This section is from the book "Practical Materia Medica And Prescription Writing", by Oscar W. Bethea. Also available from Amazon: Practical Materia Medica and Prescription Writing.
Eng., Magnesium Sulphate. Synonyms, Epsom Salt, Salts.
Small, colorless prisms or needles.
Odorless; saline and bitter taste.
In 1 part of water. Insoluble in alcohol.
Alkaloids, arsenates, carbonates, phosphates, tartrates, phosphoric acid, lime water, lead acetate, silver nitrate, etc.
4 drachms (15 Gm.).
Magnesium Sulphate is contained in the Compound Infusion of Senna.
The oxides, the carbonate, and the magma are antacid and laxative. The sulphate is a hydragogue purgative.
The oxides and the carbonates are principally used in hyperchlorhydria, gastric ulcer, etc. The sulphate is one of the most extensively used purgatives.
Magnesium Sulphate, Magnesium Oxide, and the solution of Magnesium Citrate are the preparations most frequently prescribed. The latter preparation is dispensed in bottles of 12 fluidounces, and should always be prescribed in that quantity. After it has been opened and the excess of carbon dioxide escaped, it acquires a flat taste; so should always be ordered fresh.
Magnesium Sulphate is the cheapest and probably the most largely used purgative. It is usually kept by the laity, and it is often advisable, particularly with the poorer class of patients, to merely include in the written instructions for patient, an order that a certain amount of Epsom Salts be taken. This preparation is commonly called"Salts,"and when the word is written without the final "s"being legible, or the word"Epsom"being employed, it has been mistaken for"Salt,"and Sodium Chloride used. A desirable method of administering it is in a glass of lemonade.
As a purgative:
or | |||
Magnesii Sulph............ | 30 | ||
Syrupi................ | 15 | ||
Limonis Succi............. | q. s. | 60 |
M.
Tablespoonful in glass of water every four hours until effect.
In the treatment of diarrhea:
or | |||
Magnesii Sulphatis......... | 3iv | 15 | 0 |
Tinct. Opii Deod................. | xl | 2 | 5 |
Acidi Sulph. Arom................ | f3iss | 6 | 0 |
Aquae Menth. Pip..................... | .q. s. | 120 | 0 |
M:
Tablespoonful every four hours until relieved.
As an aperient in the treatment of comedo:
, | or | ||
Magnesii Sulphatis........ | 45 | ||
Ferri Sulphatis............. | gr. xvj | 1 | |
Acidi Sulph. Dil. ................ | 3ij | 8 | |
Aquae.................. | q. s. | 240 |
Tablespoonful in water before breakfast. As a purgative:
or | |||
Liq. Magnesii Citratis............ | 360 |
Take before breakfast.
As an antacid, as in the treatment of hyperacidity, gastric ulcer, etc.:
or | |||
Atropinae Sulphatis............... | gr. 1/10 | 006 | |
Bismuthi Subnit., | |||
Magnesii Oxidi ................ | āā. 3iv | 15 | 000 |
Sodii Bicarb..................... | 3ij | 8 | 000 |
M. ft. cht. no. xv.
One in milk two hours after meals.
In the treatment of erythema venenatum:
or | |||
Acidi Borici.................. | gr. xv | 1 | 0 |
Talci Purificati............ | gr. xx | 1 | 3 |
Cretae Praeparatae............. | 3ij | 8 | 0 |
Magnesii Carbonatis............. | 3iij | 12 | 0 |
M.
Use as a dusting powder.
1 Ohmann-Dumesnll: Diseases of the Skin 2 ibid
 
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