GALENIC, or GALENICAL, in pharmacy; a manner of treating diseases, founded on the principles of Galen.
The distinction of galenical and chemical, was occasioned by a division of the practitioners of medicine into two sects, which happened on the introduction of chemistry into medicine. Then the chemists, arrogating to themselves every kind of merit and ability, stirred up an opposition to their pretensions, founded on the invariable adherence of the other party to the ancient practice. And though this division into the two sects of galenists and chemists has long ceased, yet the distinction of medicines, which resulted from it, is still retained.
Galenic medicines are those which are formed by the earlier preparations of herbs, roots, &c. by infusion, decoction, &c. and by combining and multiplying ingredients; while those of chemistry draw their more intimate and remote virtues by means of fire and elaborate preparations, as calcination, digestion, fermentation, &c.