vided, usually with reference to the energy
of their operations or the character of the evacuations produced.

_Laxatives_, or _Aperients_, are mild cathartics. Purgatives act with
more energy and produce several discharges which are of a more liquid
character and more copious than the former.

_Drastics_ are those cathartics which produce numerous evacuations
accompanied by more or less intestinal irritation.

_Hydragogues_ are those purgatives which produce copious, watery
discharges.

_Cholagogues_ are those purgatives which act upon the liver, stimulating
its functions. Cathartics constitute a class of remedies which are
almost universally employed by families and physicians.

JALAP (_Ipomoea Jalapa_). The root is used. It is a drastic and a
hydragogue cathartic. Formerly it was combined with equal parts of
calomel. From this fact it received the name of "ten and ten."
_Dose_--Of the powder, five to twenty grains; of the fluid extract, ten
to fifteen drops; of the solid extract, two to four grains; of the
concentrated principle, Jalapin, one-half to two grains.

[Illustration: Fig. 126.
Culver's-root. ]

GAMBOGE (_Gambogia_). The gum is used. Gamboge is a powerful drastic,
hydragogue cathartic, which is apt to produce nausea and vomiting. It is
employed in dropsy. It should never be given alone, but combined with
milder cathartics. It accelerates their action while they moderate its
violence. _Dose_--Of the powder, one-half to two grains. This substance
combined with aloes and sometimes with scammony, constitutes the basis
of the numerous varieties of large, cathartic pills found in the market.

CULVER'S-ROOT. (_Leptandra Virginica_). The root is used. This plant,
known under the various names of Culver's Physic, Black-root, Tall
Speedwell, and Indian Physic, is a certain cholagogue, laxative, and
cathartic. _Dose_--Of decoction, one to two fluid ounces; of fluid
extract, ten to twenty drops; of tincture, twenty to thirty drops; of
the concentrated, active principle, Leptandrin, which is but feebly
cathartic, as a laxative, two to five grains.

RHUBARB (_Rheum Palmatum_). This is much used as a domestic remedy, and
by the profession, for its laxative, tonic, and astringent effects. It
is employed in bowel complaints. _Dose_--Of the powder, ten to thirty
grains; of the tincture, one-half to two teaspoonfuls; of the fluid
extract, ten to thirty drops; of the solid extract, three to five
grains; of the syrup