Seriphon, is heating in the second degree, but desiccative in the first, being like wormwood, only it is less astringent and more calefacient than it. It is also anthelminthic, and to a considerable degree bad for the stomach.
Commentary. From Dioscorides’s description we may confidently refer it to the Artemisia maritima, Angl., Drooping-flowered Sea Wormwood. Dioscorides gives it exactly the same characters as our author, namely, that of being bitterish, astringent, and a good vermifuge. (iii, 24.) Galen says of it, that it is more powerfully anthelminthic than the absinthium. The Arabians treat of it along with the absinthium. It is not to be found in the works of Hippocrates and Celsus.
Seseli, Hard Meadow Saxifrage (?) or Hartwort; the root, and more especially the fruit, is considerably heating with tenuity of parts, and is also diuretic. It agrees with epilepsy and orthopnœa.
Commentary. Our author, it will be remarked, gives only one species of Seseli, which there can be no doubt is the same as the Seseli Massiliense of Dioscorides (iii, 53), about which, notwithstanding its being long held to be an important article in the Mat. Med., there is considerable difference of opinion. We, for reasons which we have not room to state, were inclined to refer it to the Laserpitium Siler; but the authority of Clusius, Lewis, and Sprengel has determined us to recognise it as the Seseli tortuosum. The other two species we are quite satisfied are the Bupleurum fruticosum and Ligusticum Peloponnesiacum. Compare Sprengel ad Dioscor. (l. c.) with Gray (Suppl. to the Pharm. 80.) Dioscorides represents the first species as being a diuretic, expectorant, and uterine medicine. He says it was given not only to women, but to goats and other animals to assist parturition. Of the other two species, he merely says that they are possessed of the same virtues. Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius merely give the general characters of the first species, in nearly the same terms as our author. This, beyond dispute, is the “Sil” of Apicius (c. 34), and of Celsus (v, 23.) The latter merely mentions it as an ingredient in the celebrated antidote of Mithridates. (Ibid.) We can find little or no additional information respecting it in the works of the Arabians. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 626); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 654); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion (De Simpl. 190.) Aben Mesuai, one of Serapion’s authorities, thus sums up its characters: it is hot and dry in the end of the second degree; cuts and dissolves viscid and congealed phlegm, and therefore opens all the pores and passages which are shut up; provokes urine and the menstrua; and is beneficial in asthma and all cold pituitous ailments. The seeds of seseli held a place in our Dispensatory as late as the times of Quincy (158), and of Lewis (ii, 366.)
Sepia, the Cuttlefish; its shell has powers like those of an oyster, but is attenuant and more detergent; hence, if burnt, it attenuates pterygium along with fossil salts. When unburnt it clears away sycosis when rubbed upon the part, and proves detergent to the skin.
Commentary. It is the Sepia Loligo, L. We need scarcely mention that the shells of fishes consist principally of lime. As represented by the ancients, therefore, they form a detergent application to the skin. All the authorities recommend it in nearly the same cases, namely, as an ingredient in stimulant collyria, and in obstinate cutaneous diseases, and as a dentifrice. See Dioscorides (ii, 23); Galen (De Simpl.); Celsus (v, 29); Aëtius (ii, 190.) Aëtius gives the fullest account of this article. (l. c.)
Sesamoides; the seed of the white species heats, is detergent, and procures the rupture of abscesses.
Commentary. This article, which occurs in the Hippocratic treatises, and of which two species, the great and the small, are described by Dioscorides, has been the subject of much controversy. See Parkinson, Sprengel, and Dierbach. We are willing to acquiesce in Sprengel’s decision regarding them, namely, that they are the Reseda Mediterranea and canescens. It appears that they were used principally in combination with hellebore, and that the one evacuated upwards, and the other downwards. (Dioscor. iv, 150, 151.) Ruffus treats only of the small, which he represents to be cholagogue and phlegmagogue, when its seed is taken to the amount of an acetabulum. (De Med. Purg.) It does not occur in the works of Celsus, and does not seem to have been much in repute. Galen gives nearly the same account of it as Dioscorides. We have not found it in the works of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, one of whose Arabian authorities speaks of its being used in paralysis. (i, 252.)
Sesamum, Oily-grain, is glutinous and fatty in no small degree; hence it is emplastic, emollient, and moderately calefacient.
Commentary. All the authorities acknowledge it as the Sesamum orientale. Pliny ranks it among the summer corn of India. He says, that an oil is procured from it, and that it forms a good application to burns. (H. N. xviii, 22; xxii, 64.) This account of it in fact is condensed from Dioscorides, who recommends both the plant and the oil in various external complaints, including burns, inflammations of the eyes, the bites of venomous animals, &c. (i, 41, ii, 121); Celsus ranks it among his emollients, and recommends it as an hepatic. (iv, 8.) Galen and Aëtius give nearly the same account of it as our author. The Arabians treat of it at great length, both as an article of food and of medicine. See Serapion (De Simpl. 86); Avicenna (ii, 2, 642); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 650); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (i, 254.) They all recommend it for the same purposes as the Greeks, and as a good application to fissures and suggillations.
Seps (which some have called the Chalcidic Lizard), when drunk in wine cures those who have been bitten by it.
Commentary. It is called ζύγνις by Aristotle. (H. A. viii, 23), and hence it has got the name of Zygnis tridactyla. Solinus says of it, “Ictus sepium putredo sequitur.” (Polyhistor. c. 40.) Our author’s account of it is taken literally from Dioscorides. (ii, 72.) It is briefly noticed by Aëtius, but we have not found it treated of by any of the Arabian authorities on the Mat. Med. except Ebn Baithar, who merely gives an extract from Dioscorides under this head. (ii, 199.)
Saliva; that of men in a fasting state is particularly discutient and detergent; it therefore clears away the lichen of children when the parts are anointed with it. It also concocts furunculus when applied along with wheat that has been masticated in it. It removes hypopion. It is likewise most destructive to those venomous animals which prove fatal to men.
Commentary. Our author’s account of the medicinal properties of Saliva is abridged from Galen, who gives a very elaborate disquisition on the virtues of it. Pliny’s statement is fuller, but contains many superstitious notions. (H. N. xxviii, 71.) Serapion copies from Galen. (c. 447.) It was principally as an application to cutaneous eruptions and sores that the ancient physicians made use of saliva, and it would appear to be not ill adapted to that purpose. Dr. Thomson, in his work on Chemistry, has the following remarks on it: “Saliva has a great affinity for oxygen, absorbs it readily from the air, and gives it out again to other bodies; hence, in all probability, the reason that saliva is a useful application to sores of the skin. Dogs and several other animals have recourse to this remedy, and with much advantage.” (Book v, c. ii, sect. 13.) Galen contends strongly that human saliva is destructive to animals, and appeals to Nicander in confirmation of this venomous opinion. He further mentions having seen an instance of a scorpion being killed by human saliva alone. All the Arabian authorities ascribe this virtue to it. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 599, 613); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 602); Ebn Baithar (i, 144.) These all, in fact, do little more than copy from Galen. Redi, in opposition to all the ancient authorities, denies that human saliva is destructive to the viper. “Non nostrum inter eos tantam componere litem!”
Sideritis, Ironwort, the Heraclean, called also Helxine, has been treated of. The Achillean Sideritis is like to it, but more astringent. Hence it agrees with fluxes.
