Search the Dictionary

on or energy of an agent or force; production of the effect intended; as, the efficacy of medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of prayer. "Of noxious efficacy." Milton.

A medicine composed of powders, or other ingredients, incorporated with some convserve, honey, or sirup; a confection. See the note under Confection.

A tincture with more than one base; a compound tincture or medicine, composed of various substances, held in solution by alcohol in some form.

A medicine which causes vomiting.

A medicine that promotes the menstrual discharge.

himself to applying the results of mere experience or his own observation; especially, in medicine, one who deviates from the rules of science and regular practice; an ignorant and unlicensed pretender; a quack; a charlatan. Among the Greek physicians, those who founded their practice on experience called themselves em…

Specifically, a practice of medicine founded on mere experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of principles; ignorant and unscientific practice; charlatanry; quackery.

A medicine causing constipation.

A medicine that excites the flow of bile. [Obs.] Hoblyn.

hrough the skin, or by direct application to the skin. Endermic method, that in which the medicine enters the system through the skin, being applied either to the sound skin, or to the surface denuded of the cuticle by a blister.

An injection, or clyster, thrown into the rectum as a medicine, or to impart nourishment. Hoblyn.

Applied to the skin without friction; -- said of medicines.

Epidermal; connected with the skin or the bark. Epidermic administration of medicine (Med.), the application of medicine to the skin by friction.

A medicine for the cure of epilepsy.

A medicine that effects a radical cure. Whitlock.

A medicine which eats away extraneous growths; a caustic.

A medicine designed to be snuffed up the nose, to promote discharges of mucus; a sternutatory. Coxe. -- a.

A medicine which provokes appetites, or causes hunger. [Obs.]

An expectorant medicine.

An exsiccant medicine.