A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene / For Educational Institutions and General Readers

APPENDIX.

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POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES.

Accidents from poisoning are of such frequent occurrence, that every one should be able to administer the more common antidotes, until the services of a physician can be obtained. As many poisons bear a close resemblance to articles in common use, no dangerous substance should be brought into the household without having the word poison plainly written or printed on the label; and any package, box, or vial, without a label, should be at once destroyed, if the contents are not positively known.

When a healthy person is taken severely and suddenly ill soon after some substance has been swallowed, we may suspect that he has been poisoned. In all cases where poison has been taken into the stomach, it should be quickly and thoroughly evacuated by some active emetic, which can be speedily obtained. This may be accomplished by drinking a tumblerful of warm water, containing either a tablespoonful of powdered mustard or of common salt, or two teaspoonfuls of powdered alum in two tablespoonfuls of syrup. When vomiting has already taken place, it should be maintained by copious draughts of warm water or mucilaginous drinks, such as gum-water or flaxseed tea, and tickling the throat with the finger until there is reason to believe that all the poisonous substance has been expelled from the stomach.

The following list embraces only the more common poisons, together with such antidotes as are usually at hand, to be used until the physician arrives.

POISONS.

Acids.—Hydrochloric acid; muriatic acid (spirits of salt); nitric acid (aqua fortis); sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol).

Antidote.—An antidote should be given at once to neutralize the acid. Strong soapsuds is an efficient remedy, and can always be obtained. It should be followed by copious draughts of warm water or flaxseed tea. Chalk, magnesia, soda or saleratus (with water) or lime-water, are the best remedies. When sulphuric acid has been taken, water should be given sparingly, because, when water unites with this acid, intense heat is produced.

Oxalic acid.

Antidote.—Oxalic acid resembles Epsom salts in appearance, and may easily be mistaken for it. The antidotes are magnesia, or chalk mixed with water.

Prussic Acid; oil of bitter almonds; laurel water; cyanide of potassium (used in electrotyping).

Antidote.—Cold douche to the spine. Chlorine water, or water of ammonia largely diluted, should be given, and the vapor arising from them may be inhaled.

Alkalies and their Salts.—Ammonia (hartshorn), liquor or water of ammonia. Potassa:—caustic potash, strong ley, carbonate of potassa (pearlash), nitrate of potassa (saltpetre).

Antidote.—Give the vegetable acids diluted, as weak vinegar, acetic, citric, or tartaric acids dissolved in water. Castor oil, linseed oil, and sweet oil may also be used; they form soaps when mixed with the free alkalies, which they thus render harmless. The poisonous effects of saltpetre must be counteracted by taking mucilaginous drinks freely, so as to produce vomiting.

Alcohol.—Brandy, wine; all spirituous liquors.

Antidote.—Give as an emetic ground mustard or tartar emetic. If the patient cannot swallow, introduce a stomach pump; pour cold water on the head.

Gases.—Chlorine, carbonic acid gas, carbonic oxide, fumes of burning charcoal, sulphuretted hydrogen, illuminating or coal-gas.

Antidote.—For poisoning by chlorine, inhale, cautiously, ammonia (hartshorn). For the other gases, cold water should be poured upon the head, and stimulants cautiously administered; artificial respiration. (See Marshall Hall's Ready Method, page 250.)

Metals.—Antimony, tartar emetic, wine of antimony, etc.

Antidote.—If vomiting has not occurred, it should be produced by tickling the throat with the finger or a feather, and the abundant use of warm water. Astringent infusions, such as common tea, oak bark, and solution of tannin, act as antidotes.

Arsenic.—White arsenic, Fowler's solution, fly-powder, cobalt, Paris green, etc.

Antidote.—Produce vomiting at once with a tablespoonful or two of powdered mustard in a glass of warm water, or with ipecac. The antidote is hydrated peroxide of iron. If Fowler's solution has been taken, lime-water must be given.

Copper.—Acetate of copper (verdigris), sulphate of copper (blue vitriol), food cooked in dirty copper vessels, or pickles made green by copper.

Antidote.—Milk or white of eggs, with mucilaginous drinks (flaxseed tea, etc.), should be freely given.

Iron.—Sulphate of iron (copperas), etc.

Antidote.—Carbonate of soda in some mucilaginous drink, or in water, is an excellent antidote.

Lead.—Acetate of lead (sugar of lead), carbonate of lead (white lead), water kept in leaden pipes or vessels, food cooked in vessels glazed with lead.

Antidote.—Induce vomiting with ground mustard or common salt in warm water. The antidote for soluble preparations of lead is Epsom salts; for the insoluble forms, sulphuric acid largely diluted.

