32 MEDICINES AND THEIR CLASSES. 



may yet be discovered capable of checking the multipli- 

 cation of septic germs in the blood and tissues, as they 

 now do in a wound, or external to the body. (Dun.) 



Antispasmodics prevent or remove spasms. Sulphuric 

 ether, valerian, asafetida, musk, castor and aromatic oils, 

 alkaline bromides, salts of silver, zinc, and copper. 



Antizymotics not only arrest fermentation, but they 

 destroy the several classes of ferments. Corrosive subli- 

 mate, chlorine, iodine, bromine ; sulphurous, carbolic, 

 boric, salicylic, and benzoic acids; many metallic solu- 

 tions; temperatures above 200° F. 



Aperients. — See ' Purgatives/ 



Aphrodisiacs increase sexual appetite. When there is 

 lack of vigor, the most rational treatment consists in the 

 administration of tonics — iron, strychnine, &c. Canthar- 

 ides is unsafe. 



Astringents contract the tissues with which they come 

 in contact and diminish their secretions. Alum, lime, 

 chalk, salts of the heavier metals, acids, and alcohol, with 

 tannic acid and such tannin-containing substances as oak 

 bark and catechu. 



Blisters. — Cantharides, glacial acetic acid, turpentine, 

 strong ammonia, and boiling water. See ' Counter-irrita- 

 tion/ 



Carminatives allay pain by causing the expulsion of 

 flatus (gases) from the stomach and intestines. They are 

 closely allied to antispasmodics. Chief among them are 

 the various aromatic oils, with ginger, mustard, peppers, 

 alcohol, ethers, and chloroform. Carbonic acid gas is 

 neutralized by ammonia preparations; sulphureted and 

 carbureted hydrogen gases by solutions of chlorine or 

 lime chloride. 



Cataplasms.— See 'Poultices.' 



Cathartics.— See ' Purgatives/ 



Caustics burn and disorganize the parts to which they 

 are applied, causing sloughing. The most active are called 



