GLOSSARY OF SOME MEDICAL TEEMS. 



Abscess, Puhulbnt. — An accumulation of 

 pus in some tissue or organ of the bodv. 



Abscess, Serous. — An accumulation of 

 fluid in some tissue or organ of the body. 



Absorbents. — (1) A term applied to 

 medicines which possess the power of 

 sucking or drawing off morbid matttrs 

 in the system. (2) Vessels which ab- 

 sorb or take up various fluid elements 

 of the body. 



ActJiK. — A term applied to diseases with 

 violent symptoms, which terminate in a 

 few days in relief, cure, or death. 



Adhesion. — The means by wliich parts, 

 naturally or artificially separated, be- 

 come united. 



Alteratives. — Medicines which induce 

 change or correct morbid conditions, 

 without producing marked effects. 



An^smia. — A state of body arising from 

 deficiency or impoverishment of the 

 blood. 



AN.aESTHETics. — Remedies applied to pre- 

 vent pain by temporarily destroying 

 sensation. 



Anchylosis. — Stiffness or fixture of a 

 joint. 



Aneurism. — A pulsating tumour contain- 

 ing blood. Dilatation of an artery. 



Animalctjla. — Very minute animals, in- 

 visible to the nakeii eye. 



Anodynes. — Medicines which assuage 

 pain. 



Antiseptics. — Chemical agents which pre- 

 vent decomposition of tissues by forming 

 a chemical combination with one or more 

 of their constituents. 



Arteries. — Vessels which convey the 

 blood from the heart to all parts of the 

 body. 



Asphyxia. — Suspended animation. Suf- 

 focation. 



Asthenic. — (1) A type of disease marked 

 by great debility — the opposite to 

 sthenic. (2) Loss of strength. 



Astringents. — Medicines which have the 

 power of contracting muscular fibre, and 

 of coagulating certain fluids. They thus 

 K restore tone and check morbid discharges. 



body. (2) General debility arising 

 from want of nourishment. 



Auscultation. — A method of distinguish- 

 ing disease by listening to sounds within 

 the chest either by direct iipplication of 

 the ear or by means of a stethoscope. 



Bile. — A thick, yellow bitter fluid se- 

 creted from the blood by the liver. 



Cafillaeies.— The hair-like extremity of 

 a vein or artery. 



Caries. — Ulceration or rottenness of a 

 bone. 



Catheter. — An instrument introduced 

 into the bladder through the urethra. 



Chancre. — An ulcer. 



Chronic. — A term applied to diseases of 

 long duration — the opposite of acute. 



Cicatrix. — The scar left after a wound 

 is healed. Scab. 



CoAGULUM.— (1) The fibrin and corpuscles 

 of blood when separated from the serum 

 or watery part. (2) A clot. 



Congestion. — Abnormal accumulation of 

 blood in any part. 



Contagion. — Communication of disease 

 by contact. 



Convulsions. — Violent and involuntary 

 contraction of the muscles. 



Ceassamentum. — The fibrin and corpus- 

 cles of the blood when separated from 

 the serum or watery part. 



Cyst. — A bag or sac containing matter or 

 fluid. 



Cystitis.— Inflammation of the bladder. 



Decoctions. — Medicines procured by boil- 

 ing in water. 



Deodorizers. — Agents which disgnise 

 odours, acting mechanically. 



Diagnosis. — The forming of an opinion 

 as to the nature and seat of a disease. 



Digestion.— The process by which a por- 

 tion of the food is rendered fit for ab- 

 sorption into the venous blood. 



Disinfectants.— Agents which chemically 

 decompose noxious matters. 



Deastics. — Powerful purgatives. 



Drench. — Medicine given in a fluid form. 



Dysentery. — Inflammation of the mucous 

 lining of the bowels with bloody evacua- 

 tions. 



