MEDICINES AND THEtft CLASSES. 33 



escharotics ; they are also called corrosives. They consist 

 of the concentrated mineral acids and alkalies, glacial 

 acetic acid, carbolic acid, chromic acid, antimony chloride, 

 arsenic, bromine, and the soluble salts of the heavy metals. 



Charges. — See ' Plasters/ 



C h o I ago g u e s . — See ' Purgatives. ' 



Counter-Irritation is irritation of a healthy part to 

 counteract irritation or disease of a contiguous part. Mus- 

 tard, croton oil, tartar emetic, iodine, mercurial ointment, 

 mercuric iodide, vinegar of cantharides, and water (nearly 

 boiling). 



Demulcents soothe, soften, and ensheathe parts; they 

 act mechanically chiefly and resemble emollients. Gums, 

 mucilage, linseed, cotton-wool and collodion, fullers' earth, 

 starch, molasses, gelatin, albumin, fats, oils, glycerine, 

 and milk. 



Deodorizers destroy smells. Chlorine, chloride of lime, 

 carbolic, sulphurous, and cresylic acids, iodine dissolved 

 in amyl-hydride, Condy's fluid, McDougalFs powder, &c. 



Diaphoretics excite perspiration. They are uncertain 

 as a class. They are all indirect agents ; some sedative, 

 others excitant, and cannot therefore be used indiscrimi- 

 nately in disease. Ammonia acetate solution, sweet spirit 

 of niter, sulphuric ether, diluted spirits, jaborandi, ipecac, 

 or Dover's powder, warm or vapor baths — 100° to 120° F. 



Diluents. — All watery drinks are diluents. 



Disinfectants destroy the specific poisons of communi- 

 cable diseases. Chlorine, chlorinated lime, carbolic acid, 

 sulphurous acid, corrosive sublimate solutions, iodine, &c. 



Diuretics act on the kidneys and increase their secre- 

 tions. Digitalis, alcohol, strophanthus, squill, strychnine, 

 caffeine, broom, turpentine, juniper, copaiba, cantharides, 

 nitrites, liquor potassse, potassium acetate, &c. Ball for 

 horse — i oz. each of niter, resin, and soft soap, daily for 

 4 or 5 days. If it is desirable to increase the solid as 

 well as the watery parts of the urine, add 10 or 15 grains 



