Emetic << ih MEHT ihk >> is a medicine used to produce vomiting. Emetics rid the stomach of poisons or irritating foods. Emetics cause vomiting in two ways: (1) They can irritate the lining of the throat and stomach and cause vomiting as a reflex action. (2) They can stimulate the vomiting center in the medulla (lower part of the brain) so that nerve impulses cause the muscles of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and stomach wall to contract. This pushes the contents out. One of the most widely used emetics is the drug ipecac (see Ipecac). Two tablespoons (30 milliliters) of dry mustard in 1 pint (0.5 liter) of water is another common emetic. An emetic should not be given to someone who has taken a petroleum product, a strong acid, or a corrosive poison, such as sodium hydroxide (also called lye).
