SENNA.

11CS9

>J1 to the veins, this cathartic would appear to exercise a specific influence° Ver the bowels, independent of its local action on these when it is

^allowed.

Uses. —Senna is well adapted for those cases which require an activecertain purgative, with a moderate stimulus to the abdominal and1 e lvic viscera. Thus, in constipation and inactivity of the alimentaryc . Una l, requiring the continued or frequent use of purgatives ; in worms;^determination of blood to the head, and many other cases which readily. u Sgest themselves, senna answers very well. The circumstances contra-'hcating its use are,—an inflammatory condition of the alimentary' an al, a tendency to hemorrhoids or menorrhagia, threatening abortion,in' 0 ‘apsus of the uterus or rectum, &c. The objections to its use are,—t 0 6 H lr £ e dose required, the nauseous and disgusting flavour, the tendency. §np e , and the irritant and stimulant operation. Thus, in inflamma-°n of the mucous membrane of the bowels, the irritant action of sennaa U“s it an objectionable purgative ; while its tendency to increase thefluency of the pulse renders it less fit for exhibition in febrile disordert Q ai1 the saline purgatives. It is a very safe purgative, and may be givenj t . children, females, and elderly persons, with great security. Though^ \ s u °t the most appropriate purgative to be employed after delivery,let T°P era ti° ns about the abdomen or pelvis (as hernia and lithotomy),t 1 have repeatedly seen it used, and rarely with any unpleasant con-

Ttences.

3s$ 1N1STRAT10N •—Powder of senna may be given in doses of from

n,' t(J 3ij. for adults. There are two objections to its uses,—the greatf r k °f the necessary dose, and the uncertainty of its operation, arisinghay 1 * ts Ability to decompose by keeping. To cover the unpleasantb cur of senna, Dr. Paris (Pharmacologia) recommends the addition of( e 6a (black) tea. Coffee has been advised by others. Aromaticscoriander and ginger) are frequently added to prevent griping,j to improve the flavour.

* n pusum SexnjE compositum, L. D. Infusum Senna, E. Sennaboii^ Senna > 3xv. [Siss. E. 5j. D.] ; Ginger , bruised, 91 v. [5j. I).] ;}i 0ll '% r [distilled, /,.] Water, Oj. [wine measure, D.] Macerate for anAn 1 m . a ve ssel lightly covered, and strain [through linen or calico, E.})

c hil I^dmarily-used purgative, employed frequently in the maladies ofo t a ,5 en as well as of adults. A saline purgative (sulphate of magnesiagive s °d a , or potash-tartrate of soda, or tartrate of potash) is usuallyC[ Ue ° hi conjunction with it; manna and tincture of senna being fre-i r . by added. A compound of this kind is familiarly called the blackThe dose of infusion of senna is from f3ij. to fSiv. for

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dis, j) i_ pvsum Sf,nnje compositum, E. Infusum Senna cum Tamarin-&S. r j,'~(‘b e nna, 5 j.; Tamarinds, 3j. Coriander, bruised, 3j.; Muscovado,' v *tli 0c r °' V . n Sugar, 3j. D.] ; Boiling Water, fSviij. Infuse for four hours,bleu " cas i°nal stirring, in a covered vessel, not glazed with lead; and'' it], through linen or calico. This infusion may be likewise madeSlaved Ice or thrice the prescribed quantity of senna, E .)—A vessel notsobe^th lead is directed, lest the acid of the tamarinds should dis-t’hi, s c „ t V ne [ a l of the glazing, and thereby give a noxious impregnation,t he lln , ar tic somewhat resembles Sydenham’s potio cathartica lenitiva.t ea sant flavour of the senna is agreeably covered by the tama-

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