Antipyretic or Febrifuge

An agent that will reduce febrile temperatures. Examples: Quinine, antipyrine, acetylsalicylic acid.

Antirheumatic

An agent that will prevent or relieve rheumatism. Examples: Sodium salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, colchicum.

Antiscorbutic

An agent that will prevent or relieve scurvy. Examples: Citric acid, orange-juice.

Antiseptic

An agent that will prevent the growth or arrest the development of micro-organisms. Examples: Sodium benzoate, boric acid, or almost any germicide in diluted form.

Antisialagogue or Antisialic

An agent that lessens the flow of saliva. Examples: Belladonna, sodium bicarbonate.

Antispasmodic

An agent that will relieve muscular spasm. Examples: Morphine, atropine, asafetida, bromides.

Antisyphilitic

An agent that will prevent or relieve syphilis. Examples: Mercury, arsenic, iodides.

Antizymotic

An agent that will prevent or arrest fermentation. Examples: Salicylic acid, alcohol.

Aperient

A very mild purgative. Examples: Honey, potassium bitartrate, magnesium oxide. The term seems to be particularly applied to mild purgative waters.

Aphrodisiac

An agent that will increase sexual desire or power. Examples: Nux vomica, phosphorus, alcohol, and cantharides are usually placed in this class.

Aqua - Water; Medicated Water

Used in this sense a water is an aqueous solution of a volatile substance. They usually contain only a comparatively small percentage of the active drug. Many of them are merely water saturated with a volatile oil. They are used more as vehicles and to give odor and taste to solutions. There are nineteen official waters.

Astringent

An agent that will produce contraction or condensation of tissue: Examples: Alum, tannic acid, ferrous sulphate.

Balsams

Natural resinous substances derived from plants, and containing benzoic, cinnamic or analogous acids. Examples: Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu.

Bark

The outer cover of the woody parts of a plant. Examples: Cinchona, wild cherry, cascara sagrada.

Base or Basic Substance

A compound usually composed of a metal with oxygen, or oxygen and hydrogen, and possessing the following properties: With an acid it forms a salt; it has (when soluble in water) an alkaline taste and reaction.

Bulb

A short, thick, underground stem, composed of layers. Example: Squill.

Carminative

An agent that will remove gases from the gastrointestinal tract. Examples : Asafetida, peppermint, cardamom.

Cathartic

An active purgative, usually producing several evacuations, and may or may not be accompanied by pain or tenesmus. Examples: Castor oil, calomel, cascara sagrada.

Caustic

An agent that will destroy living tissue. Examples: Silver nitrate, potassium hydroxide, nitric acid.