a more particular sense, denote medicines which raise the spirits and give present strength and cheerfulness; these amount to the same with what are properly called cordials. Cardiacs are medicines anciently supposed to exert themselves immediately in comforting and strengthening the heart: but the modern physicians rather suppose them to produce the effect by putting the blood into a gentle fermentation, whereby the springs, before decayed, are repaired and invigorated, and the tone and elasticity of the fibres of the vessels restored; the consequence of which is a more easy and brisk circulation.