Pellis, Skin; that of a sheep newly taken off and still warm, when applied to those who have been scourged with rods, cures them wonderfully. The skin of the hippopotamus, when burnt and triturated with water and applied, disperses hard tubercles. That of the viper, when triturated and applied in cases of alopecia, promotes the growth of the hair in a wonderful degree. The leather of old shoes burnt has desiccative ashes; hence it cures sores in the feet from friction, if not in an inflamed state; and also burns, intertrigo, and protuberances.
Commentary. We have mentioned, in the Fourth Book, that the fresh skin of a newly-killed sheep was esteemed an excellent application to parts which had been bruised or cut by scourges. (See Vol. II, 46.) Dioscorides and most of the other authorities recommend the ashes of old shoes in the cases mentioned by our authors. Avicenna recommends the fresh skin of a goat as an application to poisoned wounds. (ii, 2, 539.)
Dictamnum, Dittany, consists of more subtile particles than pennyroyal, but resembles it in other respects. That variety called Pseudo dictamnum is weaker.
Commentary. That the Dictamnus Creticus, so celebrated even in poetry (Virg. Æn. xii, 412) as a vulnerary herb, was a species of Origanum, has been long known and acknowledged. Until of late years it held a place in our Dispensatories under the name of dittany of Candy. It was always held to be alexipharmic, and as such it is commended by Dioscorides. Such, he adds, is the power of this herb that by the smell and touch it kills venomous reptiles; and the juice of it when poured into a wound inflicted by an iron instrument or the bite of a venomous animal immediately cures it. (iii, 34.) Galen would appear to have been sceptical as to the great medicinal powers said to be inherent in this plant, for he dismisses it with a brief notice to the effect that it is more attenuant than the pennyroyal, but like to it otherwise. See also Celsus (v, 25.) The Arabians follow Dioscorides, and represent it to be diuretic and emmenagogue. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 461) and Serapion (De Simpl. 310.) They describe it along with the pennyroyal. The bastard dittany has been pretty generally recognized as the Dictamnus Fraxinella. See Parkinson, Miller, and Pereira (ii, 1652, ed. sec.) The last of these authors remarks regarding it, that “it was formerly much used in medicine, but of late years has fallen into almost total disuse.” Not very many years ago, however, it was in great repute as being diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, anthelmintic, &c. See Alston’s Lectures (i, 434.) It is still esteemed by the Arabians and Persians as a tonic and stimulant. Ainslie (Mat. Med. 63.)
Dionysias, is treated of under Androsæmum.
Diphryges, Husk of Brass, is possessed of mixed powers, being somewhat astringent and moderately acrid. It is therefore a good application for malignant ulcers.
Commentary. Dioscorides gives a very circumstantial description of three varieties of this substance, which for many years has been lost sight of. Matthiolus calls it the Husk of Bronze, and Sprengel says it is called Kupfermulm in Germany. Rutty ranks it among the obsolete medicines of the ancients. (Mat. Med. pr. 27.) Rhases treats of it. (Cont. ult. 256.) See Serapion (c. 418.)
Dipsacus, Teasel; the root of this thorn is desiccant in the second degree, and is also somewhat detergent.
Commentary. The root of the Dipsacus fullonum, or manured teasel, is praised by Dioscorides as an application to fissures and fistulæ of the anus, and it held a reputation in these cases down to a late period. See Rutty (Mat. Med. 168.) Dioscorides further mentions its use as an amulet in quartans, for which also it was long celebrated; for our Quincy speaks of “the superstition of some people of his day in using it as a charm against agues.” (Complete Dispensatory, 117.) For the Arabians, see particularly Serapion (c. 106) and Ebn Baithar. It is not noticed by Hippocrates nor Celsus.
Dorycnium, Shrub Trefoil (?), is of a similar temperament with the poppy and mandragora, that is, immoderately cold. When taken in a small quantity it occasions torpor, and in larger doses it proves fatal.
Commentary. In the Fifth Book we have stated the difficulty of determining what it was. Authorities are divided between the Convolvulus Dorycnium L. (Angl. Shrubby Bindweed), the Solanum Sodomæum, and Atropa Belladonna. Dioscorides says of it that it is soporific, and when taken in large doses proves fatal; he adds, some affirm that the seed of it is sought after for philtres, or love potions. (iv, 75.) Galen gives nearly the same account of it under the name of Dorycnidium. The Arabians would appear not to have admitted it into the Mat. Med., for the Doronicon of Serapion is a different plant. (c. 335.)
Dracontium, or Dracunculus, Dragon-herb, somewhat resembles the Wake-robin (Arum), but is more acrid and bitter than it, and also hotter, and consists of more subtile particles. It has also some astringency. The root of it, therefore, when taken in a potion cleanses the bowels, and is an excellent application to malignant ulcers; and the leaves in like manner. But the fruit of it is stronger.
