PURGATIVES

Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels. Good for intestinal cleansing and constipation.
 

MOUNTAIN FLAX.

This plant may be depended upon as a safe and active purgative; good in dropsy, rheumatism, or wherever a brisk purgative is required; we usually combine it with other herbs in our liver and jaundice mixture.

RHUBARB.

This is a valuable purgative, first gently evacuating the intestinal canal, and then restoring the tone of the stomach and bowels by its astringent properties; it is very useful, combined with roasted nutmeg, in cholera, dysentery, and a relaxed state of the bowels.

SENNA.

Is a well known and valuable cathartic, but is liable to cause griping if not combined with ginger.

ALOE.

There are four kinds of this article, but the best are the Socrotine and the Barbadoes. They are warm, stimulating purgatives; slow in their operation, but effective; good in jaundice and scrofula, but should never be used by persons subject to piles, as they are liable to produce that distressing complaint if used in large doses.

JALAP.

An active cathartic, acting upon the whole alimentary canal, increasing the peristaltic action, and promoting the secretions without irritation. Dr. Beach recommends ten grains of jalap with one drachm of cream of tartar as an excellent preparation where long continued purging is necessary, as in dropsy, etc. Dose of the powder from ten to thirty grains.

MANDRAKE.

Is purgative, deobstruent, antibilious, anthelmintic, hydrogogue, anti-dyspeptic. Dr. Beach says it is a complete substitute for mercury. The properties of this article are that of a sure and active cathartic, equal, if not superior, in some diseases, to that of jalap. Dr. Thos. Cooke says of this plant: "My own experience goes to confirm the valuable properties of this article. I have been in the habit of using it in my practice extensively for the last ten years in the various forms of disease, and can say that I know of no single article in the whole materia medica that acts so generally on the secretions and excretions, removing obstructions, and exerting a healthy action throughout the system, without any bad effects whatever. I am confident that if the faculty would for once divest themselves of their blind prejudices in favour of the mineral, and consent, at least, to make a trial of this vegetable substitute, it would be a happy event for mankind. I consider it a complete substitute for mercury in all the diseases in which, in the common practice, it is supposed that mineral is indicated. I consider it far preferable, because, after having its operation and effect, it passes off and leaves the system free; whereas mercury fastens upon the bones and solids, and remains like a corroding and eating canker, rendering a vast number feeble and debilitated for life. Their humanity should be sufficient inducement for this. The plea, that the vegetable kingdom contains no equivalent to mercury, is no longer tenable. Then why should not physicians discard the use of it at once, when it is universally acknowledged, and felt, that in the aggregate it has proved a curse, a destroyer to the human race? The disuse of it, it is true, would lessen

the employment of the medical profession; but the satisfaction they must feel at the proportionate decrease of suffering among their fellow-beings would, no doubt, richly compensate them for the pecuniary sacrifice."

BINDWEED.

Is purgative and diuretic; has been found useful in cough, asthma, debility, and dropsy.