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Apothecaries' Measure

60 minims (m), = 1 fluid drachm, marked f3 | 16 fluid ounces, = I pint, marked 8 fluid drachms, = 1 fluid ounce, “ con. f3 8 pints = I gallon, " con.

A teacup is considered equal to 4 fluid ozs.; a wineglass equal to 2 fluid ozs.; a tablespoon equal to 12 fluid ozs. ; a teaspoon equal to 1 drachm. DICTIONARY OF TERMS USED TO EXPRESS THE PROPERTIES OF MEDICINES.

Absorbents are medicines which destroy acidities in the stornach and bowels, such as magnesia, prepared chalk, etc.

Altectives are medicines which restore health to the constitution, without producing any sensible effect, such as sarsaparilla, sulphur, etc. Analeptics are medicines that restore the strength which has been lost by sickness, such as gentian, bark, etc.

Anodynes are medicines which relieve pain; they are divided into three kinds: paregorics, hypnotics, narcotics (see these terms); camphor is anodyne as well as narcotic.

Antacids destroy acidity, such as lime, magnesia, soda. Antalkalies are medicines given to neutralize alkalies in the system, such as citric, nitric, or sulphuric acids, etc.

Anthelmintics are medicines used to expel and destroy worms from the stomach and intestines, such as turpentine, cowhage, male fern, etc. Antibilious are medicines which are useful in bilious affections, such as calomel, etc. Antirheumatics are medicines used for the cure of rheumatism, such as colchichum, iodide of potash, etc.

Antiscorbutics are used against scurvy, as citric acid. Antispasmodics are medicines which possess the power of overcoming spasms of the muscles, or allaying severe pain from any cause unconnected with inflammation, such as valerian, ammonia, etc.

Aperients move the bowels gently, as dandelion root, etc. Astringents are medicines which contract the fibres of the body, diminish excessive discharges, and act indirectly as tonics, such as oak bark, galls, etc. Balsamics are medicines of a soothing kind, as Tolu, Peruvian balsam, etc. Carminatives are medicines which allay pain in the stomach and bowels, and expel flatulence, as anise seed water.

Cathartics are strong purgative medicines, as jalap, etc. Cordials are warming medicines, as aromatic confection. Demulcents correct acrimony, diminish irritation, and soften parts by covering their surfaces with a mild and viscid matter, such as linseed, tea, etc. Deobstruents are medicines which remove obstructions, such as iodide of potash, etc. Diaphoretics produce perspiration, such as tartrate of antimony, etc. Digeetives are remedies applied to ulcers or wounds to promote the formation of matter, such as resin, ointments, warm poultices, etc. Discutients possess the power of repelling or resolving tumors, such as galbanum, etc.

Diuretics act upon the kidneys and bladder, and increase the flow of urine, such as nitre, squills, etc.

Drastics are violent purgatives, such as gamboge, etc. / Emetics produce vomiting, or the discharge of the contents of the stomach, as mustard, tartar emetic, blood-root, etc. Emollients are remedies used externally to soften the parts they are applied to, such as spermaceti, palm oil, etc.

Escharotics are medicines which corrode or destroy the vitality of the part to which they are applied, as lunar caustic.

Expectorants are medicines which increase expectoration, or discharges from the bronchial tubes, as ipecacuanha.

Febrifuges are used in fevers, as antimonial wines, etc. Hydragogues are medicines which have the effect of removing the fluid of dropsy by producing water evacuation, such as gamboge, calomel, etc. Hypnotics relieve pain by producing sleep, as hops, etc. Laxatives are medicines which cause the bowels to act rather more than natural such as manna, etc.

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

Nutrients are remedies that nourish the body, as sago, etc. Paregorics are medicines that actually assuage pain, such as compound tincture of camphor, etc.

Purgatives are medicines that promote the evacuation of the bowels, such as senna etc.

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

Rubefacients are medicines which cause redness of the skin, such as mustard, etc. Sedatives are medicines which depress the nervous energy, and destroy sensation, so as to compose, as foxglove, etc.

Sialagogues are medicines which promote the flow of saliva or spittle, such as salt, calomel, etc.

Soporifics induce sleep, such as hops, etc.

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 sassafras, which is an internal stimulant, and savin, which is an external stimulant. Stomachics restore the tone of the stomach, as gentian. Styptics are medicines which constrict the surface of a part and prevent the effusion of blood, such as kino, etc.

Sudorifics promote profuse perspiration or sweating, such as ipecacuanha, etc. Tonics give general strength to the constitution, restore the natural energies, and improve the tone of the system, such as chamomile, etc. Vesicants are used to blister, as strong liquid ammonia. Doses for Different Ages. - Children do not require such powerful medicine as adults, or old people, and therefore it is desirable to have some fixed method of determining or regulating the administration of doses of medicine. If the dose for a fullgrown person is one drachm (60 grs.), then the following proportions will be suitable for the various ages given; keeping in view other circumstances, such as sex, temperament, habits, climate, state of general health, and "idosyncrasy," the peculiar condition of any particular person :- Age.