Tap the page, move to the top or bottom edge, swipe down, or press Tab to reveal reading controls. Use the arrow keys or swipe sideways to turn pages.
Laxativa
Body disease and historical medicine · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. Medicines classified through upward and downward action.
In the book. Compare Oppilativa, defined through stopping fluxes.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 29; facsimile PDF page 357.
Historical Definition
Laxativa are medicines that work upwards and downwards.
Meaning
The direction of action, rather than a named ingredient, marks this therapeutic class. The plural description includes action upwards as well as downwards, so the narrower modern expectation attached to the word laxative would omit part of the definition.
Use in the Book
Compare Oppilativa, defined through stopping fluxes. The two headings give different intended effects upon bodily movement. They are classes of medicines, not names of a single preparation.
Places to Read
Oppilativa. A class of medicines defined by stopping a flow.
In This Edition
Both directions are kept. The edition does not silently narrow the historical class to bowel evacuation alone.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 29; facsimile PDF page 357 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 357, Laxativa
See also. Oppilativa