Discussoria Discutientia

(From discu-tio, to discuss, or shake to pieces). Discutients, by Dioscorides called also diachytica. They are such medicines as dissolve or dissipate a stagnating fluid without an external solution of continuity. In all bruises the fluids are stagnant. If there is no ecchymqsis, the vessels are distended and thus weakened, and the principal means of relieving is by exciting their action. Simple friction will often succeed. Ardent spirits, camphor, volatile alkali, the light subtile spirit styled arquebu-sade, which is only a distillation of spirits from some warm plants, are very active discutients. They are, however, more effectual when united with a sedative, particularly with opium; and it may indeed be doubted whether ardent spirits do not, in part, owe their virtue to their narcotic powers. Relaxants, particularly warmth, and oils, are injurious, and induce suppuration. Cold adds greatly to the effect of discutients, and the most volatile are the most powerful.

Disease

See Morbus.

Dislocatio

(From ex, out of, and locus, a place). To put out of its place. See Luxatio.

Dispensary

(From dispendo, to distribute, the shop in which medicines are prepared). It is also the appellation of a modern institution, in which the poor are supplied with medicines and advice. It is more advantageous than hospitals, as a greater number of patients are relieved at a less expense; and less useful, as the diet and other circumstances cannot be properly attended to. It is generally the arena, in which the young physician can display his importance, and acquire practical knowledge. Every hospital, however, has its out patients, which are nearly on the same foot-ing with the patients of a dispensary; and, if necessary, are often visited at their own houses.

Dispermatus

(From and semen).

Bearing two seeds.

Disruptio

(From disrumpo, to break asunder,) a violent lacerated wound which penetrates the skin to the flesh.

Dissectus

(From disseco, to cut asunder). In botany it means cut into small notches, fringed.

Dissep

Me Ntu'm, from dis, and sepio, to inclose round J. It is the thin septum which divides the several ceils in the fruit of plants. See Capsula.

Disseptum

(From the same) See Diaphragma.

Dissolve Ntia

(From dissolve, to melt). By Dioscorides called diachytica; medicines which dissolve concretions in the body, not only calculous ones, of which we have already spoken, but coagulated lymph, polypi, tubercles. etc. This ridiculous fancy is not yet forgotten. In chemistry, dissolvents are menstrua.

Dissolutio

(From dissolvo, to loosen). Dissolution; lipothymia, syncope, and death. Solution of continuity is distinguished by the same appellation, and thus is synonymous with dialysis

Dissolutus Morbus

(From dissolvo). Sec Dysenteria.