THERAPEUTIC AGENTS DEFINED 7 



SIALAGOGUES. Agents which promote the secretion and flow of saliva 

 from the salivary glands. Examples: Pyrethrum, mezereum, the mer- 

 curials and antimonials, etc. 



EMETICS. Agents which cause vomiting, acting directly upon the 

 nerves of the stomach or acting through the blood upon the vomiting 

 center, or by reflex irritation of the vomiting center. Examples: Mustard, 

 zinc sulphate, apomorphine, ipecacuanha, tartar emetic, etc. 



PURGATIVES produce evacuation of the contents of the intestinal canal 

 by increasing secretion along the tract, by exciting peristaltic action, etc. 

 Examples: Podophyllum, colocynth, jalap, croton oil, magnesium sul- 

 phate, etc. 



ASTRINGENTS. Agents which produce contraction of muscular fiber, 

 which coagulate albumen and lessen secretion from mucous membranes, 

 arresting discharges. Examples: Tannic and gallic acids, alum, lead ace- 

 tate, persulphate of iron, etc. 



STOMACHICS. Agents which increase the appetite and promote gastric 

 digestion. They also check fermentation and dispel accumulation of flatus. 

 Examples: Peppermint, cardamom, ginger, capsicum, etc. 



HEPATIC STIMULANTS (Cholagogues). Agents which excite the liver 

 and increase the functional activity of that organ so that the amount of 

 bile is augmented, etc. Hepatic stimulants increase the activity of the 

 liver-cells, while cholagogues remove the bile from the duodenum. Exam- 

 ples: Podophyllum, aloes, jalap, colocynth, mercurous chloride, etc. 



HEPATIC DEPRESSANTS. Agents which reduce the functional activity 

 of the liver, having the opposite effect of the foregoing, that of diminish- 

 ing the formation of the bile, urea, and glycogen. Examples: Opium, 

 quinine, arsenic, antimony, etc. 



ECBOLICS, OR OXYTOCICS. Agents which stimulate the pregnant uterus 

 and produce contraction of that organ, either by direct irritation of the 

 muscles of the womb, or indirectly by affecting the uterine center of the 

 cord. Examples: Ergot, cotton-root bark, savin, cimicifuga, etc. 



EMMENAGOGUES. Agents which stimulate the uterine muscular fibers 

 and restore the normal menstrual function. Examples: Ergot, apiol, iron, 

 etc. 



APHRODISIACS. Agents used to excite the function of the genital 

 organs when they are morbidly depressed. Examples: Phosphorus, zinc 

 phosphide, salts of iron, gold, or arsenic, etc. 



AN APHRODISIACS. Agents which diminish the sexual desire. Exam- 

 ples: The bromides, camphor, etc. 



MYDRIATICS. Agents which cause dilatation of the pupil; used to tem- 

 porarily destroy accommodation by causing paralysis of the ciliary muscle. 

 Examples: Atropine and homatropine. 



M\OTICS. Agents acting in a manner contrary to that of the above, 

 producing contraction of the pupil by stimulating the circular muscular 