Mercury.—Bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate), ammoniated mercury (white precipitate), red oxide of mercury (red precipitate), red sulphuret of mercury (vermilion).

Antidote.—The white of eggs, or wheat flour beaten up with water and milk, are the best antidotes.

Silver.—Nitrate of silver (lunar caustic).

Antidote.—Give a teaspoonful of common salt in a tumbler of water. It decomposes the salts of silver and destroys their activity.

Zinc.—Sulphate of zinc, etc. (white vitriol).

Antidote.—The vomiting may be relieved by copious draughts of warm water. The antidote is carbonate of soda administered in water.

Narcotic Poisons.—Opium (laudanum, paregoric, salts of morphia, Godfrey's cordial, Dalby's carminative, soothing syrup, cholera mixtures), aconite, belladonna, hemlock, stramonium, digitalis, tobacco, hyosciamus, nux vomica, strychnine.

Antidote.—Evacuate the stomach by the most active emetics, as mustard, alum, or sulphate of zinc. The patient should be kept in motion, and cold water dashed on the head and shoulders. Strong coffee must be given. The physician will use the stomach pump and electricity. In poisoning by nux vomica or strychnine, etc., chloroform or ether should be inhaled to quiet the spasms.

Irritant Vegetable Poisons.—Croton oil, oil of savine, poke, oil of tansy, etc.

Antidote.—If vomiting has taken place, it may be rendered easier by copious draughts of warm water. But if symptoms of insensibility have come on without vomiting, it ought to be immediately excited by ground mustard mixed with warm water, or some other active emetic and after its operation an active purgative should be given. After evacuating as much of the poison as possible, strong coffee or vinegar and water may be given with advantage.

Poisonous Fish.—Conger eel, mussels, crabs, etc.

Antidote.—Evacuate, as soon as possible, the contents of the stomach and bowels by emetics (ground mustard mixed with warm water or powdered alum), and castor oil, drinking freely at the same time of vinegar and water. Ether, with a few drops of laudanum mixed with sugar and water, may afterward be taken freely.

Poisonous Serpents.—Antidote.—A ligature or handkerchief should be applied moderately tight above the bite, and a cupping-glass over the wound. The patient should drink freely of alcoholic stimulants containing a small quantity of ammonia. The physician may inject ammonia into the veins.

Poisonous Insects.—Stings of scorpion, hornet, wasp, bee, etc.

Antidote.—A piece of rag moistened with a solution of carbolic acid may be kept on the affected part until the pain is relieved; and a few drops of carbolic acid may be given frequently in a little water. The sting may be removed by making strong pressure around it with the barrel of a small watch-key.

DROWNING.

Marshall Hall's "Ready Method" of treatment in asphyxia from drowning, chloroform, coal gas, etc.

1st. Treat the patient instantly on the spot, in the open air, freely exposing the face, neck, and chest to the breeze, except in severe weather.

2d. In order to clear the throat, place the patient gently on the face, with one wrist under the forehead, that all fluid, and the tongue itself, may fall forward, and leave the entrance into the windpipe free.

3d. To excite respiration, turn the patient slightly on his side, and apply some irritating or stimulating agent to the nostrils, as veratrine, dilute ammonia, etc.

4th. Make the face warm by brisk friction; then dash cold water upon it.

5th. If not successful, lose no time; but, to imitate respiration, place the patient on his face, and turn the body gently, but completely on the side, and a little beyond; then again on the face, and so on, alternately. Repeat these movements, deliberately and perseveringly, fifteen times only in a minute. (When the patient lies on the thorax, this cavity is compressed by the weight of the body, and expiration takes place. When he is turned on the side, this pressure is removed, and inspiration occurs.)

6th. When the prone position is resumed, make a uniform and efficient pressure along the spine, removing the pressure immediately, before rotation on the side. (The pressure augments the expiration: the rotation commences inspiration.) Continue these measures.

7th. Rub the limbs upward, with firm pressure and with energy. (The object being to aid the return of venous blood to the heart.)

8th. Substitute for the patient's wet clothing, if possible, such other covering as can be instantly procured, each bystander supplying a coat or cloak, etc. Meantime, and from time to time, to excite inspiration, let the surface of the body be slapped briskly with the hand.

9th. Rub the body briskly till it is dry and warm, then dash cold water upon it, and repeat the rubbing.

Avoid the immediate removal of the patient, as it involves a dangerous loss of time—also, the use of bellows, or any forcing instrument; also, the warm bath, and all rough treatment.

GLOSSARY.

