Mother's Remedies - Thomas Jefferson Ritter (guided reading books .txt) 📗

hydragogue
  Cathartics that aid in the removal of edematous fluids and promote the
  discharge of fluid from the bowels.

hydrophobia (rabies)
  Viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals. Transmitted
  by a rhabdovirus (genus Lyssavirus) in infected saliva of a rabid
  animal. Causes increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and paralysis
  and death when untreated

hypophosphite
  Salt of hypophosphorous acid.

hyoscine (scopolamine)
  An alkaloid, C17H21NO4, from plants such as henbane; used as a mydriatic
  (dilatate the pupils) and sedative, and to treat nausea and motion
  sickness.

hyoscyamus
  Poisonous Eurasian herbs of the family Solanaceae that have simple
  leaves, irregular flowers, and include the henbane (H. niger). Dried
  leaves of the henbane containing the alkaloids hyoscyamine and
  scopolamine, used as an antispasmodic and sedative.

ichthyol Oily substance prepared by the dry distillation of a bituminous mineral containing fossil fishes. Used as a remedy for some skin diseases.

ignatia
  Dried ripe seeds of the Saint-Ignatius's-bean used like nux vomica.

impetigo
  Contagious bacterial skin infection, usually of children, indicated by
  the eruption of superficial pustules with thick yellow crusts, commonly
  on the face.

incommode
  Cause inconvenience; disturb.

inspissate
  Undergo thickening or cause to thicken, as by boiling or evaporation;
  condense.

intercostal
  Relating to or near a rib.

iodoform
  Yellowish crystalline compound, CHI3, used as an antiseptic.

ipecac
  Tropical American shrub (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) that yields emetine.
  Medicinal preparation made from this shrub used to induce vomiting.

Iris Florentina (Florentine iris, orris, Iris germanica florentina, Iris florentina) German iris having large white flowers and a fragrant rhizome.

Irish moss (carrageen)
  Edible North Atlantic seaweed (Chondrus crispus) that yields a
  mucilaginous substance used medicinally and in preparing jellies.

iritis
    Inflammation of the iris of the eye.

jalap
  Eastern Mexican vine (Ipomoea purga) with tuberous roots that are dried,
  powdered, and used as a cathartic.

jocose
  Given to joking; merry; humorous.

kamala
  Asian tree (Mallotus philippinensis) that bears a hairy capsular fruit;
  vermifugal powder is obtained from the capsules of this tree.

kino
  Reddish resin from several Old World trees of the genera Eucalyptus,
  Pterocarpus, and Butea and from tropical American trees of the genera
  Coccoloba and Dipteryx.

kumiss (koumiss)
  Fermented milk of a mare or camel, used as a beverage in western and
  central Asia.

La Grippe
  Influenza.

lancinating
  Sensation of cutting, piercing, or stabbing.

lard
  White solid or semisolid rendered fat of a hog.

laudanum
  Tincture of opium, formerly used as a drug.

leukemia (leucemia, leukaemia, leucaemia) Disease in humans and other warm-blooded animals involving the blood-forming organs; causes an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the tissues with or without a corresponding increase in the circulating blood.

lime (calcium oxide)
  White, caustic, lumpy powder, CaO, used as a refractory, as a flux, in
  manufacturing steel and paper, in glassmaking, in waste treatment, in
  insecticides, and as an industrial alkali.

  Slaked lime is calcium hydroxide, a soft white powder, Ca(OH)2, used in
  making mortar, cements, calcium salts, paints, hard rubber products, and
  petrochemicals.

litmus
  Coloring material from lichens that turns red in acid solutions and blue
  in alkaline solutions.

Liveforever (orpine, orpin, livelong, Sedum telephium)
  Perennial northern temperate plant with toothed leaves and heads of
  small purplish-white flowers.

lobelia
  See Herb Department, page 428.

lochia
  Normal uterine discharge of blood, tissue, and mucus from the vagina
  after childbirth.

lupus
  Systemic lupus erythematosus. Chronic skin conditions characterized by
  ulcerative lesions that spread over the body. No longer in scientific
  use.

lupulin
  Minute yellowish-brown hairs in the strobili of the hop plant, formerly
  used in medicine as a sedative.

lycopodium
  Plant of the genus Lycopodium, including club mosses. The yellowish
  powdery spores of certain club mosses, especially Lycopodium clavatum,
  are used in fireworks and as a coating for pills.

madras
  Cotton or silk cloth of fine texture, usually with a plaid, striped, or
  checked pattern. Large handkerchief of madras cloth.

malines
  Thin, stiff net woven in a hexagonal pattern, used in dressmaking.

mandrake (may-apple)
  Southern European plant (Mandragora officinarum) having greenish-yellow
  flowers and a branched root. This plant was once believed to have
  magical powers because its root resembles the human body. The root
  contains the poisonous alkaloid hyoscyamine. Also called mandragora. See
  podophyllin.

marseille
  Heavy cotton fabric with a raised pattern of stripes or figures.

meatus
  Body opening or passage, such as the opening of the ear or the urethra.

menorrhagia
  Unusually heavy or extended menstrual flow.

