Pyrum silvestre, the Wild Pear; its properties are like those of the common pear, but more intense. It therefore agglutinates large wounds.
Commentary. Dioscorides mentions that it is a species of wild pear. He recommends it as an antidote to mushrooms. (i, 168.) Serapion and Mesue give it the same character.
Absinthium, Wormwood; it is heating in the first degree, but drying in the third, being possessed at the same time of astringent, bitter, and acrid qualities. It therefore evacuates bilious humours in the stomach by the bowels and by urine. But in collections of phlegm it is of no service, owing to its astringency. The juice of it is much hotter than the herb itself.
Commentary. Dioscorides also describes two other species, the one being clearly the Artemisia maritima, and the other not the santonica, although it bears that name, but rather the palmata, according to the best modern commentators. Dioscorides recommends the true wormwood (Artemisia abrotanum) in a great many cases, both externally and internally; as being diuretic and preventing surfeit when taken beforehand, relieving flatulence of the stomach and bowels; proving emmenagogue in a potion or pessary, removing the feeling of suffocation induced by mushrooms, when drunk with vinegar, and when with wine counteracting the poisonous effects of ixia and hemlock, the bites of the shrew mouse and sea dragon; its vapour removing toothache, and a cataplasm the intense pains of ophthalmy; as suiting in dropsical affections and diseases of the spleen, and in many other cases. He mentions a wine of wormwood made by the people about Propontis and Thrace, which they used for the aforesaid purposes in the absence of fever. (iii, 23.) Pliny enumerates fully the many medicinal properties which were ascribed to it. (H. N. xxvii, 28.) Galen says that it is less attenuant but as desiccative as southernwood. Apuleius calls it anthelminthic. The Arabians recommend it with the same intention. Casiri (Bibl. H. A. 336.) All the authorities hold that it is cholagogue. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 2), who is very full in describing the medicinal properties of wormwood, recommending it in infusion, in decoction, in the form of syrup, and in wine. See also Serapion (c. 14); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 9.) The last of these, after giving the opinions of Dioscorides, Galen, Ruffus, Pythagoras, and Oribasius, quotes Musy (Mesue?) as saying of it that it is stomachic, a whetter of the appetite, useful in jaundice, quinsy, inflammation of the eye and ear, hardness of the liver, spleen, and womb, and in dropsy. One of Serapion’s Arabian authorities commends it as a deobstruent, and in cases of jaundice. It occurs in the list of medicinal substances used both by Hippocrates and Celsus. The latter recommends it as being both stomachic and diuretic. Although its use as a febrifuge has been superseded by a more popular medicine of the same class, we need scarcely remark that it still holds a place in our Dispensatories. The modern Greek Pharmacopœia contains the two species which are described by the names of Artemisia Absinthium and Artemisia contra. The latter is the santonicum, its name being an abbreviation of contra vermes. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 705.)
Glans unguentaria, Nut Ben; its inner and, as it were, fleshy parts have detergent and incisive powers along with astringency: and therefore when drunk with honeyed water, to the amount of a drachm weight, it occasions vomiting and loosens the lower belly. But when taken with oxycrate it is of use for obstructions of the viscera. It proves detergent in affections of the skin when rubbed in with vinegar. Its bark is very astringent.
Commentary. There can be no dispute that this is the ben nut, the term ben being derived from the Arabians. The tree from which it is procured is said to be the Hyperanthera moringa Vahl. See Ainslie (Mat. Med. i, 197.) It is further called Myrobalanum, but the coincidence of name must not lead the reader to identify it with the myrobalans of the Arabians, of which we shall have occasion to give some account in another place. Pliny gives an interesting account of it, representing the Arabian as being the best oil in quality, and the Troglodytic or Ethiopian, as the worst. (H. N. xii, 47.) Being principally used in unguents, it has often got the name of glans unguentaria. Dioscorides writes fully of its medicinal properties, recommending it in particular inwardly, as an emetic and purgative, and externally, as an application to various cutaneous diseases, such as psora and leprosy (iv, 157.) Celsus recommends it in several places as an ingredient in emollient ointments, more especially for indurations of the spleen (iv, 9; v, 18, 4.) The Arabians, especially Avicenna and Serapion, treat of it at great length, but in nearly the same terms as Dioscorides and Galen. Of late years nut ben has been excluded from our Dispensatories; but our older authorities in modern times confirm the characters of it given above from Dioscorides, that is to say, that it acts both as an emetic and a purge, but in the latter capacity slowly and with pain. See Hill (Mat. Med. 4, 94); Rutty (Mat. Med. p. 52.)
Baccharis, Spikenard, is a fragrant herb, like cinnamon, used for garlands. It is acrid; and its root when boiled is deobstruent, diuretic, and emmenagogue. But its leaves being astringent are beneficial in fluxes.
Commentary. Regarding this much disputed article, the predominance of authority, as we think, is in favour of its being some species of Conyza. Old Gerard gives it the English names of ploughman’s spikenard and cinnamon-root, and repeats the characters of it given by the ancient authorities. It has been long since expelled from our Dispensatories. Galen, in his Commentary on the Glossa Hippocratica, mentions that the name is applied both to a herb and a Lydian ointment. It does not occur in the works of Celsus nor in those of the Arabians. Our author draws his characters of it from Dioscorides, who recommends it, among other purposes, as being emmenagogue and promoting parturition (iii, 44.)
Balaustium, the Flower of the Wild Pomegranate; it is powerfully astringent, having also desiccant and cold powers. It heals superficial sores, and stops defluxions.
Commentary. Balaustine, or the Flower of the double Wild Pomegranate, is an astringent medicine much used by the ancient physicians. Dioscorides recommends it principally as an anthelminthic to kill the broad ascaris, by which he meant the tænia. (See ii, 147.) Galen writes very elaborately on this article, contending that it is a good example of a plant possessed of an astringent quality, and stating that it was in general use with this intention externally in intertrigo and other ulcers, and internally in cases of hæmoptysis, dysentery, and in all defluxions from the stomach or womb. The Arabians give a similar account of it, and further recommend balaustine as a whetter of the appetite, and a restorative from the ill effects of intoxication, and a medicine calculated to stop vomiting. See in particular Serapion (129), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 109.) Although modern authority is not wanting to confirm what the ancients have stated regarding the efficacy of balaustine as an astringent in diarrhœa, dysentery, and menorrhagia, it has been excluded of late years from our British Dispensatories. Our continental brethren still make use of it. The modern Greek Pharmacopœia does not retain the leaves.
Balsamum, Balsam-tree; that part of it which is like its wood is desiccant and heating in the second degree. It is also composed of subtile particles, but the juice of it is much more so. Its fruit is possessed of similar powers, but its particles are less subtile.
Commentary. This clearly is the Balsamum Gileadense, or Balm of Gilead, being procured, as Dr. Pereira states, from the Balsamo-dendron Gileadense, a middling-sized tree growing in Arabia. He says, it is rarely or never employed by Europeans; but is adapted to the same cases as the terebinthinates. The Asiatics use it for its odoriferous as well as its medicinal properties. Dioscorides certainly writes strongly in its favour, recommending it as a detergent application to sores and complaints of the eyes, and internally as an emmenagogue and diuretic, and as an antidote to poisons and venomous animals. Galen treats of it much more reservedly (i, 18.) The balsam occurs in Celsus’s list of articles which concoct and promote suppuration (v, 3.) The Arabians fully coincide with the character of it given by Dioscorides. See in particular Serapion (c. 160); Avicenna (ii, 2, 81.) Though this article has almost ceased to be employed in the practice of the scientific physician, it was the instrument by which one of the most successful pieces of empiricism was perpetrated in the beginning of this century. We allude to Dr. Solomon’s celebrated Balm of Gilead.
