(seq. 561)

554

Materia Medica

Diuretics

Diuretics. These are such medicines as promote the urinary
secretion and evacuation of the same, it was the theory of the Humeral
Pathologists that they entered into the system and uniting with the
peccant matter went to pass off by the kidneys. Diuresis is increased in
two ways, by invigorating the absorbents, and by increasing the secretory
action of the kidneys, it is also influenced by the state of the cappillary
vessels, as when Diaphoresis supervenes, the urine is lessened in
quantity by this intention, during the exhibition of a Diuretic the patient
should be kept out of bed and his body cool, to increase their
activity diluent drinks are verry necessary which must pass off by one of
the three emunctories, 1st By Diuresis 2d Diaphoresis, & 3d by
Catharsis, it has also been stated that diluents given to promote diuresis
are apt to produce effusion thereby dropsy, hence many Physicians
enjoin a rigid abstinence from them in the cure of Dropsy, but this
practice is almost universally deserted; The disease is attended with
great thirst and not satiating it produces atony in the kidneys whence
the secretion being lessened dropsical effusions are inevitable. To answer
this intention water will generally answer verry well but it is most
usefull when combined with vegitable acids and gin: Sir George Baker
used large draughts of lemonade and Juniper Tea. They are verry