, 1882-07-14

with evil results, unless some cOndi
ton exists as rupture, aneurisa
or heart disease-where the strain o.
their action has deleterious efect
on the disease. In these instances
and III extreme old age, when the
blood vessels may be weakened from
various causes, they should never be
used. In a sound and healthy body
they may be used almost at any time
But there are different classes OF
emetics. Some are exhaustiug OF
weakening in their action, and others
are the opposite, or stimulating, The
former act by being absorbed from
the stomach, and producing its con
traction by nervous influence; and
the latter work by their irritating
effect upon the inner coat of the
stomach, thus provoking it to
contraction. The former are slow
in operating, the latter are quick, and
these various qualities and properties
are of great Importance in making a
selection for use. Where the simple
effect of unloading the stomach is the
motive for the use Of an emetic, the
stimulating kind should always be
used, for they act promptly, with but
little trouble, and no exhaustion on
weakness following; the same also are
the ones in case of poisoning. But
when a child is suffering from the
Group, or a decided impression is
wished to be made on the system, the
former are the proper remedies.
They act slow, that is, they are some
time producing the proper emesis-
but wretched feeling of nausea and
weakness comes on pretty soon after
administration, which increases in
severity until vomiting is produced.
Every one must have noticed in this
respect the great difference in the
action of emetics if they have ever
taken any. Therefore when a rene
dy of this kind is about to be used,
exercise the judgment as to the most
suitable one for the occasion. Tar
tar emetic, ipecac, squills, lobelia, are
prostrating emetics; tartar emetic
very considerably so, and the squills
and lobelia 50 much so as to be
rather the wrong remedies in unpro-
fessional hands. Sulphate of zinc,
sulphate of copper, mustard, common
salt, etc, are stimulating emetics, and
the former two so very stimulating as
to be ranked as poisons when taken
in overdoses. For general use ipecac
and Cox's hive syrup-which contains
minute proportions of tartar emetic
mustard and common salt are the
best remedies of their kind; their ac-
ton in all instances may be promoted
by copious draughts of lukewarm
water, etc
But perhaps we have said enough.
Emetics should come into more gene
raj use, and cathartics should not be
so often resorted to. How many,
many little children would be saved
from aggravated affections of the
bowels, brought on by undigested
food or irritable substances, if, in
stead of being allowed to go through
the body and making disturbance
everywhere, it should be simply evac-
uated, as a chicken would evacuate a
spider that it was found impossible
to swallow? How many headaches
and foul-tasting mouths would be
avoided, if emetics were more univer-
sally resorted to? How many dan
gerous diseases would be nipped in
the bud, if a decided impression
were made in the system by an in
telligent use of these excellent rene
dies at the commencement? We do
not know. but we warrant they would
be infinitely less than they are under
the present regimen. We are not
fond of taking medicine; we do not ad
vocate its continued or promiscuous
use; but when a remedy is needed,
why not take the most proper, bene-
fetal and sensible one-and let all
others go to the dogs? - Godeys
LddTS Book.