Hypnotic

An agent that will produce sleep. Examples: Sulphon-ethylmethanum, morphine, hydrated chloral.

Infusum. Inf. Infusion

Infusions are liquid preparations made by treating vegetable substances with either hot or cold water. The drug is not subjected to boiling, as in making decoctions. When the strength and method of preparations is not otherwise specified, they are made by treating 5 parts of the coarsely comminuted drug with boiling water to make 100 parts. Two are official.

Irritant

An agent which, when used locally, produces more or less local inflammatory reaction. Examples: Iodine, chloroform, mustard.

Laxative

A mild purgative, usually producing one or two evacuations without pain or tenesmus. Examples: Olive oil, liquid petrolatum, and small doses of many of the more active purgatives.

Leaf

A plant organ usually shooting out from the side of a stem or branch. Usually somewhat flattened and oval in shape and green in color. Examples: Belladonna, hyoscyamus, digitalis.

Leaflet

One of the subdivisions of a compound leaf. Examples: Senna, pilocarpus.

Linimentum. Lin. Liniment

Liniments are liquid preparations for external use and usually applied with rubbing. Eight are official.

Liquor. Liq. Solution

This class consists of aqueous solutions of non-volatile subtances. They present the greatest variety in strength, character, and method of preparation. They are usually very active medicinal preparations. There are twenty-five official solutions.

Lithontriptic

An agent that tends to dissolve calculi in the urinary or bile tracts. Examples: Lithium citrate, potassium citrate, and ammonium benzoate are usually placed in this class.

Massa. Mas. Mass

Masses are soft-solid preparations for internal use, and of such consistency that they may be molded into pills. They are frequently prescribed alone or with other agents, and may be given in pill form or put into capsules. Two masses are official.

Mistura. Mist. Mixture

This class includes the aqueous liquid preparations intended for internal use, and containing suspended insoluble substances. They should always be shaken before using. There are two official mixtures.

Mucilago. Mucil. Mucilage

These are thick, viscid, adhesive liquids, containing gum or mucilaginous principles dissolved in water. They are usually employed to hold insoluble substances in suspension in aqueous liquids. There are two official mucilages.

Mydriatic

An agent that will dilate the pupil of the eye. Examples: Atropine, homatropine hydrobromide.

Myotic

An agent that will contract the pupil of the eye. Examples: Physostigmine, pilocarpine.

Narcotic

An agent that will cause stupor. Examples: Morphine, hydrated chloral.

Neutral Principle

A proximate principle of neutral reaction, not otherwise classified. Examples: Aloin, elaterin.