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Ab-do´men (Latin abdo, to conceal). The largest cavity of the body containing the liver, stomach, intestines, etc.; the belly.

Ab-sor´bents (L. ab and sorbeo, to suck up). The vessels which take part in the process of absorption.

Ab-sorp´tion. The process of sucking up fluids by means of an animal membrane.

Ac-com-mo-da´tion of the Eye. The alteration in the shape of the crystalline lens, which accommodates or adjusts the eye for near and remote vision.

Ac´id, Lactic (L. lac, milk). The acid ingredient of sour milk; the gastric juice also contains it.

Al-bu´men, or Albumin (L. albus, white). An animal substance resembling white of egg.

Al-bu´mi-nose (from albumen). A soluble animal substance produced in the stomach by the digestion of the albuminoid substances.

Al-bu´min-oid substances. A class of proximate principles resembling albumen; they may be derived from either the animal or vegetable kingdoms.

Al´i-ment (L. alo, to nourish). That which affords nourishment; food.

Al-i-ment´a-ry Ca-nal (from aliment). A long tube in which the food is digested, or prepared for reception into the system.

An-æs-thet´ics (Greek, αν, an, without, αἰσθεσία, aisthesia, feeling).—Those medicinal agents which prevent the feeling of pain, such as chloroform, laughing-gas, etc.

An-i-mal´cule (L. animal´culum, a small animal). Applied to animals which can only be seen with the aid of the microscope. Animalculum (plural, animalcula) is used with the same meaning.

A-or´ta (Gr. ἀορτέομαι, aorteomai, to be lifted up). The largest artery of the body, and main trunk of all the arteries. It arises from the left ventricle of the heart. The name was first applied to the two large branches of the trachea, which appear to be lifted up by the heart.

A´que-ous Humor (L. aqua, water). A few drops of watery colorless fluid occupying the space between the cornea and crystalline lens.

A-rach´noid Mem´brane (Gr. ἀράχνε, arachne, a cobweb, and εἰδος, eidos, like). An extremely thin covering of the brain and spinal cord. It lies between the dura mater and the pia mater.

Ar´bor Vi´tæ (L.). Literally, "the tree of life;" a name given to the peculiar appearance presented by a section of the cerebellum.

Ar´ter-y (Gr. ἀέρ, aer, air, and τέρειν, terein, to contain). A vessel by which blood is conveyed away from the heart. It was supposed by the ancients to contain air; hence the name.

Ar-tic-u-la´tion (L. articulo, to form a joint). The more or less movable union of bones, etc.; a joint.

A-ryt´e-noid Car´ti-la-ges (Gr. ἀρύταινα, arutaina, a pitcher). Two small cartilages of the larynx, resembling the mouth of a pitcher.

As-sim-i-la´tion (L. ad, to, and similis, like). The conversion of food into living tissue.

Au-di´tion (L. audio, to hear). The act of hearing sounds.

Au´di-to-ry Nerve. One of the cranial nerves; it is the special nerve of hearing.

Au´ri-cle (L. auris, the ear). A cavity of the heart.

Bar´i-tone (Gr. βαρύς, barus, heavy, and τόνος, tonos, tone). A variety of male voice between the bass and tenor.

Bel-la-don´na (It. beautiful lady). A vegetable narcotic poison. It has the property of enlarging the pupil, and thus increasing the brilliancy of the eye; so called from its use by Italian ladies.

Bi-cus´pid (L. bi, two, and cuspis, prominence). The name of the fourth and fifth teeth on each side of the jaw; possessing two prominences.

Bile. The gall, or peculiar secretion of the liver; a viscid, yellowish fluid, and very bitter to the taste.

Bronch´i (Gr. βρόγκος, bronkos, the windpipe). The two first divisions or branches of the trachea; one enters each lung.

Bronch´i-al Tubes. The smaller branches of the trachea within the substance of the lungs, terminating in the air-cells.

Bronch-i´tis (from bronchia, and itis, a suffix signifying inflammation). An inflammation of the larger bronchial tubes; a "cold" affecting the lungs.

Cal-ca´re-ous (L. calx, lime). Containing lime.

Ca-nal´ (L.). In the body, any tube or passage.

Ca-nine´ (L. canis, a dog). Name given to the third tooth on each side of the jaw; in the upper jaw it is also known as the eye-tooth: pointed like the tusks of a dog.

Cap´il-la-ry (L. capil´lus, a hair, capilla´ris hair-like). The name of the extremely minute blood-vessels which connect the arteries with the veins.

Car´bon Diox-ide (CO₂). Chemical name for carbonic acid gas.

Car-bon´ic A-cid. The gas which is present in the air expired from the lungs; a waste product of the animal kingdom, and a food of the vegetable kingdom.

