sb. (and a.) Med. 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, trans. 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. C. 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.
