20 MATERIA MEDICH 



oP these methods; but some authors form their principal divisions or 

 classes of medicines from the parts acted on, and their orders from 

 the nature or quality of the effect, or vice versa. The following sys- 

 tem of classification is founded upon i\\Q physiological method. 



Medicines may exert their influence over the system at large, or 

 they may evince an affinity for some one especial organ, as the 

 lungs, kidneys, skin, &c. The former may be denominated Gene- 

 ral Remedies^ the latter Local Remedies. 



General Remedies include the following classes : 



I. CerehroSpinajits^ or such as act primarily upon the cerebro- 

 spinal system. These comprise several subdivisions, as (1) Para- 

 lysers and benuTiibers, or such as produce paralysis of voluntary 

 motion, or cause topical numbness, as aconite and coneia. (2) Con- 

 vulsives or tetanies^ — agents which increase the irritability of the 

 muscular fibre, and in large doses, occasion convulsions, as strych- 

 nia^ brucia, &c. (3) Stupefacients^ or intoxicants^ — producing, at 

 first, excitement both of the arterial and nervous systems, but sub- 

 sequently, stupor and depression. This variety includes opium^ 

 alcohol^ ether., &c. (4) ^dative stupefacients, or such as occasion 

 weakness of muscles and confusion of intellect, along with nausea 

 and convulsions, as digitalis, tobacco, &c. (5) Delirifacients, or 

 such as produce delirium, preceded by dilatation of pupil, dysphagia 

 and aphonia, and terminating in stupor. Examples of this subdivi- 

 sion are seen in belladonna, stramonium, and hyoscyamiis. 



II. The second class comprises the Stimulants. — This class of 

 remedies might very easily be made to include very many of the 

 preceding division, as for instance ether, alcohol, and opium ; but 

 only those are here spoken of, whose most obvious quality is to pro- 

 duce an exaltation of the vital energies of the system. Stimulants 

 may be divided into nervous and arterial; the former including the 

 antispasmodics, and the latter the volatile oils, ammonia, capsi- 

 cum, &c. 



III. Tonics. — This order comprises such medicines as possess 

 strengthening or invigorating properties. They are closely allied to 

 stimulants, and might, in fact, be classified under the head o^ per- 

 manent stimulayits. Tonics are divided into vegetable and mineral 

 tonics. 



IV. Astringents. — These include medicines which produce con- 

 traction of the organic fibre. By some they are considered as only 

 a subdivision of tonics. Astringents are naturally divided into vege- 

 table and mineral. 



V. Refrigerants, ov arterial sedatives. — By this term is meant 

 medicines which reduce the temperature of the body, and thereby 

 diminish febrile heat. The most decided remedy of this class is cold, 

 directly applied; but there are also certain medicines which produce 

 a similar effect, as the vegetable acids, the preparations of antimony, 

 and saline substances. 



