8.

PERICARDIUM. The membranous sac enclosing the heart.

PERINEAL SECTION. An operation by division of the perineum.

PERINEUM. The space bounded by the end of the spine, sexual organs and
the bony prominences on which one sits.

PERIOSTIUM. The membranous covering to all bones.

PERISTALTIC MOTION. A worm-like movement of the bowels by which the food
is moved forward.

PERITONEUM. The membrane (serous) which lines the abdominal cavities and
surrounds the intestines.

PERITONITIS. Inflammation of serous membrane lining abdominal and pelvic
cavities.

PESSARIES, PESSARY. An instrument for holding the womb in its place.

PESTILENCE. A malignant, spreading disease. A plague.

PHAGADENIC. That which corrodes or eats away rapidly.

PHARMACEUTICAL. Anything belonging to pharmacy.

PHARYNX. The cavity back of the mouth and palate through which the air
passes when breathing and the food when swallowing.

PHIMOSIS. Elongated prepuce

PHLEGMONOUS. Affecting the cellular membrane. The common boil is an
example.

PHOSPHATE. A substance containing phosphorus.

PHOSPHATES, EARTHY. The white deposit in urine composed of phosphoric
acid and a base.

PHTHISIC. Consumption. By some the word is used for Asthma, or
difficulty in breathing.

PHTHISIS. Consumption. See p. 497.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ANATOMY. The branch of medicine that defines the organs of
the body and their particular actions.

PHYSIOLOGY. The science which treats of the phenomena and functions of
animal life.

PIA MATER. The internal vascular membrane covering the brain.

PIMPLES ON THE FACE. Defined on page 443.

PLACENTA. Afterbirth.

PLAGUE. A malignant epidemic; begins in Asia Minor.

PLETHORA, PLETHORIC. Full of blood; maybe general or confined to a part.

PLEURA. Defined on page 64.

PLEURODYNIA. Spasmodic or rheumatic pain in the chest muscles.

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. Inflammation of both the pleura and lungs.

POLLUTION (SELF). Excitement of the sexual organs by the hand or other
unnatural method.

POLYP. An aquatic animal, as the coral builders.

POLYPI. More than one polypus.

POLYPOID. Like a polypus in shape or construction.

POLYPUS. Tumors which grow from mucous membranes, commonly found in the
nasal and vaginal cavities.

PORTAL VESSELS. The cluster of veins which join and enter the liver.

POTT'S DISEASE. Described on page 898; illus. pages 898 and 899.

POULTICE. A mixture of bread or meal, etc., and hot water, spread on