principle

principle /prin·ci·ple/ (prin´sip'l)

1. a chemical component.

2. a substance on which certain of the properties of a drug depend.

3. a law of conduct.

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principle of infinitesimal dose  a fundamental principle of homeopathy: the more a remedy is diluted (even to the point that none of the medicinal substance is likely to be present), the more powerful and longer lasting will be its effect.

yin/yang principle  in Chinese philosophy, the concept of polar complements existing in dynamic equilibrium and always present simultaneously. In traditional Chinese medicine, a disturbance of the proper balance of yin and yang causes disease, and the goal is to maintain or to restore this balance.

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prin·ci·ple (prns-pl)

n.

1. A basic truth, law, or assumption.

2. A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes.

3. One of the elements composing a chemical compound, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.

4. The essential ingredient in a drug.

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principle

1. a chemical component.

2. a substance on which certain of the properties of a drug depend.

3. a law of conduct.

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active principle

any constituent of a drug that helps to confer upon it a medicinal property.

reasonable person principle

the basis for many decisions in cases alleging negligence. The court bases its judgment on what it considers a reasonable person, a reasonable veterinarian in our context, would have done in the circumstances. This is the evidence that most expert witnesses are asked to give, evidence about what should be expected of a member of their profession in terms of quality of performance. Called also principle of the reasonable person.