Rational Pharmaceutics, Part 1

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The differences between cathartics medicines used to purge the bowels and their reasons. In the same place. To what extent they irritate the internal organs original: "visceribus" in different ways, and how they ferment variously with the blood and humors bodily fluids. Page 98. The harmful elastic powers original: "Elateria"; refers to the forceful or spring-like property of a drug of purgation. Page 99. A notable instance of this. In the same place. From where the error of elective purgation original: "Purgationis Electivae"; the theory that specific drugs can target specific humors like yellow or black bile arose. Page 100. The preparation of humors for catharsis original: "catharsin"; the process of purging is not necessary. In the same place. What preparation is required with respect to both the stomach and the blood. Page 101. On what kind of particles the irritative and fermentative power of a cathartic depends. Page 102. The former irritative power does not come from spirit, water, or earth, nor from salt or sulfur alone: but from both combined. In the same place. The fermentative virtue proceeds almost entirely from salts. Page 103. From which particles the septic original: "septica"; decaying or putrefying power of a medicine proceeds. In the same place. It works through the stool original: "per sedem", just as Spanish Fly original: "Cantharides"; a beetle used in medicine works through the urine. Page 104.

SECTION III. CHAPTER II.

Types of cathartics, formulas, and the etiology original: "Aetiologiae"; the study of causes of certain ones.

Hardly any cathartics are prepared from minerals, although the main emetics drugs that cause vomiting and diaphoretics drugs that cause sweating come from them. Page 105. The reason for this difference is investigated. In the same place. Very many cathartics are from vegetables plants. Page 106. Chemical preparation is not much required for these. Page 107. What salt of tartar potassium carbonate contributes to the extraction of a cathartic tincture. In the same place. The main formulas for purgatives are noted. Page 108. Potions and pills, both mild and stronger. Page 109. Cathartic powders, likewise boluses large pills and electuaries medicinal pastes made with honey or syrup. Page 110. Morsels small medicinal bites and tablets, likewise medicated wines and beers. Page 111. Sublimated mercury, both sweet original: "dulcis"; calomel and corrosive original: "corrosivus"; mercuric chloride. Page 112. Of both [the properties...]