errhine, n. (and a.) Med.
(ˈɛraɪn)
Also 7 errhin.
[ad. mod.L. errhīnum, ad. Gr. ἔρρῑν-ον, f. ἐν in + ῥίν nostril. Cf. Fr. errhin adj.]
1. ‘A medicine which when applied to the mucous membrane of the nose increases the natural secretions and produces sneezing’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
| 1626 Bacon Sylva 1631 §38 Powders.. (which the Physitians call Errhines) put into the Nose, draw Flegme, and water from the Head. 1634 T. Johnson tr. Parey's Chirurg. xxvi. xxxv. (1678) 654 Drie Errhines are to be blown into the nose with a pipe or quill. 1710 T. Fuller Pharm. Extemp. 151 Errhines are to be us'd cheefly in the Morning. 1875 H. Wood Therap. (1879) 557. |
† 2. A plug of lint steeped in such a medicine for insertion in the nose. Obs.
| [1611 Cotgr., Errhine, a tent-like medicine applyed vnto, or put into, the nose, etc.] 1601 Holland Pliny, Explan. Words of Art, Errhines be deuises made like tents, sharper at one end than the other, to bee put vp into the nose. 1758 J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) *149, I hooked it with an Errhine, and divided the Skin with a Bistoury. |
3. as adj. Having the action of an errhine (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
| 1876 Harley Mat. Med. 380 Externally it is rubefacient and errhine. |