Part 4

CAUSTIC.--A medicine or agent used to destroy living tissue, as Caustic Potash, Silver Nitrate, etc.

CAUTERY.--An agent used to sear or burn living tissue, with a cautery or a caustic, as a hot iron or Nitric Acid, etc.

CAUTERY ACTUAL.--A metal instrument heated by an electric current or by flame, used to destroy bone or muscular tissue or for producing counter-irritation, much preferred to setons in diseases of the bones especially of their joints, as in Bone Spavin, Ringbone, etc., also valuable in the treatment of sprained tendons. The methods used are either puncture or line firing.

CAUTERY POTENTIAL.--A chemical used for destroying or cauterizing flesh, as Nitric Acid, etc.

CHALYBEATE.--A medicine containing iron, as Tincture Chlorid of Iron.

CONDIMENT.--A medicine used to improve palatability of food, as Fenugreek, Aniseed, Salt, Pepper, etc.

CONSERVATIVE.--A medicine or substance used for the preservation of other medicines without loss, as Alcohol, Honey, etc.

CONSTRINGENT.--A medicine which causes contraction of organic tissues, as Tannin, etc.

CONVULSANT.--A medicine which causes violent and unnatural contractions of muscles (convulsions) as Nux Vomica or its derivative, etc.

CORDIAL.--A medicine which increases the strength and raises the vitality when depressed, as Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, Alcohol, etc.

CORRECTIVE or CORRECTANT.--A substance used to modify or make pleasant the action of a cathartic or other medicines, as Acacia, Coriander, etc.

CORROSIVE.--A substance that destroys organic tissue either by direct chemical means or by causing inflammation and suppuration, as Mercuric Chloride, Nitric Acid, etc.

COUNTER IRRITANT.--A substance or medicine which produces superficial inflammation artificially in order to exercise a good effect, by stimulating functional activity of a part, thus promoting repair upon some adjacent or deep-seated morbid process, as Blistering or Firing, etc.

CUMULATIVE POISON.--A medicine which finally acts as a poison after several successive doses have been taken with little or no apparent effect, as Arsenic, Strychnine, etc.

DEBILITANT.--A medicine which diminishes the energy of organs, as Bromide of Potassium, Lobelia, etc.

DEFERVESCENT.--A medicine that reduces temperature, as Quinine Sulphate, Aconite, etc.

DELIRIANT OR DELIRIFACENT.--A medicine which produces delirium, as Opium, Stramonium, Alcohol, etc.

DEMULCENT.--A mucilaginous or oily, soothing blend to protect irritated skin or mucous membranes, as Carron Oil, White of an Egg, etc.

DEOBSTRUENT.--A medicine which removes functional obstructions in the body, as Castor Oil, Magnesium Sulphate, Aloes, etc.

DEODORANT OR DEODORIZER.--A substance to conceal or destroy foul odors, as Crude Carbolic Acid, Chloride of Lime, etc. Noxious odors may also be destroyed and absorbed with freshly burnt charcoal or dry earth.

DEPLETORY.--A medicine which diminishes the quantity of liquid in the body, as Iodide or Nitrate of Potassium, etc.

DEPRESSANT.--A medicine which lessens vital power, as Opium, Aconite, etc.

DEPRESSO-MOTOR.--A medicine that depresses motor activity, as Sodium or Potassium Bromide, etc.

DEPURANT.--A medicine for cleaning foul wounds and abscesses, as Hydrogen Peroxide, etc.

DEPURATORY.--A medicine which purifies the blood, as Sulphur, Iodide Potassium, etc.

DERMATIC.--A medicine used in diseases of the skin, as Resorcinol, Zinc Oxide, etc.

DERIVATIVE.--A substance used in drawing away blood or liquid exudates from diseased parts by creating an extra demand for them in some other part of the body, as Mustard, Capsicum, Cantharides, etc.

DESICCANT.--A medicine used for drying up sores, as Tannic Acid, Boric Acid, etc.