Page 94 - My FlipBook

92 DENTAL MEDICINE.
slum, permanganate of potassium, chlorine water, chlorinated
lime, etc., etc.
ANTACIDS.

Antacids are medicinal substances, capable of neutralizing
acidity of the blood, the secretions, etc., by combining with the
acid and counteracting it.
The alkalies, alkaline earths, and their carbonates are the sub-
stances included in this class, and the former are more energetic
in their action than the alkaliije earths, such as magnesia. The
carbonates of these earths have little or no chemical influence
upon the tissues.
This class of remedies, in the form of alkaline preparations,
are administered internally as antacids in cases where an unusual
quantity of acid is generated in the stomach—a common symp-
tom of dyspepsia, which is indicated by acid eructations, violent
heartburn and marked effervescence when a carbonated alkali is
taken ; the acid in the stomach laying hold of the alkaline base,
and resulting in a large quantity of carbonic acid being driven
ofF.
Alkalies are also employed to relieve irritability of the stomach
and check vomiting ; also as antidotes in cases of poisoning from
acids ; also as antilithics^ to neutralize lithic acid when it is sep-
arated in unusual quantity by the urinary secretion ; also as
lithontriptics^ or solvents of calculi, more particularly lithates
;
also employed in cases of acute rheumatism and gout, to neutral-
ize the excess of acid in the blood ; also in diabetes mellitus, and
to relieve irritability of the urinary organs, cutaneous irritation,
itching of the anus, especially when such conditions are depend-
ent on an excess of acid in the system ; and also as antiplastics
and resolvents in inflammation, and as diuretics. As a general
rule the administration of antacids should be preceded by an
emetic or cathartic, and in some cases both.
When a permanent effect is desired, antacids are usually com-
bined with tonics and aromatics, and occasionally with narcotics
;
for when given alone the relief afforded is but transient. To
prevent an irritant and purgative action on the bowels, and also