8 THERAPEUTIC AGENTS DEFINED 



fibers of the iris and at the same time contracting the ciliary muscle. Ex- 

 amples: Pilocarpine, eserine, etc. 



IRRITANTS. Agents which are applied locally to the skin to produce 

 certain effects, as rubefacients (simply reddening the skin); epispastics 

 (blistering) ; pustulants (causing blebs in which is found pus) ; escharotics, 

 or caustics (actually destroying the tissue). Examples: Mustard (rube- 

 facient) ; cantharides (epispastic) ; croton oil (pustulant) ; caustic potassa, 

 carbolic acid, and strong mineral acids (escharotics). . 



LOCAL SEDATIVES. Agents which diminish irritation in the part to 

 which applied, relieving local inflammation. Examples: Acetate of lead, 

 opium, belladonna, etc. 



DEMULCENTS. Bland remedies used to allay and mechanically protect 

 inflamed surfaces. They are used also internally for this purpose, as in 

 acute inflammation of the alimentary canal. Examples: Mucilages of 

 acacia, flaxseed, Iceland and Irish moss, elm, etc. 



EMOLLIENTS resemble the above; are used externally to soften and 

 soothe the irritated and abraded skin. Examples: Lard, olive oil, cacao- 

 butter, etc. 



ANTISEPTICS. Agents which arrest putrefaction, either by preventing 

 the growth of micro-organisms causing putrefactive decomposition or by 

 destroying these micro-organisms. Examples: Carbolic acid, corrosive 

 sublimate, etc. 



DISINFECTANTS. Some authorities limit the use of this term to those 

 agents which destroy the micro-organisms. The terms antiseptic and 

 disinfectant are frequently used interchangeably. Examples: Corrosive 

 sublimate, carbolic acid, iodoform, zinc chloride, eucalyptol, etc. 



ANTIZYMOTTCS. A term applied to agents which arrest fermentation. 

 Examples: See above. 



ANTHELMINTICS. Agents which destroy such parasitic worms as infest 

 the alimentary canal. Taeniafuges destroy tape- worms; vermifuges expel 

 these intestinal parasites. Examples: Santonin, spigelia, chenopodium, 

 etc. Taeniafuges: Filix mas, pelletierin, cusso, etc. 



ANTIPARASITICS. Agents which destroy those parasites which infest 

 the human body externally. Examples: Mercurial preparations, chrysa- 

 robin, carbolic acid, cocculus, etc. 



ANTIPERIODICS. See above. 



Thus far we have only very briefly called attention to therapeutical 

 and physiological action of drugs, giving but a few examples. We will 

 temporarily leave the further consideration of this, and for the time refer 

 to the therapeutical agents themselves. 



INORGANIC THERAPEUTICAL AGENTS 



(Titles printed in capitals, U.S.P.; all others without asterisk are unofficial; 

 N.P. Salts indicated by *.) 



