INDIFFERENT REMEDIES. MECHANICALS 



Definition. — The terms indifferent and mechanical are used to 

 designate a group of therapeutic agents which in general do not 

 produce any chemical or pharmacological effect upon the organ- 

 ism and which are employed only for their mechanical action. 

 The group includes protective, emollient, cleansing, absorbent, 

 dilating, and uniting remedies. 



L PROTECTIVES 



Synonjnns: Obtegents, in vol vents, obvolents, lubricants; covering, pro- 

 tecting, soothing remedies, bandages or dressings. 



Uses. — The protectives serve to cover the skin and mucous 

 membranes in inflammatory conditions and when wounds are 

 present; also to guard and defend these structures against injurious 

 influences. Wounds upon the skin are most frequently treated 

 by the use of bandagiug materials. In addition, the different 

 varieties of eczema, erosions and bums and also the specific inflam- 

 mations of the skin require the employment of protective remedies 

 in the form of salves. The latter are also applied to the skin 

 prophylactically to protect it from flowing secretions (pus) and 

 caustic substances (cantharides). The protectives are admin- 

 istered internally in the different inflammatory conditions of the 

 mucous membrane of the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and intes- 

 tines and as mechanical antidotes lq intoxications (see p. 216) ; the 

 mucous membrane of the bladder and rectum is also accessible to 

 applications of protectives. Finally, they are used to prevent the 

 dissipation of heat and moisture from the skin, to promote cu- 

 taneous resorption in the epidermatic application of medicines 

 and to lubricate the instruments and hands. 



Remedies. — 1. Fats and oils: Lard, olive oil, linseed oil, pea- 

 nut oil, almond oil, rape oil, poppy-seed oil, cod liver oil, cacao oil, 

 290 



