Definition: Sudorific

A sudorific substance is one which causes perspiration or sweating. It derives from the Latin word sudor, meaning sweat.

Definition: Anodyne

Anodynes are those medicines which relieve pain by blunting the sensibility of the nerves, or of the brain, so that it does not appreciate the morbid sensation. An anodyne may be a stimulant in one dose, and a narcotic in a larger one. The properties of different anodyne agents vary, consequently they produce unlike effects. The size of the dose required, differs according to circumstances and condition. An adult, suffering acute pain, requires a much larger dose to produce an anodyne effect than one who is a chronic sufferer. An individual accustomed to the use of anodynes, requires a much larger dose to procure relief than one who is not. Doses may be repeated, until their characteristic effects are produced, after an interval of thirty or forty minutes. When the stomach is very sensitive and will not tolerate their internal administration, one-sixth of a grain of Morphia can be inserted beneath the skin, by means of a hypodermic syringe. Relief is more quickly experienced, and the anodyne effect is much more lasting than when taken into the stomach.

Source: The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English or, Medicine Simplified, R.V. Pierce.

Definition: Gallipots

Gallipots were small earthenware jars, usually glazed, in which medicines and preserved items were kept.

Definition: Esculent

Esculent means something edible or suitable for eating. (It can be used as an adjective or a noun.)

Definition: Astringent

Astringents are medicines which condense and coagulate the tissues,
thereby arresting discharges. When taken into the mouth, they produce the sensation known as puckering. They are used internally and locally. The term styptic is used as a synonym of astringent, but is generally employed to designate those astringents which arrest haemorrhage, or bleeding.

Source: The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English or, Medicine Simplified, R.V. Pierce.

Definition: Inspissated

A liquid which has been inspissated has been reduced by evaporation -- either dried completely, or thickened.

Definition: Fomentation, Poultice

Fomentation, Poultice: A warm, moist substance applied to the body (sometimes with compression) to relieve pain or inflammation.

Definition: Cathartic, Purgative, Aperient

Cathartic, Purgative, Aperient: Tending to cause evacuation of the bowels. An aperient is generally milder than a cathartic or a purgative.

Definition: Carminative

Carminative: Preventing the formation, or easing the passing, of gas from the alimentary tract.

Definition: Tolu

Tolu: A balsam from a South American tree of the genus Myroxylon. It was traditionally used for the relief of asthma and coughing, and in wound treatments.

Definition: Emollient

Emollient: softening, soothing, making less harsh or abrasive, moisturizing.

Definition: Aqua Vitae, Ardent Spirit

Aqua Vitae or Ardent Spirit generally signifies a strong distilled spirit, most usually brandy or whisky.

Definition: Tincture

A tincture is an alcoholic solution of a non-volatile substance (for example, tincture of iodine).

"Very uniform and reliable tinctures may be made of most indigenous plants, by procuring the part to be employed, at the proper season, while it is green and fresh, bruising it well, and covering it with good strong whiskey, or with alcohol diluted with one part of water to three of alcohol, corking tightly, and letting it stand about fourteen days, when the tincture may be filtered or poured off from the drugs, and will be ready for use. Prepared in this imperfect manner, they rill be found to be much more reliable than any of the fluid extracts found in the drug-stores. An excess of the crude drug should be used in preparing the tincture to insure a perfect saturation of the alcohol with its active principles."

Source: The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English or, Medicine Simplified, R.V. Pierce.

Definition: Deliquated

Deliquated means a substance which has been melted or dissolved.

Definition: Cholera Morbus

An acute inflammation of stomach and upper bowel. This is most common in young people in late summer, after indiscretion in eating.

Symptoms: Sometimes the patient feels tired, then nausea, etc. The attack though is usually sudden, with nausea, vomiting, and cramp-like pains in the abdomen. The contents of the stomach are vomited. The bowel discharge at first is diarrhea and later like rice water. Repeated vomiting and purging, with severe cramps. It looks like true cholera.

[Ed: In modern terms this would usually be called 'gastroenteritis'.]

Source: Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter

Definition: Expectorant

An expectorant is a substance which aids in the secretion or discharge of phlegm, mucus or other substances from the chest or respiratory tract.

Definition: Pectoral

A pectoral medicine is one which is used to relieve illness, irritation or other disorder in the chest or respiratory tract.

Definition: Scorbutic

Scorbutic: pertaining to scurvy.

Definition: Acescent

Acescent: becoming, or tending to be or to become, sour.

Definition: Farinaceous

Farinaceous is generally an adjective referring to food, especially for invalids. It means food that is starchy or floury; the word itself derives from farina, the Latin for flour.

Definition: Rectified Spirit

Rectified spirit is a liquid with a high concentration of alcohol, formed by multiple distillation. It is generally used for medicinal or household purposes, or very occasionally in mixed drinks. It usually has a concentration of alcohol above 75%.

Definition: Levigated

Levigated has various meanings relating to being made smooth, but in the context of medicines or herbs it generally means to grind into a smooth paste while moist.

Definition: Vesication

Vesication means the formation of vesicles, otherwise known as blisters. It is more usually spelled vesiculation in modern works.

Definition: Demulcent

An ingredient or mixture that is said to be demulcent is one which forms a film over a mucous membrane, usually to soothe it or to relieve irritation. Such ingredients or mixtures are often found in cough syrups, for instance.