Definition: Felon
A felon is an infection within the flesh of the finger. It may be caused by bacteria having entered through a puncture wound.
Definition: Pipkin
A pipkin is an earthenware cooking pot for use over a fire. It has a handle, along with three feet spaced equally around the base of the pot.
Definition: Glyster
(also: Clyster). An enema; see also injection.
Definition: Weights and Measures
Some of the old-time remedies listed here refer to weights and measures which are no longer in regular use. These tables should give you some idea of their equivalents. (Pints, gallons etc. are UK, not US, measures.)
| 20 grains | are contained in | 1 scruple |
| 3 scruples | 1 drachm | |
| 8 drachms | 1 ounce (troy) | |
| 12 ounces | 1 pound (troy) | |
| 60 minims | are contained in | 1 fluid drachm |
| 8 fluid drachms | 1 fluid ounce | |
| 20 fluid ounces | 1 pint | |
| 8 pints | 1 gallon | |
| A tumbler | usually contains about | 10 ounces |
| A teacup | 6 ounces | |
| A wineglass | 2 ounces | |
| 2 tablespoons | 1 ounce | |
| A tablespoon | 4 drachms | |
| A dessertspoon | 2 drachms | |
| A teaspoon | 1 drachm | |
Source: Enquire Within Upon Everything
Filed under Definition | Tags: drachm, fluid, liquid measure, measures, ounce, pound, scruple, teacup, troy, tumbler, weights, wineglass | Comment (0)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.