A guide to therapeutics / by Robert Farquharson.

  • Farquharson, Robert, 1836-1918.
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A guide to therapeutics / by Robert Farquharson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/320 (page 5)
    -either simply in distilled water, or merely combined with other ingredients for fiavo\iring purjioses. But we must remember not to cany this principle too far. No fact is more thoroughly proved in therapeutics than the value, under certain conditions, of due combination, and the way in which one drug may assist the action of another. Thus, taking the case of diuretics, we know well that a pre- scription containing three or four members of this group will often act where one produces little or no effect, and that mer- cury is' of undoubted service in assisting the influence of squill and digitalis over the urinary secretion. Cough medicines are always best given in combination with a variety of drugs, and the same holds good of pm'gatives; for we all know how hyo- scyamus or belladonna will both aid and hold in check the action of €olocynth, how a little sulphuric acid and iron will promote that of sulphate of magnesia, how jalap aids the peristaltic intestinal conti-action to I'emove the watery fluid which cream of tartar drains into the bowels. Several alkaline medicines given together seem to act better in rheumatic fever than the simple administration of one member of the group. Tonics, such as quinine and iron, are blended with advantage. Then again, we add one drug to another for the purpose of counteracting some unpleasant phy- siological effect; thus spiritus ammon, aromat. mitigates the unpleasant symptom of iodism, and atropia lessens the chances of discomfort which attend the subcutaneous injection of morphia. Instances like this might be multiplied almost ad infinitum ; but we shall develope the subject further as we go on, and refer frequently to the laws which should guide us in con- sidering whether the various drugs are best ordered singly or in combination.^ ' As well-known examples of this rule we have to remind our readers of the composition of the ext. coloc. co. and pil. coloc. co., both of which contain aloes and scammony in addition to the ingredient which gives its name to the mass—the idea being, no doubt, to secure the combined and harmonious action of several purgatives acting on different tracts of in- testine ; this harmony, so to speak, being aided, and griping obviated, by the addition of aromatics, such as cardamoms and cloves respectively.