in some degree, of the 
upper part of the intestinal tube : free cir- 
culation through the stomach, intestines, 
and glands, whose secreted matters are 
acted upon : general agitation of the body : 
a commotion of the nervous system : a parti- 
cular aft'ection'of the surface of the body . 
The indications which emetic medicines are 
capable of fulfilling, may be derived from 
the following sources : 1. Their producing 
agitation of the body, whence they may be 
employed, to restore uniform circulation. 
To promote diminished lymphatic absorp- 
tion. To remove obstruction in the san- 
guiferous system. 2. From their producing 
evacuation by vomiting, whence they may 
be used, to discharge noxious matters taken 
in by the mouth ; to discharge morbid accu- 
mulations of secreted matters lodged in the 
stomach; to evacuate serous accumulations. 
3. From the affection of the nervous system 
which they occassion; whence they may be 
employed, to restore excitement to the 
nervous system in general, and obviate in- 
ordinate affections of the nervous energy. 
These indications may be illustrated and 
confirmed by attention to the use of emetics, 
when employed in cases of fever, dysentery, 
pulmonary consumption, jaundice, apoplexy, 
dropsy, and poisons. 
In the use of emetics we ought to pay at- 
tention to the circumstances of infancy, 
old age, pregnancy, delicacy of habit, and 
plethora. The circumstances chiefly to be 
regarded with respect to the regimen ne- 
cessary for this class, are, the state of the 
stomach when the emetic is exhibited ; the 
means of facilitating the operation; the 
time of exhibiting the medicine ; the tempe- 
rature in which the patient is kept, after its 
operation is finished. The different indivi- 
duals belonging to the class of emetics are 
chiefly contra-indicated by the presence of 
the following morbid states ; a rupture or re- 
laxation of containing membranes ; topical 
inflammation of the internal viscera ; a high 
degree of morbid debility in these ; fixed 
obstructions to the circulation. 
2. Of Expectorants. 
The direct effects of the medicines which 
are employed under this name are as fol- 
MEDICA. 
low: they stimulate the lungs themselves 
tliey augment the secretion taking place by 
the mucous glands of the lungs ; they increase 
the excretion of mucus from the lungs. The 
changes induced in the system, from the 
primary effects of expectorants, are ; an al- 
teration in the state of the mucus excreted 
to a more thin and fluid consistence ; an in- 
crease of the sensibility of the lungs ; free 
circulation through the blood-vessels of the 
secreting glands ; and the evacuation of 
those cavities in the lungs in which mucus is 
deposited. 
Expectorants may be divided into the 
nauseating, as squills, gum-ammoniac, and 
garlic ; the antispasmodic, as blisters, feet, 
and vapour-baths ; and irritative, as acid 
vapours, and the common smoking of to- 
bacco. The indications these medicines 
are capable of fulfilling may be traced as 
follows : 1. From their affecting the secre-* 
tion of mucus ; whence they may be used, 
to promote the secretion of mucus by the 
lungs, when morbidly diminished there; to 
render the mucus of the lungs tliinuer, when 
morbidly thick and viscid. 2. Froni their 
affecting the excretion of mucus; whence 
they may be employed, to evacuate morbid 
accumulations of mucus in the lungs ; to 
supply irritation to the lungs when morbid- 
ly deficient. 3. From their effecting the 
state of the lungs, themselves ; whence they 
may be employed as local stimulants. The 
cautions to be observed in the employment 
of expectorants, as derived from their na- 
ture, chiefly respect their operations as ex- 
citing nausea ; their power of stimulating 
the system in general from acting on the 
stomach ; and their influence as irritating the 
lungs themselves. The conditions of the sys- 
tem which chiefly require attention in their 
employment are, the degree of irritability 
with which the lungs are endowed ; and the 
youth of the patient. The circumstanees 
chiefly to be attended to in the regimen 
necessary for this class, are, the state of the 
stomach; the employment of diet fitted to 
conspire with the effect of the medicine; the 
free use of exercise ; and the state of the 
atmosphere in which the patient breathes. 
The different individuals belonging to 
the class of expectorants, are cjiiefly contra- 
indicated by the presence of the following 
morbid states ; a high degree of increased 
sensibility in the lungs ; and an uncommonly 
quick excretion of mucus from the lungs. 
3. Of Diaphoretics. 
These are medicines, which, taken inter- 
nally, increase the discharge by the skin. 