Car´di-ac (Gr. καρδία, cardia, the heart). The cardiac orifice of the stomach is the upper one, and is near the heart; hence its name.

Car-niv´o-rous (L. ca´ro, flesh, and vo´ro, to devour). Subsisting upon flesh.

Ca-rot´id Ar-te-ry. The large artery of the neck, supplying the head and brain.

Car´ti-lage. A solid but flexible material, forming a part of the joints, air-passages, nostrils, etc.; gristle.

Ca´se-ine (L. ca´seus, cheese). The albuminoid substance of milk; it forms the basis of cheese.

Cer-e-bel´lum (diminutive for cer´ebrum, the brain). The little brain, situated beneath the posterior third of the cerebrum.

Cer´e-brum (L.). The brain proper, occupying the entire upper portion of the skull. It is nearly divided into two equal parts, called "hemispheres," by a cleft extending from before backward.

Cho´roid (Gr. χόριον, chorion, a membrane or covering). The middle tunic or coat of the eyeball.

Chyle (Gr. χυλός, chulos, juice). The milk-like fluid formed by the digestion of fatty articles of food in the intestines.

Chyme (Gr. χυμός, chumos, juice). The pulpy liquid formed by digestion within the stomach.

Cil´i-a (pl. of cil´i-um, an eyelash). Minute, vibratile, hair-like processes found upon the cells of the air-passages, and other parts that are habitually moist.

Cir-cu-la´tion (L. cir´culus, a ring). The circuit, or course of the blood through the blood-vessels of the body, from the heart to the arteries, through the capillaries into the veins, and from the veins back to the heart.

Co-ag-u-la´tion (L. coag´ulo, to curdle). Applied to the process by which the blood clots or solidifies.

Coch´le-a (L. coch´lea, a snail-shell). The spiral cavity of the internal ear.

Conch´a (Gr. κόγχη, konche, a mussel-shell). The external shell-shaped portion of the external ear.

Con-junc-ti´va (L. con and jun´go, to join together). A thin layer of mucous membrane which lines the eyelids and covers the front of the eyeball; thus joining the latter to the lids.

Con-trac-til´i-ty (L. con and tra´ho, to draw together). The property of a muscle which enables it to contract, or draw its extremities closer together.

Con-vo-lu´tions (L. con and vol´vo, to roll together). The tortuous foldings of the external surface of the brain.

Con-vul´sion (L. convel´lo, to pull together). A more or less violent agitation of the limbs or body.

Cor´ne-a (L. cor´nu, a horn). The transparent, horn-like substance which covers the anterior fifth of the eyeball.

Cor´pus-cles, Blood (L. dim. of cor´pus, a body). The small biconcave disks which give to the blood its red color; the white corpuscles are globular and larger.

Cos-met´ic (Gr. κοσμέω, kosmeo, to adorn). Beautifying; applied to articles which are supposed to increase the beauty of the skin, etc.

Cra´ni-al (L. cra´nium, the skull). Pertaining to the skull. The nerves which arise from the brain are called cranial nerves.

Cri´coid (Gr. κρίκος, kri´kos, a ring). A cartilage of the larynx, resembling a seal-ring in shape.

Crys´tal-line Lens (L. crystal´lum, a crystal). One of the so-called humors of the eye; a double convex body situated in the front part of the eyeball.

Cu´ti-cle (L. dim. of cu´tis, the skin). The scarf-skin; also called the epider´mis.

Cu´tis (Gr. σκῦτος, skutos, a skin or hide). The true skin, lying beneath the cuticle; also called the der´ma.

De-cus-sa´tion (L. decus´sis, the Roman numeral ten, X). A reciprocal crossing of fibres from side to side.

Di´a-phragm (Gr. διαφράσσω, diaphrasso, to divide by a partition). A large, thin muscle which separates the cavity of the chest from the abdomen; a muscle of respiration.

Dif-fus´ion of Gases. The power of gases to become intimately mingled, without reference to the force of gravity.

Duct (L. du´co, to lead). A narrow tube; the thoracic duct is the main trunk of the absorbent vessels.

Du-o-de´num (L. duode´ni, twelve). The first division of the small intestines, about twelve fingers-breadth long.

Du´ra Ma´ter (L.). Literally, the hard mother; the tough membrane which envelops the brain.

Dys-pep´si-a (Gr. δυς, dus, difficult, and πέπτω, pep´to, to digest). Difficult or painful digestion; a disordered condition of the stomach.

E-mul´sion (L. emul´geo, to milk). Oil in a finely divided state suspended in water.

