Nymphæa, the Water-lily, is possessed of desiccative powers without pungency. It, therefore, constipates the belly and its seed is desiccative. But that species which has the white root is stronger, so that when drunk with dark and austere wine, it cures the female flux. But that which has a black root is also somewhat detergent, so as to cure alphos with water, and alopecia, when rubbed in with liquid pitch.
Commentary. It is quite manifest that the plant here described comprehends the two well-known species of the Water-lily, now named Nymphæa alba and Nuphar luteum. The two species, the one having a white root and the other a black, are no doubt mere varieties. Our author abridges his account of this article from Galen, who, in his turn, borrows freely from Dioscorides. (iii, 138-9.) For the Arabians, see Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 493); Serapion (De Simpl. c. 144); Avicenna (ii, 2, 508); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) The Arabians administered it in the same cases as the Greeks, and also recommend the syrup for coughs and pleurisy, and say of the plant that it induces sleep and cures acute vertigo, but is debilitating. They compare the nature of the nymphæa to that of the mandragora. Though the two Water-lilies have long ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory, they are still used medicinally by the oriental nations. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 411.)
Xanthium, Clutburr, has fruit of discutient powers.
Commentary. It would seem to be the Xanthium strumarium, a plant of the natural order of Ambrosieæ. Our author takes his brief notice of it from Galen. Dioscorides gives a minute description of it, but merely mentions its being used for a dye and a cataplasm for swellings. (iv, 136.) It does not occur in the works of Hippocrates or Celsus, nor, as far as we can discover, in those of the Arabians.
Xyris, Wild Corn-flag, is possessed of attenuating, discutient, and attractive powers, and of truly desiccative, especially the seed, so that it is diuretic, and cures scirrhus of the spleen.
Commentary. It is the Iris fœtidissima. It is still used medicinally in dropsy and scrofula. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 161) and Gray (Suppl. to the Pharmacop. 25.) Dioscorides recommends it as a vulnerary, and application to swellings and boils; and further prescribes it internally in bruises, ruptures, sciatica, and diarrhœa. Its seed, he says, is very diuretic, and reduces enlarged spleen when drunk in vinegar. (iv, 22.) Galen notices it in the same brief terms as our author. We have reason to believe that it is not wholly overlooked by the Arabians, but we cannot find it, while writing this, in their authorities on the Materia Medica, not even in the copious list of Ebn Baithar.
Xiphium, Bulbous Iris; its root is possessed of attractive, discutient, and desiccative powers.
Commentary. Dioscorides gives such a minute description of it as clearly identifies it with the Gladiolus communis. He recommends it on his own authority as forming an excellent cataplasm with wine and frankincense for extracting stings and thorns, for discussing the tumour called phygethlon, and as an emmenagogue in pessaries; and says it was reported to be aphrodisiac, and a suitable draught in the intestinal hernia of children. (iv, 20.) Galen, like our author, merely states its medicinal virtues in general terms. The Arabians treat of it under the general head of Lilium, along with Iris. See Serapion (c. 189.) His account of it is made up entirely of extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. It is also briefly noticed by Ebn Baithar. (i, 423.) His German translator sets it down as the Gladiolus Byzantinus. We have not had time and patience to hunt out any other notices of it in the writings of the Arabian authorities on the Materia Medica. Its name in the barbarous translations of their works is Kasiflon.
Sorbus, the Service Tree (the fruit of which is by some called ὄα, by others οὖα, Sorba); it is possessed of astringent powers, but less than the medlar.
Commentary. It is the Sorbus domestica. All the ancient authorities recommend the fruit as an excellent astringent. Dioscorides prescribes it with this intention both in fruit and in decoction. (i, 173.) Our author’s account of it is taken pretty closely from Galen. Avicenna treats of it confusedly under the head of Cornu vel Sorbas. (ii, 2, 315.) Serapion treats of the Sorba, but does not seem to apply the name to the article we are treating of. See De Simpl. (c. 109.)
Othonna; some say that it is the juice of a herb growing in Arabia, where it borders with Egypt, and others that it is an Egyptian stone. It is detergent and pungent, clearing away everything that obscures the pupil.
Commentary. The Tagetes Erecta, African or French Marigold, seems likely enough to be this herb. Regarding the stone of the same name, nothing is known for certain. Our author borrows from Dioscorides. Galen does not treat of this article at all in his work on Simples. The Arabians appear to have been ignorant of it.
Œnanthe, the Wild Vine; ample experience has shown that the flower of the wild vine is considerably astringent, and that it acts as a tonic, particularly in affections of the belly. Dioscorides describes another having powers quite opposite to this; and hence, he says, that it expels the secundines, and cures strangury and jaundice.
Commentary. The former is evidently the flower of a wild species of the Vitis Vitifera, L. It is still used for giving a flavour to wine. Dioscorides gives an ample account of its medicinal virtues. Its power, he says, is astringent, and hence it is stomachic and diuretic, restraining fluxes of the belly and spitting of blood; it acts beneficially when applied dry, as a cataplasm for loss of appetite and acidity of the stomach; it forms an embrocation with vinegar and rose-oil in headache; a cataplasm that restrains inflammation, when applied to recent wounds; to incipient fistula lachrymalis, and ulcers in the mouth, and spreading ulcers in the pudenda, when rubbed in with honey, saffron, rose-oil, and myrrh: it is made an ingredient of pessaries for restraining bleeding, and for defluxions of the eyes and burning of the stomach it is applied as a cataplasm with the flour of wheat and wine: when burnt upon heated coals in a shell it forms an ophthalmic application, and cures whitlow, pterygia, loose and bloody gums, with honey. (v, 5.) This account of it is copied literally by Serapion. (De Simpl. c. 35.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 723) and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 745.) This would certainly appear to us to be the Œnanthe of Celsus, who gives it a place among the diuretics. (iii, 21.)
With regard to the herb of the same name, which, as our author remarks, is described by Dioscorides, various conjectures have been advanced. It is certain that it cannot be the Œnanthe crocata, but may be the O. Pimpinelloides. We have nothing to add to the account of its medicinal powers given by our author from Dioscorides. In fact, with the exception of Oribasius, whose description of the articles in the Materia Medica is professedly taken from Dioscorides, we are not aware that any other ancient authority has noticed it. We may mention, in conclusion, that the Œ. Pimpinelloides, although it has no place in our Dispensatory, is still not unknown to the collectors of drugs. See Gray (Suppl. to the Pharm. 79.) It grows in abundance on a spot in Banchory Ternan, and we have ascertained that it is not wholly innocuous even to cattle when eaten by them.
Vinum, Wine, belongs to the second order of heating and desiccative medicines. But that which is considerably old belongs to the third, and the sweet wine to the first.
