DIAPHORET′ICS

Syn. Sudorif′ics ; Diaphoretic a, Sudorific a , L. Medicines which promote or increase the perspiration. Those that produce this effect in a very marked degree are more particularly called ‘sudorifics.’ The principal diaphoretics are:—warm diluents, as barley-water, gruel, tea, .; salts of the alkalies, as the citrates of pota a and soda, acetate of pota a, acetate and carbonate of ammonia, sal-ammoniac, nitre, .; preparations of antimony, as antimonial powder, tartar emetic, also alcohol, camphor, Dover’s powder, ipecacuanha, opium, wine, . The use of diaphoretics is indicated in nearly all diseases accompanied by fever and a dry skin, and particularly in febrile and pectoral affections.