En-am´el (Fr. email). The dense material which covers the crown of the tooth.

En´er-gy, Specific, of a Nerve. When a nerve of special sense is excited, whatever be the cause, the sensation experienced is that peculiar to the nerve; this is said to be the law of the specific energy of the nerves.

Ep-i-glot´tis (Gr. ἐπί, epi, upon, and γλωττις, glottis, the entrance to the windpipe). A leaf-shaped piece of cartilage which covers the top of the larynx during the act of swallowing.

Ex-cre´tion (L. excer´no, to separate). The separation from the blood of the waste particles of the body; also the materials excreted.

Ex-pi-ra´tion (L. expi´ro, to breathe out). The act of forcing air out of the lungs.

Ex-ten´sion (L. ex, out, and ten´do, to stretch). The act of restoring a limb, etc., to its natural position after it has been flexed, or bent; the opposite of Flexion.

Fe-nes´tra (L.). Literally, a window; the opening between the middle and internal ear.

Fi´brin (L. fi´bra, a fibre). An albuminoid substance found in the blood; in coagulating it assumes a fibrous form.

Flex´ion (L. flec´to, to bend). The act of bending a limb, etc.

Fol´li-cle (L. dim. of fol´lis, a bag). A little pouch or depression in a membrane; it has generally a secretory function.

Fun´gous Growths (L. fun´gus, a mushroom). A low grade of vegetable life.

Gan´gli-on (Gr. γαγγλίον, ganglion, a knot). A knot-like swelling in the course of a nerve; a smaller nerve-centre.

Gas´tric (Gr. γαστήρ, gaster, stomach). Pertaining to the stomach.

Gland (L. glans, an acorn). An organ consisting of follicles and ducts, with numerous blood-vessels interwoven; it separates some particular fluid from the blood.

Glos´so-phar-yn-ge´al Nerve (Gr. γλῶσσα, glossa, the tongue, and φάρυγξ, pharunx, the throat). The nerve of taste supplying the posterior third of the tongue; it also supplies the throat.

Glu´ten (L.). Literally, glue: the glutinous albuminoid ingredient of wheat.

Gran´ule (L. dim. of gra´num, a grain). A little grain; a microscopic object.

Gus-ta´tion (L. gus´to, to taste) The sense of taste.

Gus´ta-to-ry Nerve. The nerve of taste supplying the front part of the tongue; a branch of the "fifth" pair.

Hæm´or-rhage (Gr. ἅιμα, hai´ma, blood, and ῥήγνυμι, regnumi, to burst). Bleeding, or the loss of blood.

Hem-i-ple´gia (Gr. ἥμισυς, hemisus, half, and πλήσσω, plesso, to strike). Paralysis, or loss of power, affecting one side of the body.

Hem´i-spheres (Gr. σφαῖρα, sphaira, a sphere). Half a sphere, the lateral halves of the cerebrum, or brain proper.

He-pat´ic (Gr. ἥπαρ, hepar, the liver). Pertaining to the liver.

Her-biv´o-rous (L. her´ba, an herb, and vo´ro to devour). Applied to animals that subsist upon vegetable food.

Hu´mor (L.). Moisture: the humors are transparent contents of the eyeball.

Hy-dro-pho´bi-a (Gr. ὕδορ, hudor, water, and φοβέω, phobeo, to fear). A disease caused by the bite of a rabid dog or other animal. In a person affected with it, convulsions are occasioned by the sight of a glittering object, like water, by the sound of running water, and by almost any external impression.

Hy´gi-ene (Gr. ὑγίεια, huygieia, health). The art of preserving health and preventing disease.

Hy´per-o-pi-a. Abbreviated from Hy´per-met-ro´pi-a (Gr. ὑπέρ, huper, beyond, μέτρον, metron, the measure, and ὤψ, ops, the eye). A defect of vision dependent upon a too short eyeball; so called because the rays of light are brought to a focus at a point behind the retina; the true "far sight."

In-ci´sor (L. inci´do, to cut). Applied to the four front teeth of both jaws, which have sharp cutting edges.

In´cus (L). An anvil; the name of one of the bones of the middle ear.

In-sal-i-va´tion (L. in, and sali´va, the fluid of the mouth). The mingling of the saliva with the food during the act of chewing.

In-spi-ra´tion (L. in, and spi´ro, spira´tum, to breathe). The act of drawing in the breath.

In-teg´u-ment (L. in, and te´go, to cover). The skin, or outer covering of the body.

In-tes´tine (L. in´tus, within). The part of the alimentary canal which is continuous with the lower end of the stomach; also called the intestines, or the bowels.

