1640s (pharmaceutic in the same sense is from 1540s), from Late Latin pharmaceuticus of drugs, from Greek pharmakeutikos, from pharmakeus preparer of drugs, poisoner (see pharmacy). Related: Pharmaceuticals; pharmaceutically.
White Tongue: A white coating on your tongue could mean that you are dehydrated. It can also be caused by smoking or drinking alcohol. A white coating can also be a sign of thrush, which is an infection of the mouth with the yeast Candida albicans.
What does your tongue say about your health? Recently, my mother has been going to a Chinese acupuncturist and the first thing he does is make her stick out her tongue. Even though the problem is a slipped disc in her back, the treatment always begins with a visual examination of the tongue.