Balote, by some called Black Horehound; it is possessed of acrid and detergent powers; therefore, when applied with salts, it relieves the bite of mad dogs.
Commentary. There appears little reason to doubt that this is the Ballote nigra, or stinking horehound of our herbalists. Our author’s account of it is abridged from Dioscorides. It is not treated of by Galen, Aëtius, nor Oribasius, neither is it found in Celsus. Avicenna and Ebn Baithar we believe are the only Arabians who notice it, and they copy from Dioscorides (ii, 2, 553, and i, 166.)
Rubus, the Bramble; its shrubby part is moderately astringent and desiccant, and therefore agglutinates wounds and stops defluxions. The root, in addition to its astringency, is attenuate in no small degree. It therefore breaks down renal calculi. Its ripe fruit is hotter, and has a moderate astringency. It is therefore edible; but the unripe is sour and powerfully desiccant, more especially if dried. In like manner also the flower.
Commentary. The first species of bramble described by Dioscorides is probably that well-known one the Rubus fruticosus, the other is the Rubus Idæus, or raspberry bush. The Β. Ἰδᾶιος of Dioscorides was supposed by Ruellius and others to be the Fragaria or Strawberry, but with this supposition we cannot agree. Strawberries are not noticed by any Greek writer, but are first mentioned by Ovid (Met. i, 104); and then by Pliny (H. N. xxv, 62.) The μόρον βατῶδες, of which mention is occasionally made by our author, was the fruit of the bramble, being so called, according to Eustathius, from its resemblance to mulberries. (Ad Iliad. xiii, 121.) Our author abridges Galen, who is at great pains in defining the powers of the batos, which he makes out to be moderately astringent and desiccative; and hence he pronounces it to be useful in dysentery, fluxes of the bowels, atony, hæmoptysis, and in calculus as a lithrontriptic. Dioscorides indulges in a still more lengthened exposition of its virtues, recommending the decoction of it as an astringent in looseness of the bowels, and in fluor albus, as an antidote to the sting of the serpent Prester; its leaves when chewed, to strengthen the gums and cure the aphthæ of children, and externally, for the cure of herpes, achor, procidentia oculi, and many other diseases (iii, 36.) It is briefly alluded to by Celsus in treating of lientery (iv, 16.) The Arabians, as usual, copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See Serapion (De Simpl. 124); Avicenna (ii, 2, 572.) The rubi held their place and ancient characters in our Dispensatories down to a late date. See Quincy (p. 94.) Even yet several of the rubi are still kept in the shops for medicinal purposes. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 89.)
Ranunculus, Crowsfoot, consists of four varieties, all of which are possessed of powerfully heating and desiccant powers, and also of acrid and caustic, so as to occasion ulceration with pain; but when moderately used, it proves only detergent of the skin. The dried root is a sternutatory.
Commentary. According to Sprengel, the first species is the Ranunculus Asiaticus; the second, the R. lanuginosus; the third, the R. muricatus; and the fourth, the R. aquatilis. Galen recommends it as a powerful escharotic, and our author evidently copies from him. Dioscorides gives a similar account of the ranunculi, recommending them for the removal of leprous nails, psora, stigmata, and other tumours, as a fomentation to chilblains, and as an application to remove toothache. The Arabians treat of the ranunculi in the same terms as the Greeks, copying their medicinal characters from Dioscorides and Galen. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 368), and Ebn Baithar (ii, 343.) Neither of them gives anything original of his own, nor from any Arabian authority. The ranunculi, we need scarcely mention, have now been discarded by the regular practitioner; but yet several of them are still kept in the shops, and have the reputation of being excellent vesicants. Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 122.) In like manner old Culpeper affirms that the crowsfoot is an effectual and a much safer blister than cantharides (p. 59.) The modern Greek Pharmacopœia does not contain it.
Ranæ, Frogs; they are eaten when made into a soup for the bites of venomous animals; when burnt, their ashes become very desiccant; and stop hemorrhages, and cure alopecia, along with liquid pitch.
Commentary. Dioscorides, Galen, and Serapion recommend them in the cases mentioned by our author. The species with which they must have been most familiar is the green frog. We have stated in another place that the Greeks and Romans did not use the frog as an article of food. (Vol. I, 166.)
Bdellium; both the Scythian and Arabian are possessed of powers which prove emollient of indurated tumours, more especially the recent. The Arabian is also diuretic, lithontriptic, and digestive.
Commentary. Dioscorides, as Dr. Ainslie remarks (Mat. Ind. i, 30), has sufficiently well described this article; and yet he adds afterwards, it is a lamentable fact that the actual tree from which bdellium is got has not hitherto been clearly ascertained by botanists. He rejects the conjecture of Sprengel, although supported by the high authority of Kæmpfer and Rumphius that it is procured from the Borassus flabelliformis, and also that of Matthiolus, who maintained that it is procured from the dwarf palm, or Chamœrops humilis. Upon the whole, the opinion of Virey, founded on the authority of Forskael, that it is got from some species of Amyris, seems to be the most probable. Dr. Pereira gives the following account of this article: “The term Bdellium is applied to two gummy resinous substances. One of these is Indian bdellium, or false myrrh, the bdellium of Scripture, which is obtained from Amyris (Balsamodendron?) Commiphora. See further Royle (Hindoos Med. p. 90.) The other kind is called African Bdellium, and is obtained from the Heudolotia Africana.” (Mat. Med. 1634.) On the Bdellium, see further what we have said in the Appendix to Dunbar’s Greek Lexicon. The ancients would appear to have been well acquainted with both these kinds of bdellium; at all events they were acquainted with the Indian, for Dioscorides has described it. He represents the bdellium to be calefacient, emollient, and dissolvent, and recommends it for dissolving hard tumours, for promoting menstruation in pessaries, and fumigations, and as an emetic, diuretic, and expectorant (i, 80.) The Arabians were evidently still more familiar with the bdellium than their Grecian masters; but have supplied little or no additional information respecting it. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 117), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 112.) Celsus recommends it frequently as an ingredient in external applications. As far as we have been able to discover, it does not occur in the works of Hippocrates.
Bettonica, Bettony, is a herb having slender branches like those of the pennyroyal, but still more slender, and is possessed of scarcely any quality to the taste. It grows mostly in rocky situations, and is used for the composition of nephritic medicines. There is among the Romans another herb called bettonica, to which Dioscorides gives the name of cestrum; but others name it psychotrophon, because it delights in cold situations, having no resemblance to the aforementioned, except its medicinal powers. In addition to its action as a diuretic, it is useful for many other purposes; for its root in particular, when drunk with hydromel, occasions vomiting, and the leaves open the bowels.