Commentary. We have treated of the Dragon-herb (Arum Dracunculus) as an article of food in another place. (Vol. I, p. 114.) Dioscorides gives so circumstantial a description of its medicinal properties that we cannot find space for it. Suffice to say, he uses it internally in diseases of the chest, and as an aphrodisiac, externally, in various cutaneous diseases, in collyria, in injections into the ears, and as an alexipharmic. (ii, 195.) Galen embodies the substance of Dioscorides’s empirical description of its virtues agreeably to his own system, recommending it principally as a deobstruent internally, and an application to sores and cancerous tumours externally. Aëtius also gives an elaborate description of its powers. Oribasius merely states in general terms that it is calefacient and attenuant. Apuleius recommends it for the bite of the asp. Mesue ascribes to it powerfully cathartic and carminative powers. His account of it is very elaborate, and deserving of more attention than we can afford room to bestow upon it. He recommends it in the form of a suppository to relieve hemorrhoids and flatulence. (De Simpl. 24.) Avicenna borrows largely from Dioscorides. (ii, 2, 432.) Rhases copies from Dioscorides, Galen, and Oribasius. (Cont. l. ult. i, 257.) Serapion does the same. (De Simpl. 43.) It remains to be mentioned that Dioscorides, Oribasius, Mesue, and Avicenna, besides the species of dracunculus which we have been treating of, also describe another by the name of the Lesser. It is supposed to be the Arum Italicum. The dragon-herb held a place in the Dispensatory down to a very late date. Boerhaave calls it a powerful diuretic and promoter of the menses. Quincy says it is reckoned alexipharmic.
Dryopteris, Oak-fern, is sweet, acrid, and bitterish, and its root has some sourness. It is septic, and hence it is depilatory.
Commentary. According to Dierbach, it comprehends both the Polypodium Dryopteris and the Asplenium Adiantum nigrum, and this opinion is supported by that of the older authorities. See Parkinson (1042) and Alston (§ 52.) Sprengel refers it to the former. Our author borrows from Dioscorides, and Avicenna does the same. (ii, 2, 219.) Our older herbalists, Parkinson and Gerard, treat of the oak-fern, but it has long ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory.
Quercus, the Oak; its leaves and fruit are possessed of desiccant and tepid powers, so as to agglutinate recent wounds and cure incipient inflammations. The membrane under the bark of the acorn which surrounds the fleshy part of the fruit being much more astringent, is given for the female fluor and other diseases attended with discharges.
Commentary. Dierbach states that three species of the oak with edible roots grow in Greece, the Quercus Æsculus, the Q. Ilex, and the Q. Ballote. He adds, that the first species is generally meant by δρῦς in the Hippocratic writings. Eustathius remarks that the φηγὸς of Homer was a species of oak. (Ad Iliad. v, 691.) In fact, it was the Quercus æschylus, or rather comprehend it and the Q. Robur. See Parkinson (1389.) After all the illustration which the subject has received from the old herbalists, and more recent commentators on Dioscorides and Theophrastus, it must be admitted that there is still considerable difficulty in determining the various species of oak described by the ancients. Our author borrows his account of the medicinal powers of the oak from Dioscorides, whom all the other authorities also follow. The quercus occurs in the Mat. Med. of Hippocrates, and in those of all the Arabians. We need scarcely add that the Quercus Robur still maintains a place in our Dispensatory.
Ebenus, Ebeny; the wood is calefacient, detergent, and consists of subtile particles. Hence it is believed to remove films which obstruct the pupil, and is an ingredient for other ophthalmic remedies.
Commentary. The Latin poet Virgil, who applies the term India both to the region of the East, which has always held that name, and to Abyssinia (Georg. iv, 293), says, that India is the only country that produces ebeny. (Georg. ii, 116.) This account of it will still be admitted to be pretty correct. Dr. Royle mentions that “Diospyros Ebenus yields the best kinds in the Mauritius, perhaps also in Madagascar; but D. ebenaster and D. melanoxylon, the ebeny trees of the Coromandel coast, yield it in the peninsula, of very good quality, as other species do in other parts of India.” (Hindoo Med. 89.) See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 48.) In medicine it was principally used in collyria for psorophthalmia and xerophthalmia as recommended by Dioscorides (i, 129), and in old ulcers and watery pustules as recommended by Aëtius (i) and Galen. (De Simpl. vi.) See also Celsus (v, 12.) The Arabians, who must have been still more familiar with it than the Greeks, say of it, in addition, that it is lithontriptic. Rhases (Contin. l. ult. 258), Avicenna (ii, 2, 226), and Serapion (c. 152.) It is still imported to this country, but has long ceased to occupy a place in our Dispensatory.
