This is the second of a series of articles on the pharmacology, physiology and practical application of the common laxatives and cathartics. The first article appeared October 18.
Harris, M. L.: Dangers from Indiscriminate Use of Cathartics in Acute Intestinal Conditions , J. A. M. A. 44: 622 (
(Feb. 25)
) 1905;.
Quain, E. P.: Some Observations on Catharsis , J. A. M. A. 59: 27 (
(July 6)
) 1912;.
Alvarez, W. C.: Is the Purgation of Patients before Operation Justifiable? Surg., Gynec. & Obst. 26: 651 (
(June)
) 1918;.
Alvarez, W. C., and Taylor, F. B.: Changes in Rhythmicity, Irritability and Tone in the Purged Intestine , J. Pharmacol. & Exper. Therap. 10: 365 (
(Nov.)
) 1917;.
Mayo, W. J.: Radical Operations for the Cure of Cancer of the Second Half of the Large Intestine , J. A. M. A. 67: 1282 (
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) 1916;.
Holmes, O. W.: Currents and Counter Currents in Medicine , Boston, 1861;, p. 37.
Alvarez (J. A. M. A. 65: 388 [
(July 31)
] 1915;)
Peet, M. M.: Rational Preoperative Treatment with Special Reference to Purgation , J. A. M. A. 71: 175 (
(July 20)
) 1918;.
Byford, H. T.: Purging Before and After Abdominal Section , J. A. M. A. 72: 474 (
(Feb. 15)
) 1919;.
Clark, Alonzo: Pepper's System of Medicine , Philadelphia, 2: 1142, 1885;.
McPherson, R.: The Routine Use of Cathartics during the Puerperium , Bull. Lying-In Hosp. , New York, 11: 118 (
(May)
) 1917;.
Hirsch and Wagner, in Krause-Garré: Lehrbuch der Therapic Innerer Krankheiten, 2: 522.
Gee, S. J.: Medical Lectures and Aphorisms , Oxford University Press, 1908;, p. 268.
These may produce constipation by causing stenosis, or else by upsetting the intestinal "gradient" (Alvarez), a lower portion of the intestine having become more irritable than the portion above it.