Commentary. Dr. Alston says, “There is a Libellus (De Betonica) attributed commonly to Augustus’s physician, Antonius Musa, by some to L. Apuleius, of which there are said to be very ancient MSS.” We have seen the work mentioned by Alston. It is published Tiguri, A.D. 1537, with notes by Humelbergius. It is a small work, occupying scarcely four leaves in octavo. The author commences with a dedication to Augustus, in which he informs the emperor that the betony is useful for forty-seven complaints, which he proceeds to enumerate, after giving a short description of the herb. He says of it, “Cestron vocatur, etiam psychotrophon, siquidem frigidis reperitur in locis, radicibus tenuibus, thyrso tenui ultra cubitum quadrangulo, foliis quercui similibus, boni odoris, semine in summitate thyrsi spicato, modo thymbræ.” The following are some of the cases in which he recommends it: For fractures of the head, as an external application; for pains of the eyes in a fomentation; for pains in the teeth, boiled in old wine or vinegar; for consumption and difficulty of breathing; for complaints of the liver, spleen, and kidneys; as a purgative when given to the amount of four drachms in eight cyathi of hydromel; for calculus; for dropsy; to prevent intoxication; as an antidote to poisons and the bites of venomous reptiles and mad dogs; for gout, &c. Many different opinions, as stated by Sprengel, have been entertained respecting this herb. Perhaps, as he suggests, it may have been the Rumex Hydrolapathum or Aquaticus. The κεστρεὺς of Dioscorides he thinks is the B. alopecurus. But for the general literature of this subject, we must refer to our discussion on it in the Appendix to Dunbar’s Greek Lexicon. The betony held a place in the Materia Medica down to a very late period. Both Dioscorides and Pliny recommend it in hæmoptysis and purulent affections of the chest, and it enters as an ingredient into several of Myrepsus’s antidotes for dysentery and cæliac affection. Celsus mentions it only in one place, where he says of it, that it is an useful application to the stings of venomous snakes (v, 27, 10.) For the Arabians, see in particular Serapion (322), and Averrhoes (Coll. v, 42.) Our old herbalists and other modern authorities who treat of betony, praise it as a vulnerary herb, and as being possessed of diuretic and emmenagogue faculties.
Tussilago, Coltsfoot, it is also called Bechicon; it is so named from its proving useful for coughs, and orthopnœa in fumigations; and it is composed of a hot and watery substance.
Commentary. It is the Tussilago Farfara, or Coltsfoot. Both Dioscorides and Galen recommend it in fumigations for the cure of coughs, and this reputation it has retained down to the present day. Though now expelled from our Dispensatories, a patent medicine, prepared from coltsfoot, is still in considerable celebrity. It is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 67.)
Blitum, Blite, is an esculent potherb, which is humid and cold in the second degree.
Commentary. The blite, or Amaranthus Blitum, has been long celebrated as a culinary and medicinal herb. (See vol. i, 114.) Galen and Dioscorides, like our author, treat of its medicinal powers in very brief terms. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 518); Serapion (De Simpl. 148); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 41); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 128); Ebn Baithar (i, 154.) These Arabian authorities commend it strongly as an application in diseases of the skin, and in phthiriasis, and also in alopecia and apostemes. Archigenes, as quoted by Rhases, says, the blite is more laxative than the mallow. It is treated of by our older herbalists; but has long since ceased to occupy a place in our Dispensatories.
Bulbus; the esculent is possessed of a certain degree of bitterness, and at the same time of astringency, and is desiccative and agglutinative of wounds, and also detergent. The emetic is hotter in its properties.
Commentary. We have mentioned in the First Book that Harduin considers the esculent bulbus to have been a species of onion, but that Sprengel refers it to the Muscari comosum. In addition to the reasons there mentioned for preferring the conjecture of Harduin, we have to add the account of it given by the Scholiast on Theocritus: βολβὸς ἔιδος βοτἀνης ὀμοίας κρομμύῳ Κολχικῷ. (Idyll, xiv.) There is also a good deal of uncertainty with regard to the emetic bulbus; but the predominance of authority is in favour of its being the Hyacinthus comosus. The fact of the matter, however, we believe to be that various plants having bulbous roots are possessed of emetic powers, and that the name emetic bulbus was often applied in a loose manner. Dioscorides merely says of its medicinal properties, that when eaten by itself, and when its decoction is drunk, it cures diseases of the bladder and produces vomiting (ii, 200, 201.) Galen and the succeeding authorities, like our author, treat very succinctly of it. The Arabians, also, merely copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 85); Serapion (c. 355.)
Botrys, Goosefoot; some call it Ambrosia, and others Mugwort. It is a plant sufficiently fragrant, and when drunk with wine cures orthopnœa.
Commentary. There seems no reason to doubt that this is the plant described by our old herbalists under the name of Oak of Jerusalem. It has now got the scientific name of Chenopodium Botrys. It is briefly recommended in orthopnœa by Dioscorides (iii, 120), and Pliny (N. H. xxvii, 31.) It is not noticed by Galen, Aëtius, Oribasius, Celsus, nor we believe by any of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, yet it held a place in our English Dispensatory as late as the time of Quincy.
Bubonium, has been described under Aster Atticus.
Buglossum, Bugloss, is humid and hot in its temperament. Hence when added to wines it is said to produce hilarity.
Commentary. The Borage, or Anchusa Buglossum, long held a place in the Materia Medica. From Dioscorides down to Boerhaave, it had the reputation of being a good cordial. See Dioscorides (iv, 126); Avicenna (ii, 2, 375.) We believe it is not met with in the works either of Hippocrates or Celsus.
Bunium (or Arctium), Rape; it is hot, diuretic, and emmenagogue; and the Pseudobunium in like manner.
Commentary. We treated of this article, which, notwithstanding the disagreement of the commentators and herbalists, we are willing to believe to be the Bunium Bulbocastanum, or Earth-nut, as a culinary herb in the First Book. The pseudobunium may be the Pimpinella tenuis. Dioscorides represents it to be diuretic, calefacient, possessing powers to promote the lochial discharge, and useful in affections of the spleen, kidneys, and bladder (iv, 122.) Galen and the other authorities give the same account of it as our author. It long held a place in our modern Dispensatories.
Buprestis, Burncow, is an insect resembling the Cantharis, and may therefore be prepared like it.
Commentary. Whatever doubts others may have entertained respecting the Buprestis of the ancients, we are well satisfied that it was the Meloe vesicatoria. We have treated fully of it as a poison in the Fifth Book § 31. Occasional mention of it is made in the Hipprocratic treatises. (De Mulieb. i, et alibi.)
Butyrum, Butter, is possessed of digestive and moderately discutient properties when applied to soft bodies; it is therefore of use for buboes and parotis; it attenuates the gums, more especially of children during the time of dentition, and in a linctus it concocts humours lodged in the chest.
