Page 92 - My FlipBook

90 DENTAL MEDICINE.
conditions of such membranes, in order to restore them to healthy
action, in cases where their secretion is deficient, excessive or
abnormal in quality. They are termed expectorants when used
to stimulate the secretion of mucus from the bronchial or laryn-
geal membranes, as in bronchitis and laryngitis, and during con-
valescence, in pneumonia. The oleo-resinous agents of this
class are employed in chronic diarrhoea, and the diarrhoea of
typhoid fever, such as oil of turpentine, for example; also in dis-
eases of the urino-genital mucous membranes, such as gonorrhea,
gleet, leucorrhea, incontinence of urine, cystitis, etc., etc. In-
cluded in the class of blennorrhetics are such agents as senna,
cimicifuga, garlic, turpentine, squill, copaiba, cubebs, matico,
buchu, myrrh, benzoin, storax, balsam of peru, balsam of
tolu, etc., etc.
EMMENAGOGUES.
Emmenagogues are medicinal substances which promote the
menstrual discharge, or restore it when entirely suppressed. The
particular emmenagogue required depends upon the cause of the
amenorrhea; for example, when anemia is the cause, the prepara-
tions of iron prove most effectual; when from plethora, blood
letting and cathartics or evacuants are resorted to. Certain
medicinal substances excite the pelvic circulation, and stimulate
the parts in direct connection with the uterus, and thereby in-
crease or promote the menstrual discharge.
General debility being the cause of the local affection, an
active administration of tonics, in connection with the emmen-
agogue required, is advisable.
The most prominent of this class of emmenagogues are
savine, .cantharides, ergot, cotton root, Seneca, snake root,
guaiacum, etc., etc.
HEMATINICS.

Hematinics are medicinal substances which increase the num-
ber of blood corpuscles, or the amount of hematin in the blood,
and hence are administered in such diseases as are dependent on
a deficiency of these elements.