Commentary. We have treated fully of the ancient Wines in Book I. For an ample enumeration of their medicinal properties, the reader is particularly referred to Pliny (H. N. xxxiii, 19 et seq.), and to Dioscorides (v, 1-16.) It being out of place for us to give a long commentary under this head, we shall merely give a succinct exposition of it from Aëtius. Wine, he says, is of the second class of calefacients; but that which is moderately old, is of the third; as in like manner the new and sweet is of the first. Their dryness is analogous to their heat. Since we find many varieties in wine, we shall describe them as briefly as we can. Of all wines, then, those which are at the same time red and thick are the most suited for the formation of blood, requiring but little change in order to be converted into blood. Next in order to these are such as are dark, sweet, and thick at the same time; then those which in colour are red and black, in consistency thick, and have some acid quality at the same time. Less than these are the white, thick, and austere, in regard to nutritive powers. But of all others the least nutritious are those which are white in colour and thin in consistency, being in so far like to water. But the sweet are sooner digested and more readily diffused over the system than the austere, being of a more heating nature, and they are more laxative of the bowels. But those which are very thick are more slowly digested and more slowly distributed; but when the stomach is strong so as to digest them properly, they furnish more food to the body than any other; and it is clear that they bind the bowels and are not of a diuretic nature, engendering a thick humour in some. And some from them have obstructions of the liver, spleen, or kidneys, and hence those become affected with dropsy or calculus who use them much, and especially old men. But of all wines, the best, and best fitted for persons in good health, and to those who are convalescent from diseases, is that which is red in colour, thin in consistence, and gently astringent. (i.)
Œsypum, Unscoured Wool, is treated of under wool.
Commentary. The Œsypum was the sordes collected from wool. It was used medicinally in the Hippocratic age (De Morb. Mulier. ii), and continued to hold a place in the Materia Medica down to a late date. See Rutty’s Mat. Med. (357.) It would appear, from Dioscorides’s description of the mode of preparing it, that it was the scum collected on the surface of water by boiling wool in it. (ii, 66.) See also Pliny (H. N. xxix, 2.) The ancients used it frequently in the practice of medicine. See in particular Dioscorides (l. c.) and Avicenna (ii, 2, 355.)
Grossi Ficulnei, Green Figs, are possessed of acrid and discutient powers, owing to the juice which is in them. When boiled, therefore, they discuss hard swellings; but when raw they remove myrmecia and thymi.
Commentary. They are the unripe fruit of the fig tree. Dioscorides and most of the ancient authorities recommend them as a stimulant application to various tumours. Our author’s account of them is abridged from Dioscorides, who further recommends them in a cataplasm with salts and vinegar for achores, furfures, and epinyctis, and as an application to the bites of mad dogs. (i, 185.) They are the Grossi Ficulnei of the Arabians, who treat of them under the general head of figs. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 276.)
Holostium, is possessed of desiccative powers with astringency. Hence they use it for fractures.
Commentary. There are few articles in the Materia Medica of the ancients about which there is so much doubt. See Parkinson (Theatre of Plants), and Sprengel in Dioscor. (iv, 11.) It has been set down as the Holosteum umbellatum, but all upon mere conjecture. Our author here copies from Galen, who in his turn borrows from Dioscorides. We are not aware of its being described by any of the Arabian authorities, nor have we found it in any modern Dispensatory.
Omphacium is the Juice of the Unripe Grape, being considerably astringent and desiccative in the third degree. Hence it applies to defluxions, and especially those of the stomach.
Commentary. The juice of unripe grapes is called Agresto in Italy, where it is still used in affections of the throat. Dioscorides recommends it in such cases. Pliny says of it, “Prodest dysentericis, sanguinem excreantibus, anginis.” (H. N. xxiii, 4.) This is a literal translation from Dioscorides, who recommends it in these cases, and also for various others in which astringents are indicated, such as aphthæ, loose gums, fistulæ, old ulcers, spreading sores, and as an application to asperity and ulceration of the eyelids. (v, 6.) Celsus prescribes the omphacium in a variety of cases, as a cleansing medicine, (v, 5), as one that corrodes (v, 6), and as one that determines outwardly. (v, 12.) None of the other Greek authorities nor the Arabians supply any additional information of interest after Dioscorides.
Onagra, Tree Primrose (called also Œnothera and Œnothyris), is a sort of plant resembling a tree, the root of which, when applied as a cataplasm, proves soothing to the bites of venomous animals.
Commentary. It would appear to be either the Œnothera Onagra, Tournefort, or the Epilobium angustifolium L., Narrow-leaved Willow-herb, as Sprengel supposes. Dioscorides describes it minutely, but, like our author, merely recommends it in malignant sores. (iv, 116.) Galen strangely, as we would suppose, says of it, that its juice is of a venous nature, and of the same power as wine. As far as we have been able to discover, it is not to be found in the works of Hippocrates, Celsus, or any of the Arabians. It is worthy of remark that the Epilobium angustifolium, although it does not hold a place in our Mat. Med., is still known to the vendors of medicines, and retains the characters which it obtained from the ancients. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 84.) This confirms the conjecture that the onagra is this plant. We would further mention, as confirmatory of this opinion, that the E. angust. has been cultivated about gardens in this country from time immemorial, so that there is every reason to believe that it had been introduced by the Romans, no doubt on account of its supposed efficacy in medicine.
Onosma, or Onomis, Stone Bugloss (called also Phlomitis or Ononis), is acrid and bitter, and hence the leaves of it when drunk with wine kill and expel the fœtus.
Commentary. That it was a species of Anchusa, or one of its congeners, is obvious, from the description of it given by Dioscorides, who says, the stalk, the fruit, and the flower, are very like to the anchusa. It seems probable, then, that it was some species either of Anchusa or Lithospermum. The Onosma of Linnæus, as Sprengel justly remarks (Ad Dioscor. iii, 137), is altogether a plant of a different character. Dioscorides, like our author, says it has great powers in procuring abortion; nay, that it was alleged that if a pregnant woman walked upon the plant she would miscarry. (l. c.) It is said that Aretæus recommends it in nephritic complaints. Pseudo-Dioscor. (Euporist. ii, 112.) Galen and the other authorities who notice it, do so in nearly the same language as our author. We have not been able to discover any traces of it in the works of the Arabians.
Onobrychis, Cockshead, is possessed of aromatic and discutient powers. It therefore discusses phymata, cures strangury, and proves sudorific.
Commentary. Dioscorides describes it as having leaves like the lentil, or a little longer, a stalk a fathom long, a purple flower, and small root, and grows in wet and uncultivated grounds. This description seems clearly to point to the Onobrychis sativa, a plant of the tribe Fabaceæ. Dioscorides holds it to be diuretic and sudorific, and discussive of tumours. (iii, 160.) It appears to have been generally used as a diuretic. Pseudo-Dioscor. (Euporist. ii, iii.) Galen gives exactly the same account of it as our author; indeed, both borrow from Dioscorides. The Arabians would appear to have rejected it from their Mat. Med. Although it has long ceased to occupy a place in the Dispensatory, the sainfoin, or cockshead, is still known to the vendors of medicines, and retains its ancient characters of being “ripening, discussive, useful in strangury.” Gray (Pharmacop. 96.) Our old herbalist, Culpeper, ascribes to it the same virtues. (Complete Herbal, 52.)
Aselli, Millepedes, or Slaters; those found under water-vessels, which roll themselves into a ball when touched, are possessed of discutient and desiccative powers. Therefore, when drunk with wine they cure dysuria and jaundice, and in cases of cynanche they are rubbed in with honey: and for earache they are triturated with rose oil, and being warmed in the shell of a pomegranate are injected into the ear.
