THERAPEUTIC AGENTS DEFINED 



VASCULAR STIMULANTS. Agents which dilate the peripheral vessels and 

 increase the peripheral circulation. Members of this class also strengthen 

 the heart's action, and are advantageously employed in debilitated 

 conditions of the central organs of the circulation. Examples: Alcohol, 

 preparations of ammonia, caffeine, digitalis, strophanthus, epinefrin, etc. 



VASCULAR SEDATIVES. Agents which lessen the capillary circulation 

 and raise the blood pressure by stimulating the vasomotor center or its 

 mechanism and the walls of the vessels. "Examples; Ergot, digitalis, 

 opium, salts of iron, etc. 



DIURETICS. Agents which increase the secretion of urine, acting either 

 directly upon the secreting cells of the kidneys or by raising the general 

 or local arterial tension. Employed in acute congestion and inflammation 

 of the kidneys and in dropsies. Examples: Squill, scoparius, triticum, 

 and organic salts of the alkalies. 



RENAL DEPRESSANTS. Agents which lower the activity of the renal 

 cells, thereby lessening the urinary secretion. Examples: Morphine, 

 quinine, ergot, etc. 



VESICAL TONICS AND SEDATIVES. Agents acting upon the bladder, 

 in the one case increasing the tone of the muscular fibers and in the other 

 lessening the irritability of that organ. Examples: Tonics strych- 

 nine, cantharis, belladonna, etc.; sedatives opium, buchu, uva ursi, 

 pareira, etc. 



RENAL SEDATIVES. Agents which exert a sedative action upon the 

 whole urinary tract. Examples: Copaiba, cubebs, etc. 



DIAPHORETICS AND SUDORLFICS. Agents which increase the action of 

 the skin and promote perspiration. Examples: Dover's powder, jabor- 

 andi, camphor, sweet spirits of niter, etc. 



ANHIDROTICS. Agents which check perspiration. Examples: Acid 

 camphoric, atropine, zinc salts, acids, alum, etc. 



ANTILITHICS. Agents used to prevent the formation of insoluble con- 

 cretions or to dissolve concretions when formed in the ducts. Examples: 

 Salts of lithia, potassium, benzoic acid, etc. 



EXPECTORANTS. Agents which are employed to facilitate the expul- 

 sion of bronchial secretions and to modify the character of these when 

 abnormal. Examples: Ammonium chloride, the aromatic balsams, squill, 

 licorice, senega, etc. 



PULMONARY SEDATIVES. Agents which allay the irritability of the res- 

 piratory center and the nerves of the lungs and bronchial tubes. Exam- 

 ples: Belladonna, opium, hyoscyamus, hydrocyanic acid, etc. 



ERRHINES AND "STERNUTATORIES. The latter are agents which affect 

 locally the nasal mucous membrane, producing sneezing; the former pro- 

 duce an increase of nasal secretion and discharge. They also indirectly 

 stimulate the vasomotor centers and at the same time excite the respira- 

 tory centers. Examples: Ipecacuanha, sanguinaria, veratrine, etc. 



