Abomasum

(From ab, dim. and omasum, the stomach of a beast.) The name of the fourth stomach of a beast that chews the cud. The first is called venter, or rather ventriculus, the word used for it in Aristotle being Abomasum 8 the second reticulum, or cecryphalos; the third omasum, or omasus; the fourth enystron, the same as abomasum, which completes the digestion, according to Gorraeus. Aristotle says it is the second ventricle, or thick part of the stomach of ruminating animals, in which the food is concocted.

Abortive Medicines

Medicines designed to procure abortion; with which were we acquainted, we should be cautious of describing. This effect is, however, difficult to be produced; and the most decisive plans have been only effectual by the destruction of the woman. Such medicines have been styled Ec-bolica and Amblotica.

Abrette

See Abelmoschus.

Abroma

(From α. neg. and Abroma 9 food, i. e. not fit to be eaten.) A tree of New South Wales, which yields a gum.

Abrotanum

Southernwood. A. Mas Caspar Bauhine Artemisia Abrotanum L. Sp. Pl 1185.-Abr. Faemina C. Bauh. Santolina Chamae Cyparissus L. 1179, Fol.

The leaves of these plants are slightly tonic and diuretic. One species, the "Rupestris,"is said by Haller to be warm and stimulant, and employed by the Alpine shepherdesses as an emmenagogue. The female southernwood is supposed to be also an anthelmintic and an antispasmodic. Both arc, however, confined to external use, but arc not very commonly employed. They are chiefly used as antiseptics, and the female is, as usual, the weaker species. Their appropriate menstruum is alcohol; and, in substance, they may be given from a drachm to any quantity the stomach can bear: in decoction, the proportion may be regulated by the taste, as the power is inconsiderable. Six pounds of the fresh tops afford about a drachm of essential oil, of a bright yellow colour, and of an odour resembling that of the plant.

Abrotonites

(From Abrotonites 10 southernwood,) a wine impregnated with abrotanum. About one hundred ounces of one, to seven gallons of the other, are put together; and after standing a few days, the wine is lit for use.

Abrum

See Succinum.

Abrus

This seems to be the Glycine Abrus of Linnaeus, Sp. Pi. 1025, though removed in some of the later systems to a separate genus. It is a plant of both the Indies; and resembling the liquorice in its botanical relations and qualities, has obtained this name, particularly in Jamaica. This is the plant, whose perforated seeds are employed in forming necklaces.

Abscede And A13scedentia

(From Abscedo, To Depart From.) Decayed parts of the body, which, in a morbid state, are separated, absceded, from the sound.

Abscissio

An abscission, or cutting away one part from another, (from ab, and scindo, to cut ); called also Apocope.

This word is used in many senses, but mostly to express the cutting away an unsound part, and that a soft one; for the cutting away of bones is called amputation; though, when small fragments only are to be separated, the word abscissio is sometimes used. This word also expresses the sudden termination of a disease in death, before it arrives at its decline. Celsus, to express a loss of voice, frequently uses the term abscissa vox.