In addition to their diaphoretic powers, these medicines are sedative or refrigerant in their influence on the system. Most of the alkaline salts, capable of absorption, have more or less of these properties. When taken into the circulation, they depress somewhat the action of the heart, and diminish the general heat, and, escaping by the skin or kidneys, stimulate one or the other of these emunctories to increased action. if accompanied with the use of warm drinks, they generally receive a direction to the skin, and prove diaphoretic. But there are a few which are disposed to act preferably on the surface even without accompaniment, and these may properly be considered as diaphoretics. it is to them that our notice will be restricted in this place.