Narcotics are medicines which cause sleep or stupor, and allay pain, such as opium, &c.

893. Nutrients

Nutrients are remedies that nourish the body, such as sugar, sago, &c.

894. Paregorics

Paregorics are medicines which actually a.s.suage pain, such as compound tincture of camphor, henbane, hops, opium.

895. Prophylactics

Prophylactics are remedies employed to prevent the attack of any particular disease, such as quinine, &c.

896. Purgatives

Purgatives are medicines that promote the evacuation of the bowels, such as senna, aloes, jalap, salts.

897. Refrigerants

Refrigerants are medicines which suppress an unusual heat of the body, such as wood-sorrel, tamarind, &c.

898. Rubefacients

Rubefacients are medicaments which cause redness of the skin, such as mustard, &c.

899. Sedatives

Sedatives are medicines which depress the nervous energy, and destroy sensation, so as to compose, such as foxglove. (_See_ Paregorics.)

900. Sialogogues

Sialogogues are medicines which promote the flow of saliva or spittle, such as salt, calomel, &c.

901. Soporifics

Soporifics are medicines which induce sleep, such as hops, &c.

902. Stimulants

Stimulants are remedies which increase the action of the heart and arteries, or the energy of the part to which they are applied, such as food, wine, spirits, ether, sa.s.safras, which is an internal stimulant, and savine, which is an external one.

903. Stomachics

Stomachics restore the tone of the stomach, such as gentian, &c.

904. Styptics

Styptics are medicines which constrict the surface of a part, and prevent the effusion of blood, such as kino, Friar's balsam, extract of lead, and ice.

905. Sudorifics

Sudorifics promote profuse perspiration or sweating, such as ipecacuanha, antimony, James's powder, ammonia.

906. Tonics

Tonics give general strength to the const.i.tution, restore the natural energies, and improve the tone of the system, such as all the vegetable bitters, most of the minerals, also some kinds of food, wine, and beer.

907. Vesicants

Vesicants are medicines which blister, such as strong liquid ammonia, &c.

908. Special Rules for the Prevention of Cholera.

i. It is impossible to urge too strongly the necessity, in all cases of cholera, of instant recourse to medical aid, and also in every form and variety of indisposition; for all disorders are found to merge in the dominant disease.

ii. Let immediate Relief be sought under disorder of the bowels especially, however slight. The invasion of cholera may thus be readily prevented.

iii. Let every Impurity, animal and vegetable, be quickly removed to a distance from the habitation, such as slaughterhouses, pig-sties, cesspools, necessaries, and all other domestic nuisances.

iv. Let all Uncovered Drains be carefully and frequently cleansed.

v. Let the Grounds in and around the habitation be drained, so as effectually to carry off moisture of every kind.

vi. Let all Part.i.tions he removed from within and without habitations, which unnecessarily impede ventilation.

vii. Let every Room be daily thrown open for the admission of fresh air; this should be done about noon, when the atmosphere is most likely to be dry.

viii. Let Dry Scrubbing be used in domestic cleansing in place of water cleansing.

ix. Let excessive Fatigue, and exposure to damp and cold, especially during the night, be avoided.

x. Let the Use of Cold Drinks and acid liquors, especially under fatigue, be avoided, or when the body is heated.

xi. Let the Use of Cold Acid Fruits and vegetables be avoided.