times used in
medicine. Fformed by fusing sulphur with carbonates of the alkalies
(esp. potassium), and consists essentially of alkaline sulphides. Called
also hepar sulphuris. A substance resembling hepar; in homeopathy,
calcium sulphide, called also hepar sulphuris calcareum.

hepatica (liverleaf)
Woodland plants of the genus Hepatica, especially H. americana of
eastern North America, having three-lobed leaves and white or lavender
flowers.

Herpes Zoster
Varicella-zoster virus: A herpesvirus that causes chickenpox and
shingles. Causes an acute viral infection--inflammation of the sensory
ganglia of spinal or cranial nerves and the eruption of vesicles along
the affected nerve path. It usually strikes only one side of the body
and is often accompanied by severe neuralgia.

Honduras Bark
Dried bark of a tropical American tree (Picramnia antidesma) formerly
used in the treatment of syphilis and skin diseases.

Hunyadi (Hunyady )
Hungarian noble family, partly of Romanian origin. The first recorded
member of the family was Serbe, who settled in Hunyad county in
Transylvania from Wallachia.

hydrastis
Genus of herbs (family Ranunculaceae) with palmately lobed leaves and
small greenish flowers and including the goldenseal (H. canadensis). The
dried rhizome and roots of the goldenseal formerly used in pharmacy as a
bitter tonic and antiseptic called also goldenseal.

hydragogue
Cathartics that aid in the removal of edematous fluids and promote the
discharge of fluid from the bowels.

hydrophobia (rabies)
Viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals. Transmitted
by a rhabdovirus (genus Lyssavirus) in infected saliva of a rabid
animal. Causes increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and paralysis
and death when untreated

hypophosphite
Salt of hypophosphorous acid.

hyoscine (scopolamine)
An alkaloid, C17H21NO4, from plants such as henbane; used as a mydriatic
(dilatate the pupils) and sedative, and to treat nausea and motion
sickness.

hyoscyamus
Poisonous Eurasian herbs of the family Solanaceae that have simple
leaves, irregular flowers, and include the henbane (H. niger). Dried
leaves of the henbane containing the alkaloids hyoscyamine and
scopolamine, used as an antispasmodic and sedative.

ichthyol
Oily substance prepared by the dry distillation of a bituminous mineral
containing fossil fishes. Used as a rem