This section is from "Every Woman's Encyclopaedia". Also available from Amazon: Every Woman's Encyclopaedia.
Purgatives. - Drugs which increase the secretion of the intestines and the action of their vessels. Examples: Castor oil, rhubarb, Epsom salts, cascara.
Alteratives. - Drugs which benefit the nutrition of the body. Examples: Cod-liver oil, arsenic, and various preparations of iron, which are also blood tonics.
Rinse the mouth and Wash the teeth after taking medicine, especially if it contains any iron
Aromatics. - Drugs which relieve pain in the digestive tract and stimulate the digestive juices. Examples: Peppermint and cinnamon.
Stimulants. - Drugs which stimulate the heart, as digitalis and ammonia; or the nervous system, as alcohol, tea, coffee, etc.
Anodynes. - Drugs which relieve pain, as phenacetin and antipyrin.
Sedatives. - Drugs which depress the vitality and action of the heart or nervous system, such as opium and the bromides.
Expectorants. - Drugs which help the discharge of secretion from the respiratory passages, such as syrup of squills and ipecacuanha wine.
Hypnotics. - Drugs which cause sleep, as various preparations of opium.
Emetics. - Drugs which induce vomiting, such as mustard and warm water and ipecacuanha wine.
Astringents. - Drugs which lessen secretion, such as alum and chalk.
Hesmostatics. - Drugs which arrest internal haemorrhage, such as morphia.
Diaphoretics. - Drugs which induce sweating, such as opium and ipecacuanha.
 
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