Remedies
Remedies
See also disease and illness; drugs; medical specialties.
acology
Archaic. the science of therapeutic remedies.
the oriental art of inserting fine needles into various parts of the body to treat certain types of disorders. —acupuncturist, n.
an antidotal substance used to expel or resist poison. —alexipharmic, alexipharmac, adj.
aliptic
Obsolete, an ointment.
any substance that alleviates a condition of disease or illness.
the method of treating diseases by using agents that produce effects different from those of the disease. Cf. homeopathy. —allopath, allopathist, n. —allopathie, adj.
a restorative, invigorating medicine.
a pain-relieving medicine, as an opiate or narcotic.
antidotary
Obsolete, a treatise on antidotes. Also called pharmacopoeia.
a remedy to counteract a harmful substance in the body.
a remedy used to prevent the recurrence of certain periodic illnesses as fevers.
a medicine for reducing inflammation or fever; a febrifuge; an antipyretic. —antiphlogistic, adj.
antiphlogistic.
a medicine for treating burns.
any substance that inhibits infection, as alcohol.
1. an antidote for venom, as snake venom, formed by gradually increased injection of the venom into the bloodstream.
2. the serum containing this antidote.
any medicinal substance or preparation that soothes or alleviates. —assuasive, adj.
an agent that destroys bacteria.
balneotherapy
the treatment of illness or disease by bathing.
Psychiatry. the therapeutic use of books and magazines in the treatment of mental illness or shock. —bibliotherapist, n. —bibliotherapeutic, adj.
the treatment of illness and disease with substances derived from living organisms, as vaccines and serums.
a purgative medicine.
a universal remedy or panacea.
a thick ointment composed of fat, wax, and other ingredients, applied externally to cure various diseases.
Med. the treatment of disease by the use of chemicals that have a toxic effect on the microorganisms causing the disease or that selectively destroy tumor tissues. —chemotherapist, n. —chemotherapeutic, adj.
1. Also called chiropraxis. a therapeutic system based on the doctrine that disease is the result of interference with nerve function and that adjusting the segments of the spinal column will restore a normal condition.
2. a chiropractor. —chiropractor, n.
chiropraxis
chiropractic.
chromotherapy
treatment of illness by colored lights.
a method of treatment involving applications of cold. Also crymotherapy.
a medicine or other preparation that has a soothing or emollient influence on an inflamed area.
a method of treatment involving the production of heat in the body by electric currents. Also diathermia. —diathermic, adj.
electrotherapeutics
the branch of medicine that treats illness with electricity. Also electrotherapy. —electrotherapeutic, electrotherapeutical, adj.
electrotherapeutics.
1. a tincture composed of a sweetened solution of alcohol to which has been added a small amount of the drug to be administered.
2. a panacea, cure-all, or universal remedy. See also alchemy.
a medical preparation that has a soothing effect on surface tissues.
epulotic
a medicinal preparation that assists in the healing of wounds.
a medicine used to clear the nose or to promote sneezing.
any medicine that assists the coughing up of phlegm, mucus, etc., from the chest.
anything for reducing or ending fever; an antiphlogistic; an antipyretic.
a method of treating illness by exposure to the rays of the sun.
the method of treating diseases by drugs that produce symptoms similar to those of the disease. —homeopathist, homoeopathist, homeopath, homoeopath, n. —homeopathic, homoeopathic, adj.
a method of therapy using an agent that is similar to but not identical with the causative agent of the disease. —homeotherapeutic, homoeotherapeutic, adj.
the treatment of disease and illness by hypnosis.
iamatology
the branch of medicine that deals with remedies.
iatralipsis
a method of treatment involving anointing and rubbing. Also iatraliptics.
jugulation
an attempt to cure a disease by applying very severe, often life-threatening, measures. See also killing.
the branch of medicine that concerns itself with muscular exercise as a cure for disease. Also kinesipathy.
leechcraft
Archaic. the doctor’s craft; the art or science of healing.
