There is a lot of truth in this summary, but it is also simplistic. There is no doubt that Native Americans suffered enormously at the hands of white Americans, but federal Indian policy was shaped as much by paternalism, however misguided, as by white greed.
Quick Answer. Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that generally produces a bowel movement within 30 minutes to three hours, according to WebMD. While patients sometimes use it for relief of constipation, whenever possible they should choose milder laxatives. Some surgical procedures require preparation using magnesium citrate with other laxatives.
Drinking a magnesium citrate solution you are likely to have a large and inevitable bowel movement in which stool that may have been accumulating for days is released. It should take from thirty minutes to three hours for the laxative to take effect.