Commentary. This is one of the articles in the ancient Materia Medica which has never been satisfactorily determined. See Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, pluries) and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor.) The first species of Dioscorides, namely, the Herculia, is the same as the Helxine of our author, and has been already treated of. The other two we would hesitatingly set down as the Sanguisorba officinalis and Geranium Robertianum. The reputation which the latter has enjoyed in modern times, as a vulnerary, appears to us strongly confirmatory of the opinion that it was one of the siderites of the ancients. See Hill (Mat. Med. 407) and Lewis (Mat. Med. i, 464.) So striking and important an article as the Robertianum is not likely to have escaped the observation of the Greek and Arabian Rhizotomi. Apuleius says that the Latins call it Ferraria. Dioscorides commends it as a vulnerary medicine. Galen does the same, and further praises it as an astringent application in cases of hemorrhage, dysentery, and female flux. We find difficulty in discovering traces of it in the works of the Arabians, although we incline to the belief that they have not entirely overlooked it. The burnet is still cultivated in gardens. See Loudon (Encycl. of Garden. 744.)
Ferrum, Iron; when frequently extinguished in water it imparts a considerably desiccative power to it. When drunk, therefore, it agrees with affections of the spleen. But, if extinguished in wine, it is useful in cæliac and dysenteric affections, cholera, and resolution of the stomach.
Commentary. Our author’s account of Iron is mostly taken from Dioscorides. He says the ærugo ferri astringes, and hence it stops the female flux in pessaries, and when drunk prevents impregnation; when rubbed in along with vinegar it cures erysipelas and exanthema; it is very useful for whitlow, pterygia, asperities of the eyelids, and condylomata; it strengthens the gums, is a useful liniment in gout, and thickens the hairs in alopecia; and he concludes with what our author says of the virtues of water in which heated iron has been extinguished. (v, 93.) Pliny, in like manner, says of it: “Calefit ferro candente aqua, in multis vitiis, privatim vero dysentericis.” (H. N. xxxiv, 44.) Celsus commends chalybeate water in enlargement of the spleen. (iv, 9.) Cælius Aurelianus mentions it among the remedies for epilepsy. (Chron. i, 4.) Scribonius Largus calls it a wonderful remedy for diseases of the bladder. (Comp. 146.) The Arabians borrow their account of the ærugo ferri almost entirely from Dioscorides. See Serapion (De Simpl. 403); Avicenna (ii, 2, 247); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 295.) They give nothing original under the present head. The στόμωμα, according to Pollux, is hard iron, that is to say, steel. The scales or rust of the edges of weapons made of steel were much used by the ancient physicians, both internally and externally, as astringents and styptics. See a full account of their medicinal properties in Pliny. (H. N. xxxiv, 66.)
Cucumis, the Cucumber; the esculent, when green, is cooling and diluent in the second degree; and the flesh of it soothes hot inflammations. The seed is detergent and incisive, promotes the discharge of urine, and clears the body. But when dried, both the seed and root prove desiccative in the first order, and more detergent. The juice of the fruit of the wild cucumber is called Elaterium. That of the root and leaves is like to elaterium, but weaker. The root is detergent, discutient, and emollient, but the juice is desiccative.
Commentary. We have already stated more than once that the Σ. of the Greeks or Cucumis of the Latins was applied to several species of the summer fruits. Our author, we presume, applies it here to the Cucumis sativus. His account of its medicinal qualities is abridged from Galen. Dioscorides calls the seed of the Cucumis sativus moderately diuretic, along with must answering well in ulcerations of the bladder, and says that its leaves, in a cataplasm with wine, are useful in the bites of dogs. The Arabians give the same account of it, but evidently mix it up with the characters of the gourd, as given by their Grecian masters; it is, therefore, almost impossible to discover when they are treating of the one and when of the other. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 89); Serapion (De Simpl. 143); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 260.) The seeds of the cucumber long held a place in our modern Dispensatories, and were ranked as one of the greater cold seeds. See Quincy (107) and Lewis (Mat. Med. i, 380.) Elaterium, or the fruit of the wild cucumber, was much used by the ancient physicians from Hippocrates downwards. Theophrastus and Pliny affirm that it is the most durable of all medicines, and that it had actually been known to retain its virtues for two hundred years. It was given internally as a hydragogue, and applied externally in cases of lichen, scabies, impetigo, and the like. Of it, however, we have treated fully under elaterium, as a medicine in this section, and as a poison in Book V (64.) Dioscorides gives an account of the virtues of its leaves and roots, the juice of which he recommends as an external application in leprosy and other cutaneous diseases, and as an hydragogue and cholagogue in dropsy. Galen treats of them in more general terms, like our author. Ruffus says its root is suitable to dropsical cases. It is the Cucumis sylvestris, seu asininus, of the Arabians, who treat of all parts of it at great length. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 177); Serapion (c. 204); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 143); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 54, 567); Ebn Baithar (ii, 210.) One of Rhases’s authorities says, that in a pessary the wild cucumber kills the fœtus. Another of them says an external application of it to the head is of great use in headaches. Haly Abbas recommends it as a purge in paralysis and colic. One of Serapion’s authorities is an Arabian, named by him Habix, who gives a very interesting account of the wild cucumber, which he describes as being more sharp and bitter than the wild gourd.
Sillybum, is a thorny shrub, like the white chamæleon, but edible. The juice of the root of it, when drunk with honeyed water to the amount of a drachm, is emetic.
Commentary. Matthiolus admits that it was totally unknown to him. Is it not the Carduus Mariæ, or Common Milk-thistle? See Alston (Lectures) and Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 976.) Sprengel joins Lobelius in acknowledging it as the Sillybum marianum, Gaertn. Harduin makes it to be the Cardo Marie of the Italians. (Ad Plin. xxxvi, 25.) Pliny says of it, that its concrete juice evacuates bile. (H. N. xxvi, 25.) Our author’s character of it is taken from Dioscorides (iv, 156.) None of the other authorities give any more distinct description either of the plant itself or of its virtues. Galen has omitted it altogether, and we have not been able to find it in the works of the Arabians, unless it be the plant treated of by Serapion. (c. 305.) Though this article (supposing it actually to be the Carduus Marianus) has long ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory, it would appear that it is not wholly unknown to the shops of the apothecaries. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 64.) An eminent authority of his day, Crantz, describes the Carduus Mariæ as being sudorific, diuretic, and deobstruent, and a remedy to ill-conditioned sores. (Mat. Med. ii, 157.) It must be admitted that this character does not well agree with that of the Sillybum as given by Dioscorides.
Silurus, the Shad-fish, pickled and eaten, clears the trachea when in a humid state. In a cataplasm it extracts sharp weapons of wood.
Commentary. Artedi calls it, Silurus cirris quatuor in mento,—γλανὶς (Aristot.); glanus et glanis (Plin.); Angl. “the Sheat-fish” (Descr. spec. pisc.) In the Linnæan arrangement it is called Silurus glanis. We have treated of it as an article of food in Book I. Dioscorides recommends it as a medicine in the same cases as our author, and also says of it that its brine is useful in dysenteric affections as a hip-bath, by determining the defluxion to the surface, and that in clysters it cures sciatica. (ii, 29.) We have not been able to find any account of it in the works of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who gives a pretty full account of it from both Greek and Arabian authorities. (i, 245.)