Commentary. The Millepedes are thus described by Marcellus Empiricus: “In locis humidis et sordidis sub lapidibus inveniuntur bestioliæ multipedes quæ contactæ contrahuntur et rotundantur.” (De Medicamentis, c. xxxv.) They are the Porceliones of Cælius Aurelianus (i, 4), who calls them “animalia quæ humectis et aquosis locis sæpe nascuntur, a Græcis appellata onisci.” (Tard. Pass.) Almost all the ancient authorities on the Materia Medica from Dioscorides downwards, recommend them in the same cases as our author does. In fact, almost all the authorities take the characters of the millepedes from Dioscorides. (ii, 37.) See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 4, 29), Avicenna (ii, 2, 718.) They particularly commend the use of them in jaundice. In English they are called Slaters or Cheslops. They held a place in the Edinburgh Dispensatory until after the edition of it in 1811. In fact, the highest modern authorities testify to the medicinal virtues ascribed to them by the ancient authorities. Moses Charras, who makes frequent mention of them, says, that a volatile salt is obtained from them which is highly diaphoretic. Dr. Hill calls them aperient, attenuant, and detergent. Dr. Mead recommends them strongly for their diuretic property. He directs us to put them into wine, and afterwards to strain off the liquor, and sweeten it with honey or sugar. (Monita et præcepta.) It would appear that they are still used in France as diuretics. In Dr. Pemberton’s edition of the London Dispensatory, 1746, it is directed to inclose them in a thin canvass cloth, and suspend them within a covered vessel over the steam of hot spirit of wine, by which they will be killed and rendered friable. Lister calls them lithontriptic.
Onyches, are the covers of Indian shell-fishes. These, in a fumigation, rouse those affected with uterine suffocation and epileptics. But when drunk they disorder the belly.
Commentary. Dioscorides says of the Onyx, that it is the operculum of a shell-fish, like that of the Purpura, being found in India in the lakes that produce nard; and that it acquires an aromatic smell from the shell-fishes feeding on the nard; it is gathered, he adds, when the lakes are dried up by the drought; the kind brought from the Red Sea is different, being whitish and fatty; the Babylonian is black and smaller, but both form a fragrant fumigation, resembling castor somewhat in smell. He concludes with stating, regarding their medicinal properties, that both rouse persons in hysterical convulsions, and also in epileptical, when applied in fumigations; that taken internally, they soften the belly; and that the shell-fish itself, when burnt, has the same powers as the purpura and murex. (ii, 10.) Avicenna gives a very accurate account of this article under the name of Blacte Byzantie; but except that he does not attribute the fragrancy of the shell to the nard it feeds on, his description is nowise dissimilar to that by Dioscorides. The medicinal virtues which he assigns to it are exactly the same. (ii, 2, 78.) Serapion gives a literal translation of the chapter of Dioscorides on the onyx. (De Simpl. 443.) One of Rhases’s authorities says of the Blactiæ Byzantiæ, that they are of a hot and dry temperament, being possessed of astringency and subtilty of parts, and that they are stomachic, hepatic, emmenagogue, and cordial. (Cont. l. ult. i, 127.) From the above account of this article, it will readily be seen that it is the cover of the Strombus lentiginosus.
Ononis, Restharrow, has a root which is desiccative in about the third degree, but the bark of it is detergent and incisive; and hence it is lithontriptic.
Commentary. See Ἄνωνις.
Acetum, Vinegar, is possessed of mixed powers, namely, cold and hot, both arising from tenuity of parts; but the cold prevails over the hot. It is a desiccant of the third rank.
Commentary. It is also called γλυκάδιον, as the Scholiast on Nicander says, per euphemismum, from γλύκυς, sweet. But we are rather inclined to think that it is the diminutive of γλεῦκος, must, vinegar being the juice of the grape which has lost its strength. Hence Pliny calls it “vitium vini.” All the ancient authorities maintained that vinegar is at the same time refrigerant and discutient. Galen discusses the question regarding the nature of it at great length and with much ingenuity. (De Med. Simpl. i.) He, Pliny, and Celsus mention the fact that an effervescence is produced when it is poured on earth, meaning, no doubt, certain carbonates. Pliny and Celsus commend it in the strongest terms as an antidote to the sting of the asp. Serapion and the other Arabians copy Galen’s account of it. Symeon Seth gives an interesting abstract of the ancient opinions on this subject. Dioscorides and Avicenna recommend it as an application to ecchymosis of the face; but the latter remarks, if too long continued it renders the part yellow and weakens the sight. (ii, 2, 74.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 18.) These two Arabian authorities say of it, that it congeals the womb; but that a clyster of hot vinegar and salt proves soothing in the spreading ulcers of the intestines. Both the Greek and Arabian authorities commend it as an antidote in cases of poisoning with opium and cicuta. They also recommend an embrocation with vinegar and olive oil or rose oil to the head in affections of it. Dioscorides recommends vinegar for chronic coughs and orthopnœa, and also for defluxions of the throat and quinseys. (v, 21.) The Greek and Arabian authorities further agree in recommending it in erysipelas, herpes, and whitlow.
Oxyacantha, Evergreen Thorn; the tree is like the wild pear in appearance and powers, having also some tenuity of parts. The fruit of it resembles myrtles.
Commentary. Matthiolus, Dodonæus, and Sprengel agree in referring it to the Mespilus Pyracantha, or Evergreen Thorn. The commentators on Mesue make it to be the Berberis, i. e. the Berberry. See the Appendix to this section. Dioscorides, after giving a botanical description of it, says, with regard to its medicinal powers, that when pulverised and applied in a cataplasm it extracts thorns and prickles, and that its root is said to possess the power of occasioning abortions, when the abdomen is gently stroked or rubbed with it. (i, 122.) Galen says of it, that its root is attenuant and incisive, resembling that of myrtles; and that whether eaten or drunk it restrains all fluxes. (De Simpl. viii.) Although the similarity of names might lead us to suppose that this must be the Spina acuta of the Arabians, this does not appear to be at all the case. Sec Avicenna (ii, 2, 11.)
Opium, is treated of under poppy.
