Cumulative. A term applied to the violent action from drugs which supervenes after the taking of several doses with little or no effect. Cuticle (Lat. dim. of _cutis_, the skin). Scarf skin; the epidermis. Cutis (Gr. σκῦτος, a skin or hide). The true skin, also called the _dermis_. Decussation (Lat. _decusso_, _decussatum_, to cross). The _crossing_ or running of one portion athwart another. Degeneration (Lat. _degenerare_, to grow worse, to deteriorate). A change in the structure of any organ which makes it less fit to perform its duty. Deglutition (Lat. _deglutire_, to swallow). The process of swallowing. Deltoid. Having a triangular shape; resembling the Greek letter Δ (_delta_). Dentine (Lat. _dens_, _dentis_, a tooth). The hard substance which forms the greater part of a tooth; ivory. Deodorizer. An agent which corrects any foul or unwholesome odor. Dextrin. A soluble substance obtained from starch. Diabetes Mellitus (Gr. διά, through, βαίνω, to go, and μέλι, honey). Excessive flow of sugar-containing urine. Diaphragm (Gr. διαφράσσω, to divide by a partition). A large, thin muscle which separates the cavity of the chest from the abdomen. Diastole (Gr. διαστέλλω, to dilate). The _dilatation_ of the heart. Dietetics. That part of medicine which relates to diet, or food. Diffusion of Gases. The power of gases to become intimately mingled. Diplöe (Gr. διπλόω, to double, to fold). The osseous tissue between the tables of the skull. Dipsomania (Gr. δίψα, thirst, and μανία, madness). An insatiable desire for intoxicants. Disinfectants. Agents used to destroy the germs or particles of living matter that are believed to be the causes of infection. Dislocation (Lat. _dislocare_, to put out of place). An injury to a joint in which the bones are displaced or forced out of their sockets. Dissection (Lat. _dis_, apart, and _seco_, to cut). The cutting up of an animal in order to learn its structure. Distal (Lat. _dis_, apart, and _sto_, to stand). Away from the center. Duct (Lat. _duco_, to lead). A narrow tube. Duodenum (Lat. _duodeni_, twelve). The first division of the small intestines, about twelve fingers’ breadth long. Dyspepsia (Gr. -δύς, ill, and πέπτειν, to digest). A condition of the alimentary canal in which it digests imperfectly. Indigestion. Dyspnœa (Gr. δύς, difficult, and πνέω, to breathe). Difficult breathing. Efferent (Lat. _effero_, to carry out). _Bearing_ or _carrying outwards_, as from the center to the periphery. Effluvia (Lat. _effluo_, to flow out). Exhalations or vapors coming from the body, and from decaying animal or vegetable substances. Element. One of the simplest parts of which anything consists. Elimination (Lat. _e_, out of, and _limen, liminis_, a threshold). The act of _expelling_ waste matters. Signifies, literally, “to throw out of doors.” Emetic (Gr. ἐμέω, to vomit). A medicine which causes vomiting.