Blatta Pistrina, or the moth found in bakers’ shops, the entrails of which, when boiled and pounded, cure earache.
Commentary. It is evidently the Blatta orientalis. Pliny and Dioscorides also recommend it in cases of earache. (ii, 38.) None of the other authorities make much account of it.
Silphium or Laserpitium, Laserwort, is an excellent calefacient medicine; but it is also flatulent and indigestible. When applied externally to the body it is more active, and especially its juice, being possessed of attractive powers. It has also some purgative property.
Commentary. It has long appeared to us that one passage in the works of Dioscorides is of itself quite decisive of the question as to the identity of the ancient silphium and our assafœtida. Treating of the gum-resin, sagapenum, he says, “in smell it is intermediate between galbanum and the juice of silphium.” (iii, 85.) Now, in Duncan’s Edinburgh Materia Medica, it is said of sagapenum, that “it holds a kind of middle place between assafœtida and galbanum.” (Sixth edition, 387.) Its juice, that is to say, its concrete juice, or gum-resin, was assafœtida, of which the Cyrenaic and Median juices, already treated of by us, were varieties. The stalk, the leaves, and the juice are all treated of by Dioscorides, in his chapter on Silphium, wherein he has given so full an account of them that we dare scarcely venture upon an abstract of it. He says of the varieties of the juice, that the Cyrenean is the most fragrant, so that when tasted it scarcely affects the breath, whereas, the Median and Syrian are weaker, and have a more offensive smell. He says of it, that of the different parts of it, the most efficacious is the juice, then the leaves, and then the stalk. He recommends it, both externally and internally, for a great variety of medicinal purposes, in diseases of the eyes, in toothache, as an application to the bites of venomous animals, as an application to gangrene, corns, and callus; in affections of the bronchi, and of the tonsils, in cynanche, catarrhs, pleurisy, jaundice, and dropsy; in rigors, along with pepper, frankincense, and wine, in cæliac affections, and in short, in a great many other complaints. (iii, 84.) But long before his time the silphium had been introduced into the practice of medicine, and used in procidentia and other complaints. See Hippocrates (De Fistulis; de ratione vict. in acut., &c.) It is indisputably the laser and laserpitium of the Latin authors. See in particular Celsus (iv, 2); Pliny (H. N. xxii, 49.) The latter passes an elaborate encomium upon it, founded, however, for the most part on the contents of Dioscorides’s chapter on the Silphium. From it the identity of the Greek silphion and the Roman laser is clearly made out. Passing by Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius, who supply nothing very interesting on this head, we now turn to the Arabians. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 9, 52, 474); Rhases (Cont.. ult. i, 50); Serapion (De Simpl. 251); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (i, 84.) Avicenna describes two varieties of the Assa seu Laser, namely, the fœtida and the odorifera, the virtues of which he gives in nearly the same terms as Dioscorides. He says distinctly that the fetid or black kind is not used in the cooking of food. He praises them as procuring eructations and acting as carminatives, and as proving stomachic. There appears to be a disagreement among the Arabian authorities of Serapion regarding the virtues of the assa, some of them representing it as good for the stomach and liver, and others as bad. One of them, Habix, mentions that it was used as an application to the wounds of poisoned arrows, and to preserve meat from putrefaction. Ebn Baithar’s Arabian authorities describe very accurately the two varieties of the assa, namely, the fragrant and the fetid, and commend both very highly as medicines, more especially as carminatives, and as acting very beneficially on the stomach, liver, and uterus. Some of them say that assa promotes menstruation, and even procures the expulsion of the fœtus. The assafœtida still retains the name of silphion in the Greek Pharmacopœia. (Athens, 1837.) M. Pacho says that the Arabs call it derias, and he proposes to class it as a species of laserwort, under the name of Laserpitium derias.
Sison, Bastard Stone-parsley, is heating, diuretic, and digestive. It likewise promotes menstruation and removes obstructions of the viscera.
Commentary. It appears to be the Sison Amomum, called by Miller the Stone-parsley or German Amomum. Our author copies from Dioscorides, who further mentions of it that the natives of Syria, where it grows, use it as a condiment. Galen commends it as being bitterish, and hence proving diuretic, digestive, emmenagogue, and deobstruent. We do not find it in the works of the Arabians.
Sium, Water Parsnip or Celery (?), is hot, diuretic, and discutient. It breaks down renal calculi and promotes menstruation.
Commentary. It appears to us highly probable that it is the Sium latifolium, or Upright Water-parsnip, which once held a place in modern Dispensatories, and not the S. nodiflorum, as Dierbach decides the σ. of Hippocrates to be. It is the laver of the Romans, and is recommended by Pliny as a cure for tormina. (H. N. xxvi, 32.) See Harduin (Annot. l. c.) Dioscorides says it is useful in dysentery, and is diuretic, emmenagogue, and lithontriptic. (ii, 153.) Galen gives the same account of it as our author. It does not occur in the works of Celsus. The Arabians, in treating of it, borrow almost everything from Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 556, 633); Serapion (De Simpl. 290.) The latter describes it as a species of apium which grows in water.
Sisarum, Garden Parsnip; the root, when boiled, is stomachic and diuretic, being heating in the third order. The seed consists of subtile particles, and is powerfully discutient. It is, therefore, given to persons affected with hiccough and tormina, in wine.
Commentary. It is the Pastinaca sativa or Garden Parsnip, according to Sprengel. In the translation of Rhases it is said to be the same as nigella, but this would seem to be a mistake. (Contin. xxxvii.) Dioscorides briefly says of it, that it is palatable, stomachic, diuretic, and a whetter of the appetite. (ii, 139.) Galen says it is calefacient, with a certain degree of bitterness and astringency. It appears certainly to be the siser of Pliny and Celsus, the latter of whom places it in his list of diuretics. (ii, 31.) The Arabians, in treating of it, copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 652.) From the account we have given of this article it will be seen that recent authorities hold that it is not the same as the Sium Sisarum, Skerret, as has been generally held, but the Parsnip. It would follow from this that it is identical with the ἐλαφόβοσκος of Dioscorides (iii, 73), which we must say that we are scarcely prepared to join Sprengel in admitting. After mature deliberation, then, we fear we must rank this with the undetermined articles in the ancient Materia Medica.
Sisymbrium, Wild Mint, called also Cardamine, because it is like the Cardamus. When dried, it belongs to the first order of calefacients and discutients; but when in a humid state, to the second.
Commentary. Dioscorides says of his first species that it resembles the garden mint, and Pliny states that it degenerates into calamintha or wild mint. It would appear, then, to be a species of mint. Stackhouse inclines to this opinion. (Index to Theophrastus.) The other, called also cardamine and sium, can be no other than the Nasturtium officinale. Dioscorides says of the former species, that it is useful in strangury, calculus, tormina, and singultus; and that in a cataplasm it relieves headache, is useful in the stings of wasps and bees, and stops vomiting. His other species he recommends as an application to certain diseases of the skin. (ii, 155.) Galen, in like manner, treats of the two species in nearly the same terms as our author, whose description of the former species, by the carelessness of transcribers, is given under the head of the preceding article, Sisarum. The Arabians treat both of the sisymbrium and the nasturtium, but it is not clear that they apply these terms to the same substances as Dioscorides does.
