in a general meaning, signifies anything belonging to the head.

CEPHALIC Medicines, are remedies for disorders of the head. Cordials are comprehended herein, as are also whatever promotes a free circulation of the blood through the brain.

Except when the disorder arises from excess of heat, or an inflammatory disposition in the head, moist topical should never be used; but always dry ones.

To rub the head after it is shaved proves an instantaneous cure for a cephalalgia, a fluffing of the head, and a weakness of the eyes, arising from a weak and relaxed state of the fibres. And as by every fresh evacuation of the humours their quantity is not only lessened, but also their recreementitious parts derived thither, the more frequently the head is shaved, the larger quantity of humour is discharged; so that the frequent shaving of the head and beard is likewise a perpetual blister; and in as much as it is useful, it is a cephalic.

CEPHALIC Vein, in anatomy, creeps along the arm between the skin and the muscles, and divides it into two branches: the external goes down to the wrist, where it joins the basilica, and turns up to the back of the hand; the internal branch, together with a small one of the basilica, makes the median. See Plate XVII. 10, 10, 17.

The ancients used to open this vein for disorders of the head, for which reason it bears this name; but a better acquaintance with the circulation of the blood informs us, that there is no foundation for such a notion.