Laudanum Concerning the History and Cure of Acute Diseases", in which he promoted his brand of opium tincture, and advocated its use for a range of medical conditions. By the 18th century, the medicinal properties of opium and laudanum were well known, and the term "laudanum" came to refer to any combination of opium and alcohol. Several physicians, including John Jones, John Brown, and George Young, the latter of whom published a comprehensive medical text entitled "Treatise on Opium", extolled the virtues of laudanum and recommended the drug for practically every ailment. "Opium, and after 1820, morphine, was mixed with everything
Drug their knowledge) arose later and invokes the psychoactive rather than medicinal properties of a substance. A "medication" or "medicine" is a drug taken to cure or ameliorate any symptoms of an illness or medical condition. The use may also be as preventive medicine that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms. Dispensing of medication is often regulated by governments into three categories—"over-the-counter" medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions; "behind-the-counter" medicines, which are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription, and "prescription only medicines", which must be