Expectorants

Expectorants (Lat. ex, 'out of,' and pectus, 'the breast'), medicines given to carry off the expectorations—the mucus and other secretions of the air-tubes. The principal expectorants are antimony, ammonia, squill, ipecacuanha, senega, balsam of tolu, lobelia, gum ammoniac, asafetida, galbanum, &c. The examination of the expectoration is of great value in the diagnosis of diseases of the chest (see BRONCHITIS, PNEUMONIA, CONSUMPTION). The word 'expectoration' has come by an abuse to be regarded as a mere elegant synonym for spitting. See SALIVA.