Laxatives. Laxatives are unirritating and excite moderate peristalsis. Sulphur, magnesia, cassia, manna, cascara sagrada, the Hinkle pill, and the A, B, & S pill are usually mild in action.
Lysol. Disinfectant and antiseptic for hands and instruments. It is a brown syrupy fluid made from coal tar oil, which is distilled and mixed with fat, soap, etc. It has a creosote odor and contains 50% cresol. Readily soluble in water. Prepared in ½–4% solutions.
Magnesia, Calcined. Antacid and cathartic. Comes in white cakes.
Uses.—Acid stomach, vomiting of pregnancy, “heartburn,” and constipation.
Dose.—30–120 gr.
Magnesia, Milk of. A mixture of magnesia and water. Has the same properties as the above.
Dose.—For adults, 2–3 teaspoonfuls. For infants, ¼–2 teaspoonfuls.
Magnesia Sulphate (Epsom Salts.). Saline cathartic.
Uses.—The profuse watery stools produced by magnesia are valuable aids to elimination when the kidneys are overworked or defective. In congestion of the breasts and threatened eclampsia, or in any case where it is desirable to drain off waste or dehydrate the system.
Dose.—1 teaspoonful daily in hot water before breakfast. ½–1 oz. as a single dose or 1 oz. by rectum, as in the 1–2–3 enema.