Scammonia, Scammony, has the properties of heating, discussing, and clearing away bilious matters, more especially the juice of it, which discusses phymata, kills the fœtus when applied in a pessary, and removes leprosy. As an embrocation with vinegar and rose-oil, it cures chronic headaches; and the root, when drunk, acts as a purgative both by itself and in decoction. Boiled with vinegar and barley-flour, it is applied to diseased hip-joints.
Commentary. Without doubt it is the Convolvulus Scammonia. Dioscorides likewise describes another species, which Sprengel supposes to be the C. farinosus, L. The scammony is called δάκρυ κάμωνος by Nicander, and δακρύδιον by Alexander. (i, 10.) All the Greek, Latin, and Arabian authorities who make mention of it, state that it is a powerful purgative, which evacuates phlegm and bile. Marcellus Empiricus correctly remarks, that it does not answer when the stomach is weak. Celsus prescribes it for the broad intestinal worm, and in other cases. (iv, 17.) It also occurs in the Hippocratic collection. This is an article which the Arabians treat of very fully. See Serapion (De Simpl. 303); Avicenna (ii, 2, 628); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 612); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 54, 554); Mesne (De Simpl. i); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 27.) The last of these writes of it at very great length. Haly Abbas says scammony purges bile, attracts humours from the distant parts of the body, but is injurious to the stomach and liver. Avicenna and Serapion agree that it hurts the stomach, liver, and heart. They also state that it is a purgative, but one not in general to be depended upon, as different preparations of it act with different degrees of activity. They recommend it as an external application in cases of leprosy, scabies, and other cutaneous diseases. One of Serapion’s Arabian authorities gives a very minute description of the different varieties of it. He says the dose of it is from 6 to 20 grs. In large doses, one of Rhases’s authorities states that it brings off bilious and bloody discharges, but in small doses, it is said to be diuretic without acting upon the bowels at all. An overdose, Avicenna remarks, may prove fatal. Mesue treats of it at great length and with much judgment, giving very minute directions about the choice of the different kinds of it, and the correction of any bad qualities they may possess.
Scandix, Shepherd’s-needle, is a wild potherb, heating and desiccative in the second order. It is diuretic, and removes visceral obstructions.
Commentary. We have treated of this potherb in Book I. It is the Scandix australis. Our author takes his character of this plant from Dioscorides. (ii, 167.) Galen infers from its being slightly acrid and bitter, that it is diuretic and deobstruent. None of the Arabians, we believe, treat of it, with the exception of Ebn Baithar. (ii, 23.)
Scincus, Skink; the parts about the kidneys are drunk to occasion erection of the privy member. The seed of lettuce, when drunk with water, is supposed to counteract them; and likewise the decoction of lentils with honey.
Commentary. The Skink is a small animal, like a lizard, of the shape of a crocodile, and from ten to twelve inches in length. It was described by Ray and Gesner under the name of Crocodilus terrestris. Its Linnæan name is Scincus officinalis or algeriensis. Dioscorides calls it a land crocodile, and recommends it in the same complaints as our author. He concludes by saying of it that it is an ingredient in antidotes; and, in fact, its principal use was in the composition of the famous Theriaca. Such of the Arabians as notice it give it the same medicinal character as the Greeks, that is to say, they represent it to be strongly aphrodisiac. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 596) and Ebn Baithar (ii, 32.) The latter gives a lengthy and interesting account of it. Rhases briefly notices it without saying anything of its medicinal uses. (Contin. l. ult. ii, 681.) In the East the skink is still eaten as a restorative and aphrodisiac. See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 278.)
Squilla, the Squill, is possessed of incisive powers, and is calefacient and desiccative in the second order. It is better to take it roasted or boiled.
Commentary. It is the Scilla maritima. It is mentioned by Hippocrates, and was a favorite medicine of the ancient physicians. Dioscorides’s chapter on the Squill contains much valuable matter. His description of the process of baking squills is so like that given in Pemberton’s edition of the ‘London Dispensatory,’ that one may take the latter as a translation of it: “Scillæ coctio, the baking of squills. Inclose the squill in paste of wheat flour, having first separated the outer skin and the hard part, from which the fibrous roots grow; then bake the squill in an oven till the paste is dry, and the squill is rendered soft and tender throughout.” He recommends it in cases requiring a copious evacuation of urine, such as dropsies, diseases of the stomach, those cases in which the food floats on the stomach, in jaundice, chronic coughs, asthma, &c. He also says of it that it is alexipharmic. (ii, 202.) Celsus frequently prescribes “scilla cocta,” as in tympanites and in anasarca. (iii.) It is frequently recommended and described, in a word, by all the authorities, Greek, Roman, and Arabian, in the same class of cases. See Galen (De Simpl. viii); Aëtius (i); Oribasius (Med. Coll. 12); Apuleius (De Herbis); Columella (De R. Rust. xii, 33); Serapion (De Simpl. 304); Avicenna (ii, 2, 590); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 680); Mesue (De Simpl. vi); Ebn Baithar (ii, 216, 309); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 43). Serapion’s account of its medicinal properties is particularly full. It is given, he says, as a laxative in fevers, and in dropsy as a diuretic; as a remedy for indigestion, for jaundice and tormina of the bowels; for an old cough, asthma, and spitting of blood; and for cleansing the breast of gross humours. It is to be avoided, he says, when there is an ulcer in any internal part. Apuleius recommends it along with vinegar and honey in dropsy. He adds, that it evacuates by urine. Columella gives a receipt for making a vinum scilliticum, which is useful, he says, “ad concoquendum, ad corpus reficiendum, itemque ad veterem tussim et ad stomachum.” (l. c.) Mesue particularly commends it as an expectorant, and recommends the vinegar, the oxymel, and the syrup for this and other medicinal purposes. Avicenna treats of it with his wonted accuracy, recommending it in complaints of the gums, teeth, and mouth; for asthma, and all inveterate coughs; in epilepsy, and in melancholy. He moreover particularly commends it in diseases of the spleen, and in dropsy and jaundice. He forbids it to be used in ulceration of the viscera. Ebn Baithar gives very copious extracts from preceding authorities, both Greek and Arabian. He treats separately of the scilla and pancratium. See under the latter.
Scolopendra; the sea scolopendra, when boiled in oil and rubbed upon a part, acts as a depilatory. When burnt it occasions pruritus.
Commentary. See Book V. The sea scolopendra is the Aphrodite aculeata. All the authorities who notice it recommend it for the same purposes as our author. See Dioscorides (ii, 16.)
Scolopendrium, the same as asplenium.
Commentary. It is the Asplenium Ceterach. See under Asplenium.
Scolymus, Golden Thistle, is a calefacient and desiccative medicine of the second order. The root of it, when boiled with wine, brings off a quantity of fetid urine, and cures the fetid smell of the armpits and of the whole body.
Commentary. From the descriptions of it given by Theophrastus (H. P. vi, 4), and Dioscorides (iii, 14), one can scarcely entertain a doubt that it was the Scolymus Hispanicus, or Spanish Cardoons, an esculent root, well known in the southern parts of Europe. Compare Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. iii, 14) with Lindley (Veg. King. 709), and see Beckmann (Hist. of Invent. under Artichoke). Dioscorides gives exactly the same account of its medicinal virtues as our author. (l. c.) Galen writes elaborately of it, but his conclusions, as to its properties, are the same as those of Dioscorides. We have not been able to trace it out in the works of the Arabians, unless it be their harsef. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 332); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 168). The truth is, that the term scolymus was a puzzle to the ancient authorities and to their modern commentators, being sometimes, as is supposed, applied also to the Cynara Scolymus, or artichoke. See Parkinson (pluries). We have treated of the scolymus as a potherb in the First Volume, p. 114. We have hinted our belief that the harsef or harxaf of the Arabians was identical with the Σ. of the Greeks. We are confirmed in this opinion by a comparison of Dioscorides with Avicenna (l. c.), although we find that Salmasius referred it to the artichoke.
