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REMEDIAL AGENTS. 97
surfaces. Mixed with water in the form of soft masses, they
are commonly termed cataplasms or poultices^ and have the effect
of softening the parts to which they are applied as vehicles of
heat and moisture. Included in the class of demulcents are such
substances as gum arabic, flax seed, tragacanth, slippery-elm
bark, sassafras pith, marshmallow, benne, quince seed, liquorice
root, Iceland moss, Irish moss, starch, arrow root, tapioca, sago,
barley, glycerin, pyroxylon, collodion, solution of gutta percha,
honey, animal fats, such as lard, in the form of cerate (lard 2
parts, and white wax i part), and suet, both containing stearine.

ANTHELMINTICS.
Anthelmintics, or Vermifuges^ are medicinal substances em-
ployed to destroy and expel worms (entozoa) from the alimen-
tary canal. Their action differs according to the nature of the
substance used, either to destroy by a direct poisonous influence
or by mechanical means. The most powerful of the cathartics
(drastic) also acts as anthelmintics by the copious secretion and
exhalation which they produce from the alimentary canal.
When anthelmintics are employed, they must be persevered in
for several days, with the occasional intervention of an active
cathartic.
Belonging to this class are such agents as wormseed, spigelia,
santonica, cowhage, male fern, oil of turpentine, kameela, pump-
kin seed, kousso, calomel with gamboge, calomel with pink root,
iron preparations, etc., etc.

COLORING AGENTS.

Coloring agents are substances employed to communicate their
peculiar color to pharmaceutical preparations. They include
saffron, cochineal, red saunders, etc., etc. ; and in dental practice
they are used for coloring dentrifrices, such as rose pink.

In addition to the general classes mentioned, there are certain
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