Emmenagogues are remedies which restore or increase the menstrual flow. They are divided, according to their action, into two classes. Those which act upon the uterine muscle or mucous membrane are said to be direct; those which influence the uterus by affecting the general health of the body, or by altering the blood-supply of the parts, or by influencing the nervous system, are said to be indirect.

The principal Direct Emmenagogues are -

Ergot, Digitalis, Savine, Quinine, Asafetida, Myrrh, Guaiac, Cantharides, Borax, Rue, Hydrastis, Caulophyllum, Tansy, Apiol, Hedeoma The Indirect Emmenagogues are -

Iron and the Hematics, Cod-liver Oil, Strychnine, Cinnamon, Aloes.

Hot foot-bath. Baths Hot hip-bath. Mustard bath.

To genitals. Leeches To thighs.

Baths. Mustard Poultices to thighs. Stupes.

Ecbolics or oxytocics are remedies which act directly upon the uterine muscular fibers, inducing uterine contraction, and are chiefly used during or immediately after parturition to produce or increase uterine action. They are, therefore, contraindicated before parturition, lest they induce abortion, although they are often used criminally for this purpose.

The exact manner in which ecbolics act is unknown, but it is supposed that they act directly by stimulating the uterine center in the cord, or reflexly through uterine congestion.

In small doses many of the ecbolics are emmenagogue, while many of the direct emmenagogues are ecbolic.

The only justifiable uses for ecbolics are in parturition, with uterine inertia and unobstructed and well-dilated maternal parts, when it is desired to hasten the delivery of the child, or, second, to induce firm contraction of the uterus, and thus prevent or check uterine hemorrhage after the birth of the child.

The principal Ecbolics are -

Ergot, Ustilago, Hydrastis, Berberis, Savine, Quinine, Cotton-root Bark, Oil of rue, Borax, Pilocarpine, Potassium permanganate, Strong purgatives, Pennyroyal.

Drugs which have not been considered elsewhere in the present work will be described here: