Drugs that act locally on cutaneous or mucosal surfaces to produce inflammation; those that cause redness due to hyperaemia are rubefacients; those that raise blisters are vesicants and those that penetrate sebaceous glands and cause abscesses are pustulants; tear gases and mustard gases are also irritants. ... (12 Dec 1998) ... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20973