PREFACE. IN preparing this edition of the Dictionary of Medical Terms, the Author has endeavoured to render the work as complete as possible, by an entire revision and correction of the former edition, and by the introduction of the most recent terms on each subject of which it purports to treat. The work may, indeed, be said to have been almost re-written. An Appendix has been added, in which several important subjects have been treated at greater length than was compatible with their insertion into the body of the work. These subjects, some of which are arranged in a tabular form, afford matter for study, as well as for occasional reference, to the medical student. 2, Sussex Place, Regent's Park, October 1, 1844. A (a). In words of Greek derivation the stomach. The two lateral regions of this letter is employed, as a prefix, in a privative sense, as in a-cephalous, headless, a-phonia, voicelessness. this zone, situated over the ilia, are called the iliac. 4. Inguinal Region. By this term is denoted the vicinity of Poupart's liga ment. A A (contracted from avà), 'of each;' an expression used in prescriptions, to denote that an equal quantity of two or ABDOMINA'LES (abdomen, the belly). more substances is to be employed. An order of Fishes which have fins placed AA A. A chemical abbreviation for on the abdomen, as the salmon, the trout, &c. See Zoology. amalgama, amalgamate. ABAPTISTON (a, priv., Barτilw, to plunge). The perforating part of the trephine, which had formerly the figure of a truncated cone, to prevent its sudden plunging into the brain. ABDO'MEN (abdo, to hide; or abdo and omentum). The belly, or the cavity situated between the thorax and the pelvis; so called from its containing the intestines, &c. ABDOMINAL REGIONS. The Abdomen is distinguished into three transverse zones,-an upper, a middle, and a lower. Each zone is divided, by perpendicular lines, into three compartments or regions; a middle, and two lateral. They are thus named : 1. Epigastric Region. The middle region of the upper zone, immediately over the small end of the stomach. The two lateral regions of this zone, situated under the cartilages of the ribs, are called the hypochondriac. 2. Umbilical Region. The middle region of the middle zone, immediately over the umbilicus. The two lateral regions of this zone, situated over the loins, are called the lumbar. 3. Hypogastric Region. The middle region of the lowest zone, situated below ABDUCTOR (abduco, to draw from). Abducent. A muscle whose office is to draw one part of the body away from another. Thus, the rectus externus is called abductor oculi, from the action of this muscle in drawing the eye away from the nose. Its antagonist is called adductor. ABELMOSCHUS (an Arabic term, signifying musked seeds). Grana moschata; the musky seeds of a species of Hibiscus. A powder, called poudre de Chypre is prepared from these seeds in the East, for flavouring coffee. ABERRATION (aberro, to wander from). A deviation from the natural state, as applied to the mind. Also, a deviation of the rays of light from the true focus of reflection or refraction, in certain lenses. ABIES (abeo, quod in cœlum longè abeat). The Fir; a genus of plants of the order Coniferæ, abounding in resin. 1. Abietis resina. L. Resin of the Spruce Fir; formerly called thus or frankincense; a spontaneous exudation from the tree. 2. Pix abietina. L. Pix Burgundica, or Burgundy pitch; a substance procured by melting common frankincense in hot water, and straining through a coarse cloth; formerly pix arida, or dried pitch. 3. Pix liquida. L. Tar; formerly ' resina empyreumatica ;' a fluid obtained from the decomposition of the resinous juice of the Pinus Sylvestris, or Norway Spruce Fir, by heat. 4. Pix nigra. Black pitch; the solid prepared resin obtained from the Pinus Sylvestris, or Norway Spruce Fir. 5. Tar-water. A solution of tar in water, having a sharp empyreumatic taste. 6. Abietic acid. An acid lately discovered in the resin of trees of the genus Abies. The old preparation, termed acidum abietis, is the peculiar acid liquor, yielded along with the essential oil, in distillation of the fresh branches or fruit of some species of Abies. ABLACTATION (ab, from, lacto, to give suck). This term denotes the cessation of the period of suckling, as regards the mother. The same period, with regard to the infant, is termed weaning. ABLEPSIA (a, priv., ẞλéπw, to see). Blindness; privation of sight. ABLUENTS (abluo, to wash away). Medicines formefly supposed to cleanse the blood, by washing away impurities. ABNORMAL (ab, from, norma, a rule). Irregular; that which deviates from the usual order. The term anormal is also employed to denote any thing that is without rule or order. The terms are nearly synonymous. ABOMA'SUM (ab, dim., and omasum, the paunch). The fourth stomach of the Ruminantia: Order 7, Class Mammalia. It is in this stomach of calves and lambs that rennet is formed. ABORTION (aborior, to die; to be born before the time). Miscarriage; the premature expulsion of the fœtus from the uterus. ABRANCHIA, (a, priv., Boáyxia, gills). Animals which have no gills, or apparent external organs of respiration, but respire by the entire surface of the skin, or by internal cavities; as the earthworm, the leech, &c. See Zoology. ABRASION (abrado, to shave off). The act of wearing or rubbing off, as the mechanical removal of the epidermis. Also, the matters abraded by the friction of surfaces of bodies. ABRUS PRECATORIUS. Jamaica or Wild Liquorice, a leguminous plant. Its polished and parti-coloured seeds, called jumble beads, were formerly employed for rosaries, necklaces, &c. ABSCESS (abscedo, to separate). Apostema. An imposthume, gathering, or boil; a collection of pus formed or deposited in some tissue or organ. It is so named from the separation of the sides of the cavity which is produced. Where the skin is most thin, and fluctuation most palpable, the abscess is said to point, or to make its point. ABSINTHIUM (a, priv., víveos, pleasure; so named from its unpleasant taste). Common Wormwood; a species of Artemisia, yielding a bitter resin, termed absinthin. Infused in ale, it forms the beverage known by the name of purl. Its powers as a vermifuge have gained for it the name wormwood. ABSORBENTS (absorbeo, to suck up). Two distinct sets of vessels, which absorb and convey fluids to the thoracic duct. These are the lacteals, which take up the chyle from the alimentary canal; and the lymphatics, which pervade almost every part of the body, which they take up in the form of lymph. ABSORPTION (absorbeo, to suck up). The function of the absorbents, and, it is said, of the capillaries and veins. 1. Interstitial Absorption. The function by which the particles of the tissue which fill the meshes of the capillary network are removed, as in the atrophy of the tail of the tadpole, and of the pupillary membrane in the foetus, and in the development of cells in bones. 2. Cutaneous Absorption. A function of the skin, by which certain preparations, rubbed into the skin, have the same action as when given internally, only in a less degree. Thus, mercury, applied in this manner, cures syphilis, and excites salivation; tartrate of antimony is said to occasion vomiting; and arsenic produces poisonous effects. 3. Absorption, in Chemistry. This term denotes the passage of a gas or vapour into a liquid or solid substance; or that of a liquid into the pores of a solid. Thus, water absorbs carbonic acid gas, lime absorbs water, &c. ABSTERGENTS (abstergeo, to cleanse). Abstersives. Lotions, or other applications for cleansing sores. Applied to suppurating surfaces, they are called detersives. ABSTINENCE (abstineo, to abstain). Cura famis. Excessive or total privation of food. ABSTRACTION (abstraho, to draw away). The process of distilling a liquid from any substance. See Cohobation. |