Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias.

  • Anthony Todd Thomson
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    227/248 page 199
    in the system ; and danger may thence arise if the doses too rapidly succeed to one another. The action also of some remedies, elaterium and digitalis for example, continues long after the remedy is left off; and therefore much caution is requisite in avoiding too powerful an effect, by a repetition of them even in diminished doses. Aloes and castor oil acquire greater activity by continued use, so that the dose requires to be diminished. CLASSIFICATION OF REMEDIES. 1. Alteratives are remedies which tend to improve the general health, without necessarily producing any visible effect on the secretions or excretions of the body. They are sometimes called Special Stimulants, and include Specifics as well as those medicines usually termed Alteratives. 2. Antacids are remedies prescribed to neutralize the excess of acid in the stomach or urine. 3. Anthelmintics (ocvn, against, Ix^v?, a worm) destroy and expel in- testinal worms. 4. Antiperiodics remove the diseases that occur at stated periods, as ague, and the several forms of neuralgia. 5. Antiscorbutics prevent or cure scurvy. 6. Antispasmodics counteract irregular and inordinate muscular action. 7. Astringents check bleeding or excessive secretions, or contract relaxed organs. 8. Carminatives relieve griping. 9. Caustics and Counter-irritants destroy or burn the animal tissues, and, when locally applied, excite heat, redness, and inflammation. 10. Demulcents allay irritation by their local soothing properties. 11. Diaphoretics cause and encourage cutaneous exhalation. 12. Diuretics augment the secretion and promote the discharge of urine. 13. Emetics induce vomiting. 14. Emmenagogues promote the flow of the catamenia. 15. Expectorants promote the secretion from the bronchial tubes and air passages, and facilitate the discharge. 16. Narcotics (vx%xvi, stupor), Anodynes O. privative, odvvvi, pain) Hypnotics (vttvos, sleep), and sedatives promote sleep, allay pain or irritability, and (in the instance of the last) reduce the action of the heart. 17. Purgatives quicken or increase the alvine evacuations. 18. Refrigerants are cooling remedies, which abate thirst or unnatural heat. 19. Sialagogues promote the flow of saliva. 20. Stimulants temporarily increase the frequency of the pulse and the heat of the body. 21. Tonics increase the tone and vigour of the body. *#* This classification is principally taken from Dr Nevinsy Translation of the Pharmacopoeia.
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