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JOHN R. HART. 
disease and in weakening the alimentary canal, that nourish¬ 
ment should be administered which would be quickly absorbed. 
Experiments show that large amounts of oils given to animals 
leave no trace after death, while a cathartic too often aggravates 
the irritation already existing and would remove from the 
blood water; they would dehydrate the blood and consequently 
the tissues. In some cases cathartics will answer, but I would 
consider aloes out of place in any congested condition of the 
bowels, as it would increase the irritation. The most useful 
medicine to use in a congested liver or kidney is calomel, as it 
stimulates the end of the secretory nerves in the cells as well as 
relieves the overloaded capillaries, and will diminish putrefac¬ 
tion and eliminate urea. It may be used in any inflammation, 
as it is eliminated by all secretions ; or calomel with soda bi¬ 
carb., and continue the soda bicarb, in tablespoonful doses every 
two or three hours in the drinking water. We of course know 
that the blood is alkaline, and that one of the poisons that is 
circulating in the blood in this disease is acid in excess. Any 
alteration from its natural constituent would cause a chemical 
change in the blood. Now to overcome this condition what is 
the next best thing to do ? It is again to alter by a chemical 
change. We would here use soda bicarb., as it will eliminate 
from the blood uric acid. I would recommend small doses of 
the soda bicarb, in conjunction with the other treatment of di¬ 
uretics, as too much medicine of an alkaline action may cause 
other chemical reactions, while the smaller doses would neutral¬ 
ize the acid in excess as well as assist digestion and absorption. 
The alkalies insure the gradual oxidation of the organic con¬ 
stituents of- the fluids. They are also eliminated by the kid¬ 
neys and are antacids. 
The diuretics most needed are those that act more on the 
kidneys through the circulation, as by so doing you remove the 
uric acid and effete material that is circulating in the blood. Of 
this class I would recommend buchu, juniper, spirits of nitre ; 
they are the sedative class, as they stimulate the ends of the 
vaso-constrictor nerves, in the vessel walls. If you have ursemic 