Scordium, Water Germander, is composed of varied powers, being bitter, sour, and acrid. It therefore at the same time purges and heats the viscera; promotes the urinary and menstrual discharges, warms parts which had been affected with cold, agglutinates and cleanses wounds, and proves incarnative when sprinkled dry.
Commentary. It is clearly the Teucrium Scordium, or Water Germander. Dioscorides commends it for its diuretic, emmenagogue, and expectorant powers, when given internally; and for cleansing foul ulcers. Compare his account of it with its characters as stated by Dr. Hill. Our author condenses Galen’s statement of its medicinal properties. Galen remarks that it would appear to have got its name from its resemblance in qualities to the scorodon or garlic. The Arabians would seem to have confounded the scordium with the scorodon. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 622), and Serapion (De Simpl. 331).
Allium, Garlic, is healing and desiccative in the fourth degree. But the ophioscordon, or wild garlic, is stronger than the cultivated.
Commentary. We are inclined to set down the two varieties of this substance as being Allium sativum and arenarium. See Parkinson (vii, 29), and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. ii, 181). Dioscorides gives a lengthy statement of the medicinal virtues of the garlic, which, as Galen somewhere says, was the great theriac of rustics. Dioscorides says it is the best of all medicines in the bites of vipers when taken along with wine, and that it forms an excellent cataplasm for the bites of mad dogs. He also recommends it as an application to various cutaneous complaints, such as leprosy and furfures; as an emmenagogue, both in the form of a hip-bath and fumigation; as a diuretic and remedy in dropsical diseases. (ii, 81.) Galen, like our author, merely states the general characters of the two species. It is frequently mentioned in the works of Hippocrates and in those of Celsus. The latter ranks it among the things “mali succi,” and calls it acrid, flatulent, heating, laxative of the bowels, &c. (ii, 21, 26, et alibi.) The Arabians treat of it at great length. See Serapion (De Simpl. 331); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Avicenna (ii, 2, 72); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i. 36.) They recommend it in eructations, in dropsy as a laxative and diuretic, and as an emmenagogue. They say a clyster of it relieves sciatica, and a gargle of it is useful in toothache, and clears the voice. Avicenna affirms, from personal experience, that it is an excellent medicine in the case of persons stung by venomous reptiles. Ruffus, as quoted by Serapion, says it is hurtful to the ears, the liver, the lungs, and the kidneys. Fresh garlic, he says, is diuretic, loosens the bowels, and is vermifuge. Another of his authorities says, raw garlic is vermifuge, and useful in strangury.
Scordoprason, Garlic-leek, in taste and powers is compounded of the garlic and leek.
Commentary. We are disposed to set it down as being Allium Scorodoprason. None of the authorities supply any interesting information under this head.
Scorpioides, Caterpillar, is heating in the third order, and desiccative in the second.
Commentary. We suppose it to be the Scorpiurus sulcatus, L., which is synonymous with the Scorpioides, Tournefort. Dioscorides merely recommends it as an application to the bites of scorpions. (iv, 192.)
Scorpius, the Scorpion; the land one, when applied raw, is a remedy for its own bite, and in like manner, when eaten roasted. The sea scorpion’s bile is useful in suffusions.
Commentary. See Book V. Avicenna recommends the oil of scorpions in diseases of the ear. (ii, 2, 64.) The sea-scorpion is the Cottus scorpius. Dioscorides recommends its gall in cataracts, albugo, and dimness of sight. (ii, 14.)
Recrementum, Dross; all kinds are considerably desiccative, but that of iron more than the others. This, when pulverized and boiled in vinegar, cures purulent discharges from the ears in a wonderful manner; and when taken with oxymel, proves a remedy to those who have drunk aconite. That of lead is similar to lead itself, but more astringent.
Commentary. It is called recrementum by Celsus. (v, 15.) It is the dross of a metal which is collected on the outside of the furnace while the metal is purified by heat. See Pliny (H. N. xxxiv, 27) and Matthiolus (Ad Dioscor. v, 54.) Dioscorides says of the recrementum plumbi that it has the same powers as burnt lead (v, 97), and of the recrementum ferri, that it is a remedy in cases of poisoning with aconite. (v, 94.) Celsus ranks the recrementum plumbi among the emollients. (Ibid.) Avicenna recommends the recrementum ferri as an astringent in cases of hemorrhoids and other fluxes. Like Dioscorides and our author, he says that it is an antidote to aconitum. One of Serapion’s authorities, Adamasti, says of the recrementum argenti, that it is cooling and desiccative, and useful in cardiac disease, and another, Alcanzi, says it is good for scabies and prurigo. His other extracts are from Dioscorides, Galen, and Paulus. Ebn Baithar gives an interesting exposition of this subject, but it is mostly made up from the authorities already quoted by us. (i, 348.) Rhases treats of it in like manner. (Cont. l. ult. i, 234.)
Smilax or Taxus, the Yew, is a tree of deleterious properties.
Commentary. It is the Taxus baccata, L. See Book V. (48.) It appears remarkable that Dioscorides should have allowed this article a place in the Materia Medica, seeing that he himself says that he had noticed it merely to guard against it. He says that in Narbonia (Languedoc or Savoy), the yew-tree was possessed of such a power as to prove fatal to persons sitting or sleeping in its shade. (ii, 80.) We have stated, however, elsewhere (v, 48) that great difference of opinion has prevailed regarding this reputed noxious power of the yew.
Myrrha, Myrrh, is of the second order of calefacients and desiccants. It, therefore, agglutinates wounds of the head when sprinkled upon them. It has also some bitterness; and hence it kills worms and the fœtus; and it is detergent, and, therefore, is mixed with ophthalmic remedies. It is likewise expectorant without roughening the trachea. Bœotian myrrh has calefacient, emollient, and solvent powers.
