A GLOSSARY.

Although terras of art have been sedulously avoided iu the com-position of this work, and in the various additions that we have subjoined,it is impossible entirely to banish technical phrases when writing on me-dicine ; and as several persons expressed their opinion that a Glossarywould render the book more generally intelligible, the following conciseexplanation of the few terms of art that occur is added, in compliancewith their sentiments, and to fulfil the original intention of this treatise,by rendering it intelligible and useful to all ranks and classes of the comm unity.

Abdomen. The belly.

Abscess. A tumor or swelling in the body, in which collected matter

degenerates into pus.Absorbents. Glands, or vessels, that convey the nourishment from the

intestines, and the secreted fluids from the various cavities, into the

mass of blood.Absorbents. Medicines that ease the asperity of pungent humours, or

dry away superfluous moisture in the body.Acescent. Sour; sharp; tending to sourness.Acrimony. Corrosive sharpness.jVcute. A disease, the symptoms of which are violent, and tend to a

speedy termination, is caHed acute.Adult. Of mature age.Adust. Dry, warm.

Alvine, or Alvus. Of or relating to the lower cavity of the belly.Anasarca. A species of dropsy from a serous humour spread between

the skin and flesh, or rather a general accumulation of lymph in the

cellular system.Anodyne. A medicine that relieves pain.Anorexia. That disorder in the stomach which creates a loathing and

want of appetite.Anthelmintic. A medicine to destroy worms.Antiemetics. Medicines which stop vomiting.Antiseptic. Preventive of putrefaction.Antispasmodic. Whatever tends to prevent or remove spasm.Aperient. Opening; gently purgative.Aphthae. Small whitish ulcers or inflammatory exudations appearing iu

the mouth.Arthritic. Gouty; painful affections of the joints.Ascitei. Dropsy of the belly.Astriction. A tightening or lessening.Atrabiliary, or Atrabilarian. An epithet commonly applied to people of

a certain temperament, marked by a dark complexion, black hair,

spare habit, &c, which the ancients supposed to arise from atra-bilis,

or the black bile.