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108 DENTAL MEDICINE.
cuticle. Included in this class are cantharides, cantharidal col-
lodion, glacial acetic acid, strong solution of ammonia, mustard,
etc, etc. (See Epispastics.)

FORMS IN WHICH MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES ARE EMPLOYED.
Alkaloids are bases capable of combining with acids to form
salts, and which exist as proximate principles in certain vegeta-
bles, and possess the properties of an alkali in a greater or less
degree. Alkaloids are, therefore, the active principles of medi-
cines.
Baths.— Medicinal Baths are composed of tepid water, with
the addition of saline, emollient, narcotic or stimulant substances,
such as salt, mustard, etc., etc.
Capsules are short tubes made of glycerin, and are agreeable
forms for administering medicines which are unpleasant to the
taste.
Cataplasms are poultices or plasters composed of soft, macer-
ated preparations, to be applied externally.
CoLLYRiA are preparations applied to the eyes. They are
sometimes dry, but generally liquid, consisting of infusions, decoc-
tions or distilled waters, with the addition of various medicinal
substances.
Confections, or Electuaries^ are preparations made into a pulpy
mass, with sugar or honey, mucilage or glycerin.
Decoctions are solutions made by boiling certain vegetable in-
gredients in a fluid, for the purpose of extracting the parts solu-
ble at that temperature.
Dentifrices are antiseptic and alkaline mixtures, in the form
of powders and pastes, for cleaning the teeth.
Emulsions are preparations composed of oils, resins, etc., sus-
pended by means of mucilage, yolk of egg, sugar, etc.
Enemata, or Clysters^ are liquid preparations injected into the
rectum by means of a syringe, as auxiliaries to or substitutes for
cathartics.
Extracts are preparations obtained by the evaporation of a
vegetable solution, in the form of juices, infusions or decoctions,
to a more or less fluid consistence.