APE′′RIENT

(ă-pēre′-ĕ-ĕnt; -pĕr′-, as marked by Mayne and Smart, though etym. correct, is le usual). Syn. Aper′itive (-tĭv); Aper′iens , L.; Apérit if , Fr.; Abführend , ÖFFNEND , Ger. In medicine , opening, laxative, gently purgative; usually applied as an epithet to substances and agents ( APE′RIENTS ; Aperien′tia , A periti′va , L.) which, in moderate doses, and under ordinary circumstances, gently, but completely, open the bowels; and in this respect rank between the simple laxatives on the one hand, and the stronger purgatives and cathartics on the other. Among these may be named as examples—Aloes (when combined with soap or aromatics), Castile soap, castor oil, compound extract of colocynth (in small doses), compound rhubarb pill, confection of senna, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, Glauber’s salt, phosphate of soda (tastele purging salt), pil. rufi, seidlitz powders, cold-water compre over the abdomen, . Several of these, in larger doses, become active purgatives or cathartics. See Purgatives , also Draughts , Mixtures , Pills , .