Actions.—Magnesium sulphate is a hydragogue and cholagogue cathartic; alterative and febrifuge and is also feebly diuretic and diaphoretic. As a cathartic it resembles common and glauber salts, and is more active than potassium bitartrate or sodium phosphate. When magnesium sulphate is administered it causes outpouring of secretion from the walls of the small intestines, most quickly and abundantly when the bowels have been partially emptied by several hours’ fasting. Neither pancreatic fluid nor bile is materially increased. But magnesium sulphate has a low diffusing power. It is slowly absorbed, and moreover, retards diffusion and absorption of fluid present in the bowels. In this twofold action by increased secretion and retarded absorption the fluid contents of the bowels are increased, producing more or less mechanical distension and provoking, like other salines, slight peristalsis. The retarded removal of accumulating liquid is apt to produce the formation of gases in the bowels, which is relieved by conjoining carminatives, as ginger or capsicum, while effectual removal of the intestinal fluids is attained by using with magnesium sulphate aloes, calomel or oil. It acts in from twelve to sixteen hours; in small doses it stimulates the secretions of the kidneys and skin. In febrile diseases it is used in small repeated doses. It is valuable in treating animals suffering from reflex skin irritation, combined with large doses of bicarbonate of sodium, generally gives relief, especially in urticaria of the horse. It is quite commonly used as a cathartic for horses, but most often for cattle and sheep.
Doses.—When repeated two or three times as a laxative and alterative horses take 2 to 4 ounces, cattle 3 to 6 ounces, sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drachms. As a cathartic cattle take 1 to 2 pounds, calves two to three months old 3 to 4 ounces, sheep 4 to 6 ounces, dogs 1 to 4 drachms. Aloes is a much better cathartic for horses, and castor or linseed oil acts much better as a cathartic in pigs.
NAPHTHALENUM—NAPHTHALENE
A by-product of gas manufacture.
Properties.—Colorless, shining rhombic crystals of an aromatic acrid taste, insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, ether and oils.
Dose.—Horses, 1 to 3 dr.; cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 15 gr.; dogs, 1 to 10 gr. These doses can be doubled in severe cases of intestinal flatulence.
Actions and Uses.—A true intestinal antiseptic and antiferment, is also expectorant, antiseptic and parasiticide. Used in intestinal flatulence, dissolved in tincture capsicum; in diarrhoea and dysentery, is of great value in these ailments, quickly allays foul odor of the evacuations of the bowels; large doses irritate the kidneys and cause bloody urine which ceases upon withholding the drug. When powdered on a wound as wire cuts, etc., will keep away flies and other insects, besides it is a powerful antiseptic and promotes the healing of wounds. Used as an ointment it is very effective in parasitic skin diseases.
NUX VOMICA—QUAKER BUTTON
The dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux vomica, yielding when assayed by the process given below, not less than 1.25 per cent of strychnine.
Habitat.—The tree is a native of the East Indies, growing in Bengal, Malabar, on the Coromandel Coast, in Ceylon, in many islands of the Indian Archipelago, in Cochin-China and in other neighboring countries.