Commentary. Though it certainly be true, as stated by Beckmann (History of Inventions), that the Greeks and Romans made very little use of butter as an article of food compared with the moderns, it is equally clear that they were well acquainted with various kinds of it, and their medicinal virtues. If, as he and Michaelis suppose, the Hebrew word, which, in the Septuagint Scripture, is rendered boutyron, signifies cream, or sour thick milk, the first mention of butter which occurs in ancient literature is in the following passage of Hippocrates: “These people (the Scythians) pour the milk of their mares into wooden vessels, cause it to be violently stirred or shaken by their blind slaves, and separate the part which arises to the surface, as they consider it more valuable and more delicious than that which is collected below it.” (De Aere, Aquis, etc.) The Hippace is also described in another of the Hippocratic treatises (De Morbis, iv.) Beckmann quotes a passage of the poet Anaxandrides, preserved by Athenæus (iv, 131, ed. Casaubon), to prove that butter is of Thracian origin. We having thus described the origin of butter, shall now give a description of its medicinal uses from the works of the medical authorities. In the Hippocratic treatises butter is several times mentioned as an external medicine. (De Natura Mulierum, v; De Morbis Mulierum, ii, 5.) But Dioscorides is the first author who gives a distinct account of its medicinal properties. Butter, he says, is possessed of emollient and oily powers, whence it loosens the bowels when drunk in large quantity, and is useful in the treatment of poisoning by deadly substances in the absence of oil; when mixed with honey, and rubbed in, it is useful for painful dentition, pruritus of the gums in children, and aphthæ; when rubbed in externally it preserves the body plump and free from watery pustules (psydracia); it is beneficial for inflammations and hardness of the womb, when not fetid or old; for dysentery and ulceration of the colon, in a clyster; it is mixed advantageously with suppurative applications, and more especially in wounds of the nerves, membranes of the brain, the bladder, and neck; it fills up, cleanses, incarnates, and proves useful as an application in cases of persons bitten by the asp. Fresh butter in cookery is used instead of oil, and in cakes instead of suet. His chapter on butter concludes with directions for preparing the sort of butter, which he represents as being desiccative and astringent in ophthalmic applications, and capable of stopping defluxions and cicatrizing ulcers. (ii, 81.) Pliny’s account of milk being mostly taken from Dioscorides, we shall not dwell upon it. He is original, however, in stating that most butter is got from cow’s milk. (H. N. xxviii, 35.) Celsus merely enumerates butter among the articles which incarnate and fill up sores. (v, 14.) Galen states that butter is contained in greatest quantity in the milk of cows, and hence it derives its name. That it has concoctive powers with a small portion of discutient, and is of intermediate powers with regard to softness and hardness of the body, by which he means that it has no powers to discuss preternatural tumours of very hard bodies, but that it concocts and discusses soft inflammations, such as parotis, bubo, boils in the mouth, and many others of a like nature. He recommends it also in dentition and inflammatory affections of the mouth in children. He also mentions it as a useful expectorant in pleurisy and pneumonia, both when drunk and in the form of a linctus. (De Simpl. ix.) Aëtius copies the description which he gives of butter from Galen. (ii, 104.) Oribasius borrows from Dioscorides. (xv, 2.) Rhases quotes Dioscorides, Galen, Oribasius, and Paulus, and gives nothing of his own. (l. ult. 133.) Avicenna also recommends butter in exactly the same cases as Dioscorides and Galen. (ii, 2, 110.) Serapion literally translates Dioscorides and Galen. (De Simpl. 457.)
Buphthalmum, Oxeye, has a flower like that of the camomile, but much larger and more acrid. It is therefore discutient, so as to cure indurations when mixed with cerate.
Commentary. The old herbalists were much puzzled what to make of the Buphthalmum, some contending for its being Helleborus niger, some a species of Consiligo, some a Chrysanthemum, and so forth. See Gerard (Herbal) and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor.) It would seem likely that it is the Anthemis Valentina. Our author borrows all that was worth copying in the chapter of Dioscorides (iii, 146.) Galen expresses himself respecting it in nearly the same terms as Dioscorides. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 97.) It is not mentioned in the Hippocratic collection.
Sabina, Savin, being like the Cypress, it is heating and desiccative in the third degree; and consisting of subtile particles, it is possessed of subtilizing and discutient powers if drunk. It is applied to mortifications like the Cypress.
Commentary. The two species of savine described by Dioscorides are probably the Sabina cypressifolia and tamariscifolia. He recommends it principally as an external application to spreading sores and carbuncles. He says it produces bloody water and abortion when drunk in wine, and when applied externally, or in the form of fumigation. (i, 104.) All the ancient authorities, including Macer Floridus (but his works, we are well aware, are not generally reputed genuine), hold it to be an uterine medicine. Its medicinal and deleterious powers are given in like manner by the Arabians. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 6); Serapion (c. 255); Ebn Baithar (i, 5.) Apuleius praises it strongly in jaundice. We need scarcely mention that savin still retains its place in our Dispensatory, being, according to Pereira, “the most certain and powerful emmenagogue of the whole Materia Medica.” With regard to its action on the animal economy, “it operates,” according to Sundelin, as quoted by Pereira, “as a specific excitant and irritant on the kidneys, and yet more obviously on the uterus.” All this shows how correctly the ancient authorities had judged of its powers.
Bretannica, Water-dock, is possessed of astringent and agglutinative powers, and in appearance resembles the Wild-dock. The juice of it cures mortifications in the mouth.
Commentary. It would not be worth while, even if this were the proper place, to touch upon the lengthened controversy which has prevailed among the old herbalists and botanical authorities with regard to this plant. Whoever would wish to investigate the subject may consult Professor Munting’s elaborate work ‘De Vera Herba Britannica,’ (Amst. 1698,) and Sprengel’s ‘Annotations on Dioscorides’ (iv, 2.) Suffice it to say, that, in all probability, the plant in question was some species of water-dock. All the authorities who treat of it give it much the same character as our author. See particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 102); Serapion (c. 222.) It held a place in our English Dispensatory as late as Quincy, who represents it (“the hydrolopathum, supposed to be the Bretannica of the ancients”) as a specific for scurvy.
Avena, Oats, has powers resembling those of barley. It is desiccative, and moderately discutient without pungency. It has also some astringency, whence it cures diarrhœas.
Commentary. It is not well ascertained whether this be an Avena or Secale. The chapter of Dioscorides under this head is probably spurious. Our author abridges Galen. It is not treated of by Celsus nor the Arabians.
Bryum; the sea-bryum or lichen is cooling and astringent, and is therefore useful when applied as a cataplasm to hot inflammations; that kind which is called splanchnon, being found on oaks, white poplars, and pitch-trees, is at the same time discutient and moderately emollient, more especially that upon cedars.
Commentary. It appears evident that it is a species of Lichen or Usnea, but what species is not clear. The term usnea is borrowed from the Arabian authors. Our author copies closely from Galen. Dioscorides recommends it as an astringent principally in affections of the womb, in the form of a hip-bath or fumigation. Avicenna (ii, 2, 713) and Serapion (c. 247) briefly notice several species of usnea without appearing to identify it with the bryon of the Greeks. Rhases, however, is quite aware of their identity. (Contin. l. ult. i, 753.) Avicenna says it is emmenagogue, and procures the delivery of the fœtus either dead or alive. He adds that, in a dose of 10 drs. it acts as a deadly poison. Serapion recommends it principally as being diuretic and emmenagogue. Several species of the genera lichen and usnea are still to be found in the shops, and have the reputation of being powerful astringents. See Gray (Suppl. to the Pharmacop. pp. 11, 12.)
Bryonia, Bryony; the White Vine is so named.