leechdom
Humorous or Derogatory, the world or realm of doctors or medicine.
a medicinal preparation or application for soothing pain; a palliative. —lenitive, adj.
lingism
Rare. a gymnastic treatment for disease, named after a Swedish physician, Peter H. Ling.
the use of massage as a treatment for certain illnesses or diseases.
a medicinal preparation applied to an inflamed area to stimulate the process of suppuration or maturation.
the process of treating illness or disease by mechanical means, as by massage. Cf. massotherapy.
metallotherapy
treatment of disease and illness with metals, particularly with the salt forms of metals.
naprapathy
a healing system based on the theory that disease or illness is caused by strained ligaments and other problems of connective tissue and can be treated by massage. —naprapath, n.
a method of treating disease using food, exercise, heat, etc. to assist the natural healing process. —naturopath, n. —naturopathic, adj.
opotherapy
the treatment of illness and disease with extracts made from certain glands of animals, as the thyroid or adrenal glands. Also called organotherapy.
opotherapy.
orthopathy
the treatment of illness or disease without the use of drugs.
a method of treating ailments on the premise that they result from the pressure of misplaced bones on nerves, and are curable by manipulation. —osteopath, n. —osteopathie, adj.
a cure-all or universal remedy; an elixir. —panacean, adj.
Perkinism
a former treatment for rheumatism, developed by Dr. Elisha Perkins, in which the ends of two rods made of different metals were applied to the affected parts. Also called tractoration.
the science of drugs, their preparation, uses, effects, and dispensation. —pharmacologist, n. —pharmacologic, pharmacological, adj.
a complete listing of all drugs and information concerning them.
the treatment of disease, especially diseases of the skin, with light rays. —phototherapeutic, adj.
the treatment of disease, bodily defects, or bodily weaknesses by physical remedies, as massage, special exercises, etc., rather than by drugs. —physiotherapist, n.
polychrest
a drug that serves as a remedy for several diseases. —polychrestic, adj.
the science or method of treating psychological abnormalities or disorders by psychological techniques. See also medical specialties. —psychotherapist, n.
the treatment of diseases, especially malignant cancer, with radium or other radioactive substances. Also called radium therapy.
a form of therapy using heat from a short-wave radio or diathermy apparatus.
the oriental art of treating certain disorders by stimulating special areas on the sole of the foot. —reflexologist, n.
the use of x rays in the treatment of illness and disease. —roentgenologist, röntgenologist, n.
treatment of disease and illness by means of x rays.
sanability
Rare. the state or condition of being curable; susceptibility to remedy. —sanable, adj.
1. the science of the preparation and use of serums.
2. the study of serums. —serologist, n. —serological, adj.
treatment of illness or disease by means of serum obtained from inoculated animals.
siriasis
Obsolete, a sun bath or exposure to the sun for curative purposes.
Pharmacy. the part of a prescription with the Latin word recipe, usually represented by the symbol Rx.
a preparation or agent for expelling tapeworms from the body.
tetrapharmacon
Rare. an ointment composed of wax, resin, lard, and pitch.
theotherapy
treatment of illness or disease by prayer and other religious exercises. —theotherapist, n.
theriac, theriaca
a compound of sixty-four drugs made into an electuary by pulverization and the addition of honey, formerly used as an antidote for poison. Also called Venice treacle. —theriac, theriacal, therial, adj.
Pharmacy. a medicinal substance in soluble form, especially in a solution of alcohol.
a form of medical examination in which a strong light is cast through the body or a body part so that blockages, foreign objects, etc., can be seen. —transilluminator, n.
the former practice of flogging a paralyzed limb or part with nettles, for the stimulating effect.
Pharmacy. the process of heating moist substances so that they can be pulverized.
variolation, variolization
inoculation against smallpox.
a substance for killing worms, especially intestinal worms, in animals or humans. Cf. vermifuge.
a drug for expelling worms from the intestinal tract. Cf. vermicide. —vermifuge, adj.
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