ON THE ACTION OF MEDICINES 
THE DOSES IN WHICH THEY CAN SAFELY BE ADMINISTERED. 
CHAPTER XXXIIT. 
THE ACTION OF MEDICINES, AND THE FORMS IN WHICH THEY ARE 
PRESCRIBED. 
ALTERATIVES — ANASTHETICS—ANODYNES — ANTACIDS— ANTHELMINTICS — ANTISPASMO- 
DICS—APERIENTS—ASTRINGENTS— BLISTERS—Ca USTICS— CHARGES — CLYSTERS — COR- 
DIALS— DEMULCENTS — DIAPHORETICS — DIGESTIVES — DIURETICS — EMBROCATIONS — 
EMULSIONS—EXPECTORANTS—FEBRIFUGES — LOTIONS — NARCOTICS—REFRIGERANTS— 
SEDATIVES—STIMULANTS—STOMACHICS—STYPTICS—TONICS— VERMIFUGES OR WORM 
MEDICINES. 
ALTERATIVES. 
THIS TERM IS NOT VERY SCIENTIFIC, but it is in very general use, and 
easily explains its own meaning, though the modus operandi of the drugs 
employed to carry it out is not so clear. The object is to replace unhealthy 
action by a healthy one, without resorting to any of the distinctly defined 
remedies, such as tonics, stomachics, &c. As a general rule, this class of 
remedies produce their effect by acting slowly but steadily on the depura- 
tory organs, as the liver, kidneys, and skin. The following may be found 
useful :— 
1. In DisoRDERED STATES OF THE SKIN— 
Hime ticnllartarke. acne nl nn ne) me nn OROUTICESS 
PowderediGimezers 7.) 9) eel) ee) ounces, 
Opium . . . Ll ounce. 
Syrup enough to form 16 balls: : one to be given every night. 
2. SuupLty CooLtinc— 
ISPD ROE S IMTS 6 Go G6 a o 6 6 6 oF 6 6 Ab CorbhiXae 
Castile; Soape Ba Fy. cies a as Ge ee 13 ounce. 
Ginger . 5 . . ounce. 
Syrup enough to form 6 balls : one to be given every morning. Or, 
3. REMC NOG 5 dg 5 6 6 oo og oo. lbs ihevelateat, 
Hime ticnhal tangas Scie s0 iy nel) eels euaTachimns, 
CAHILL TIS 6 eo 6 A shoe of 8 co Oo iGhedaien, Mis, 
4. ALTERATIVE BALL FoR GENERAL Usr— 
Black Sulphuret of ee ony : 2 to 4 drachms. 
Sulphur. 2 Suet Sree 2 drachms. 
NMG S So 2 drachms, 
Linseed meal and water enough to form a ball. 