Commentary. Although we treated of the deleterious effects of opium on the animal economy in the Fifth Book, and have given a general description of the medicinal properties of the poppy in the proper place, we shall avail ourselves of the present opportunity to supply some important information regarding the ancient use of opium in the practice of medicine. Though mention is made of “the juice of the poppy,” and of “meconium” as soporifics in the works of the Hippocratists (De Mulieribus, ii), it does not appear that these articles were much in use until a later age. “The juice of the poppy” is noticed likewise by Theophrastus (Fr. 20, 35), and the process of gathering this juice is briefly alluded to by him (H. P. ix, 8, 2); but the nature of his work did not lead him to say anything of its medicinal uses. There can be no question, we presume, that the “papaveris lacryma” of Celsus was opium, i. e. the concrete juice of the poppy. He prescribes it on many occasions, both externally and internally. For example, as an ingredient along with hyoscyamus, burnt lead, and other ingredients for an emollient plaster to be applied in arthritic pains (v, 18, 29, 35), and as an injection with alum, acacia, and henbane in earache (vi, 7); as an ingredient in various collyria for complaints of the eyes (vi, 6); as an injection in complaints about the anus (vi, 18), and in many other cases. The famous Methodist, Cælius Aurelianus, is very guarded in his use of opiates, and he appears to approve of the opinion of those who held that poppy does not induce sleep, but oppression of the senses; “papavera autem pressuram non somnum faciunt.” (i, 1.) See also Pass. Tard. (i, 5.) Dioscorides, then, is the first authority that gives a detailed account of opium and its uses in medicine. Treating of the cultivated poppy, he says, that its juice is very congealing, incrassative, and desiccative, when taken in small quantity, to the size of a vetch, is anodyne, soporific, concoctive, and is useful in coughs and cæliac affections. Taken in greater quantity, it proves injurious, inducing lethargy and death; it is beneficial in headache when rubbed in with rose oil; and in earache when injected with almond oil, saffron, and myrrh; in inflammations of the eyes with the roasted yelk of an egg and saffron; and for erysipelas and wounds with vinegar; for gout with a woman’s milk and saffron; and when applied as a suppository per anum it induces sleep. The best kind is that which is dense, has a heavy stupefying smell, is bitter to the taste, readily incorporating with water, smooth, white, not rough, nor grumous, nor moulding like wax in the process of straining; when laid in the sun softening, and when applied to a lamp not burning with a smoky flame, and after being extinguished preserving its powers in its smell. He then mentions several modes of adulterating it which were practised in his time, and then adds, it is roasted for ophthalmic medicines upon a recent shell until it becomes soft and of a tawny colour. Erasistratus says that Diagoras condemned the use of it in diseases of the ears and eyes, as inducing dimness of sight and coma. And Andreas says, that if it had not been adulterated those that rubbed it in would have been deprived of sight by it. But Mnesidemus says, that the only proper use of it is by the smell, as thus disposing to sleep, for that otherwise it proved injurious; but these statements are false, as is proved by experience; for the operation of the medicine is attested by its effects. He concludes by describing the modes by which opium and meconium were prepared, but it will be sufficient for our purpose to state that his description of the former of these is exactly the same as the method now commonly practised. See Kæmpfer (Amæn. Exost. 643), and Pereira (M. M. 1274.) The meconium was the expressed juice of the leaves and head, and is not now in use. Dioscorides states that it is much weaker than the other. (iv, 65.) Pliny’s description of the opium and meconium is obviously taken from Dioscorides, or both these authors must have copied from some preceding authority. He thus describes the meconium: “cum capita ipsa et folia decoquuntur, succus meconium vocatur, multum opio ignavior.” (H. N. xx, 76.) Opium it is certain was freely used by the Empirics, and accordingly it will be found that it is a very common ingredient in the prescriptions of Scribonius Largus, and Marcellus the Empiric. The latter gives several formulæ for collyria, in which opium occurs, and he is at pains to state that it is the concrete and not the expressed juice which must be used. (De Medicamentis, viii.) He also prescribes it internally for pains of the kidneys (xxvi), as an enema in colic (xxix), and in many other cases. Galen would appear to have had very sound opinions respecting the use of opium in the treatment of diseases. He professes, indeed, never to have had recourse to it when he could help it. (De Comp. med. sec. loc. iii); but yet he prescribes it in cæliac and certain stomach affections (ibid, viii), and even in intense pains of the eyes (Meth. Med. ii), although in general he condemns the application of it in collyria. (Meth. Med. iii; and De Comp. m. s. l. ii.) He often mentions that castor counteracts the prejudicial effects of opium. (De med. sec. loc. iii, and viii.) Of all kinds of opium he pronounces the Theban to be the best. (De Antid. i.) Avicenna, besides treating of opium as a poison, and giving the general properties of poppy, under that head, has a very interesting chapter on opium in his Mat. Med. He defines opium to be the juice of the black Egyptian poppy dried in the sun. He says it proves fatal if given in a larger dose than two drachms; but the proper dose he states to be the size of a tare. He states in parenthesis that opium is also formed from the juice of the wild lettuce (lactucarium?). He calls it narcotic and sedative of all pains, whether taken internally or rubbed in. It is useful, he says, in apostemes, especially in those of an inflammatory nature. He says of it, that it dries up ulcers; with the yelk of an egg forms a liniment for gout; it proves soporific if a cloth smeared with it be placed below the head; allays pain if injected into the ear affected, along with myrrh and saffron; allays chronic pains of the head, and sometimes cures them; soothes the pains of ophthalmy, and the apostemes of the eyes, with the milk of a woman; but yet he adds, that many of the ancient authorities had condemned the use of it in such cases as proving injurious to the sight; it allays incessant coughs, and often cures that kind which is noisy; improves the stomach in peculiar cases, when debilitated by excess of heat and humidity, is braced by it; but in many constitutions, opium, so administered, impairs digestion; it stops diarrhœa; is useful in dysentery, and in ulcerations of the intestines. It proves fatal, he says, by congealing the vital powers and extinguishing the innate heat; and its antidote is castor. He concludes by saying, that three times the amount of the seed of hyoscyamus, or double of the seed of mandragora, may be given as a substitute for it. (ii, 2, 519.) Haly Abbas treats of opium more briefly, stating in general terms that it is a soporific and sedative medicine. He seems to say that from half a drachm to a drachm will prove fatal. (Pract. ii, 40, 318.) Serapion’s account of opium is mostly made up of extracts from Dioscorides and Galen, with a few brief notices of the opinions held by Arabian authorities, which do not contain anything of much interest. (c. 374.) Rhases’s chapter upon the poppy contains many extracts from the Greek authorities on opium, with a few from Arabian writers, which, however, contain nothing of much interest after what we have given from Dioscorides and Avicenna. Like Serapion, he says, from half a scruple to a scruple is a dose, and that two drachms will prove fatal. His authority, Mesue, says it forms semen. Another of them, Joannitius, seems to say that it binds the bowels in general, but yet has some laxative power. (Cont. l. ult. i, 533.) In the ‘Book of Experience,’ as quoted by Ebn Baithar, poppy-juice is recommended in complaints of the eyes, and in pains of the head when applied to the forehead. One of his Arabian authorities mentions its good effects in diarrhœa; and it is also spoken favorably of as an application to burns. Ebn Baithar’s account of this article is otherwise mostly made up from Dioscorides.
Succus Cyrenaicus, Medicus, and Syriacus, are so named per excellentiam, being considerably hot and flatulent. The Cyrenaic is hotter and more attenuate than any of the others.
