The morbid conditions, contra-indicat ing the use of cathartic medicines, apply only to particular orders. The stimulant, refrigerant, and astringent, are contra-in dicated by general inanition of the sys tem ; the stimulant, by a high degree of irritability in the intestines, and by mor bidly accelerated circulation ; the refri gerant, by a circulation unusually slow and languid ; the astringent, by habitual costiveness ; and the emollient, by un common relaxation of the bowels.
6. Of Emmenagognes.
By emmenagogues are meant medi cines which possess a power of promot ing that periodical secretion from the uterus, which should take place in certain conditions of the female frame. The following, therefore, are their effects : They stimulate the whole circulating sys tem. They stimulate, in a particular manner, the vessels in the neighbourhood of the uterus ; and this effect seems, in some degree, to be communicated to the vessels of the uterus themselves. They occasion a particular affection of the whole nervous system. The changes in duced in the system from the primary effects of emmenagogues, are, an increase in the impetus of the blood circulating through the uterus and its neighbour hood ; and an augmentation of the quan tity of blood determined to the uterus. From some individuals referred to this class, there arises an increase of the tonic powers of the vessels in the uterus, and from others a diminution of it. Emme nagogues may be divided into the follow ing tribes : stimulant, as various forms of quick-silver and antimony ; irritant, as aloes, satin, cantharides ; tonic, as iron, cold-bath, corporeal exercise ; and anti spasmodic, as assafcetida, castor, warm foot-bath.
Their indications may be thus traced: 1. From their changing the mode of cir culation, whence they may be employed to free the circulatory system in the neighbourhod of the uterus when ob structed there ; to promote that accumu lation of fluid in the vessels of the uterus themselves, which is necessary to the menstrual discharge : and to remove morbid obstructions to the passage of blood into the cavity of the uterus. 2. From their acting on the state of the ani mated solids. Hence they may be used, to increase the tonic power of the system where it is morbidly diminished. To in crease the tonic power in the vessels of the uterus in particular, when deficient there. To remove spasmodic stricture
taking place on the vessels of the uterus.
Practical observation in different cases of obstructed menstruation, arising froth diflerent causes, will illustrate and confirm these various indications.
The cautions to be observed in the em ployment of emmenagogues chiefly re spect the consequences of a cure if urged too precipitately or violently; the irritation produced to the intestines, and the stimu lus affecting the whole system. The con ditions of the animal frame which require attention in their employment, are, the age of the patient ; the complaints to which she has formerly been liable ; the duration of her present complaints ; and her general character. The circumstan; ces chiefly to be attended to in the regi men necessary, respect the temperature in which the patient is kept ; the use of moderate exercise ; and the employment of liberal diet.
In enumerating the morbid conditions contra-indicating eminenagogues, a dis tinction is to be made betwixt those which contra-indicate the restoration of the discharge altogether, and those which contra-indicate particular modes of re storing it. As morbid conditions, which entirely contra-indicate the restoration of this discharge, we may mention ex treme debility, either constitutional, or induced by previous disease, which pro hibit our attempting its restoration so long as the debility continues. The time of critical discharges ; high degrees of irritability and torpor ; and a constitu tional disposition to deliquium animi. The circumstances chiefly to be attended to in the regimen necessary, respect the adapting the diet and temperature to the disease under which the patient labours ; the time of performing the operation ; the state of the ingesta at that time ; and the mode of the discharge.
7. Of Errhinea.
These are medicines which, when topi cally applied to the internal membrane of the nose, excite sneezing, and increase the secretion, without any mechanical ir ritation. They may be regarded as of two kinds ; sternutatory, or those used for the purpose of general agitation, chiefly, as tobacco, snuff; hellebore, euphorbium; and evacuant, or those designed to pro duce determination of the fluids to the nostrils, as asarum, beta, betonica.