bitters

(bit’erz). A popular name for various alcoholic medicines and drinks: often used as tonics, alteratives, or appetizers. Angostura b., a bitter tonic prepared from angustura (q. v.) bark. aromatic b., bitter vegetable drugs which have an aromatic quality. simple b., any drug with a bitter taste, which has no general influence upon the system except through its action upon the stomach and intestine. Stoughton b., the compound tincture of absinthe. styptic b., bitter drugs with a markedly astringent quality. Swedish b., compound tincture of aloes.