Cathartic 701289 218441145 2008-06-10T17:45:22Z Eubot 231599 Hatnote formatting, see [[User:Eubot/Hatnote formatting]] {{otheruses|catharsis (disambiguation)}} In medicine, a [[cathartic]] is a substance which ''accelerates'' [[defecation]]. This is in contrast to a [[laxative]], which is a substance which ''eases'' defecation, usually by softening the [[Feces|stool]].<ref>{{MeshName|Cathartics}}</ref> It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However, agents such as [[psyllium seed husks]] increase the bulk of the stool.<ref>[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/catharsis.html The MSDS HyperGlossary: Catharsis<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Cathartics such as [[sorbitol]] are sometimes used in response to [[poisoning]].<ref>{{FPnotebook|ER70}}</ref> As an adjective, [[cathartic]] means psychotherapeutic or emotionally beneficial; viewing art or listening to music may be cathartic experiences. ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{Dorlands|c_15|12219134}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|Cathartic}} {{medicine-stub}} [[es:Catártica]]