Remedies


rem·e·dy

R0144600 (rĕm′ĭ-dē)n. pl. rem·e·dies 1. Something, such as a drug or a bandage, that is used to treat a symptom, disease, injury, or other condition.2. a. Something that corrects an evil, fault, or error.b. Law The means of obtaining redress of a wrong or enforcement of a right.3. The allowance by a mint for deviation from the standard weight or quality of coins.tr.v. rem·e·died, rem·e·dy·ing, rem·e·dies 1. To relieve or cure (a disease or disorder).2. To counteract or rectify (a problem, mistake, or undesirable situation). See Synonyms at correct.
[Middle English remedie, from Old French, from Latin remedium : re-, re- + medērī, to heal; see med- in Indo-European roots.]

Remedies

See also disease and illness; drugs; medical specialties.
acologyArchaic. the science of therapeutic remedies.acupuncturethe oriental art of inserting fine needles into various parts of the body to treat certain types of disorders. — acupuncturist, n.alexipharmican antidotal substance used to expel or resist poison. — alexipharmic, alexipharmac, adj.alipticObsolete, an ointment.alleviativeany substance that alleviates a condition of disease or illness.allopathythe method of treating diseases by using agents that produce effects different from those of the disease. Cf. homeopathy. — allopath, allopathist, n. — allopathie, adj.analeptica restorative, invigorating medicine.anodynea pain-relieving medicine, as an opiate or narcotic.antidotaryObsolete, a treatise on antidotes. Also called pharmacopoeia.antidotea remedy to counteract a harmful substance in the body.antiperiodica remedy used to prevent the recurrence of certain periodic illnesses as fevers.antiphlogistica medicine for reducing inflammation or fever; a febrifuge; an antipyretic. — antiphlogistic, adj.antipyreticantiphlogistic.antipyrotica medicine for treating burns.antisepticany substance that inhibits infection, as alcohol.antivenin1. an antidote for venom, as snake venom, formed by gradually increased injection of the venom into the bloodstream.
2. the serum containing this antidote.assuasiveany medicinal substance or preparation that soothes or alleviates. — assuasive, adj.bactericidean agent that destroys bacteria.balneotherapythe treatment of illness or disease by bathing.bibliotherapyPsychiatry. the therapeutic use of books and magazines in the treatment of mental illness or shock. — bibliotherapist, n. — bibliotherapeutic, adj.biotherapythe treatment of illness and disease with substances derived from living organisms, as vaccines and serums.cathartica purgative medicine.catholicona universal remedy or panacea.ceratea thick ointment composed of fat, wax, and other ingredients, applied externally to cure various diseases.chemotherapyMed. 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.chiropractic1. 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.chiropraxischiropractic.chromotherapytreatment of illness by colored lights.cryotherapya method of treatment involving applications of cold. Also crymotherapy.demulcenta medicine or other preparation that has a soothing or emollient influence on an inflamed area.diathermya method of treatment involving the production of heat in the body by electric currents. Also diathermia. — diathermic, adj.electrotherapeuticsthe branch of medicine that treats illness with electricity. Also electrotherapy. — electrotherapeutic, electrotherapeutical, adj.electrotherapyelectrotherapeutics.elixir1. 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.emollienta medical preparation that has a soothing effect on surface tissues.epulotica medicinal preparation that assists in the healing of wounds.errhinea medicine used to clear the nose or to promote sneezing.expectorantany medicine that assists the coughing up of phlegm, mucus, etc., from the chest.febrifugeanything for reducing or ending fever; an antiphlogistic; an antipyretic.heliotherapya method of treating illness by exposure to the rays of the sun.homeopathy, homoeopathythe method of treating diseases by drugs that produce symptoms similar to those of the disease. — homeopathist, homoeopathist, homeopath, homoeopath, n. — homeopathic, homoeopathic, adj.homeotherapy, homoeotherapya method of therapy using an agent that is similar to but not identical with the causative agent of the disease. — homeotherapeutic, homoeotherapeutic, adj.hypnotherapythe treatment of disease and illness by hypnosis.iamatologythe branch of medicine that deals with remedies.iatralipsisa method of