A Dictionary of terms used in medicine and the collateral sciences / by Richard D. Hoblyn.
- Richard Hoblyn
- Date:
- 1859
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A Dictionary of terms used in medicine and the collateral sciences / by Richard D. Hoblyn. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library at Emory University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University.
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![the digestive canal; and 2d. to certain ex- ternal applications made to ulcers, gan- grene, &c, for the purpose of arresting the progress of these diseases, and also to prevent the patient or his attendants from suffering from the fetid discharges.] ABSORPTION (abaorbeo, to suck up). The function of the absorbents, and, it is said, of the capillaries and veins. 1. Interstitial Absorption. The function by which the particles of the tissue which fill the meshes of the capillary net-work are removed, as in the atrophy of the tail of the tadpole, and of the pupillary mem- brane in the foetus, and in the development of cells in bones. 2. Cutaneous Absorption. A function of the skin, by which certain preparations, rubbed into the skin, have the same action as when given internally, only in a less degree. Thus, mercury, applied in this manner, cures syphilis, and excites saliva- tion; tartrate of antimony is said to occasion vomiting; and arsenic produces poisonous effects. 3. Absorption, in Chemistry. This term denotes the passage of a gas or vapor into a liquid or solid substance; or that of a* liquid into the pores of a solid. Thus, water absorbs carbonic acid gas, lime ab- sorbs water, &c. [ABSTEMIOUS (abs, from; tenetum, wine). Strictly abstinence from wine, but applied to moderation in diet.] ABSTERGENTS (abstergeo, to cleanse). Abstersives. Lotions, or other applications for cleansing sores. Applied to suppurat- ing surfaces, they are called detersives. ABSTINENCE (abstineo, to abstain). Curafamis. Excessive or total privation of food, [also sparing use of food, liquors, &c] ABSTRACTION (abstraho, to draw away). The process of distilling a liquid from any substance. See Oohobation. [ABUTA. A name for the plant Pareira brava.~\ [ABUTILON. TheSeda abutilon, yelloV mallow.] [ABVACUATION. An old term denot- ing a large evacuation of a peccant fluid from the body.] [ABSUS. Cassia Absus. A small species of Egyptian lotus, termed by the natives chimchin. The seeds, powdered and mixed with an equal quan-tity of sugar, are used in Egypt in the commencement of puru- lent ophthalmia, as a dry. collyrium.] ACA'CIA (d/ca£w, to sharpen). A genus of spiny trees and shrubs, of the order LeguminoscE. 1. Acacia Catechu. The Khair tree, which yields the Catechu, or Terra Japonica. 2. Acacia Vera. The Egyptian Thorn, which yields the Gam Arabic. This sub- stance is produced by other species of this genus, as A. Arabica and Senegalensis. [See Gummi Arabicum ] 3. Mucilago Acacice. Mucilage of Gum Arabic; a preparation consisting of one part of gum, and two of water. 4. [Acacice Arabicce Gummi. A phar- maceutical name for Gum Arabic] [ACACUS (a priv.; /ca«dy, evil). Harm- less; formerly applied to diseases which did not endanger life.] [ACAJOU. Anacardium Occidentale, the cashew nut.] ACALE'PH^E (aKaUQn, a nettle). Sea- nettles ; a class of gelatinous zoophytes found in the waters of the ocean, and so named from the sensation which they pro- duce when touched. [ACALYPHA. A genus of plants of the order Euph-orbiacecB. [1. Acalypha Betxdina. Birch-leaved Acalypha. A native of India. The leaves have an aromatic taste and smell, and they are much esteemed by the Hindoo practitioners as a stomachic in dyspepsia and cholera, and for their alterative pro- perties. The dose is half a teacupful of the infusion twice a day. [2. A. Indica. Indian Acalypha. This plant is much used by the Hindoos as an anthelmintic; the powder of the dried leaves or an infusion of them being given for the purpose. [3. A. Virginica. Mercury weed. This species found in most parts of the United States, is said to be useful as an expecto- rant and diuretic] [ACAMPSIA (a, priv., KaunTw, to bend). An inflexible joint. See Anabylosis.] ACANTHA (aKavda, a thorn). A spine or prickle of a plant. A prickly fin of a fish. A spinous process of a vertebra. The term has been used for the spina dorsi Hence— 1. Acaniha-bolus (0dX\b>, to strike) Volsella. An instrument for extracting splinters of bones, &c, from wounds, thiy pharynx, &c. 2. Acantho-pterygii (nr/pu£, a fin). Spi- nous-finned fishes, or fishes whose back- fins are bony and prickly. ACARDIAC (a, priv., Kapbia, the heart). Without a heart. A'CARUS, (uicapi, a very minute ani- malcule, from a, priv., and Kiipu, to cut; a kind of animal atom). A mite found in cheese ; a tick, said to be found in the pus- tules of the itch. [ACATALEPSY (a, priv.; KaraXa^ava), to apprehend). Uncertainty in diagnosis.] ACATAPOSIS (a, priv., Kardirocis, de- glutition). An inability to swallow liquids:](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2103753x_0024.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
