Anthelmintics are medicines which have the power of destroying or
expelling worms from the intestinal canal.
Antiscorbutics are medicines which prevent or cure the scurvy.
Antispasmodics are medicines given to relieve spasm, or irregular and
painful action of the muscles or muscular fibers, as in Epilepsy, St.
Vitus' Dance, etc.
Aromatics are medicines which have, a grateful smell and agreeable
pungent taste.
Astringents are those remedies which, when applied to the body, render
the solids dense and firmer.
Carminatives are those medicines which dispel flatulency of the
stomach and bowels.
Cathartics are medicines which accelerate the action of the bowels, or
increase the discharge by stool.
Demulcents are medicines suited to prevent the action of acrid and
stimulating matters upon the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs,
etc.
Diaphoretics are medicines that promote or cause perspirable discharge
by the skin.
Diuretics are medicines which increase the flow of urine by their
action upon the kidneys.
Emetics are those medicines which produce vomiting.
Emmenagogues are medicines which promote the menstrual discharge.
Emollients are those remedies which, when applied to the solids of the
body, render them soft and flexible.
Errhines are substances which, when applied to the lining membrane of
the nostrils, occasion a discharge of mucous fluid.
Epispastices are those which cause blisters when applied to the
surface.
Escharotics are substances used to destroy a portion of the surface of
the body, forming sloughs.
Expectorants are medicines capable of facilitating the excretion of
mucous from the chest.
Narcotics are those substances having the property of diminishing the
action of the nervous and vascular systems, and of inducing sleep.
Rubefacients are remedies which excite the vessels of the skin and
increase its heat and redness.
Sedatives are medicines which have the power of allaying the actions
of the systems generally, or of lessening the exercise of some
particular function.
Sialagogues are medicines which increase the flow of the saliva.
Stimulants are medicines capable of exciting the vital energy, whether
as exerted in sensation or motion.
Tonics are those medicines which increase the tone or healthy action,
or strength of the living system.