Commentary. That this is the same as our myrrh is indisputable, and the best botanical authorities are now pretty well agreed that it is the product of a dwarf shrub, to which they have given the name of Balsamodendron Myrrha. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 460); Pereira (Mat. Med. 1187.) It is mentioned in what is perhaps the oldest literary production in existence (Genesis xxxvii, 25), and is frequently noticed as a medicine in the works which bear the name of Hippocrates. (De Superfœt.; de Muliebr.) See further ‘Œconom. Hippocrat.’ (347) and Dierbach (Arsn. des Hipp. 224.) In short, this gum-resin was much used in the ancient practice of medicine. According to Dioscorides it is calefacient, soporific, agglutinative, desiccative, and astringent. He recommends it in chronic coughs and asperities of the trachea. He also states that it was used in ulcers of the eye and other complaints of a like nature. He further says of it that it is anthelminthic; that it cures fetor of the mouth, and likewise of the armpits when used as an ointment with liquid alum; that in a gargle with oil it strengthens the gums and teeth. He describes two kinds of liquid myrrh, which he calls Stacte; the finest was that which runs fluid from the tree without cutting. The other was a fluid myrrh, taken out of the midst of the larger pieces of the solid kind. See Hill (Mat. Med.) The account which Pliny gives of myrrh is highly interesting, but does not contain much that would answer our present purpose. (See H. N. xii, 33-6.) Celsus makes mention of the stacte (v, 23), and prescribes the myrrh frequently as a concocting and agglutinating substance. Galen describes it in two of his works. (De Simpl. 109, and De Antidot. T. ii, 433, ed. Basil.) Our author’s account of this substance is condensed from the former of these works. Aëtius in like manner borrows from him, as Oribasius does from Dioscorides. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 468); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 474); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion (De Simpl. 292); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 41); Ebn Baithar (ii, 496.) Our limits prevent us from venturing upon an exposition of what these authors have written upon this subject, but this is the less to be regretted, as we do not find that they add anything of much practical importance to the information supplied by their Grecian masters. They confirm, however, by their authority, all that the Greeks had stated regarding the virtues of myrrh as an emmenagogue and a medicine capable of accelerating delivery. They are also agreed that it is diuretic and expectorant. One of Serapion’s authorities says it evacuates fluids from the belly when applied as a plaster. Another of them says that in a masticatory it evacuates the brain.
It would appear that the Bœotian myrrh mentioned by Dioscorides, Galen, and our author, was the Alexanders or Smyrnium Olusatrum.
Smyrnium, Alsander (called also Hipposelinum and Apium silvestre) is heating and desiccative of the third order, being stronger than parsley, but weaker than stone-parsley. It is, therefore, emmenagogue and diuretic.
Commentary. This, it would appear, is not the Smyrnium Olusatrum, but either the Smyrnium Dioscoridis, or, as supposed by Dodonæus, the perfoliatum. In another place we have set it down as the latter, and treated of it as an article of food. (Vol. I, 114.) All the authorities give it nearly the same character as our author. See Dioscorides (iii, 72); Galen (De Simpl.); Avicenna (ii, 2, 55.) All agree that it is an excellent diuretic and emmenagogue. It is the olusatrum of Scribonius Largus.
Sonchus, Sow-thistle, is astringent and sensibly cooling both when applied externally and eaten. But when dried, it is moderately calefacient.
Commentary. It would appear to be the Sonchus oleraceus, but this is not quite certain. Dioscorides describes three species, of which the first two are, perhaps, but varieties of the Sonchus oleraceus, although some of the authorities would refer the first to some distinct species, not well determined. Galen and our author describe only one species, which would certainly appear to have been the S. oleraceus, a well-known plant, which held a place in our Dispensatories until a late date. See Quincy (i, 11, 510.) Dioscorides calls it sub-astringent, and recommends it in a cataplasm for heat of the stomach and inflammations, and its juice for stomach-ache and to attract milk; when applied on wool, he says it relieves inflammations of the anus and uterus; and that its root and stem are useful to persons bitten by scorpions. (ii, 158.) Galen merely states its temperament and qualities in general terms. We are not aware that it is described by any of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives the descriptions of it from Dioscorides and Galen. (i, 211.)
Sparganium; this also is possessed of desiccative powers.
Commentary. It is the Sparganium simplex. Pliny recommends it as an antidote to the sting of serpents. (H. N. xxv, 63.) He, as usual, borrows from Dioscorides. (iv, 21.) Galen treats of it as briefly as our author. Few, if any of the other authorities, notice it. Its congener, the S. ramosum, is still kept in the shops with the reputation of curing the bite of the viper. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 15.)
Genista, Broom, by which they bind vines; the fruit and flower of it, when drunk with honeyed water to the amount of five oboli, purge upwards, like white hellebore, without danger. But the fruit also purges downwards. The twigs remedy ischiatic diseases.
Commentary. Without doubt it is the Spartium junceum. It is the genista of the Latins, as Silvius states in his commentary on Mesue. He says that it is a powerful diuretic, and its seeds are still sometimes used with this intention. Mesue further commends it as an emetic in gout and other arthritic diseases. Dioscorides and Pliny give nearly the same account of its medicinal properties as our author. Dioscorides further commends it in sciatica and cynanche, and when given as a clyster in the former complaint. (iv, 155.) It is not easy to trace it in the works of the other authorities, except Ebn Baithar, who copies principally from Galen or Dioscorides. (i. 489.)
Lapis specularis, which some use instead of specula in their windows, and hence it has been called diaphanous. Being of the nature of gypsum, it has powers like burnt shells or oysters.
Commentary. It is the Gypsum speculare or Selenite, as is evident from our author’s description of it. Seneca says that in his time it had come to be used in windows from its transparency. (Ep. 60.) See further, Pliny (H. N. xxxvi, 45.) See Book V, 58. The Arabians praise its virtues in the cure of all fluxes; and Agricola mentions that in his time it was frequently given for the cure of dysenteries.
Spongia, Sponge; the recent, which still preserves the smell of the sea, when applied with water, wine, or oxycrate, agglutinates wounds; but if burnt, it has acrid and discutient powers. When burnt with asphaltos or liquid pitch, and applied hot, it stops hemorrhages.
Commentary. Aristotle, Pliny, Philoponus, Phile, and Avicenna acknowledge the animal nature of sponges, and yet we find it stated in most of our modern treatises on natural history that the ancients supposed them to be vegetables. Ebn Baithar, we believe, stands alone among the ancient authorities in maintaining that there is no truth in the opinion that the sponge is an animal, but that, on the contrary, it is decidedly a vegetable which grows from the rocks. (i, 45.) Avicenna recommends the use of sponge in the same cases as our author does. Serapion gives nearly the same account of it. He says that the stones found in sponges are lithontriptic. Of the two species described by Dioscorides, the hard is the S. fasciculata, Pall., and the soft the S. officinalis. He recommends sponge tent for dilating fistulous ulcers. He says they may be applied like tents to sores; that with vinegar they restrain hemorrhages; and that burnt sponges are useful in dry ophthalmy, and whenever you want to deterge or astringe; but that when washed, they apply better in ophthalmic remedies; and that, when burnt with pitch, they are suitable in hemorrhages. (v, 137.) In the Hippocratic treatises this term is generally applied to the tonsils or glands of the neck, as at ‘Epidem.’ (iv.) But in one passage of a work, certainly not genuine, it appears to be used for the sponge. (De Morbis, ii.) Celsus prescribes a sponge squeezed out of oil, vinegar, or cold water as an application to relieve the swelling and heat of the gout (iv), and for other medicinal purposes. Galen gives an interesting article under this head, and describes an ingenious process by which, he says, that he had known a hemorrhage stopped. A sponge dipped in asphaltus, or, in the absence of it, in tar, having been laid on the bleeding place, it was set fire to until it formed an eschar on the surface, while the remainder of it was left as a farther cover to the vessels. (De Simpl. xi.) The Arabians treat fully of the “Spongia maris,” and quote what Dioscorides and Galen had written respecting it. Avicenna decidedly says that sponge was supposed to be an animal possessed of motion. He and Rhases recommend it principally for cleansing sores and stopping bleeding. (ii, 2, 595, and Cont. l. ult. 676.)
Spodium has similar powers to the pompholyx.
