THE VALUE AND USES OF DRUGS

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 57

THE VALUE AND USES OF DRUGS

Magnesium is a silver Avhite crystalline metal, best known, perhaps, m tlie form of the. wire, which burns with an intense white light, and is much used for pyrotechnic displays and as an ilfuminant for taking photographs. The medicinal salts of magnesium are few in number but one of them, the timehonoured “Epsom salts,” is of great importance m the treatment** of cattle diseases, and this and the oxide and carbonate are practically the onlv Dreparations of magnesia given to animals. Magnesia, oxide u magnesia, magnesia usla, termed also, from the m ~70. of procuring it, calcined magnesia occurs in two forms—the heavy and’ the light. Ihe only practical difference m them is in their density and they* are administered in the same doses. Magnesia carbonate from which magnesia is prepared by burning in a crucible, also occurs in light and heavy forms; the manner if preparation affecting the density but not the medicinal properties. The action, uses, and doses of the carbonates are similar to those of the cxides. They rank as antiacids and laxatives and are most useful in cases of .ndigestion and acid diarrhoea in calves and foals. Magnesia does not purge horses or cattle, hut it exercises i laxative action when tho intestines contain acid secretions. Tho dose of calcined and carbonate m magnesia for foals and calves ranges from i to 3 drachms, suspended in milk or gruel, but they are rarely given alone and must not be administered too freely or continuously. •When acids are not present to form soluble salts the magnesia remains undissolved, and if used repeatedly, may accumulate in the intestines and cause irritation. Tho class of case, however in which magnesia would be given tho

young milk-fed animal su fieri no- from indigestion is sure to provide'the acid, and for these it is'an excellent medicine, which appears to possess a specific power of diminishing intestinal irritation. The best form in which to administer I it is that known as Dr Gregory’s pow- | der, an antiacid, stomachio and carminative, as useful in the treatment oi mdigjestion and “scour” in calves, foals, and lambs, as it is for the human baby, j and catechu mixture is generally employed under the name of “sheep and j calves’ cordial.” Dr Gregory’s powder, or compound rhubarb powder of the British Pharmacopaeia, consists of: Powdered rhubarb root, 20z., light calcined magnesia 60z., powdered ginger Joz. The medium dose of this powder for foals and calves is -Joz. Magnesium Sulphate, sal aiuarum, “cattle salts,” Epsom salts, is too well known and appreciated as a purgative to need detailed description, but its merits as an alterative febrifuge and diuretic are, perhaps, not so well apprej ciated by the amateur vet, j It is cheap, it is eminently useful in ! many diseases of cattle, and it is practically impossible to do any harm with it, if the precaution is taken to conjoin it with ginger or other carminatives. Its popular name is derived from its being contained in the mineral springs of Epsom, but it has no more connection with Epsom than Irish stew has with Ireland, or German silver has with ; silver or with Germany. It is manui factured on a large scale for medicinal puruoses from dolomite and kieserite as obtained from the Sassfurt salt beds. j Epsom salts should never he given to j hurses as a purgative—the opening j medicine for this animal is aloes—for I its action is most uncertain, and full : doses are apt to cause superpurgation. It is, however, very useful for horses as ,a, febrifuge, alterative and mild diui retio. and may be given in doses of from loz. to 2oz. in cases of influenza, 1 strangles, and most febrile and inflami matory disorders. As an alterative and j diuretic it is often used by the carter 1 in combination with nitro and gentian, | as being “good for ’osses,” but the doses r should never be large or frequent-. ; J As a cathartic for cattle it acts qulckly, and it is almost impossible to make ' i a mistake in giving a dose to a cow in . ' any case of indigstion, constipation, or ! febrile disorder. Very elaborate experi- , ments have been made to ascertain tne ' exact action of Epsom 6alts on the in- . J testmes, and the chemical and physio- , ! logical changes that take place, but we ’ j need not go into t-hse, for experience has amply demonstrated that it is a t ! certain, safe, cheap, and useful saline ' j cathartic for cattle. ! i The average dose for the cow is 120 z., but it may safely be given in quantities -| of 11b., or even ljlb combined with ■ loz. of powdered ginger. Epsom salts ■ acts with greater certainty and promptitude when given in solution, and esI peciaily for cattlej should always be disj solved in a liberal quantity of tepid | water, ale, or thill gruel. In cases of : impaction of the omasum, ‘‘fardel I bound,” or “dry murrain,” it should be ! conjoined with aloes, and followed by - repeated doses of linseed oil or treacle. Epsom salts is said to have no stimulant action on the liver, but in cases of jaundice or “yellows” in cows, experience demonstrates its usefulness, however it gets in its work. Epsom salts is one of the most valuable antidotes in chronic load poisoning, j and is as appreciated by the stock-owner ; in the neighbourhood of lead mines and j smeltingworks as by the workers in factories where salts of lead are employed. ( It acts by converting the lead in the ; system into insoluble sulphate, a.id , opens the bowels, which in lead poison- | ing are constipated. Epsom salts dis- » solved in tepid water makes an adinirj able clyster, especially useful in cases of i fits in young pigs.