Resorbent

An agent that tends to promote the absorption of abnormal matter, as exudates or blood-clots. Examples: Potassium iodide, ammonium chloride.

Restorative

An agent that restores lost tone or function. Examples: Preparations of iron, arsenic, mercury, etc.

Rhizome

A more or less underground and horizontal root-stem of a plant. Examples: Hydrastis, valerian, ginger.

Root

The underground part of a plant. Usually applied to the principal underground plant axis. Examples: Stillingia, glycyrrhiza, belladonna.

Rubefacient

An agent that, when applied to the skin, produces redness. Examples: Chloroform, mustard, menthol.

Saline

A mineral salt that will produce an evacuation of the intestinal contents. Examples: Magnesium sulphate, sodium sulphate, potassium and sodium tartrate.

Sedative

An agent that will allay irritability or excitement. According to action, they are subdivided as general, local, nervous, vascular, etc. Examples: Bromides, morphine, codeine, hydrated chloral.

Seed

The part of the fruit containing the germ. Examples: Nux vomica, mustard, colchicum seed.

Sialagogue

An agent that increases the flow of saliva. Examples: Pilocarpine, potassium iodide, citric acid.

Spiritus. Spir. Spirit

Spirits are alcoholic solutions of volatile sub-stances. Most of them contain matter insoluble in water. While there is no uniform strength for spirits, they are usually about 5 to 10 per cent. Fifteen are official.

Stearopten

A concrete or solid substance obtained from a volatile oil. Examples: Menthol, thymol.

Sternutatory

An agent that will cause sneezing. Examples: Quil-laja, salicylic acid.

Stimulant

An agent that will excite one or more portions of the body. These agents are usually subdivided as to special action, as cerebral stimulants, cardiac stimulants, etc. Examples: Atropine, strychnine, caffeine.

Styptic

An agent that will arrest bleeding when applied locally. Examples: Ferrous sulphate, alum, tannic acid, iodine.

Suppositoria. Suppos. Suppositories

Suppositories are solid bodies intended to be introduced into the rectum, vagina, or urethra to produce medicinal action. This is often a very convenient and efficient form for administering remedies and, with the exception of the official glycerin suppository, they are usually better prepared extemporaneously by the pharmacist. Oil of theobroma is the vehicle usually employed with the medicinal substances, and the amount of this should be left to the discretion of the compounder. One is official.

Syrupus. Syr. Syrup

Syrups are concentrated solutions of sugar in water or aqueous liquids. They usually do not represent a very high percentage of the active drug. Some are used merely to give a pleasant odor and taste to solutions. There are twenty-two official syrups.