The dispensatory of the United States of America / By George B. Wood ... and Franklin Bache.
- George Bacon Wood
- Date:
- 1845
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The dispensatory of the United States of America / By George B. Wood ... and Franklin Bache. Source: Wellcome Collection.
22/1394 (page 2)
![: wn separately, and without any reference to community of source, or similarity of character. Their scientific classification belongs to works which treat of them rather in their relations than their essential properties ; and different sys- tems have been adopted according to the set of relations towards which the mind of the author has been especially directed. Thus, the naturalist classifies them according to the affinities of the several objects in nature from which they are derived; the chemist, according to their composition; the practi- tioner of medicine, according to their effects upon the system in a state of health and disease. Butnone of these classifications is without imperfec- tions ; and a simple alphabetical arrangement is decidedly preferable in every case in which the medicines are considered solely in their individual capa- city. Yet, as it comes within the scope of this work to treat of their phy- siological and therapeutical effects, and as the terms by which these effects are expressed are also the titles of classes to which the medicines belong, it will not be amiss to present the reader with the outlines of a system of classification, by consulting which he will be enabled to ascertain the precise meaning we attach to the terms employed to designate the peculiar action of different medicinal substances. Remedies are divided into general and local, the former acting on the whole system, the latter on particular parts or organs. I. GENERAL REMEDIES include 1. Arrertat StTimuLants, some- times called Incrrants, which, while they raise the actions of the system above the standard of health, exhibit their influence chiefly upon the heart and arte- . ries ; 2. Narcotics, which especially affect the cerebral functions, and are either stimulant or sedative according as they increase or diminish action ; 3. AnTispasmopics, which, with a general stimulant power, exert a pecu- liar influence over the nervous system, exhibited in the relaxation of spasm, the calming of nervous irritation, &c., without any special and decided tendency to the brain; 4. ‘Tonics, which moderately and permanently exalt the energies of all parts of the frame, without necessarily producing any apparent increase of the healthy actions; and 5. Astrincents, which have the property of producing contraction in the living tissues with which they _may come in contact. i], LOCAL REMEDIES may be divided into four sections: a. Those affecting the function of a part, namely, 1. Emertics, which act on the stomach, producing vomiting; 2. Caruarrics, which act on the bowels, producing a purgative effect; 3. Diuretics, which act on the kidneys, pro- ducing an increased flow of urine; 4. Anriziruics, which act on the same organs, preventing the formation of calculous matter; 5. D1aPHoRErTics, which increase the cutaneous discharge ; 6. Expectorants, which augment the secretion from the pulmonary mucous membrane, or promote the dis- charge of the secreted matter; 7, Emmenacoeugs, which excite the men- strual secretion ; 8. S1aLacocurs, which increase the flow of saliva; and 9. Erruines, which increase the discharge from the mucous membrane of the nostrils: b. Those affecting the organization of a part, including 1. Rusz- FACIENTS, which produce redness and inflammation of the skin; 2. Epts- pastics or VesicaTories, which produce a serous discharge beneath the bd cuticle, forming a blister; and 3. Escuarorics or Caustics, which destroy the life of the part upon which they act: c. Those operating by a mecha- nical agency, consisting of 1. Demunicenrs, which lubricate the surface to which they are applied, and prevent the contact of irritating substances, or mingle with these and diminish their acrimony ; and 2. Emo.uients, which serve as vehicles for the application of warmth and moisture, at the same time excluding the air: d. Those which act on extraneous matters con-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b33097495_0022.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
