From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordA class of medicines defined by stopping a flow.
- In the bookRepercussiva drives a flow back, while Sedativa eases pain.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 36; facsimile PDF page 364.
Historical definition
Oppilativa are medicines that stop flows.
Meaning
The action word identifies a therapeutic class. The entry gives no particular ingredient and does not specify the bodily flow under discussion.
Use in the book
Repercussiva drives a flow back, while Sedativa eases pain. Comparing those verbs makes the historical classifications more precise: stopping, driving back and easing name different attributed effects.
Congelativa is a close parallel, likewise defined as medicines that stop a flow. That explicit action connects the two names more directly than an assumption drawn from either headword alone.
Places to read
- OppilativaRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- RepercussivaMedicines classified by their supposed action of driving a flow back.
- SedativaRemedies classified by relief of pain.
- CongelativaMedicines classified by stopping a bodily flow.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 36; facsimile PDF page 364 — Facsimile