Commentary. See under ἄμπελος. Mesue recommends it as a phlegmagogue, deobstruent, and diuretic medicine; for epilepsy, vertigo, coldness of the nerves, coughs, asthmas, especially in a linctus, in pleurisy, and as an external application to hard aspostemes, inflammations of the spleen, in the form of a plaster, with figs and wine; for the removal of whitlow, spiculæ of bones, thorns, and the like. In a draught, he says, it proves emmenagogue and procures abortion. He also commends it as a cosmetic in diseases of the face. Both internally and externally he praises it in scrofula. He adds further, that it is useful in the cure of persons who have been bitten by venomous animals. In a word, no ancient author has bestowed so flattering an eulogium upon bryony as Mesue (De Simplicibus.) We need scarcely say that bryony (Bryonia dioica or alba) is now regarded in the light of a poison rather than a medicine. See Orfila (Toxicol. Gen. i, 679), and Christison on Poisons (p. 445, First edition.)
Lac, Milk; every sort of milk consists of three substances, a cheesy, a serous, and a fatty part, which last is contained in greatest abundance in the cow’s milk, and from it butter is formed. Whey is possessed of detergent properties, and hence it loosens the belly if separated by boiling. The cheesy and thick part is more compact, and on that account blunts acrid humours. When milk is boiled either by hot pebbles or any other way, it is an excellent remedy for dysenteries and other acrid defluxions on the bowels. The whole contents of milk are suitable applications for acrid humours of the eye, and all other acrimonies. The milk of a woman is of the best regulated temperament; after which the goat’s, and then that of the ass and sheep; and last of all the milk of cows.
Commentary. We have treated of the properties of milk so fully in the First Book that we need not enlarge on the subject in this place. Our author’s account of it is abridged from Galen. Dioscorides, Galen, Celsus, Serapion, and most of the authorities, recommend milk as a remedy when acrid substances, such as cantharides or arsenic, have been swallowed. Dioscorides says whey is beneficial in cases of melancholy, epilepsy, lepra, elephantiasis, and exanthemata in all parts of the body. He recommends new milk as a gargle in all ulcerations of the mouth, and in defluxions on the bowels with ulceration and tenesmus. He says, the milk of sheep, cows, or goats stops them, when boiled with pebbles, and injected either by itself or with ptisan, or the decoction of chondrus; it is also injected, he adds, in ulcerations of the womb. A woman’s milk, he says, when sucked from the breast, relieves erosion of the stomach and phthisis; it suits the cure of those who have drunk of the sea-hare, and is otherwise useful as an application to the eyes, and to the gout. All kinds of milk, he adds, are inapplicable in diseased spleen, diseased liver, vertigo, epilepsy, all nervous affections, fevers, and headaches, unless when the schiston is given to move the bowels. What the schiston was we have explained in the First Book (§ 88.) All the other authorities, whether Greek or Arabian, in treating of milk, follow Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 457.) Celsus entertained nearly the same views, with regard to milk, as the Greek authorities. Thus he recommends it in phthisis, and as an antidote to various poisons, but condemns it in headaches and acute fevers. Hippocrates prescribes milk in various instances, and seems to have been very partial to the use of it. He recommends the schiston, prepared with pebbles, in affections of the bowels. (Epidem. vii.)
Mustella, the Weasel; when burnt, its ashes are discutient. Wherefore when rubbed in along with vinegar it relieves gout and rheumatism; when prepared and dried it answers with epilepsies.
Commentary. According to Sprengel, the Γαλη is a species of mustella, but neither the M. communis, called weasel in English, nor the M. Furo, or Ferret. Our author’s description of its medicinal virtues is taken from Dioscorides.
Galium, Yellow Ladies’ Bedstraw, or Cheese Rennet; it derives its name of Galium from its coagulating milk. It resembles the cleavers, and is desiccative and subacrid. The flower of it suits with hemorrhages and burns.
Commentary. The very name, Galium verum, now generally given to the yellow bed-straw, implies that it is generally admitted to be the galium of the ancients. Dioscorides, besides assigning to it the virtues enumerated by our author, states, that it is aphrodisiacal (iv, 94.) It was principally celebrated, however, as a styptic, and this character it continued to hold as long as it obtained a place in the Dispensatory. See Quincy. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 317); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 327); Ebn Baithar (ii, 229.) They all merely copy from Dioscorides and Galen. We have not been able to find it in the works of either Hippocrates or Celsus.
Galiopsis (called also Galiobdolon), is like the nettle, but smoother and fetid, and acts as a discutient and emollient application to indurated tumours. It also agrees with spreading ulcers in the form of a cataplasm.
Commentary. Our old herbalists generally held the galiopsis of Dioscorides to be a species of Lamium. (See Gerard and Parkinson.) But whether it be that or a species of figwort (the Scrofularia peregrina) cannot be positively determined. Rutty says the Lamium maximum of C. Bauhin has all the marks which Dioscorides gives to the galiopsis. It was used only externally in applications to foul ulcers, and this character secured it a place in our Dispensatory until recent times. See particularly Dioscorides (iv, 94.) Few of the other authorities have noticed it.
Garum, Brine of Pickled Fish, is powerfully calefacient and desiccative, and is therefore used as an external application to putrid ulcers, and is administered as an injection in dysentery and ischiatic diseases.
Commentary. “Garum est exquisiti liquoris genus, intestinis piscium cæterisque quæ abjicienda sunt sale maceratis.” Rendtorpi Notæ ap. Fabricii Bibl. Gr. iv, 333; Geopon. xx, 46; Pliny (H. N. xxxi, 43); Athenæus (Deipnos. ii); Apicius (c. vii.) Coray defines it, “the juice or brine of pickled fishes.” (Ad Xenocrat. Fragment.) Sauce prepared by macerating the intestines of the tunny was particularly esteemed. Cælius Aurelianus praises that from the silurus. (Tard. Pass. ii, 1.) Dioscorides recommends the sauce of pickled fishes as a cataplasm to persons bitten by dogs, and as an injection in dysentery and sciatica (ii, 34.) All the other authorities that treat of it give it the same character. See Aëtius (ii); Avicenna (ii, 2, 486); Serapion (c. 184.) It occurs in the works of Celsus (ii, 21), and also frequently in those of Hippocrates. Foës gives a learned dissertation on this article in ‘Œconom. Hippocrat.’
Gentiana, Gentian; the root is sufficiently efficacious in subtilising and cleansing, and as a detergent and deobstruent medicine.
Commentary. Dioscorides states that the gentian (Gentiana lutea?) has a heating and astringent faculty; that it is a remedy in cases of persons bitten by venomous animals, with pepper and rue; that it is useful in hepatic and stomachic affections; that it procures abortion when applied in a collyrium; that it is a vulnerary herb, and is used for many ulcers and other cutaneous affections. (iii, 3.) Galen justly remarks that it owes its attenuant and deobstruent powers to its being intensely bitter. (De Simpl. v.) Apuleius, like Dioscorides, recommends it as an application for the bites of serpents. Hence it always obtained a place in the Theriac. See Celsus (v, 23.) Serapion says it is the best of all remedies in cases of hydrophobia, and this character it has obtained in modern times. Avicenna gives a very circumstantial account of it, enumerating all its virtues as stated by the Greek authorities, namely, its abstergent, attenuant, deobstruent, diuretic, and emmenagogue powers, and recommends it particularly as an application to parts stung by venomous animals. (ii, 2, 281.) Ebn Baithar gives very interesting extracts from Arabian authorities on this head. (i, 260.) It is found in the Hippocratic collection. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is stated that the G. lutea grows in the Alps of Switzerland. This would seem to imply that it is not a native of Greece.
