ASTRIN′GENT

(-trĭnje′-). [Eng., Fr.] Syn. Astrin′gens , L.; Zusammenziehend , Ger. That straitens or causes wrinkling or constriction. In pharmacology , an epithet of substances or agents ( ASTRIN′GENTS ; ASTRINGEN′TIA , L.) which constrict animal fibre and coagulate albuminous fluids, and thereby obviate relaxation and check exce ive secretion or discharges. In modern use, the word, both as an adj. and subst., is chiefly applied to internal remedies, those of a like character, employed externally, being usually termed ‘styptics,’ ‘desiccants,’ . The principal astringents are—alcohol, alum, chalybeates (generally), sulphate of copper, sulphate and perchloride of iron, acetate and diacetate of lead, lime, bichloride of mercury, nitrate of silver, vegetable astringents (see below ), acetate, carbonate, chloride, oxide, and sulphate of zinc, . See Desiccants , Styptics , Tonics , .