RADICAL CURE. A cure in which the disease is entirely removed, root and branch.

RALES. Noises produced by air pa.s.sing through mucus in the lungs.

RECTAL. Pertaining to the r.e.c.t.u.m.

r.e.c.t.u.m. The lower portion of the intestines terminating in the a.n.u.s.

REc.u.mBENT. Reclining.

REFLEX ACTION. See pages 93 and 99.

REGURGITATION. The act by which blood is forced backwards in an unnatural manner.

REMISSION. A temporary diminution of the symptoms of fever.

REPRODUCTION. Producing living bodies similar to the parents.

RESOLUTION. The disappearance of inflammation without suppuration.

RESPIRATION. The function by which the blue blood is converted into red blood in the lungs.

RESPIRATOR. Described on page 230.

RETINA. Defined on page 107.

RETROCEDENT. Moving from one part of the body to another; as gout.

RETROCESSION. Change of an eruption from the surface to the inner parts.

RETROVERSION. A change in the position of the womb in which the top falls back against the r.e.c.t.u.m.

REVULSION, REVULSIVE. Calling the blood away from the diseased part.

RICKETS. A disease in children characterized by crookedness of the spine and long bones resulting from scrofula or poor and insufficient food.

RICKETY. Affected with rickets.

RINGS (HERNIAL). Circular openings with muscular edges through which a vessel or part pa.s.ses.

RUBEFACIENTS. Medicines which produce redness of the skin.

RUPTURE. Bursting. Hernia.

S

SACCHARINE. Like or containing sugar.

SALIVA. The secretion of the glands of the mouth.

SALPAE. Little sack-like shaped, soft, fleshy bodies, found in the open ocean, and sometimes phosph.o.r.escent.

SANATIVE. Curative. Tending to restore lost health.

SANGUINE TEMPERAMENT. Described on page 163.

SANITARIUM. An inst.i.tution for the treatment of the sick. A healthy retreat.

SCALES. The epidermis or outer part of the skin consists of minute scales. See Fig. 50, page 71.

SCALP. The skin covering the head.

SCAPULA. Shoulder blade.

SCIATIC NERVE. The great nerve of the thigh.

SCIRRHUS. Stony hardness, characteristic of cancer.

SCLEROTIC COAT. The hard, pearly white covering of the eye.

s...o...b..TIC. Producing scurvy, a disease caused by improper or insufficient food.

s...o...b..TUS. Scurvy.

SCROFULOUS. Suffering from a condition of the system characterized by enlargement of the glands, eruptions, etc., with great susceptibility to contagion.

s.c.r.o.t.u.m. The bag of skin which covers the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es.

SCURVY. A disease due to impaired nutrition.

SEA TANGLE. A water-plant, which in its dried state is introduced into a ca.n.a.l and dilates the ca.n.a.l as it expands by the absorption of moisture.

SEBACEOUS GLANDS. The oil-tubes of the skin. Illus. page 71.

SECRETION. The process by which substances are separated from the blood.

SEDATIVES. Medicines which allay irritation or irritability of the nervous system.

SEDENTARY. Requiring much sitting.

SELF-POLLUTION. See SELF-ABUSE.

s.e.m.e.n. The secretion of the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es which is thrown out during s.e.xual intercourse and contains the principle of generation.

SEMI-FLUID. Half fluid.