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82 DENTAL MEDICINE.
rhatany, white oak bark, creasote, salicylic acid, are examples of
the vegetable astringents ; while the preparations of iron and
lead, alum, sulphuric and nitric acids are examples of the mineral
astringents. (See Styptics.)

STIMULANTS.
Stimulants, also known as excitants and hypersthenics^ are medic-
inal substances capable of exciting a temporary and rapid exalta-
tion of the organic actions, the excitation thus produced being
extended or not to the rest of the system. Although the stomach
is the organ generally selected in medical practice to be the
first impressed by stimulants, on account of the extensive sym-
pathy which exists between it and the rest of the system, in
dental practice these agents are topically applied to the mucous
membrane of the mouth as counter-irritants and vesicants. The
influence of stimulants is most apparent in conditions of morbid
depression, whereas in health they soon induce depression. They
possess the power of arousing the energies of the nervous system,
and hence are beneficial in many nervous disorders, especially
those of a spasmodic nature. When applied to the gastro-intes-
tinal canal they promote digestion as stomachics^ and when ad-
ministered to dispel flatulence they are known as carminatives.
When internally administered, it is for the most part advisable to
begin with small doses, and increase them as circumstances may
require. In some cases, however, it is necessary to give them
freely from the first. It is often requisite to change the stimu-
lating substance and also the part of the body to which it is
applied ; when the stomach fails, the rectum and skin may be
acted upon beneficially. Topically applied, stimulants irritate
and inflame the parts with which they come in contact, and are
then known as irritants.
The most powerful and rapid stimulants are known as dijffli-
sible., while others of a vegetable nature, containing a volatile oil,
are termed aromatic. Among the class of diffusible stimulants
are such agents as alcohol, preparations of ammonia, arnica,
phosphorus, etc., etc. Among the class of aromatic stimulants
arc capsicum, cinnamon, black pepper, mace, cloves, pimento, oil