728. Local Stimulants.

Local stimulants comprise emetics, cathartics, diuretics, diaph.o.r.etics, expectorants, sialogogues, errhines, and epispastics.

729. Emetics.

Emetics are medicines given for the purpose of causing vomiting, as in cases of poisoning. They consist of ipecacuanha, camomile, antimony, copper, zinc, and several others.

730. Ipecacuanha

Ipecacuanha is an emetic, diaph.o.r.etic, and expectorant.

It is _used internally_ to excite vomiting, in doses of from ten to twenty grains of the powder, or one to one and a half ounce of the infusion, every half hour until vomiting takes place. To make it act well and easily, the patient should drink half pints of warm water after each dose of the infusion. As a diaph.o.r.etic, it should be given in doses of three grains, mixed with some soft substance, such as crumbs of bread, and repeated every four hours.

_Dose_ of the _wine,_ from twenty minims to one drachm as a diaph.o.r.etic, and from one drachm to one and a half ounces as an emetic.

_Caution._--Do not give more than the doses named above, because, although a safe emetic, yet it is an acrid narcotic poison.

731. Mustard

Mustard is too well known to require describing. It is an emetic, diuretic, stimulant, and rubefacient.

It is _used externally_ as a poultice. Mustard poultices are made of the powder, bread crumbs, and water; or of one part of mustard to two of flour; or, especially for children, of linseed meal, mixed with a little of the powder, or having some of the powder slightly sprinkled on the surface. Sometimes a little vinegar is added under the idea that it increases the strength of the poultice, but this is not necessary. In all cases where a stimulant is required, such as sore throats, rheumatic pains in the joints, cholera, cramps in the extremities, diarrhoea, and many other diseases. When applied it should not he left on too long, as it is apt to cause ulceration of the part. From ten to thirty minutes is quite long enough.

When _used internally_ as an emetic, a large teaspoonful mixed with a tumbler of warm water generally operates quickly and safely, frequently when other emetics have failed. In dropsy it is sometimes given in the form of whey, which is made by boiling half an ounce of the bruised seeds in a pint of milk, and straining off the curd.

From three to four ounces of this is to be taken for a dose three times a day.

732. Cathartics.

Cathartics are divided into laxatives and purgatives. Manna, tamarinds, castor oil, sulphur, and magnesia are _laxatives;_ senna, rhubarb, jalap, colocynth, buckthorn, aloes, cream of tartar, scammony, calomel, Epsom salts, Glauber's salts, sulphate of potash, and Venice turpentine are _purgatives._

733. Manna

Manna is a very gentle laxative, and therefore used for children and delicate persons.

_Dose for children,_ from one to two drachms; and for _adults,_ from one to two ounces, combined with rhubarb and cinnamon water.

734. Tamarinds

Tamarinds are generally laxative and refrigerant. As it is agreeable, this medicine will generally be eaten by children when they will not take other medicines.

_Dose,_ from half to one ounce. As a refrigerant beverage in fevers it is extremely grateful.

[TO-MORROW, IN A COFFIN IS CONFINED.]

735. Castor Oil

Castor Oil is a most valuable medicine, as it generally operates quickly and mildly.

It is _used externally,_ combined with citron ointment, as a topical application in common leprosy.

It is _used internally_ as an ordinary purgative for infants, as a laxative for adults, and in diarrhoea and dysentery. In colic it is very useful and safe; and also after delivery.

_Dose_ for _infants,_ from forty drops to two drachms; for _adults,_ from half an ounce to one and a half ounces.

736. Sulphur.

Sublimed sulphur is laxative and diaph.o.r.etic.

It is _used externally_ in skin diseases, especially itch, both in the form of ointment and as a vapour bath.

It is _used internally_ in hemorrhoids, combined with magnesia, as a laxative for children, and as a diaph.o.r.etic in rheumatism.

_Dose,_ from one scruple to two drachms, mixed in milk or with treacle. When combined with an equal proportion of cream of tartar, it acts as a purgative.

737. Magnesia.

_Calcined magnesia_ possesses the same properties as the carbonate.

_Dose,_ from ten to thirty grains, in milk or water.

_Carbonate of magnesia_ is an antacid and laxative, and is very useful for children when teething, and for heartburn in adults.

_Dose,_ from a half to two drachms, in water or milk.

_Fluid Magnesia_ is a useful preparation by whose use is avoided the grittiness that is inseparable from magnesia when taken in the form of powder.

738. Senna

Senna is a purgative, but is apt to gripe when given alone; therefore it is combined with some aromatic, such as cloves or ginger, and the infusion should be made with _cold_ instead of hot water. It usually acts in about four hours, but its action should be a.s.sisted by drinking warm fluids.

_Dose,_ of the _confection,_ commonly called _"lenitive electuary,"_ from one to three or four drachma at bedtime; of the _infusion,_ from one to two ounces; of the _tincture,_ irom one to two drachms; of the _syrup_ (used for children), from one drachm to one ounce.

_Caution._--Do not give senna, in any form except confection, in hemorrhoids, and never in irritability of the intestines.