Cerebrum, Brain; the boiled brains of a hare when rubbed in and eaten, are useful (it is said) for forwarding dentition in infants. Some write that brain when eaten proves useful for tremblings. Dioscorides says that the brain of a cock when drunk with wine relieves those who have been bitten by venomous animals, and that it stops hemorrhages from the meninges. Galen says that the brain of a camel when dried and drunk with vinegar cures epilepsy, and that of the weasel in like manner; that the brain of a swallow with honey is of use in suffusions; while that of sheep when prepared in like manner is an excellent remedy in the dentition of children.
Commentary. Galen and Serapion treat of the medicinal properties of brains in much the same terms as our author. Indeed our author copies from Galen. Avicenna says brains prove emetic after food, and are useful in the case of a person who has swallowed any poison. (ii, 2, 125.)
Olea, the Olive; the green shoots of it are possessed of the same degree of coldness as of astringency; the fruit when perfectly ripe is moderately hot, but the unripe is more astringent and cold. The tear of Ethiopian olive resembling the slender ammoniac, is possessed of detergent powers. It is used, therefore, for cicatrices, albugo, and dimness of vision, and for the pains of the teeth when put into the carious hole. But some say that it is the wild olive that does this. Oil from fully ripe olives is sweet and moderately hot, and rather of a moistening nature. But the unripe has just as much astringency as coldness. The washed is freer from pungency. As to the old, the older it is so much the hotter and more discutient is it, more especially if it consist of subtile particles at first. This is ascertained from its being pure and transparent, and from a small quantity of it being sufficient to anoint a large part of the body, and from its being readily drunk in by the skin. Such in particular is the Sabine. That from the wild olive is at the same time detergent, astringent, and drying, as an oil. Castor oil has the same powers as old oil. The other kinds, such as that of sesame, or of radish and the like, derive peculiar properties from the substance they are formed from.
Commentary. We have treated of the olive as an article of food in another place. (Vol. I, 135.) The Ethiopian or wild olive comprehended several species of the Elæagnus. The tears of it, mentioned by Dioscorides and our author, and likened to gum ammoniac, are now unknown. Some, as Parkinson remarks, have supposed it our gum elemi, but that is probably a mistake. All the authorities, Greek, Latin, and Arabian, mention it as a sour, astringent medicine. Samonicus calls it “succis oleaster acerbis.” Abu l’Fadli calls it a powerful astringent. (Apud Celsii Hierobot.) The leaves of the cultivated olive Dioscorides says have the same kind of powers as the wild, but in an inferior degree, and hence, from their greater mildness, they are more suitable for ophthalmic remedies; he also recommends the juice of the green olive in pityriasis, psora, and other cutaneous diseases. (i, 136.) We need not follow out what has been written by the others on this subject.
Ἔλαιον. For an account of the oils used by the ancients in the practice of medicine, see in particular Dioscorides (i, 29 et seq.), Galen (De Simpl. vi), and Mesue (De Oleis.) The Oleum Cicinum, i. e. oil of the palma christi, now called castor oil, is often mentioned by the ancient authors. Dioscorides states that it is purgative and anthelminthic. Aëtius states that linseed oil may often be used instead of it. Almond oil he particularly commends in complaints of the ears. The oil of Sesame, he says, resembles common oil, being a gentle purgative; it is the gingilie oil of the modern Hindoos. Serapion recommends the oil of olives as an astringent application to stop profuse perspiration, to remove scabies and other cutaneous complaints on the head, to cure aphthæ and ulcers of the mouth, and for various other complaints. He, however, merely copies from Dioscorides, (i, 136.) But of all the ancient authorities, Mesue is the one who gives the fullest account of the composition and medicinal powers of the oils. Some of them are not described by the Greeks before his time, as far as we know. We shall give a specimen of a few of his prescriptions. His oil of mandragora, which he recommends for extinguishing inflammation and procuring sleep, is prepared from equal parts of the juice of its berries and oil of sesame boiled in a double vessel until the juice be evaporated. Add, he says, a little juice and boil again, do so a third time, and lay it aside. For the oil of mandrake a much more complicated receipt is given by Myrepsus (xvi, 50), which held its place in our Pharmacopœia down to the days of Quincy. (Complete Dispensatory, 527.) The oil of eggs, which Mesue commends strongly from experience for cleansing the skin, curing cutaneous eruptions, making hair grow, and curing malignant ulcers, he directs to be prepared thus: about thirty yelks of eggs hardened by boiling, and broken down into pieces, are to be fried in an earthen fryingpan that has been leadened, stirring with a wooden or iron ladle until they grow red, and their oil is poured out, which they yield the more largely if compressed with the ladle. This oil of eggs is described in similar terms by Moses Charras, in the Royal Pharmacopœia (p. 200), and is a popular remedy in Scotland to this day. Mesue describes the composition of an oil of frogs, which he recommends much for soothing the pains of arthritis, and the burning heat of ardent fevers, also the oil of vipers, of wolves, and many others, which will be more properly treated of by us in section xx of this Book. The oils are also well described by Aëtius (i) and Myrepsus (De Oleis.)