Commentary. The high interest which attaches to these articles might well dispose us to wake our classical recollections, in order to illustrate the nature of them, if the narrow limits to which we feel that we are restricted did not restrain us from such an undertaking. We beg, however, to quote the words of one of our ablest authorities in illustration of this subject. Dr. Lindley, treating of the plants which yield assafœtida, says, “assafœtida is the milky juice of various species of Ferula inhabiting Persia and neighbouring countries. Of these, F. assafœtida is the plant described by Kæmpfer. (Amæn. Exot. 535); but F. Perscia and others, are no doubt also the origin of this drug. The Asa dulcis or Laser Cyrenaicum was yielded by a Thapsia, and probably Thapsia Garganica. This drug was in high reputation among the ancients for its medicinal uses; it had miraculous powers assigned to it—power to neutralize the effect of poison, to cure envenomed wounds, to restore sight to the blind, and youth to the aged; these were only a part of its reputed properties; it was also reckoned antispasmodic, deobstruent, diuretic, &c., &c. So great was its reputation, that the princes of Cyrene caused it to be struck on the reverse of their coins; and the Cyrenean doctors were reckoned among the most eminent in the world.” (Veg. King. 776.) See further Pereira (Mat. Med. 1041), and most especially Sprengel in Dioscor. (iii, 85.) From what we have stated, our readers will readily comprehend that the Median and Syrian juices were varieties of the gum resin of Ferula assafœtida; while the Cyrenean juice was the gum resin of a congener, namely (as stated above), the Thapsia Garganica, called silphium by the ancients. That the Cyrenaic juice was the product of the silphium, is positively stated by Strabo. (Geogr. xvii, 3.) We shall reserve what we have to say on its medicinal properties till we come to that article. It is the laser and laserpitium of the Roman authors. It occurs in the Hippocratic collection. (De Morb. iv.) By the Arabian authors it is generally treated of under the name of Assa, and hence its modern appellation.
Origanum, Origany, or Wild Marjoram; all the species of it are possessed of incisive, attenuant, desiccative, and calefacient powers in the third degree.
Commentary. Apuleius enumerates three species and recommends them for coughs. (c. 122.) Galen and Dioscorides also describe the same number of species, which may be referred—the 1st, to the Origanum Heracleoticum, L.; the 2d, to the O. onitis; and the 3d, to O. sylvestre album. Dioscorides describes the particular uses of these plants so fully that we cannot find room for his separate articles on each. Suffice it to say, that he sets down the first as being laxative, emmenagogue, and expectorant. (iii, 29, 30, 31.) Galen, like our author, merely states the properties of the Origana in general terms. The Arabians call the origanum diuretic and vermifuge. They copy, as usual, from the Greeks. See Serapion (c. 310), Avicenna (ii, 2, 526), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 125.) The Origanum Smyrnæum occurs in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (121.)
Apium montanum, Mountain Parsley, has powers like those of parsley, but stronger.
Commentary. Dioscorides says of this article (Selinum Oreoselinum? or Athamanta Libanotis?), that it is diuretic and emmenagogue, and an ingredient in antidotes, and in diuretic and heating remedies. (iii, 69.) Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it in general terms along with its congeners; and the Arabians do the same under Apium. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 55); Serapion (De Simpl. 290); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 69.) Serapion’s Arabian authorities represent the Apium montanum as being laxative, carminative, deobstruent, diuretic, and, in some cases, emetic. The Athamanta Libanotis is still to be found in the shops of the apothecaries, where it retains its ancient characters. Gray (Suppl. to the Pharmacop. 81.) Some of the commentators on Dioscorides take it for the article we are treating of.
Orobanche, Holly Rose, belongs to the first order of the desiccative and cooling temperament.
Commentary. It appears unquestionably to be the Orobanche Caryophyllea. See Sibthorp. (Fl. Græca. i, 440.) Dioscorides merely states of it, that it was eaten as a potherb both raw and boiled. The other authorities treat of it very succinctly. We have not been able to discover any traces of it in the works of the Arabians.
Ervum, Bitter Vetch, or Tare, is heating in the first degree, and desiccative in the second. It is also bitter, and therefore is incisive, detergent, and deobstruent. When taken in too great a dose it occasions bloody urine.
Commentary. It is the Ervum Ervilia, Bitter Vetch. Dioscorides enumerates its medicinal virtues at considerable length, recommending it as being good for the bowels, and diuretic, but in large doses inducing bloody discharges from the belly and bladder; as being a cleansing application in obstinate diseases of the skin, and in carcinoma and gangrene; as being alexipharmic and forming a good fomentation for chilblains and pruritus. (ii, 131.) Our author copies word for word from Galen. The Arabians treat of it at much greater length, but add little to what Dioscorides had delivered under this head. When drunk with vinegar, they say it relieves difficulty of urine, tenesmus, and acute pain of the bowels; promotes expectoration, and softens indurated mammæ. See in particular Avicenna. (ii, 342.) Though this plant has long been omitted from our Dispensatory, it is still not wholly unknown in the shops. See Gray (Pharmacop. 96.)
Horminum, Clary, is like horehound in appearance, and hot, moderately desiccative, and detergent. It therefore is a provocative to venery; and along with honey clears any thickness of the coats of the eyes, dispels œdema, and extracts sharp instruments. The wild is stronger than the cultivated.
Commentary. Our author borrows his account of this article (Salvia Horminum) from Dioscorides. (ii, 135.) It is not treated of by Galen, Aëtius, nor Celsus. It is fully treated of by the Arabians, who recommend it as an application to cancerous and other sores, as a collyrium in ulceration of the eyes, and as a plaster in cases of gout. They further hold it to be aphrodisiac. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 692); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 727.) Even of late years, it has been reported as possessing the virtues ascribed to it by the ancients. See Rutty (Mat. Med. 238.)
Oryza, Rice, is somewhat astringent, and therefore it binds the belly in a moderate degree.
Commentary. It is the Oryza sativa. Dioscorides, Galen, and the other authorities state its virtues in the same brief terms. For the views of the Arabians, see Serapion (c. 13); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 583); Avicenna (ii, 2, 567.) The Arabians recommend it boiled in milk, which, they say, takes away its astringency, and it becomes more nutritious and forms semen.
Orchis; the herb is also called Dog’s Orchis, or Testicle, having a double bulbous-shaped root. The powers of the greater orchis are humid and heating, and therefore it is a provocative to venery. But those of the lesser are heating and desiccative, and therefore, on the contrary, it restrains venery. That species which is called Sarapias, and otherwise Triorchis, is more desiccative than the former. It therefore discusses œdematous swellings, cleanses foul and putrid ulcers, and cures herpes. When dried it is more desiccative. Owing to its sub-astringency, it binds the belly when drunk with wine.
Commentary. The modern botanists have described many species of it, and it is difficult to determine from among them those which are applicable to the two species described by Dioscorides and our author. Sprengel is pretty confident that the former is the Orchis papilionacea. He is undecided respecting the Sarapias, but we may venture to refer it to the Orchis Morio. Regarding the medicinal virtues of the former of these, Dioscorides merely relates the vulgar belief, namely, that one of its bulbous roots had the virtue of rousing to venery, and the other of blunting the venereal appetite, and that the one promoted the generation of male children, and the other of female. However nonsensical all this may appear, the same properties are ascribed to the orchis by our herbalist Culpeper. (130.) The other orchis he represents as being an ingredient in applications to fistulæ, mortifications, ulcers of the mouth, and so forth. (iii, 31, 32.) Galen attempts to explain the reputed aphrodisiacal virtues of the orchis upon its sensible qualities. Our author copies from him. The Arabians describe these two plants under the names of Testiculus Vulpis and Testiculus Canis, or Chasi altaleb and Chasi alchelb. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 706); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 714); Serapion (De Simpl. 90, 91.) They ascribe the same real and imaginary powers to the two species as the Greeks had done.
Osiris, Toad-flax, from which besoms are made, is bitter and removes obstructions in the liver.
Commentary. Dioscorides briefly notices this plant (Osyris alba?), and recommends it in jaundice. Our author copies literally from Galen, as does also Aëtius. Oribasius borrows from Dioscorides. It does not appear to be treated of by the Arabian authorities at all.