I´ris (L. i´ris, the rainbow). The thin muscular ring which lies between the cornea and crystalline lens, and which gives the eye its brown, blue, or other color.

Ju´gu-lar (L. ju´gulum, the throat). The name of the large veins which run along the front of the neck.

Lab´y-rinth (Gr. λαβύρινθος, laburin´thos, a building with many winding passages). The very tortuous cavity of the inner ear, comprising the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea.

Lach´ry-mal Apparatus (L. lach´ryma, a tear). The organs for forming and conveying away the tears.

Lac´te-als (L. lac, lac´tis, milk). The absorbent vessels of the small intestines; during digestion they are filled with chyle, which has a milky appearance.

La-ryn´go-scope (Gr. λάρυγξ, larunx, the larynx, and σκοπεω, skopeo, to look at). The instrument by which the larynx may be examined in the living subject.

Lar´ynx (Gr.). The cartilaginous tube situated at the top of the windpipe, or trachea; the organ of the voice.

Lens (L.). Literally, a lentil; a piece of transparent glass or other substance so shaped as either to converge or disperse the rays of light.

Lig´a-ment (L. li´go, to bind). A strong, fibrous material binding bones or other solid parts together; it is especially necessary to give strength to joints.

Lig´a-ture. A thread of silk or other material used in tying around an artery.

Lymph (L. lym´pha, spring-water). The colorless, watery fluid conveyed by the lymphatic vessels.

Lym-phat´ic Vessels. A system of absorbent vessels.

Mal´le-us (L.). Literally, the mallet; one of the small bones of the middle ear.

Mar´row. The soft, fatty substance contained in the central cavities of the bones: the spinal marrow, however, is composed of nervous tissue.

Mas-ti-ca´tion (L. mas´tico, to chew). The act of cutting and grinding the food to pieces by means of the teeth.

Me-dul´la Ob-lon-ga´ta. The "oblong marrow," or nervous cord, which is continuous with the spinal cord within the skull.

Mem-bra´na Tym´pan-i (L.). Literally, the membrane of the drum; a delicate partition separating the outer from the middle ear; it is sometimes incorrectly called the drum of the ear.

Mem´brane. A thin layer of tissue serving to cover some part of the body.

Mi´cro-scope (Gr. μικρός, mikros, small, and σκοπέω, skopeo, to look at). An optical instrument which assists in the examination of minute objects.

Mo´lar (L. mo´la, a mill). The name applied to the three back teeth of each side of the jaw; the grinders, or mill-like teeth.

Mo´tor (L. mo´veo, mo´tum, to move). Causing motion; the name of those nerves which conduct to the muscles the stimulus which causes them to contract.

Mu´cous Membrane. The thin layer of tissue which covers those internal cavities or passages which communicate with the external air.

Mu´cus. The glairy fluid which is secreted by mucous membranes, and which serves to keep them in a moist condition.

My-o´pi-a (Gr. μύω, muo, to contract, and ὤψ, ops, the eye). A defect of vision dependent upon an eyeball that is too long, rendering distant objects indistinct; near-sight.

Na´sal (L. na´sus, the nose). Pertaining to the nose; the nasal cavities contain the distribution of the special nerve of smell.

Nerve (Gr. νεῦρον, neuron, a cord or string). A glistening, white cord of cylindrical shape, connecting the brain or spinal cord with some other organ of the body.

Nerve Cell. A minute, round and ashen-gray cell found in the brain and other nervous centres.

Nerve Fi´bre. An exceedingly slender thread of nervous tissue found in the various nervous organs, but especially in the nerves; it is of a white color.

Nu-tri´tion (L. nu´trio, to nourish). The processes by which the nourishment of the body is accomplished.

Œ-soph´a-gus (Gr.). Literally, that which carries food. The tube leading from the throat to the stomach; the gullet.

O-le-ag´i-nous (L. o´leum, oil). Of the nature of oil: applied to an important group of food-principles—the fats.

Ol-fac´to-ry (L. olfa´cio, to smell). Pertaining to the sense of smell.

Oph-thal´mo-scope (Gr. ὀφθαλμός, ophthalmos, the eye, and σκοπέω, skopeo, to look at). An instrument devised for examining the interior of the globe of the eye.

Op´tic (Gr. ὄπτω, opto, to see). Pertaining to the sense of sight.

Or´bit (L. or´bis, the socket). The bony socket or cavity in which the eyeball is situated.

Os´mose (Gr. ὠσμός, osmos, a thrusting or impulsion). The process by which liquids are impelled through a moist membrane.

Os´se-ous (L. os, a bone). Consisting of, or resembling bone.