Commentary. It is nearly the same as the Pompholyx. Pliny thus states the difference between them: “Etiamnum in ærariis reperiuntur, quæ vocant pompholygem et spodon. Differentia quod pompholyx loturâ paratur, spodos illota est.” (H. N. xxxiv, 33.) The name, in modern times, has been applied to burnt ivory. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharm. 260), and Platearius (De Simp. Med. 250.) The ancient spodium was an impure oxyd of zinc. The term, however, was sometimes applied to other recrements, as we are informed by Pliny (l. c.), and Dioscorides (v, 85.) He gives a more minute description of the preparation of it and of pompholyx. The Arabians treat of both under the general name of Tucia or Tutty, which was long retained in modern times. They used it very freely in diseases of the eyes, and also in those about the genital organs. See Serapion (c. 422); Avicenna (ii, 2, 695); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 730); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 45, 474.) The spodium occurs frequently as an ingredient in the collyria and ointments described by Celsus (v, 6), &c. We need scarcely remind the reader that tutty ointment has continued to be used as an ophthalmic even to our own times. The spodos of the Hippocratic writers would appear to have been applied in a more general sense to various recrements of the metals. (De Ulceribus.) The spodium of the Arabians would seem to have been the ashes of the privet. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 609); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 675.)
Staphylinus, Carrot, is diuretic and promotes menstruation, particularly the seed and root. But the leaves being possessed of detergent powers agree with phagedænic affections when applied green along with honey. The wild is for all purposes stronger than the cultivated.
Commentary. As Sprengel states, it is undoubtedly a variety of the Daucus Carota, L., or Wild Carrot. Diphilus, as quoted by Athenæus, says that it is acrid, nutritive, moderately stomachic, laxative, flatulent, indigestible, diuretic, and aphrodisiacal. (Deipnos. ix, 2.) Pliny mentions that it proves useful in strangury, dropsy, and several other complaints. (H. N. xx, 15.) Plinius Valerianus says of it that it had been given in diseases of the liver, spleen, loins, and kidneys, in hydromel. (iv, 32.) Our author’s account of its medicinal properties is mostly condensed from Dioscorides. He recommends it strongly as a diuretic, emmenagogue, and aphrodisiac, and says of it, that applied per vaginam it procures the expulsion of the fœtus. (iii, 52.) Galen and Aëtius give nearly the same account of it as our author. The Arabian authorities speak of it in the same terms. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 287); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. iii, 18); Serapion (c. 265.) The commentator Eustathius mentions its aphrodisiacal properties. (Ad Iliad. xviii, 560.) According to Dierbach, the σ. of Hippocrates comprehends both the Daucus Carota and guttatus. It would appear to us that this is the “Pastinaca agrestis” of Celsus (ii, 31), although his editor, Dr. Milligan, decides otherwise with regard to it. In confirmation of our opinion we refer to Pliny (l. c.), and to Beckmann’s ingenious disquisition on our kitchen vegetables in his ‘Hist. of Invent.’ He seems clearly to make out that the daucus, staphylinus, carota, and pastinaca were all merely varieties of the Daucus Carota. He is in some doubts, however, whether the “pastinaca” was not also sometimes applied to the parsnip. See, however, under Daucus.
Stachys, Base Horehound, is a shrub resembling horehound, and is calefacient in the third degree. It therefore promotes menstruation, kills the fœtus, and expels the secundines.
Commentary. It is the Stachys Palestina, or Base Horehound. Our author gives exactly the same account of its medicinal properties as Dioscorides and Galen, the latter remarking of it that it not only promotes menstruation, but is a drug used for procuring abortion. Pliny, by confounding πράσον and πράσιον, says of it that it resembles the porrum instead of the marrubium; so that his celebrated editor, Harduin, holds that the stachys of Pliny is different from that of Dioscorides. (Ad H. N. xxiv, 86.) It is quite clear, however, that the plants are identical, and accordingly Pliny, like the other, says of his stachys, that it is emmenagogue. The Arabians do not seem to treat of it.
Adipes, Fats, or Grease; all kinds dilute and warm the human body, but their powers vary according to the different temperaments of animals. That of swine, then, is the most humid of all, its powers being like those of oil. Hence it blunts sharp pains. That of goats is drier and sooner coagulated, and therefore is used as an injection to those who have sharp pains in the rectum. That of geese is hotter and more attenuate; that of domestic cocks and hens being intermediate. That of lions is the hottest of all and the most attenuate, hence it is most discutient. That of oxen has an intermediate temperament between swine and lions. That of bears cures alopecia, that of foxes, earache; as that of vipers is said to remove hairs and prevent suffusions from forming. Upon the whole, that of males is the hotter and more desiccative, and of them those which have their testicles more than those which have been cut, and of those which are full-grown than that of the others. All sorts of grease when long kept become hotter.
Commentary. Fats. Our author’s account of their medicinal properties is sufficiently ample. For further information, however, the reader may consult Dioscorides and Galen. The former gives very minute and seemingly important directions for the preparations of all these animal fats. We may just mention here a little piece of criticism which Galen bestows in this case upon his much admired predecessor. Dioscorides says of the grease or lard of goats, that it is more styptic (στυπτικώτερον) than that of swine. Upon which Galen remarks that although Dioscorides had written much and well on the Materia Medica, he often uses words in a wrong signification, as he does in the present instance, for that the above-mentioned term, which properly signifies astringent, must here be understood to mean acrid or pungent. Now we think that Galen is here correct, and that Sprengel’s attempt to bring his author, Dioscorides, clear off in the present case is not successful. Indeed, as we firmly believe that a greater master of the Greek language than Galen never existed, we may always feel secure that where the exact meaning of Greek terms is concerned, one may safely trust to him. The Arabians under this head merely give extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 461) and Avicenna (ii, 2, 70.)
Antimonium, Antimony, in addition to its desiccative powers, has also astringency. Hence it is mixed with collyria for the eyes.
Commentary. This is evidently the sulphuret of antimony. The native antimony is so rare a mineral that it is not likely the ancients had any acquaintance with it, and the factitious antimony is not described by any ancient author. For an account of the ancient antimony, see in particular Dioscorides (v, 99) and Pliny (H. N. xxxiii, 33.) It was much used by the ancients in the composition of the medicines called calliblephara. “Vis ejus astringere et refrigerare principalis autem circa oculos.” Pliny (l. c.) In the Old Testament the Jewish women are censured for this use of it. None of the Greek or Latin authors speak of giving it internally except Serapion, who quotes Badigorus (Pythagoras?) as stating that it proves a remedy for epilepsy and gross superfluities. (c. 249.) In its calcined state it was made into pastils of a square form, and hence the metal itself is called τετράγωνον by Hippocrates, as has been supposed by his expositors. See Galen (Exeg.) and Föes (Œcon. Hippocrat. 371.) Hippocrates recommends it as a medicine for purging the head (De Intern. Affect.), that is to say, as an ingredient in caputpurgia, or errhines, to the use of which he was partial. (See Vol. I, pp. 59, 60 of this work.) But with the authorities subsequent to him its principal use would seem to have been confined to collyria. See in particular Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 48); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 43.) Celsus frequently uses it for this and other purposes.
Stœbe, Knapweed; the fruit and leaves are desiccative in the third degree, being possessed of astringent powers. Hence they agglutinate large wounds; and the decoction of them relieves dysentery, hemorrhages, and discharges of pus from the ear; and in a cataplasm it is of use in suggillations of the eye from a blow.