Ossa, Bones, when burnt are possessed of discutient and considerably desiccative powers, especially, they say, those of men. The ankle-bone of a sow when burnt, is said to cure flatulence and tormina. And some cure epilepsy and arthritis by giving burnt bones to drink. The burnt ankle-bone of an ox is said to fasten loose teeth; but if drunk with honey, it removes round worms, and with oxymel it reduces the spleen, and when rubbed in relieves leuce. It is also an aphrodisiac. The burnt thigh-bones of an ox if taken in a draught, stop hemorrhages and fluxes of the bowels.
Commentary. The other authorities give nearly the same account of their medicinal properties. See Galen (De Simpl. 11); Serapion (c. 464); Avicenna (ii, 2, 528.) The Arabians borrow from Galen and our author.
Testæ, Shells, from furnaces, when triturated, are possessed of desiccative and detergent powers. Hence they are used as a dentifrice, and when rubbed in with vinegar cure itch, exanthemata, and gouty complaints, and with cerate dispel enlarged scrofulous glands.
Commentary. It is now well ascertained that burnt shells consist principally of lime. They, may, therefore, be supposed to form a good stimulant application to certain cutaneous diseases and tumours of an indolent nature, as recommended by our author and Dioscorides. (v, 177.) Oribasius says, that they are very efficacious in repressing fungous flesh when sprinkled in the form of a fine powder.
Ostrea, Oysters; the burnt shell is possessed of similar powers to the buccina, but is not of so gross a consistence. It is used, therefore, as a detergent to the face, and whitens the teeth. When washed it is freed from pungency, and is useful for incarnating and cicatrizing ulcers attended with a copious discharge.
Commentary. Galen gives the same account of the burnt shells of oysters or snails. He says, that if a shell be washed and burnt it imparts an empyreuma to the water, which renders it heating and attenuant; whereas, what remains is devoid of pungency and terrene, and it is useful for the filling up and cicatrization of ulcers. He recommends the ashes of all burnt shells as a dentifrice, in which case they do not require to be finely levigated as they should be when applied to sores. (De Simpl. 11.) This article is not treated of by Dioscorides, the reason of which probably is, that in his time the word ὄστρεα was a term applied to the whole class of the ὀστρακόδερμα. See Commentary (i, 91.) They are treated of in the same terms by the Arabians as by the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 529); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 224); Serapion (c. 443.)
Urina, Urine; all kinds of it are hot and acrid, but that of man is weaker than the urine of other animals, with the exception of castrated boars, but it is considerably detergent; and it is said that some who have drunk it in the plague have recovered. It also cures leprosy, putrid ulcers, achores, and furfures; and likewise sprains of the feet when not inflamed. That of boys not come to puberty is stronger, and from it the chrysocolla is formed. The urine of mules suits with arthritic remedies. That of goats and of camels is laxative of the belly, and hence is given in dropsical complaints.
Commentary. The account given by our author of the medicinal properties of Urine is abridged from Dioscorides and Galen. Galen rejects, with disgust, the internal use of it. Some, he says, have given the urine of a boy for the cure of orthopnœa; but he justly remarks that there is no want of other remedies for this affection, and that in fact the article in question has no peculiar virtue in the complaint. Most of the other authorities, however, sanction the use of it in this case, as for example, Dioscorides, Avicenna, and Rhases. They also recommend urine to be drunk for the cure of the bite of the viper, for deadly poisons, and incipient dropsies. Dioscorides recommends the sediment of urine as an application to erysipelas; upon which practice Galen remarks that when the affection is still hot such an application must be quite unsuitable; but that when cooled, it or any other discutient is indicated. Those who desire to know more fully the views of the ancients on this subject, are referred to Dioscorides (ii, 99); Galen (De Simpl. 10); Serapion (c. 448); Avicenna (ii, 2, 716); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 749); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 517); Ebn Baithar (i, 191.) The last of these is particularly full under this head.
Pancratium, Sea-daffodil, in appearance and powers is like the squill, but is weaker.
Commentary. There are two varieties of the Scilla maritima, or Squill, namely, the white and the red. The pancration would appear to be the red variety. See Alston (Mat. Med.); Pereira (Mat. Med. 651); and Lindley (Veg. King. 203.) Dioscorides, like our author, states of it, that it has the same powers as the squill, but in a weaker degree; and that it is prepared in the same manner, and used in the same affections; for example, in diseases of the spleen and dropsies. (ii, 203.) Galen and Aëtius treat of it in nearly the same words as our author. We are in doubt whether the pancration be treated of by the Arabian authorities, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who, it would appear, describes it under the name of Kebal. He, however, merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. (ii, 309.)
Paliurus, Christ’s-thorn; the leaves and root of it are astringent, and hence they stop fluxes of the belly, and discuss phymata when they are not of a very hot nature. The fruit is of so incisive a nature as to break down stones, and relieve expectorations.
Commentary. It would seem to be the Paliurus australis, Gaertn. Dioscorides ascribes to it nearly the same medicinal properties as our author. Thus, he says, it is expectorant, lithontriptic, and alexipharmic, its leaves and root being astringent, so as to stop looseness of the bowels, and that it is diuretic and discutient externally. (i, 121.) Galen and Aëtius treat of it in nearly the same terms as our author. We have not been able to detect it in the Mat. Med. of the Arabians.
Panaces, All-heal; it is from that species called Heraclium, from which the substance named opoponax is produced, being heating in the third degree, desiccative in the second, emollient and discutient. The bark of the root being weaker than the juice, is somewhat detergent and incarnative, but the fruit of it is emmenagogue. The species of Panaces which are called Asclepium and Chironium, are more heating than the former, and hence their leaves and fruit are used for ill-conditioned ulcers and phymata.
Commentary. Dioscorides decides that the Heraclium is the tree which produces the famous opoponax. It has now got the scientific name of Opoponax Chironium, Koch. See Pereira (Mat. Med. 1040), and Lindley (Veg. King. 776.) Dioscorides gives a most excellent account of the process by which the opoponax is collected, and describes the marks by which that which is genuine may be recognized. He ascribes to it calefacient, attenuant, and emollient powers, and recommends it in a great variety of cases, such as periodical fevers, rigors, convulsions, bruises, pains of the sides, tormina, strangury, scabies vesicæ; as an emmenagogue, and a medicine which destroys the fœtus; as a liniment in sciatica; a good application to the holes of carious teeth; as forming a good plaster to bites of mad dogs; as an incarnant when applied to ulcers connected with exposure of the bone; and as being alexipharmic, and remedial in hysterical convulsions, and in many other cases. (iii, 48.) Galen also gives an interesting account of opoponax, which he represents as being hot in the third degree, and drying in the second. He recommends it particularly in ill-conditioned ulcers complicated with exposure of the bone. He says the fruit of the tree is emmenagogue. Aëtius treats of it in similar terms. The Arabians treat of this article at considerable length, as usual following in the footsteps of Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 521); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 521); Serapion (De Simpl. 252); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) They recommend it in hardness of the spleen, in pleuritic pains, and chronic coughs. They say it softens hardness of the uterus, and is useful in stillicidium urinæ. Both when taken by the mouth and in a suppository, they say it occasions abortion. Avicenna says that galbanum is used as a succedaneum for it, and that gum ammoniac is nearly allied to it.