Pal´ate (L. pala´tum, the palate). The roof of the mouth, consisting of the hard and soft palate.

Pal´mar. Relating to the palm of the hand.

Pan´cre-as (Gr. πᾶς, παντός, pas, pantos, all, and κρέας, kreas, flesh). A long, flat gland situated near the stomach; in the lower animals the analogous organ is called the sweet-bread.

Pa-pil´læ (L. papil´la). The minute prominences in which terminate the ultimate fibres of the nerves of touch and taste.

Pa-ral´y-sis. A disease of the nervous system marked by the loss of sensation, or voluntary motion, or both; palsy.

Par-a-ple´gi-a (Gr. παραπλήσσω, paraplesso, to strike amiss). A form of paralysis affecting the lower half of the body.

Pa-tel´la (L. dim. of pat´ina, a pan). The knee-pan; a small bone.

Pel´vis (L.). Literally a basin; the bony cavity at the lower part of the trunk.

Pep´sin (Gr. πέπτω, pepto, to digest). The organic principle of the gastric juice.

Per-i-stal´tic Move´ments (Gr. περιστέλλω, peristello, to contract). The slow, wave-like movements of the stomach and intestines.

Per-i-to-ne´um (Gr. περιτείνω, periteino, to stretch around). The investing membrane of the stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs.

Per-spi-ra´tion (L. perspi´ro, to breathe through). The sweat, or watery exhalation of the skin; when visible, it is called sensible perspiration, when invisible, it is called insensible perspiration.

Pe´trous (Gr. πέτρα, petra, a rock). The name of the hard portion of the temporal bone, in which is situated the drum of the ear and labyrinth.

Phar´ynx (Gr. φάρυγξ, pharunx, the throat). The cavity between the back of the mouth and gullet.

Phys-i-ol´o-gy (Gr. φύσις, phusis, nature, and λόγος, logos, a discourse). The science of the functions of living, organized beings.

Pi´a Ma´ter (L.). Literally, the tender mother; the innermost of the three coverings of the brain. It is thin and delicate; hence the name.

Pleu´ra (Gr. πλευρά, a rib). A membrane covering the lung and lining the chest. There is one for each lung.

Pleu´ri-sy. An inflammation affecting the pleura.

Pneu-mo-gas´tric (Gr. πνεύμων, pneumon, the lungs, and γαστήρ, gaster, the stomach). The name of a nerve distributed to the lungs and stomach; it is the principal nerve of respiration.

Pneu-mo´nia (Gr.). An inflammation affecting the air-cells of the lungs.

Pres-by-o´pi-a (Gr. πρέσβυς, presbus, old, and ὤψ, ops, the eye). A defect of the accommodation of the eye, caused by the hardening of the crystalline lens; the "far-sight" of adults and aged persons.

Proc´ess (L. proce´do, proces´sus, to proceed, to go forth). Any projection from a surface. Also, a method of performance; a procedure.

Pty´a-lin (Gr. πτύαλον, ptualon, saliva). The peculiar organic ingredient of the saliva.

Pul´mo-na-ry (L. pul´mo, pulmo´nis, the lungs). Pertaining to the lungs.

Pulse (L. pel´lo, pul´sum, to beat). The striking of an artery against the finger, occasioned by the contraction of the heart, commonly felt at the wrist.

Pu´pil (L. pupil´la). The central, round opening in the iris, through which light passes into the depths of the eye.

Py-lo´rus (Gr. πυλωρός, puloros, a gate-keeper). The lower opening of the stomach, at the beginning of the small intestine.

Re´flex Action. An involuntary action of the nervous system, by which an external impression conducted by a sensory nerve is reflected, or converted into a motor impulse.

Res-pi-ra´tion (L. res´piro, to breathe frequently). The function of breathing, comprising two acts: inspiration, or breathing in, and expiration, or breathing out.

Ret´i-na (L. re´te, a net). The innermost of the three tunics or coats of the eyeball, being an expansion of the optic nerve.

Sac´cha-rine (L. sac´charum, sugar). Of the nature of sugar; applied to the important group of food substances which embraces the different varieties of sugar, starch, and gum.

Sa-li´va (L.). The moisture or fluids of the mouth, secreted by the salivary glands, etc.

Scle-rot´ic (Gr. σκληρός, skleros, hard). The tough, fibrous outer tunic of the eyeball.

Se-ba´ceous (L. sebum, fat). Resembling fat, the name of the oily secretion by which the skin is kept flexible and soft.

Se-cre´tion (L. secer´no, secre´tum, to separate). The process of separating from the blood some essential important fluid; which fluid is also called a secretion.

Sem-i-cir´cu-lar Canals. A portion of the internal ear.

