288 MEDICAL TERMS. 



MEDICAL TERMS. 



(This classification of drugs and explanations is given because the 

 terms are used to avoid verbosity). 



Alteratives. — Medicines which, if given in small and repeated doses 

 gradually bring about a healthy state of the system without seriously aug- 

 menting the secretions — such as arsenic and its preparations, iodide of po- 

 tassium, etc. 



Anesthetics. — Chloroform, or ether, drugs that deprive of sensation or 

 feeling. t ..^^ 



Anodynes. — Morphine or cocaine, drugs that assuage pain. 



Antiseptics. — Medicines that resist or check putrefaction, such as chlor- 

 ide of lime, carbolic acid, soda, creosote, etc. 



Antispasmodics. — Medicine that overcomes inordinate muscular action, 

 from their sedative effects allaying spasms and convulsions, as chloroform 

 or opium. 



Aperients. — See Cathartics. 



Astringents. — Drugs used internally that contract muscular fiber and 



check diarrhea, hemorrhage and diabetes, used extensively to stop 

 bleeding and diminish discharge from wounds, such as alum, gallic acid, etc. 



Blisters. — Agents used as counter irritants for internal inflammation. 

 Strong liquid ammonia being a good and quick blister for a dog; it may be 

 applied on a cloth or sponge held on the part to be blistered for about ten 

 minutes. Spirits of turpentine is also good; wring a piece of red flannel 

 out of hot water, sprinkle with turpentine, and apply to the part. Pure 

 olive oil should afterward be applied to blistered parts. 



Cordials. — Medicines that increase strength, stimulate the stomach 

 and animate the spirits. Cordials are often given to hunting dogs after 

 a hard day's work in the field. Here is a good one to use. 



Cordiane Ball. — Take powdered cardamon seeds 1 dram, oil of carra- 

 ways 10 drops, oil of cloves 5 drops, powdered gum acacia % dram, made 

 into a paste with syrup; dose for a greyhound or hunting dogs is one- 

 fourth of this, given wrapped in an ounce of lean mutton. 



Carminatives. — Medicines that expel wind, such as oil of peppermint, 

 ginger, etc. 



Cathartics, Purgatives, Aperients. — Medicines to cause discharges, 

 cleansing stomach and bowels. Laxatives and mild aperients. 



Caustics. — Agents that destroy or decompose parts to which they are 

 applied, used for proud flesh in wounds, to destroy warts, to sear the parts 

 and prevent absorption of virus in case of bites, etc., etc. Nitrate of silver, 

 carbolic acid, nitric acid or the hot iron are the most active. 



Demulcents. — Agents to soften effecs of irritants, by sheathing the 

 surface, such as glycerine, gum acacia, and are used as a vehicle in giving 

 such irritating articles as turpentine, oil of male fern, and many others. 



Diaphoretics. — Medicines to produce sweating, as sweet spirits of nitre. 



Diuxetics, — Remedies which increase discharge of urine, such as nitrate 

 of potash, Venice turpentine, balsam copabia, etc. 