The authorities are much divided whether the Asclepium be Cachrys Libanotis, or Echinophora tenuifolia. The former of these would appear to be the Libanotis of the ancient Mat. Med., and therefore the latter would seem to have preferable claims. Dioscorides recommends it externally as a discutient application to ulcers and tumours, and internally with wine as being an antidote to reptiles. (iii, 49.)
Sprengel inclines to think that the Chironium is the Hypericum origanifolium, Willd. Why modern botanists have applied the specific term Chironium to the first of these plants, we are at a loss to explain. Dioscorides recommends it both internally and externally for the bites of reptiles. Galen and the other authorities treat of it in general terms, like our author. The Arabians in like manner give its medicinal properties under the head of Panaces.
Papyrus, when unburnt is only simply the vehicle of other substances. But when burnt it is desiccative like burnt paper, but the ashes of the papyrus are weaker.
Commentary. It is marked Cyperus Papyrus by Linnæus. From burnt papyrus and burnt paper prepared from it, the ancients procured an impure carbonate of kali, which they used as a caustic. It is frequently mentioned by Celsus. Pliny says of it, “Charta quæ fit ex Papyro, cremata inter caustica est.” (H. N. xxiv, 51.) See also Dioscorides and Galen. The papyrus was much used by the ancients for dilating fistulæ in the same manner that prepared sponge now is. Avicenna recommends it for this purpose, and also as a styptic to stop the flow of blood. Its ashes, he says, stop the spitting of blood. (ii, 2, 536.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 132), and Ebn Baithar (ii, 244.)
Paronychia, Mountain Knotgrass, is so named because it cures paronychia (whitlow). Its powers are those of an attenuate and desiccative substance without pungency.
Commentary. The commentators are divided between the Paronychia Hispanica, Cand., and the Draba verna, or Whitlow-grass. See Sprengel (Ad Dioscorid. iv, 54); Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 105.) Dioscorides and Galen join in commending it for the cure of whitlow. Galen argues that it acts in this case by being possessed of discutient powers. We have not been able to detect it in the works of the Arabians. Neither Hippocrates nor Celsus has noticed it.
Quinquefolium, Cinquefoil, is desiccative in the third order, but by no means acrid. It is therefore greatly in use.
Commentary. Although this article be minutely described by Dioscorides (iv, 42), Theophrastus (H. P. ix, 13), and by Democritus (Ad Geopon. ii, 6), there has been considerable difference of opinion respecting it. See Parkinson, Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. l. c.), and Rutty (Mat. Med. 382.) We think that the well-known plant Potentilla reptans, Angl. common creeping Cinquefoil, answers well to the descriptions above referred to. Dioscorides recommends it for a great many purposes: its decoction for the cure of toothache, and mortifications in the mouth as a wash; for roughness of the windpipe as a gargle; for diarrhœa and dysentery; as a discutient application to many tumours and cutaneous eruptions; in intermittent fevers, epilepsy, and, in short, as our author remarks, it would appear to have been much used in ancient times. Galen, like our author, merely states its general properties as a medicine, without defining the particular cases in which it is applicable. It is the cinquefolium of Celsus, who places it in his list of things which are gently repressing and emollient. (ii, 33.) It occurs in the Hippocratic treatises. It is recommended by Apuleius for pains of the bowels, epistaxis, angina, &c. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 545); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 544); Ebn Baithar (i, 174.) They do little more under this head than repeat the cases in which it is recommended by Dioscorides. The cinquefoil is highly commended by all our old herbalists, Parkinson, Gerard, and Culpeper, and it held a place in our English Dispensatory down to the time of Quincy, who, treating of it, says, “Schröder runs through most chronical distempers in commendation of it, says that it is astringent and vulnerary, that it cures coughs, &c.” (137.) Quincy here does not seem to have been aware that Schröder was merely confirming the character of it as given by Dioscorides and Ebn Baithar.
Peplus, called by some Papaver spumosum. And this shrub has a juice and purges like the spurges.
Peplium; this too has a juice, and grows by the sea-side; for the most part, it is of no use, but the seed of it purges flatus like that of the peplus.
Commentary. There can be no doubt that they are two species of the Euphorbia or Spurge; probably the E. Peplus and E. Peplis, that is to say, the petty spurge, and small purple sea spurge. These articles are frequently mentioned as drastic purgatives in the Hippocratic collection. (Epidem. vi., &c.) Ruffus Ephesius gives them the character of being safe phlegmagogues and cholagogues. (De Med. Purgant.) Dioscorides gives them the same characters. (iv, 65, 66.) They are also mentioned by Pliny (H. N. xx, 20), but are not noticed by Celsus. Galen gives their seed the character of purging, and at the same time of expelling flatulence. All the Greek authorities on the Mat. Med. down to Actuarius (Mat. Med. v), give them exactly the same character. The Arabians briefly say of them that they purge like the Tithymallé. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 103, 104.) We may be allowed to mention, that although the E. Peplis and Peplus be now excluded from our Dispensatory, they are still to be found in the shops of the apothecaries. We concur in the opinion thus stated by Boerhaave while treating of spurge root: “We have declined these rough medicines too hastily.” (Mat. Med.) See further Rutty (Mat. Med. 520.)
Piper, Pepper; its root resembles the costus in power. But the fruit of it, while yet germinating, forms the long pepper, being more humid and hot. But that which is as it were the unripe fruit is the white pepper, being more acrid than the black, because it is over-heated. Both are heating and desiccative.
Commentary. Solinus gives the following account of it: “Quod incorruptum est Piper album. Quorum cutem rugosam et torridam calor fecerit, Piper nigrum. Qui demum caducus torretur fervido sole, vocamen trahit de colore. At quod ex ipsa arbore stringitur, ut est, album Piper dicitur.” (Polyhist. 65.). This is not quite a correct account of the matter. Black pepper is the fruit gathered before it is ripe, and dried in the sun. White pepper is the fruit of the same plant, gathered after it is fully ripe and freed of its external coat by maceration in water. Isidorus says further, “quod immaturum est piper longum vocatur.” (Orig. xviii, 8.) It is now ascertained that the Piper longum is a distinct species. Frequent mention of the peppers is made in the Hippocratic treatises. (De Morb. Mul., &c.) Dioscorides gives an excellent account of the pepper, and on the whole a very correct one, except that he does not recognize the P. longum as a distinct kind from the black and white varieties. He says of it in general terms, that it is calefacient, diuretic, digestive, and detergent of obscurities of the cornea, and recommends it in a great variety of cases, beginning with its use as a remedy in intermittent fevers. (ii, 188.) The use of peppers for the cure of intermittents is strongly recommended by Stephanus in his commentary on Galen. (Therap. ad Glauc.) Celsus prescribes pepper for a great many purposes, as being calefacient, diuretic, opening the pores, &c. (v, 4, &c.) Galen, in treating of the pepper in his work on Simples, merely says of its medicinal powers, that it is strongly calefacient and desiccative. Aëtius and the other Greek authorities copy from Galen. Avicenna treats separately of the Piper and the Piper longum, and although in one place he quotes Galen as saying that the latter is a variety of the former, he speaks of them as if he held them to be distinct plants. He says of the former, that it increases the appetite, promotes digestion; and of the other, that it is aphrodisiac. He says the white kind is the most stomachic; but the long the most laxative. On the whole, he agrees with Dioscorides and Galen as to its medicinal uses. (ii, 2, 549, 550.) See further Serapion (c. 357), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 556), Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.)
