MEDICINES. 595 
SEDATIVES 
DEPRESS THE ACTION of the circulatory and nervous systems, without 
affecting the mental functions. ‘They are very powerful in their effects ; 
and digitalis, which is the drug commonly used for this purpose, has a 
special quality known by the name of cumulative: that is to say, if 
repeated small doses are given at intervals for a certain time, an ettect 
is produced almost equal “to that which would follow the exhibition of 
the whole quantity at once. Besides digitalis, aconite is also sometimes 
used to lower the action of the heart, and by many it is supposed to be 
equal in potency to that drug, without the danger which always attends 
its use. 
STIMULANTS. 
By Tus TERM is understood those substances which excite the action 
of the whole nervous and vascular systems; almost all medicines are 
stimulants to some part or other, as, for instance, aperients, which stimu- 
late the lining of the bowels, but to the ceneral system are lowering. 
On the other “hand, stimulants, so called par excellence, excite and raise 
the action of the brain and heart, 
9OF Obst WM 6 6.0 4 6 .O 6 6 o oo ols Gibbyne 
Carbonate of Ammonia . Se tecnaion ee eee oS scOLzarachms: 
Mineture of Ginger . .°. . ..». . « . «. 4drachms, 
Mix and give as a drench. 
For other stimulants, see Cordials. 
STOMACHICS. 
StoMAcHIcS are medicines given to improve the tone of the stomach 
when impaired by bad management or disease. 
100. Stomacuic Batir— 
PowdereatGentian’ Gi) eae) od el ee es  OUNCeS 
PowderediGinger. "ea ae, ee) 9s eee eebvdrachmn 
ChaCms OSE 5 6 6 oo o05 6 o 9 Gleam, 
Treacle to form a ball. Or, 
101, Cascarilla, powdered, 05 026) 1) 6 ce pei) yeu pl Once: 
Wiydd 9% 16 iG 6 6 6 5 dg 8 9 a 8 Se eee cheom- 
Castile Soap . . Si Boe. © et Lidrachm? 
Mix, with syrup or treacle, into : a pall: Or, 
102. Powdered-Golomibo 1. 2. 2 «+. % © ..93 to tounce, 
Powdered @assiany | 0s). els, eats oe bardasdmachm: 
Powdered Rhubarbe.e. ys) 1 oie) kena) eee eucrachms, 
Mix as in No. 101. 
STYPTICS. 
SrYptics are remedies which have a tendency to stop the flow of blood 
either from internal or external surfaces. They are used either by the 
mouth, or to the part itself in the shape of lotions, We. ; or the actual 
cautery, which is always the best in external bleeding, may be employed. 
Sometimes, however, the part cannot be reached with the heated iron, 
and is yet within the influence of an injection, as in bleeding from the 
nostrils, for which the following may be employed :— 
103. Mabicowbeavesien ta toute) a cifas) a of. os OUNCE. 
Boiling Water. . . aoe tiarbetes 
Infuse, and when cold strain and inject into the nostrils. 
For internal styptics, see Astringents. 
QQ 2 
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