menstruum
  Solvent used to extract compounds from plant and animal tissues and
  preparing drugs.

messaline
  Lightweight, soft, shiny silk cloth with a twilled or satin weave.

mezereon
  Poisonous Eurasian ornamental shrub (Daphne mezereum) with fragrant
  lilac-purple flowers and small scarlet fruit. The dried bark of this
  plant was used externally as a vesicant (blistering agent) and
  internally for arthritis.

miliary
  Appearance of millet seeds. Small skin lesions with the appearance of
  millet seeds.

mullein
  Eurasian plants of the genus Verbascum, especially V. thapsus. Also
  called flannel leaf, velvet plant.

muriate
  Chloride; compound of chlorine with another element or radical;
  especially, a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid called.

myrrh
  Aromatic gum resin from trees and shrubs of the genus Commiphora of
  India, Arabia, and eastern Africa, used in perfume and incense.

methyl salicylate
  Liquid ester C8H8O3 obtained from the leaves of wintergreen (Gaultheria
  procumbens) or the bark of a birch (Betula lenta); now made
  synthetically, and used as a flavoring and a counterirritant.

motherwort
  Eurasian plants of the genus Leonurus, especially L. cardiaca, a weed
  having clusters of small purple or pink flowers.

mugwort
  Aromatic plants of the genus Artemisia, especially A. vulgaris, native
  to Eurasia; used as a condiment.

mustard plaster (sinapism)
  Medicinal plaster made with a paste-like mixture of powdered black
  mustard, flour, and water, used as a counterirritant.

nephritis
  Various acute or chronic inflammations of the kidneys, such as Bright's
  disease.

naphthalene (naphthaline, tar camphor) White crystalline compound, C10H8, derived from coal tar or petroleum and used in manufacturing dyes, moth repellents, and explosives and as a solvent.

nebulize
   To convert a liquid to a fine spray; atomize.
   To treat with a medicated spray.

nainsook
  Soft lightweight muslin used for babies.

Neroli
  An essential oil made by distilling the flowers of the orange; it is
  used in perfume.

nitre (niter, saltpeter)
  Potassium nitrate, KNO3, used in making gunpowder.

nux vomica
  Tree (Strychnos nux-vomica) native to southeast Asia, having poisonous
  seeds that are the source of the medicinal alkaloids strychnine and
  brucine.

ocher (ochre)
  Yellow, brown, or red mineral oxides of iron used as pigments.

oil of vitriol
  Sulfuric acid; highly corrosive, dense, oily liquid, H2SO4, colorless to
  dark brown depending on its purity and used to manufacture a wide
  variety of chemicals and materials including fertilizers, paints,
  detergents, and explosives.

omentum
  Folds of the peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity) that
  connect the stomach with other abdominal organs.

ophthalmia neonatorum (infantile purulent conjunctivitis)
  Various forms of conjunctivitis in newborns, usually contracted during
  birth from passage through the infected birth canal of the mother.

orchitis
  Inflammation of the testes, often the result of mumps or other
  infection, trauma, or metastasis.

organdy (organdie)
  Stiff transparent fabric of cotton or silk, used for trim, curtains, and
  light apparel.

Origanum
  Marjoram. Genus of mint-like plants (Origanum). The sweet marjoram (O.
  Majorana) is aromatic and fragrant, and used in cooking. The wild
  marjoram of Europe and America (O. vulgare) is less fragrant.

orris
  Several species of iris with a fragrant rootstock, especially Iris
  germanica, used in perfumes and cosmetics.

panada
  Paste or gruel of bread crumbs, toast, or flour combined with milk,
  stock, or water; used for soups or thickening sauces.

Paralysis Agitans (Parkinson's disease, shaking palsy)
  Progressive nervous disease causing destruction of brain cells that
  produce dopamine, muscular tremor, slowing of movement, partial facial
  paralysis, peculiarity of gait and posture, and weakness.

paregoric
  A camphorated tincture of opium, taken internally for the relief of
  diarrhea and intestinal pain

Paris green
  Poisonous emerald-green powder, C4H6As6Cu4O16, used as a pigment,
  insecticide, and wood preservative.

pedicle (pedicel)
  Small stalk or stalk-like structure, especially one supporting or
  connecting an organ or other body part. Slender foot-like part, as at
  the base of a tumor.

pell mell
  Jumbled, confused manner; helter-skelter; frantic disorderly haste;
  headlong:

pemphigus
  Several acute or chronic skin diseases characterized by groups of
  itching blisters.

pennyroyal
  Eurasian mint (Mentha pulegium) with small lilac-blue flowers that yield
  an aromatic oil. Aromatic plant (Hedeoma pulegioides) of eastern North
  America, having purple-blue flowers that yields an oil used as an insect
  repellent

peptonize Convert protein into a peptone (water-soluble protein derivative produced by partial hydrolysis of a protein by an acid or enzyme ). Dissolve (food) by means of a proteolytic enzyme.

pernicious anemia (Addison's anemia, malignant anemia.)
  Severe anemia in older adults, caused by failure absorb vitamin B12;
  causes abnormally large red blood cells, gastrointestinal disturbances,
  and lesions of the spinal cord.