Pepo, Pompion, is possessed of detergent powers. Hence that part which is as it were the flesh of it, cleanses away freckles and the like. But the seed of it removes obstructions of the kidneys.
Commentary. It appears to be the Cucurbita Pepo, L. See Book First, sect. 80. Alexander mentions that the seed of the pepo is possessed of an emetic quality. (vii, 14.) Dioscorides and Avicenna agree in ascribing the same property to its root. The Arabians treat of this article at considerable length, recommending it externally as an application to obstinate diseases of the skin; and internally as an excellent diuretic and laxative medicine. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 89), Rhases (Cont. l. ult, iii, 20), and Serapion (De Simpl. 251.) It is clear from Avicenna’s section on the Pepo, that the term was also applied to the melon. Indeed, as we have stated more than once before, it is difficult to distinguish the summer fruits of the ancients from one another.
Periclymenon, Woodbine; the leaves and fruit are possessed at the same time of incisive and heating powers, so as to occasion a discharge of blood by urine when drunk for seven days. The seed is desiccative, and if drunk for forty days, relieves affections of the spleen and dyspnœa.
Commentary. There can be no doubt that it is either the Lonicera periclymenum, or the L. caprifolium, that is to say, either the Woodbine or the Honeysuckle. Sprengel decides in favour of the latter. Dioscorides recommends it in nearly the same cases as our author, and also says of it, that it accelerates delivery in labour. (iv, 14.) Our author’s account of it is condensed from Galen. It is not found in the works of Celsus. The Arabians give rather a confused account along with other climbing plants. See Serapion (c. 41.)
Verbenaca, Vervain, is so desiccative and astringent that it agglutinates wounds, and therefore stops hemorrhage.
Commentary. It is undoubtedly the Verbena officinalis. According to Apuleius, it is styptic, agglutinative, and abstergent. He recommends it as an application to the bites of serpents, phalangia, and mad dogs. Dioscorides, and most of the succeeding authorities down to Macer, recommend it internally for the cure of jaundice, and externally for foul ulcers. He describes two species, of which the second is the Verbena supina. (iv, 60, 61.) Galen describes only one variety, and merely recommends it as being a vulnerary herb. Ebn Baithar’s description of this plant is entirely made up from Dioscorides and Galen. (i, 498.) We are inclined to think that it is the plant described in the translation of Avicenna under the names of Pastus columbarum, s. palea. He recommends it as an application to erysipelas. (ii, 2, 551.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 530.) On its use by the Hindoos, see Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 314.)
Persica (the Peach?), is an Egyptian tree, the leaves of which are desiccative and astringent, and therefore stop hemorrhage.
Commentary. It has been generally acknowledged as the peach tree, but, as Alston and Woodville state, this supposition is attended with many difficulties. Sprengel is by no means decided; but, upon the whole, inclines to the Cordia Myxa. With this opinion we are not disposed to agree, as we have stated in another place. See under Myxa. We would hesitatingly, then, admit it as the Persica vulgaris, Miller. Dioscorides merely recommends the dried powder of the leaves as a good styptic in cases of hemorrhage. Galen and the other Greek authorities give the same character of it. The Arabians, in like manner, follow Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 22.)
Petasites, Butter-burr, is of the third order of desiccants; hence it is used for ill-conditioned and phagedænic ulcers.
Commentary. Dioscorides’s description of this plant with its petasiform leaf, leaves no doubt of its being the Tussilago petasites. He recommends it only for malignant and phagedænic ulcers (iv, 106.) Galen and the other Greek authorities say the same of it. We have not been able to find it in the works of any of the Arabians except Ebn Baithar, who, under this head, merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. It is still used by the country people as an application to foul ulcers. It was retained in the Dispensatory as late as the time of Quincy.
Petroselinum, Stone Parsley; the seed is hot and desiccative in the third degree, being incisive; and hence it occasions copious urinary and menstrual discharges. It is also carminative.
Commentary. It is the species of Parsley called the Macedonian, and known by the different botanical names of Petroselinum Macedonicum, Bubon Macedonicum, and Athomanta Macedonicum. As Miller remarks, “the Macedonian parsley is a stranger to our country, and not to be found except in curious botanical gardens.” (Gardener’s Dictionary.) It is cultivated, however, on the continent, and its seeds are still to be found in the shops of our apothecaries. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 79.) It had not wholly disappeared from our English Dispensatory in the time of Quincy (145.) Our author borrows his characters of it from Galen. Dioscorides says its seeds are fragrant, aromatic, diuretic, and emmenagogue; that it is beneficial in flatulence of the stomach and colon, and in tormina, for pains of the side, of the kidneys, and of the bladder when taken in a drink; and that it is an ingredient in diuretic antidotes. (iii, 70.) It occurs in the works of Celsus, who mentions it as an ingredient in a confection for colic, and in other cases. (iv, 14, &c.) Galen has a curious passage on the places where this plant was cultivated for the market in his time. (De Antidot. i.) The Arabians in general treat of it along with other species of parsley under the head of Apium. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 55); Serapion (c. 290); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 69); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 388.) The Arabians do little more than repeat the characters of it given by their Grecian masters.
Peucedanum, Hog’s-fennel; we use the concrete juice and sap as being considerably heating, discutient, and attenuant, both when smelled to and in a potion for affections in the lungs and chest occasioned by thick humours, and also for scirrhous spleen. When put into a tooth eaten with caries it straightway allays the pain; and it agrees with nervous affections. The root promotes the exfoliation of scales of bones, and cures ill-conditioned ulcers, proving calefacient and desiccative in the third degree.
Commentary. It appears to be the Peucedanum officinale, Angl. Hog’s-fennel, or Sulphur-wort. Dioscorides gives a very correct account of this plant, and of the well-known gum, or rather resin, which exudes from it. He says the gum is possessed of a strong smell, is of a tawny colour, and heats the taste, and when rubbed in along with vinegar and rose oil proves beneficial in cases of lethargy, phrenitis, vertigo, epilepsy, chronic headaches, paralytic attacks, sciatica, and convulsions, and in all nervous affections when rubbed in with oil and vinegar; that when smelled to it rouses from hysteric convulsions, and from catalepsy, &c. He speaks also of its being efficacious in coughs, dyspnœa and tormina; says that it loosens the belly gently, reduces swelling of the spleen, and greatly assists in cases of difficult labour; that it is useful in pains of the kidneys and in those of the bladder, and that its root is useful for the same purposes, but is less energetic. (iii, 182.) Galen also has a very interesting section on this article in his work ‘On Simples,’ explaining its action upon the principles of his system. Aëtius, like our author, follows Galen. Celsus recommends it in pains of the joints as an external application. (211, ed. Milligan.) The Arabians give it the same characters as the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 86); Serapion (c. 286.) The root and gum resin of peucedanum, although now rejected from our Dispensatory, are still to be found in the shops of the apothecaries, where they retain their ancient characters. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 80.)