Abortus

Miscarriage; abortion.

Abrasion

Excoriation.

Abscess

A collection of pus seated in any particular organ or tissue.

Absorbents

In anatomy this term is applied to small, delicate, transparent vessels which take up and convey any substances from the surface of the body, or from any cavity, into the blood.

Acetum

Vinegar.

Adhesion

In surgery, the reunion of parts that have been divided, by means of a special kind of inflammation denominated the adhesive.

Adhesive Inflammation

The process by which wounds are united. It is often synonymous with union by the first intention.

Adypsia

The absence of natural thirst.

Agglutination

Adhesion.

Alkali

A substance which unites with acids in the definite proportions, so as to neutralize their properties more or less perfectly, and to form salts. It changes vegetable blues to green.

Alkaloids

Substances having some of the properties of alkalies.

Allopathy

A term used by homoeopathic writers to designate the old practice of medicine in contradistinction to their own; now generally em- ployed by both parties; literally implies curing one disease by another, or a medicine which produces a dissimilar one.

Amenorrhoea

Absence or stoppage of the menstrual flux.

Anasarca

Dropsy of the cellular tissue, or membrane, immediately under the skin.

Anchylosis

Stiffening of a joint, either from deposit of ossific or bone-forming matter, or contraction of the muscles or ligaments; adhesion of the articulating surfaces.

Angina

Sore throat. The term is also applied to diseases with difficult respiration.

Angina

Membranacea. Croup.

Angina Parotidea

Mumps.

Angina Pharyngia

Inflammation of the membrane which forms the pharynx.

Anorexia

Want of appetite.

Anthrax

Carbuncle.

Anus

The inferior opening of the rectum.

Aphonia

Loss of voice.

Apoplexia

Apoplexy; a loss of voluntary motion and consciousness. See Diagnosis under this head.

Apyrexia

The intervals between febrile. paroxysms.

Arthritis

Gout.

Ascaris, pl

Ascarides. Thread-worms.

Ascites

General dropsy.

Asphyxia

Apparent death,

Asthenic Low; applied to disease; literally want of strength.

Astringents

Medicaments used in the old practice to contract the animal fibre.

Atony

A want of tone or energy in the muscular power.

Atrophy

A morbid state of the digestive system, in which the food taken into the stomach fails to afford sufficient nourishment. A wasting of the whole, or of individual parts of the body.