Al"ter*a*tive (#), a. [L. alterativus: cf. F. alt'eratif.]
Causing ateration.
Specifically:
Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health.
Burton.
© Webster 1913.
Al"ter*a*tive, n.
A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.
© Webster 1913.