Commentary. There has been considerable difference of opinion among modern authorities on this head, as is fully stated by Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 998), and by Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. iv, 12.) We acquiesce in the judgment of those who hold it to be the Poterium spinosum. See Galen (De Antidot. 426, T. ii, ed. Basil.) Our author’s notice of it is manifestly taken from Galen, who, in his turn, is much indebted to Dioscorides. (iv, 12.) None of the others add anything of interest respecting it. It does not occur in the works of Hippocrates nor of Celsus, nor have we been able to detect it in those of the Arabians, except Ebn Baithar, who quotes only Dioscorides and Galen under this head. (ii, 19.)
Στρούθιον. It appears singular that our author should have omitted the Struthium, which is noticed in this place by Dioscorides and Galen. This is the celebrated soap-plant used by the fullones or cleansers of cloth in ancient times. The reader will find a very interesting disquisition on it in Beckmann’s ‘History of Inventions.’ We think there is every probability that it was the Saponaria officinalis. Dioscorides represents it to be diuretic, emmenagogue, and lithontriptic, a remedy for diseases of the chest, the liver, the spleen, and for jaundice; a discutient application to indolent tumours, a sternutatory, and a masticatory. (ii, 192.) By the way, the famous writer Lucian mentions an amusing example of its use as a masticatory. (De Alexandro.) Galen states its virtues in general terms; he says it is acrid and detergent, and hence it acts as a sialogogue. We have not been able to find it in the works of Hippocrates. See Pliny (T. ii, 341, 161, 410, ed. Harduin) and Celsus (v, 18.) The Arabians treat of it very fully. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 133); Serapion (De Simpl. 362); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. iii, 38.) They all hold it to be emetic, and when it cannot be procured they recommend in its place nux vomica. They also recommend it for all the medicinal purposes enumerated by Dioscorides. The soap-wort has been used medicinally in modern times. See Culpeper (172), Lewis (M. M. 339), and Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 115.) Quincy gives a very confused account of it. (138.) In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is still retained. (144.)
Stœchas, Cassidony, or French Lavender; it is deobstruent, attenuant, detergent, and strengthens all the viscera and the whole habit of the animal.
Commentary. It appears to be the Lavandula Stœchas, or French Lavender. See Tournefort (M. M.) Pliny says that it is an odoriferous herb of a bitter taste. He adds that it promotes menstruation and relieves pains of the breast. (H. N. xxvii, 107.) Dioscorides recommends it for diseases of the chest and for antidotes. (ii, 28.) Galen has some very sensible remarks on its qualities as perceived by the taste, and recommends it in the same cases as our author. See also ‘De Antidot.’ (i.) Avicenna and Rhases recommend it for epilepsy and melancholy. According to the Arabians it is purgative and alexipharmic, but Dr. Hill denies that it possesses these powers in any considerable degree. It still held a place in our Mat. Med. when Lewis wrote. (ii, 389.) It is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Achillea, Yarrow; that which grows in water is possessed of cold powers, but the land has astringency; hence it agglutinates ulcers. Some use it for hemorrhages and fistulæ.
Commentary. The land is decidedly the Achillea Millefolium, the river the Pistia Stratiotes. The millefoil got the name of Achillea from being supposed the herb used by Achilles in dressing wounds. V. Eustathius (ad Iliad, xi, ad finem.) Our author copies almost word for word from Galen, who, however, is equally indebted to Dioscorides for the characters of the yarrow. Regarding the water plant, Dioscorides says that it preserves wounds free from inflammation, and cures erysipelas and œdema in a cataplasm with vinegar. (iv, 100, 101.) These plants are not to be found in the works of Hippocrates, Celsus, nor of the Arabian authorities, as far as we can discover, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives extracts under this head from Dioscorides and Galen (ii, 30), and of Rhases, who merely quotes Galen. (Cont. l. ult. 637.) The Pistia Stratiotes is still used by the Hindoo physicians as a demulcent in dysuria, and as a cataplasm for hemorrhoids. See Lindley (Veg. King. 125.) The yarrow held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient character down to a late date. See Quincy (92) and Lewis (M. M. 108.) It still holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (109.)
Strychnos, Solanum (?), Nightshade (?), or Alkekengi, i. e. Winter Cherry; the garden and esculent sort is astringent and cooling in the second degree. The halicacabum is like the garden, having a diuretic fruit like the grape of a vine. The bark of the root of the Strychnos somnifera when drunk with wine to the amount of a dram is soporific. And it has a diuretic seed, being of the third order of refrigerants; hence when drunk in greater quantity than twelve clusters it occasions madness. The fourth species is not used internally, but when applied externally it cures spreading ulcers, belonging to the second order of refrigerants and desiccants.
Commentary. We must not venture upon the discussion of disputed points respecting the Strychni of the ancients, for which we beg to refer our readers to the Appendix to Dunbar’s Greek Lexicon, and we shall merely state our conclusions so far as they are interesting to the professional reader. Of the four species described by Dioscorides, the 1st, or Strychnus hortensis, is the Solanum nigrum, or its variety S. miniatum; the 2d, or Halicacabum, is the Physalis alkekengi; the 3d, or S. somniferum, is the Physalis somnifera; and the 4th, or Furialis, is the Solanum Sodomæum. Several learned authorities, however, have taken the last for the Atropa Belladonna. Our author in the main follows Dioscorides, who treats of the virtues of the Strychni at so great length that we dare not attempt to follow him in the present instance. The first he does not administer internally, but recommends it very largely as an external application for erysipelas, herpes, headache, heat of the stomach, affections of the eye, the siriasis of children, earache, the fluor albus, &c. The second, he says, resembles the first in virtue. The third, he says, has the same powers as the juice of the poppy. The fourth brings on phantasies and delirium, and in large doses proves fatal. The best counter-agent to it is undiluted wine drunk and afterwards vomited. (iv, 72-5.) Celsus frequently prescribes “solanum quam στρύχνον Græci vocant,” and ranks it among those things which repress and soothe. (ii, 33.) He recommends it as an application in phrenitis and various other diseases. (iii, 18.) Galen and Aëtius give nearly the same account of it as our author. Oribasius confessedly borrows his description from Dioscorides. The Arabians treat fully of the solanum, of which Avicenna mentions that there are five species. (ii, 2, 646.) See Serapion (De Simpl. 138); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 662); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 212.) The characters which they give of these plants agree in the main so well with those given to them by the Greeks, that we need not stop to note slight differences. The Latin writers of the middle ages call solanum by the name of maurella. See Macer Floridus. He says of the strychnos that it is possessed of powerfully narcotic properties. The Solanum nigrum held a place in our Dispensatories, and retained the characters transmitted down with it from antiquity as late as the end of the last century. See Lewis (M. M.) All our old herbalists, Gerard, Parkinson, and Culpeper, speak of its virtues in the same terms as Dioscorides. Our toxicologists have decided that it is a powerful narcotic. See Orfila. The Physalis somnifera is still used in India as an application to inflammatory tumours. See Lindley (Veg. King. 621.) The alkekengi is still admitted to be possessed of a diuretic power, as stated by Dioscorides. (Ibid.) We are not aware of the Solanum Sodomæum having ever been used medicinally in modern times, but we need scarcely say that of late years the Atropa Belladonna has occupied no undistinguished place in our Dispensatories. On the Strychnos furiosa as a poison, see Vol. II, p. 224.