Geranium, Cranebill; that species, the leaves of which resemble those of the Anemone, and has edible roots, when drunk with wine to the amount of a drachm, removes inflation of the uterus. The other species is of no use in medicine.
Commentary. Dioscorides and the other ancient authorities describe only two species of the Geranium, the former of which would certainly seem to be the tuberosum, and the other the rotundifolium. They were not acquainted with the Geranium Robertianum. Dioscorides merely says of the geranium that when drunk in wine, to the amount of a drachm, it cures inflation of the womb (iii, 121.) Few of the other authorities notice it. See Ebn Baithar (i, 10.) The geraniums held a place in our English Dispensatory until a recent period. See Quincy (p. 88.)
Terra, Earth; all kinds are desiccants; that which is unmixed with any other substance is also free of pungency; but if any fiery quality is mixed with it, it lays the same aside when washed. The fatty part, then, of wrought earth is an useful application to all organs that require drying; they use therefore the clay of Egyptian earth to dropsical and splenitic affections, and to soft swellings, with manifest advantage. Of medicinal earths, the Lemnia rubrica, or Sigillum, as it is called, in addition to its being moderately desiccative and astringent, proves an antidote to deleterious medicines, cures malignant ulcers with wine or vinegar, stops all kinds of hemorrhage, and removes dysentery and spreading ulcers of the intestines, the gut being first washed out by an injection of honied water, and then of brine. The Rubrica Sinopica, or vermilion, being stronger than the Lemnian, is used as an ingredient in plasters, and when drunk it kills worms. The Samian is much more emollient than the Lemnian, as being glutinous and viscid. It is to be used then in all cases in which emollients are indicated; but it also cures spitting of blood from whatever part it proceed. The Selenusian and the Chian are more detergent, and are therefore used by some women in the cleansing applications to their faces. It also produces the incarnation and cicatrization of ulcers, more especially of burns. The unwashed Cimolian is possessed of mixed powers, being refrigerant and discutient; but the washed is more cooling, and cures burns with oxycrate. The Terra Ampelitis (it is the kind of earth which is rubbed upon vines to destroy the worms which breed in them) is powerfully desiccant and discutient, but not without pungency. The Cretan is full of air and detergent, without pungency. The Eretrian is decidedly astringent, but when burnt and washed it is desiccant without pungency; but the cineritious is preferable. The Pnigitis has powers resembling the Cimolian, but is black. The Armenian, called also Bole, is powerfully desiccative, and therefore agrees excellently with dysenteric cases, fluxes of the belly, spitting of blood, consumption, dyspnœa from humidity, humid ulcers, and pestilential affections. It is drunk with a thin diluted wine, or, if fever be present, with water. The Alanabolus is possessed of similar powers to the Armenian. Ochre is discutient and septic in its powers; it therefore restrains the fungous flesh of ulcers, and fills hollow ones when mixed with cerate.
Commentary. We shall now give a brief explanation of the medicinal earths of the ancients, and for a fuller account of them we would beg to refer to the Appendix to Dunbar’s ‘English and Greek Lexicon,’ to Hill’s ‘Annotations on Theophrastus on Stones,’ and to Sprengel’s ‘Notes on Dioscorides.’ Of the ancient writers, Dioscorides and Galen give the fullest account of them. The Arabians, also, especially Rhases, Avicenna, and Serapion, treat of them in the most ample manner, but supply little additional information. Geoffroy says of the Lemnian earth, that it is “a fat, viscid, slippery clay, of a pale red colour.” The Lemnian ruddle (μίλτος) was the red Armenian bole, consisting of silex, alumine, oxyd of iron, &c. The Lemnium Sigillum was the Lemnian earth, made into cakes and stamped with a seal, as a guarantee of its purity. The Cretan earth is white chalk. The Samian earth, as Sprengel states, appears to have been pure argil; Kidd supposes it to have been pipeclay. The kind called aster was globose and thick. The Chian, Selenusian, and Pnigitid earths, are also argils, more or less pure. The Sinopic ruddle was a compact kind of ochre or marl, nearly resembling the Lemnian earth. Pliny ranks the Cimolian earth among the chalks or clays (cretæ.) Sprengel and Kidd suppose it an argil. The purple Cimolian earth of the ancients was our steatitis or soap-rock. From Dioscorides’s account of the Melian earth, it appears to have consisted principally of alum, and was different from the Terra Melia of Theophrastus. The Ampelites would seem to have been a bituminous earth, formed from stone-coal, probably resembling cannel coal. The Armenian earth, as Matthiolus remarks, was different from the Armenian bole now brought from the East. The ancient is described to be a very dry clay, having the appearance of stone, and very triturable, like lime. It was much celebrated as a remedy for the plague. See Galen, Aëtius, and Serapion. It was introduced into practice by Galen. It is clear, as Dr. Hill remarks, that it was the yellow Armenian bole which Galen used; the red being first used by the Arabians. Dr. Hill found it an excellent astringent and absorbent. The Eretrian earth was an impure argil, of a snow-white colour. Geber makes frequent mention of magnesia.
Senecta Serpentis, the Slough of a Serpent, is decidedly desiccative: when boiled with vinegar it, therefore, cures toothache. That of the asp, when triturated with honey and rubbed in, sharpens the powers of vision.
Commentary. Galen and Serapion likewise recommend the skin of a snake, when boiled in wine or vinegar, as a remedy for earache and toothache. See also Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 49, 530.) Dioscorides gives nearly the same account of it, only he recommends the cast skin of the viper as an ophthalmic remedy. (ii, 19.) The serpent’s slough is still used medicinally in the East. See Ainslie (Materia Medica, ii, 291.)
Vermes terreni, Earthworms, when pounded and applied to wounded nerves, have immediately the most wonderful effects.
Commentary. Dioscorides says that earthworms, pounded and applied, agglutinate divided nerves, and stop tertians; that, when boiled with the grease of a goose, they cure affections of the ears when injected; that, in like manner, when boiled in oil and injected into the opposite ear, they relieve toothache; and that they promote the flow of urine when pounded and drunk in wine. (ii, 72.) Galen commends earthworms as being diuretic when drunk in must. He mentions further, that, according to the report of certain physicians, earthworms have been given internally and applied externally without burning or boiling. Of all the ancient authorities, Aëtius is the fullest on the medicinal virtues of earthworms. (ii, 168.) The Arabians do little more under this head than copy the descriptions of them given by Dioscorides, Galen, and Paulus. Avicenna recommends them, when pounded and drunk in wine, not only as being diuretic but also lithontriptic. (ii, 2, 198.) The Lumbrici terrestres, or earthworms, are described and very much commended for their medicinal virtues in Quincy’s ‘Dispensatory’ (p. 140), and Lewis’s ‘Materia Medica’ (ii, 76.)
Gigarta vinacea, Grape-stones, are desiccative in the second degree, but refrigerant in the first. Being, therefore, cooling, they agree with all defluxions.
Commentary. Galen mentions Grape-stones as sour and astringent remedies, and, therefore, applicable in all defluxions from the bowels. Avicenna recommends the ashes of grape-stones with vinegar in torsion of the nerves, and along with oil for contusion of the limbs and softening of the joints. (ii, 2, 723.) See also Rhases (l. ult. Cont. i, 745.)