Sen-sa´tion. The perception of an external impression by the nervous system; a function of the brain.

Sen-si-bil´i-ty, General. The power possessed by nearly all parts of the human body of recognizing the presence of foreign objects that come in contact with them.

Se´rum (L.). The watery constituent of the blood, which separates from the clot during the process of coagulation.

Skel´e-ton (Gr.). The bony framework of an animal, the different parts of which are maintained in their proper relative positions.

Spec´tro-scope (from spec´trum and σκοπέω, scopeo, to examine the spectrum). An instrument employed in the examination of the spectrum of the sun or any other luminous body.

Sphyg´mo-graph (Gr. σφυγμός, sphugmos, the pulse, and γράφω, grapho, to write). An ingenious instrument by means of which the pulse is delineated upon paper.

Sta´pes (L.). Literally, a stirrup; one of the small bones of the tympanum, or middle ear, resembling somewhat a stirrup in shape.

Sym-pa-thet´ic system of Nerves. A double chain of nervous ganglia, connected together by numerous small nerves, situated chiefly in front of and on each side of the spinal column.

Syn-o´vi-a (Gr. σύν, sun, and ὠόν, oon, resembling an egg). The lubricating fluid of joints, so called because it resembles the white of egg.

Sys´to-le (Gr. συστέλλω, sustello, to contract). The contraction of the heart, by which the blood is expelled from that organ.

Tac´tile (L. tac´tus, touch). Relating to the sense of touch.

Tem´po-ral (L. tem´pus, time, and tem´pora, the temples). Pertaining to the temples; the name of an artery: so called, because the hair begins to turn white with age in that portion of the scalp.

Ten´don (L. ten´do, to stretch). The white, fibrous cord or band by which a muscle is attached to a bone; a sinew.

Tet´a-nus (Gr. τείνω, teino, to stretch). A disease marked by persistent contractions of all or some of the voluntary muscles; those of the jaw are sometimes solely affected: the disorder is then termed locked-jaw.

Tho´rax (Gr. θώραξ, thorax, a breastplate). The upper cavity of the trunk of the body, containing the lungs, heart, etc.; the chest.

Thy´roid (Gr. θυρεός, thureos, a shield). The largest of the cartilages of the larynx; its angular projection in the front of the neck is called "Adam's apple."

Tra´che-a (Gr. τραχύς, trachus, rough). The windpipe, or the largest of the air-passages; composed in part of cartilaginous rings, which render its surface rough and uneven.

Trans-fu´sion (L. transfun´do, to pour from one vessel to another). The operation of injecting blood taken from one person into the veins of another; other fluids than blood are sometimes used.

Trich-i´na Spi-ra´lis. (L.) A minute species of parasite or worm, which infests the flesh of the hog, and which may be introduced into the human system by eating pork not thoroughly cooked.

Tym´pa-num (Gr. τυμπανον, tumpanon, a drum). The cavity of the middle ear, resembling a drum in being closed by two membranes, and in having communication with the atmosphere.

U´vu-la (L. uva, a grape). The small pendulous body attached to the back part of the palate.

Vas´cu-lar (L. vas´culum, a little vessel). Pertaining to, or containing blood-vessels.

Ve´nous (L. ve´na, a vein). Pertaining to, or contained within a vein.

Ven-ti-la´tion. The introduction of fresh air into a room or building, in such a manner as to keep the air within it in a pure condition.

Ven-tril´o-quism (L. ven´ter, the belly, and lo´quor, to speak). A modification of natural speech by which the voice is made to appear to come from a distance. The ancients supposed that the voice was formed in the belly; hence the name.

Ven´tri-cles of the heart. The two largest cavities of the heart, situated at its apex or point.

Ver´te-bral Column (L. ver´tebra, a joint). The back-bone, consisting of twenty-four separate bones, called vertebræ, firmly jointed together; also called the spinal column and spine.

Ves´ti-bule. A portion of the internal ear, communicating with the semicircular canals and the cochlea; so called from its fancied resemblance to the vestibule or porch of a house.

Vil´li (L. vil´lus, the nap of cloth). Minute thread-like projections found upon the internal surface of the small intestine, giving it a velvety appearance.

Vit´re-ous (L. vi´trum, glass). Having the appearance of glass; applied to the humor occupying the largest part of the cavity of the eyeball.

Viv-i-sec´tion (L. vi´vus, alive, and se´co, to cut). The practice of operating upon living animals, for the purpose of studying some physiological process.

Vocal Cords. Two elastic bands or ridges situated in the larynx; they are the essential parts of the organs of the voice.

INDEX.

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