pharyngitis
  Inflammation of the pharynx.

phenacetine (phenacetin)
  White, crystalline compound, C10H13O2N, used as an antipyretic.

phlox
  North American plants of the genus Phlox, having opposite leaves and
  flowers.

phytolacca decandra (Scoke, Poke, Pokeweed) Tall coarse perennial American herb with small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous.

picric acid
  Poisonous, yellow crystalline solid, C6H2(NO2)3OH, used in explosives,
  dyes, and antiseptics.

piece de resistance
  Outstanding accomplishment. Principal dish of a meal.

pilocarpus
  Small tropical American shrubs (family Rutaceae) with small greenish
  flowers.

pilocarpine muriate
  3-ethyl-4-[(3-methylimidazol-4-yl)methyl]oxolan-2-one hydrochloride
  C11H17ClN2O2

pique
  Vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; feeling of wounded
  pride.

pleurodynia
  Paroxysmal pain and soreness of the muscles between the ribs. Epidemic
  disease caused by a coxsackievirus, causing pain in the lower chest and
  fever, headache, and malaise.

podophyllin
  Bitter-tasting resin from the dried root of the may apple; used as a
  cathartic.

pokeweed (pokeberry, pokeroot.)
  Tall North American plant (Phytolacca americana) with small white
  flowers, blackish-red berries, and a poisonous root.

prickly ash
  Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees of the genus Zanthoxylum.

probang
  Long, slender, flexible rod with a tuft or sponge at the end; used to
  remove objects from or apply medication to the larynx or esophagus.

proteid (obsolete term)
  Protein.

proud flesh
  Swollen flesh that surrounds a healing wound, caused by excessive
  granulation (Small, fleshy, bead-like protuberances—new capillaries—on
  the surface of a wound that is healing).

pruritus
  Severe itching, often of undamaged skin.

Prunus Virginiana (Chokecherry)
  Astringent fruit of a species of wild cherry; the bush or tree which
  bears such fruit.

pterygium
  Abnormal mass of tissue on the conjunctiva of the inner corner of the
  eye that obstructs vision by covering the cornea.

pulsatilla
  Dried medicinal herb from a pasqueflower (especially Anemone pulsatilla)
  formerly used to treat amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.

punctilio
  Fine point of etiquette. Precise observance of formalities.

purpura
  Hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes having the appearance of
  purplish spots or patches.

pyemia
  Septicemia (blood poisoning) caused by pyogenic (producing pus)
  microorganisms in the blood, often resulting in the formation of
  multiple abscesses.

pyrogallic Acid
  White, toxic crystalline phenol, C6H3(OH)3, used as a photographic
  developer and to treat certain skin diseases.

quassia
  Tropical American shrub (Quassia amara) with bright scarlet flowers. A
  bitter substance from its wood is used in medicine and as an
  insecticide.

Queen of the meadow (Meadowsweet)
  European herbaceous plant (Spiraea Ulmaria). North American shrubs
  (Spiraea alba or S. latifolia) having umbel-shaped clusters of white
  flowers. Perennial herbs of the genus Filipendula in the rose family.

quinine
  Bitter, colorless, powder or crystalline alkaloid, C20H24N2O2-3H2O,
  derived from cinchona barks and used to treat malaria.

quince
  Western Asian shrub or tree (Cydonia oblonga) with white flowers and
  hard apple-like fruit.

quinsy
  Acute inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissue, often leading
  to an abscess.

rabies
  see hydrophobia

ranunculus bulbosus
  Perennial Old World buttercup with yellow flowers in late spring to
  early summer.

red precipitate
  Mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder formed by heating
  mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air.

repousse
  Ornamented with patterns in relief made by pressing or hammering on the
  reverse side;

resorcinol (resorcin)
  White crystalline compound, C6H4(OH)2, used to treat certain skin
  diseases and in dyes, resin adhesives, and pharmaceuticals.

Rhamnus Purshiana (Cascara buckthorn )
  Buckthorn of the Pacific coast of the United States, which yields
  cascara sagrada.

rhatany
  Dried root of South American shrubs (Krameria lappacea or K. argentea)
  used as an astringent and in toothpaste and mouthwash.

rheumatic fever
  Acute inflammatory disease occurring after an infection from group A
  streptococci, marked by fever and joint pain. Associated with
  polyarthritis, Sydenham's chorea, and endocarditis; frequently causes
  scarring of the heart valves.

rheumatism
  Painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues. Chronic
  auto-immune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked
  deformities.

rhus
  Genus of vines and shrubs including poison ivy, poison oak, and poison
  sumac.

rickets (rachitis)
  Childhood disease caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium and from
  insufficient exposure to sunlight, characterized by defective bone
  growth.

Rochelle salts
  Potassium sodium tartrate; colorless efflorescent crystalline compound,
  KNaC4H4O6.4H2O, used in making mirrors, in electronics, and as a
  laxative

ruche
  Ruffle or pleat of lace, muslin, or other fine fabric used to trim
  women's garments.

rumex Crispus (chrysophanic acid)
  Yellow crystalline substance