Gingidium, Toothpick Fennel, is possessed of no manifest heat, but is desiccative in the third degree, and astringent. It is, therefore, stomachic.
Commentary. Dioscorides says of the Daucus gingidium, that it is a good potherb, and that as a medicine, when taken in a decoction with wine, it is diuretic and lithontriptic. (ii, 166.) Galen defines its virtues to be considerable astringency with slightly heating powers. The others treat of it in like terms. Few if any of the Arabians have noticed it.
Glaucium, Horned Poppy, is rather disagreeably astringent, but decidedly refrigerant, so that it cures erysipelas when the attack is not severe.
Commentary. In the Fifth Book we have treated of the different species of poppy used by the ancients. It appears from Dioscorides that it was its expressed juice which was used in practice. It was used principally in applications to the eyes. Our author borrows from Galen, and he follows Dioscorides (iii, 90.) The Arabians recommend it, not only in affections of the eyes, but also in boils and erysipelas. See particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 470); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 464.) As far as we can discover, it does not occur in the works of the Hippocratists, nor in those of Celsus. It has been scarcely known in the modern practice of medicine.
Glaux, Milkwort; the herb is hot and humid in temperament, and, therefore, promotes the formation of milk.
Commentary. Dioscorides gives a very circumstantial description of it, from which it has been concluded that the Glaux was a species of Astragalus. (iv, 139.) All the authorities mention it in the same light as our author, but few of them have described it. We are not aware of its having been used in modern practice.
Pulegium, Pennyroyal, is strongly calefacient and attenuant. Hence, when applied externally, it proves rubefacient. It also promotes the expectoration of thick and viscid humours lodged in the chest and lungs.
Commentary. Dioscorides commends the Mentha Pulegium as an emmenagogue, and for forwarding delivery; and the same character has descended to it down to recent times. See Gerard, Culpeper, Quincy, and Hill. Even at the present day it holds a place in our Dispensatories, but with a diminished reputation: stat magni nominis umbra! The Arabians generally treated of it along with the dittany. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 461); Serapion (De Simpl. 310.)
Sordes, that of baths, is moderately heating, emollient, and discutient. It, therefore, agrees with fissures and condylomata.
Commentary. See Dioscorides, with the commentaries of Matthiolus and Sprengel. Suffice it to say, that the Sordes balneorum was nothing but the sweat scraped from the bodies of persons who were shampooed, in an apartment of the bath for this purpose, namely, in the Laconicum. (See Book I, 68.) Of course it would consist of nothing but animal sweat, mixed up perhaps with either natron or the flower of beans, which was generally used during the process. The Sordes gymnasiorum is also in like manner treated of by Dioscorides, and it must have been the sweat collected from the statues and walls of the gymnasia. Dioscorides recommends it for crude boils (phymata), desquamated surfaces, and old sores. The Sordes palestræ must have been pretty much the same as the Sordes balneorum, and accordingly it was used in a similar manner. The Sordes ex gymnasio occurs in Celsus’s list of emollients (v, 15); and is treated of likewise by the Arabians. It appears singular that mankind should have so long retained a fancy for such an application, considering how easy it was to find a more agreeable substitute for it.
Glycyrrhiza, Liquorice, is of a tepid and humid temperament, having also some astringency. Hence it smooths asperities, not only in the trachea but also in a scabious bladder. It also quenches thirst.
Commentary. It would appear to have been rather the Glycyrrhiza glandulifera than the G. glabra. The latter, according to C. Bauhin, contains more saccharine matter than the G. of the ancients. Dioscorides, in his usual empirical style, enumerates with considerable judgment the cases in which it may be administered with advantage; such as asperities of the trachea (hoarseness) in the form of a linctus, for ardour of the stomach, ulcerations of the bladder and kidneys, and so forth (iii, 9.) All the ancient authorities, from Dioscorides downwards agree in stating that liquorice quenches thirst; and this we believe is still the popular opinion in this country, and was the professional, down to a late date. See Rutty (Mat. Med. p. 221.) The glycyrrhiza occurs in the works of Hippocrates, Celsus, and the Arabians. As they all give it the same characters, we need not occupy space with extracts from them. See particularly Serapion (De Simpl. 147); Ebn Baithar (ii, 66.) According to the Greek Pharmacopœia the G. glabra is the species now used in Greece.
Glycyside, Pæony, (called also Pentorobon and Pæonia); its root is acrid, somewhat bitter and desiccative, having also some astringency. Hence it excites the menstrual discharge, and cleanses the kidneys and liver when drunk, to the size of an almond, with wine; but if the wine be austere it restrains alvine defluxions. When appended as a periapt, it cures the epilepsy of children.
Commentary. Sprengel makes the two species described by Dioscorides to be the Pæonia officinalis and Corallina. We have mentioned in the Third Book that it has been much celebrated both in ancient and modern times as a cure for epilepsy when appended as an amulet. See Andreas Laurentius (De Mir. Strumar. Curat. pp. 40, 63), and Macer (De Viribus Herb.) Quincy, in his ‘Complete English Dispensatory’ (London 1769), says of the root of peony, “the good women highly esteem necklaces made of it to hang about their children’s necks for convulsions and difficult breeding of the teeth.” Considering the faith which many educated persons now repose in the virtues of galvanic rings and garters, the present generation has little ground for laughing at the credulity of our forefathers, with respect to amulets and other phylacteries. On the Pæonia, see particularly Dioscorides (iii, 147); Galen (De Simpl. v); Serapion (c. 61); Ebn Baithar (ii, 240.) The Pæonia officinalis is still retained in the Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 121.)
Gnaphalium, Cudweed, is so called because its soft leaves have been used in place of combed wool (gnaphalum.) They are white and moderately astringent, and are, therefore, drunk with austere wine for dysentery.
Commentary. There has been a great shifting of names by botanical authorities of late, with regard to the Gnaphalia and the cognate genera. It seems now agreed that the medicinal cotton-weed of the ancients shall be called Otanthus maritimus, Link. Our author borrows from Dioscorides and Galen, who both give exactly the same character of this plant, and this it retained down to a very recent period. See Quincy.
Rapum, Turnip; the root and seed are flatulent, promote the formation of semen, and rouse to venery.
Commentary. The predominance of authority has determined us, after a good deal of consideration, to set this down as the Brassica Napo-brassica, the navew, or French turnip. All the authorities, in a word, from Dioscorides downwards, held it to be aphrodisiacal. Dioscorides holds it to be a sovereign remedy for chilblains in fomentation, cataplasm, or prepared thus: a turnip is to be scooped out in the middle and filled with rose-cerate, which is to be melted by placing the turnip in hot ashes, when it forms an excellent application to ulcerated chilblains. (ii, 134.) Pliny likewise says of the turnip, “Est et rapo vis medica. Perniones fervens impositum sanat.” (H. N. xx, 9.) A roasted turnip is still a popular remedy in Scotland for chilblains. Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius give brief descriptions of the gongylis, and from them our author copies. Celsus treats of the napus and rapum only as potherbs. The Arabians give a confused account of the matter; Avicenna under brassica, and Serapion under rapa. (De Simpl. 191.) Rhases, translating the 134th chapter of Dioscorides, renders gongyle by Rapa rotunda. (Cont. l. ult. 557.) Altogether it appears to us strange that some of our late authorities should have referred the gongylis to the Brassica oleracea. See Dierbach (Mat. Med. Hippocrat.) The introduction of the different varieties of the latter into gardening is a very curious but difficult subject. See Beckmann (Hist. of Invent.), and Loudon (Encyc. of Garden. 674.)
