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.)
Techniques: Decoction
Decoction, or boiling, is employed to extract the mucilaginous or gummy parts of substances, their bitter, astringent or other qualities, and is nothing more than boiling the ingredients in a saucepan with the lid slightly raised. Be sure never to use an iron saucepan for astringent decoctions, such as oak-bark, galls, &c., as they will turn the saucepan black and spoil the decoction. The enamelled saucepans are very useful for decoctions, but an excellent plan is to put the ingredients into a jar and then boil the jar, thus preparing it by a water bath, as it is technically termed; or by using a common pipkin, which answers still better. No decoction should be allowed to boil for more than ten minutes.
Source: Enquire Within Upon Everything.
Techniques: Infusion
Infusion is one of the most frequent operations required in making up medicines, its object being to extract the aromatic and volatile principles of substances, that would be lost by decoction or digestion; and to extract the soluble from the insoluble parts of bodies. Infusions such as calumba and quassia may be made with cold water, in which case they are weaker, but more pleasant. The general method employed consists in slicing, bruising or rasping the ingredients first, then placing them in a common jug (which should be as globular as possible), and pouring boiling water over them. Cover the jug with a cloth folded six or eight times, but if there be a lid to the jug so much the better. When the infusion has stood the time directed, hold a piece of very coarse linen over the spout, and pour the liquid through it into another jug.
Source: Enquire Within Upon Everything.
Techniques: Digestion
Digestion resembles maceration, except that the process is assisted by a gentle heat. The ingredients are placed in a flask, such as salad oil is sold in, which should be fitted with a plug of tow or wood, and have a piece of wire twisted round the neck. The flask is held by means of the wire over the flame of a spirit lamp, or else placed in some sand warmed in an old iron saucepan over the fire, care being taken not to place more of the flask below the sand than the portion occupied by the ingredients.
Source: Enquire Within Upon Everything.
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.