Glossary
A
anti-masturbation device
A device worn to prevent masturbation, which was thought to be bad for one's health. Often referred to as a ‘chastity belt’.
antimony cup
Cup made of antimony
anti-mosquito hood
A hood used to protect the wearer from flies and mosquitoes.
anti-semitic
Discrimination and prejudice against Jewish people. Its most extreme form was found in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and early 1940s with the Holocaust.
antisepsis
The practice of using antiseptic drugs to eliminate harmful micro-organisms.
antiseptic
A chemical that destroys or holds back the growth of bacteria and harmful micro-organisms. It can be used to cleanse skin wounds and treat some internal infections if it is sufficiently non-toxic.
antiseptic machine
machine used to make the atmosphere antispetic
antitoxin
An antibody, a type of protein, which is produced to counter-act any bacterial toxins present in the body. It combines with toxins (antigens) in the blood and neutralises them.
apothecary
A term used until about 1800 to describe someone who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes. Today the term ‘pharmacist’ or ‘pharmaceutical chemist’ is used instead.
apprenticeship
An agreement where a person learns a trade from a skilled worker over a fixed period of time.
apron
Garments worn over main garments for protection and sometimes ornamentation. Usually cover the front of the body and tie at the waist with strings, but may have a bib or shoulder straps. There are specialist types such as those containing lead to give radiological protection.
aquatint
prints produced where resin or other substance is applied to a plate to make a porous ground, and the plate is then heated and etched, producing a range of tonal value; often combined with line work
aquatints
Prints produced by the aquatint process.
arithmometer
An early mechanical calculator, invented around 1820, the first to be commercially sold and distributed.
arm
The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand
armrest
A support for the arm.
arnica
A flower that is a member of the Daisy family. It is found in areas of the Northern Hemisphere and was used to treat bruises.
artemisia
A large group of plants. Many of the individual species have been used for medicinal purposes. Dried artemisia, known as moxa, is a key element in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Recently, artemisia-based drugs have been used to treat malaria.
artery
A muscular tube carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to all parts of the body.
artery forceps
forceps are a two-bladed instrument with a handle for compressing or grasping tissues in surgical operations, and for handling sterile dressings, etc. Artery forceps are for specifically grasping and compressing an artery.