Gordylium (called also by some Seseli), is hot, diuretic, and emmenagogue. The root of it, when taken in a linctus, with honey, promotes expectoration.
Commentary. Most probably it is a species of Seseli. Either our author or some copyist of his works has evidently been guilty of the mistake of writing gordylion for tordylion. See the chapter of Dioscorides on the tordylium (iii, 56.)
Pollen, Fine Flour, resembles starch in its properties, but is weaker.
Commentary. On the medicinal properties of pollen, see Pliny (H. N. xxii, 60), who, however, borrows all his information from Dioscorides (ii, 107.) Both recommend the pollen used for glueing books, in hæmoptysis.
Gypsum, Parget, or Mineral White, in addition to its desiccant, is possessed of obstruent powers. Hence it agrees with hemorrhages, along with pollen and the white of an egg. When burnt it has no longer its obstruent powers, but it is more desiccant and repellent, especially with oxycrate.
Commentary. We have treated pretty fully of this article in another place (Vol. II, 233.) It is the sulphate of lime, of which selenite or the foliated sulphate of lime is a sub-species. In the shops, when pulverized, it is known by the names of mineral white and stucco. Dioscorides merely says of its medicinal powers, that it is styptic and emplastic, and restrains bleeding and sweats. Galen is somewhat fuller in his account of it, recommending it, with the fine flour of wheat, which is found sticking about the walls of mills, and the down of a hare, for stopping bleeding. Aëtius and our author copy closely from Galen. Serapion borrows both from Dioscorides and Galen (c. 379.) Avicenna recommends it with Armenian bole, lentils, myrtle-water, and some vinegar, as an application to the forehead in bleeding from the nose. (ii, 2, 284.) Rhases copies verbatim from Galen, Dioscorides, and our author. (Cont. l. ult. i, 235.) Averrhoes recommends it in the manner described above from Galen as a styptic. (Collig. v, 43.) Celsus prescribes it for stopping colliquative sweating in cardiac disease (iii, 19.)
Tedæ, Dead Pines, have certain acrid, concoctive, and detergent powers. Hence boiled in vinegar they cure toothache when the mouth is rinsed with the vinegar; but if a little honey is added, they bring away phlegm. When made into a linctus they promote the discharges from the breast.
Commentary. This term properly signifies a small torch used in performing lustrations, but here it is used for a small slip taken from a pine-tree. The tree from which the tedæ were taken was the Pinus Cembro; this Matthiolus, Harduin, and our old herbalists have clearly made out. See in particular Parkinson (p. 1537.) Gerard calls it by the English name of torch-pine, and, evidently copying from Dioscorides, adds, “the torch-pine, cut into small pieces and boiled in vinegar, is a remedy against the toothache, if the teeth be washed with the decoction.” (p. 1361.) The other authorities treat of it in general terms, under the head of Pinus.
Damascena, Damascenes, will be treated of with Plums.
Damasonium, Water-plantain, has certain detergent powers, and proves lithontriptic, and occasions a metastasis of the contents of the intestinal canal to the urine.
Commentary. There can be no doubt that it is the Alisma of Dioscorides, and therefore probably the elegant water plant now called Alisma Plantago. On this point see Gerarde, Parkinson, Cordus, and Sprengel. Dioscorides recommends its root in cases of poisoning by the sea-hare, the red frog, and by opium; in tormina and dysentery when drunk by itself and with carrot; and in convulsions and hysterical complaints. He adds, that the herb binds the belly, is emmenagogue, and softens swellings when applied. (iii, 159.) Galen states that he had never any experience of it in the cases mentioned by Dioscorides; but that he had found it possessed of lithontriptic powers. The other Greek authorities follow him. The Arabians copy from both. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 244, 249); Ebn Baithar (ii, 513.)
Daucus, Carrot (called also Staphylinus), consists of two varieties. The root of the cultivated carrot is flatulent and aphrodisiacal; the seed of the wild is wholly devoid of flatulent properties, is diuretic and emmenagogue; and so in like manner the stem.
Commentary. Of the three species of Daucus described by Dioscorides (iii, 76), the leaves of the first are compared by him to those of the fennel; the leaves of the second to those of the wild parsley; and the leaves of the third to those of coriander. The first is the species which was long known in this country by the name of Candy carrots, and which has obtained various names of late years from our botanical authorities. It seems now settled that it should be called Athamanta Cretensis. “The second,” says our indefatigable herbalist, old Parkinson, whose practical acquaintance with all sorts of plants entitles his opinion to high consideration, “is acknowledged to be so like the first that the climate and country only make the difference.” It is now called Athamanta cervaria. The third, or coriander-leaved daucus, as the same authority clearly indicates, was probably a species of seseli. It, however, is not very certainly determined. The following description of their medicinal virtues by our Quincy may be said to embody the concurrent opinions of all the ancient authorities, Greek, Roman, and Arabian. “The seed is aperient and good in disorders of the kidneys; as also to hasten delivery, and bring away the after-birth. It is likewise accounted a good alexipharmic, and proper against the bites of venomous creatures.” See Avicenna (ii, 2, 214, 287); Ebn Baithar (ii, 462); Celsus (v, 23); Hippocrates (De Ratione Vict. in Acut.); also under Staphylinus.
Laurus, The Bay-tree; its leaves are powerfully desiccant and calefacient, but its fruit still more so. The bark of its root, being bitter and sub-astringent, proves lithontriptic and cures hepatic affections when drunk to the amount of three oboli with fragrant wine.
Laurus herba (Ruscus? Butcher’s-broom?), called also Alexandrina, is hot, acrid, and somewhat bitter; it therefore promotes the menstrual and urinary discharges. The daphnoides and the chamædaphne are possessed of the same powers; but the latter is edible.
Commentary. Dioscorides describes the virtues of the bay-tree (Laurus nobilis) at considerable length, representing it to be heating and emollient, and hence he says, the decoction of it makes a good hip-bath in diseases of the womb and bladder; the green leaves, he adds, are sub-astringent, and hence prove useful when applied to the stings of wasps and bees. He recommends the berries in phthisis and other complaints of the chest, as alexipharmic, and as forming a good application to leprosy, and as an injection in earache and deafness. The bark, he says, is lithontriptic, kills the fœtus in utero, and proves useful in hepatic diseases. (i, 106.) Galen briefly calls it diuretic and emmenagogue. The Arabians follow Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 444.) The Laurus still holds a place in the Materia Medica, although now seldom used. See Pereira (p. 800.) The concurrent authority of the commentators and herbalists has settled that the Laurus Alexandrina was a species of Ruscus, probably the R. hypophyllum. The chamædaphne was also a species of Ruscus, perhaps the racemosus. The daphnoides is generally held to be the mountain laurel of Parkinson, i. e. the Daphne Alpina. All the other authorities treat of these plants in nearly the same terms as our author. They are all generally held to be emmenagogue and diuretic.