tonic

(ton’ik) (Gr. rovexés]. 1. Producing and restoring the normal tone. 2. Characterized by continuous tension. 3. An agent which tends to restore normal tone. bitter t., a tonic of bitter taste: used for stimulating the appetite and improving digestion, such as quinin, qua ia, and gentian. cardiac t., one which strengthens the heart’s action, such as digitalis, strophanthus, or strychnin. digestive t., an intestinal or stomachic tonic. general t., one which braces up the whole system: cold baths, electricity, and exercise are general tonics. hematic t., a medicine which improves the quality of the blood: the principal medicines of this cla are iron, arsenic, manganese, mercuric chlorid, and quinin. intestinal t., one that improves the tone of the intestinal tract. nervine t., one that increases the tone of the nervous system. To this cla belong arsenic, zinc oxid, strychnin, phosphorus, ammonium chlorid, and quinin. stomachic t., one which aids the functions of the stomach. Here are cla ed the alcoholic stimulants, vegetable bitters, hydrochloric and _nitro hydrochloric acids. vascular t., one which in increases the tone of the blood-ve els. Among them are belladonna, digitalis, ergot, and strychnin.