treatment involving anointing and rubbing. Also iatraliptics.jugulationan attempt to cure a disease by applying very severe, often life-threatening, measures. See also killing.kinesiatricsthe branch of medicine that concerns itself with muscular exercise as a cure for disease. Also kinesipathy.leechcraftArchaic. the doctor’s craft; the art or science of healing.leechdomHumorous or Derogatory, the world or realm of doctors or medicine.lenitivea medicinal preparation or application for soothing pain; a palliative. — lenitive, adj.lingismRare. a gymnastic treatment for disease, named after a Swedish physician, Peter H. Ling.massotherapythe use of massage as a treatment for certain illnesses or diseases.maturativea medicinal preparation applied to an inflamed area to stimulate the process of suppuration or maturation.mechanotherapythe process of treating illness or disease by mechanical means, as by massage. Cf. massotherapy.metallotherapytreatment of disease and illness with metals, particularly with the salt forms of metals.naprapathya 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.naturopathism, naturopathya method of treating disease using food, exercise, heat, etc. to assist the natural healing process. — naturopath, n. — naturopathic, adj.opotherapythe treatment of illness and disease with extracts made from certain glands of animals, as the thyroid or adrenal glands. Also called organotherapy.organotherapyopotherapy.orthopathythe treatment of illness or disease without the use of drugs.osteopathya 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.panaceaa cure-all or universal remedy; an elixir. — panacean, adj.Perkinisma 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.pharmacologythe science of drugs, their preparation, uses, effects, and dispensation. — pharmacologist, n. — pharmacologic, pharmacological, adj.pharmacopoeiaa complete listing of all drugs and information concerning them.phototherapy, phototherapeuticsthe treatment of disease, especially diseases of the skin, with light rays. — phototherapeutic, adj.physiotherapythe treatment of disease, bodily defects, or bodily weaknesses by physical remedies, as massage, special exercises, etc., rather than by drugs. — physiotherapist, n.polychresta drug that serves as a remedy for several diseases. — polychrestic, adj.psychotherapythe science or method of treating psychological abnormalities or disorders by psychological techniques. See also medical specialties. — psychotherapist, n.radiotherapythe treatment of diseases, especially malignant cancer, with radium or other radioactive substances. Also called radium therapy.radiothermya form of therapy using heat from a short-wave radio or diathermy apparatus.reflexologythe oriental art of treating certain disorders by stimulating special areas on the sole of the foot. — reflexologist, n.roentgenology, röntgenologythe use of x rays in the treatment of illness and disease. — roentgenologist, röntgenologist, n.roentgenotherapy, röntgenotherapytreatment of disease and illness by means of x rays.sanabilityRare. the state or condition of being curable; susceptibility to remedy. — sanable, adj.serology1. the science of the preparation and use of serums.
2. the study of serums. — serologist, n. — serological, adj.serotherapytreatment of illness or disease by means of serum obtained from inoculated animals.siriasisObsolete, a sun bath or exposure to the sun for curative purposes.superscriptionPharmacy. the part of a prescription with the Latin word recipe, usually represented by the symbol Rx.taeniafuge, teniafugea preparation or agent for expelling tapeworms from the body.tetrapharmaconRare. an ointment composed of wax, resin, lard, and pitch.theotherapytreatment of illness or disease by prayer and other religious exercises. — theotherapist, n.theriac, theriacaa 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.tincturePharmacy. a medicinal substance in soluble form, especially in a solution of alcohol.transilluminationa 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.urticationthe former practice of flogging a paralyzed limb or part with nettles, for the stimulating effect.ustulationPharmacy. the process of heating moist substances so that they can be pulverized.variolation, variolizationinoculation against smallpox.vermicidea substance for killing worms, especially intestinal worms, in animals or humans. Cf. vermifuge.vermifugea drug for expelling worms from the intestinal tract. Cf. vermicide. — vermifuge, adj.