active ingredient of most natural laxative waters; used as a promptly acting cathartic in certain poisonings, in the treatment of increased intracranial pressure and edema, as an anticonvulsant in eclampsia (when administered intravenously), in the treatment of some dysthymias and of refractory asthma, and as an antiinflammatory (when applied locally). SYN: Epsom salts.
