CARMINATIVES are drugs which aid the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. They act chiefly by producing a mild irritation and increased vascularity in the stomach, thus stimulating the gastro-intestinal movements or by diminishing spasm. Probably some effect is due to suggestion and to the pleasant sensation they cause in the stomach. Some of the com monest are certain volatile oils or substances containing them, such as capsicum, ginger, oil of cloves, peppermint, chamomile, cara way, aniseed and dill. The last two are very frequently used for children. Other carminatives are chalk, lime water, sodium car bonate and the vegetable bitters such as gentian, orange-peel, etc. Valerian and asafetida are both occasionally used as carminatives, but the smell of both is unpleasant ; camphor is used especially in neurotic persons. Tincture of nux vomica being a bitter, has a carminative action, but it also appears to stimulate the plain mus cle in the stomach wall ; this enhances its action.