NO. V. — CLASSES OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS. 483 



CATHARTICS. 



Medicines which accelerate the evacuation from the intestines or occasion 

 purging. They may be divided into — 



Aperients (mild Purgatives or Eccoprotics). 

 Asparagus Dodder Pine (resin) 



CEPHALICS. 



Medicines which relieve disorders of the head. The title is nearly obsolete, 

 as the plants to which it refers, are either aromatic stimulants or such as 

 possess a degree of narcotic property. 



Asarabacca Cowslip Lavender 



Betony Eyebright ? Saffron 



Bugloss Lily of the Valley Sage 



Calamint Lime Thyme 



Catmint Pimpernel Valerian. 



Clove-Pink Marjoram 



CORROBORANTS.— See Tonics. 



DEMULCENTS. 



Substances which, by their mild and viscid qualities, lubricate the surfaces 

 to which they are applied, defend them from acrid matter, and diminish 

 their vital tension. 



Bear's -breech 

 Beet 

 Bugloss 

 Comfrey 



DEOBSTRUENTS. 



Medicines which remove obstructions. This is an heterogeneous class, 

 and is scarcely acknowledged by modern writers on the Materia Medica. 

 It includes, for the most part, Purgatives, and those plants which contain 

 a bitter and slightly excitant principle. 



Aconite Arum Betony 



Agrimony Asparagus Bitter-sweet 



K K 2 



