47 



ALTERATIVES. 



Alteratives are medicines that act on the body in a 

 flow and nearly imperceptible manner, thereby cor- 

 recting any latent evil. It is an improper cultom to 

 give alteratives when an animal is in health, under 

 the idea of increafing it, or keeping him fo ; for it is 

 evident that, when an animal is in health, any alter- 

 ation mufl be for the worfe. 



The fubftances ufed as alteratives are of different 

 kinds, and a<5t in different ways ; but they may prin- 

 cipally be referred to fuch as aft on the fkin, called 

 fudor'ifics, or ftceats, as fulphur, antimony, mercury, 

 warm cloathing, &c. ; to fuch as ad; on the kidneys, 

 called diuretics^ as refin, nitre, cream of tartar, an- 

 timony, fox-glove, tobacco, turpentine, &c. ; to fuch 

 as act on the inteflines, called purges, as aloes, gam- 

 boge, calomel, falts, &c.; to fuch as act on the flo- 

 mach, increafmg its tone, called ^omac/^/c*; to which 

 may be alfo referred cordials, as bitters of various 

 kinds, fpices, malt, beer, &c. Thefe various fpecies 

 of alteratives are treated of at length under their 

 feveral heads. See Sudorifics, Diuretics, 

 Purges, Stomachics, and Cordials. 



To thefe may be added thofe alteratives that a(5l 

 by all the above means, that is, fuch as gently fli- 

 mulate all the fecretions at the fame time, as the 

 •ikin, the kidneys, the bowels, &c. Various fub- 