Elæomeli, Honeyed Oil. In Syria, an oil thicker and sweeter than honey, flows from a certain trunk; when drunk to the amount of two cyathi with a hemina of water, it produces a discharge of crude and bilious matters from the bowels. Those who have taken it become torpid; yet one need not be alarmed, but only rouse them.
Commentary. Pliny describes it as a natural exudation from trees on the maritime coasts of Syria. He adds, it is fat, thicker than honey, thinner than resin, of a sweet taste, and is used in medicine: “Manat ex arboribus pingue, crassius melle, resina tenuius, sapore dulci, et hoc medicis.” (H. N. xxv, 7.) He states in another place that it is a nauseous purgative. (xxiii, 56.) Dioscorides gives the same account of it as our author, and describes an oil to be prepared from it. Avicenna and Rhases recommend it as an application to ulcerated scabies. It appears singular that this natural substance should have been entirely lost sight of in modern times, inasmuch that unless we adopt the conjecture of Alston, that it was some species of manna, we must admit ourselves entirely ignorant of it.
Elaterium; the juice of the fruit of the wild cucumber is so called, being in the second order of calefacients. It promotes the menstrual discharge, and destroys the fœtus when applied in a pessary, by its extreme bitterness. When rubbed in with milk it evacuates by the nose. When administered in an injection, it occasions a discharge downwards of phlegm, and sometimes of blood.
Commentary. It would appear that Hippocrates applied the term to all drastic purgatives. See Eustathius, Iliad. (xviii, 564.) By Dioscorides and all subsequent authorities, it is restricted to signify the fecula of the Momordica Elaterium, or wild cucumber. It was much used by the ancient physicians in the cure of dropsy, as we have stated in the Third Book. Dioscorides correctly states that it evacuates bile and phlegm, both upwards and downwards. He recommends it particularly in cases attended with difficulty of breathing. As an emetic, he directs us to administer it in oil, or with the ointment of iris. As a purgative, he recommends it to be given with double the quantity of salt and some mustard, in the form of a pill, of the size of a tare. Like our author, he states that it is emmenagogue, and proves fatal to the fœtus when applied in a pessary. Galen and the other authorities on the Materia Medica give it nearly the same characters. Theophrastus states that it is the most durable of all medicines, and that the oldest is the best. (H. P. ix, 14.) It is said by Hippocrates, that if a woman or she-goat, giving suck, partake of elaterium, it will affect her young. (Epid. vi, 5.) Galen in his commentary remarks, that other purgatives have the same effect when given similarly. (Op. t. v, 218, ed. Basil.) The Arabians also show a good practical acquaintance with this substance. Thus, for example, Avicenna praises it strongly in affections of the chest attended with difficulty of breathing, and more especially in cases of dropsy. He recommends it also in the form of a clyster for the cure of diseases of the joints and sciatica, and speaks of a plaster of it for the gout. He directs a pill to be prepared from it with double the quantity of salt. He states correctly that it occasions evacuations of phlegm and blood; that it is diuretic, and emmenagogue, and kills the child in a suppository. (ii, 2, 177.) Mesue also writes of the wild cucumber and elaterium with great precision, recommending the latter internally as an emetic, a phlegmagogue, and a hydragogue, more especially in dropsy. He also recommends it in jaundice, and engorgement of the liver and spleen; and states that it is most beneficial in sciatica when administered in a clyster or applied as a plaster. He speaks highly of the efficacy of the roots of the wild cucumber when applied to the head, in a cataplasm for hemicrania, and as an errhine in the same complaint. (De Simpl. ix.) Serapion also, in treating of the wild cucumber, gives interesting extracts, both from Greek and Arabian authorities, respecting the medicinal powers of elaterium. (De Simpl. 204.) Ebn Baithar gives a most ample account of it. (ii, 276.)
Abies, the Fir; this tree is calefacient and desiccative, like the black poplar. Its resin will be treated of among the resins.
Commentary. Without doubt it is the Pinus Abies, L. The other authorities in general do not treat of it, except under the resinæ. It does not otherwise occur in Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, or Avicenna.
Elatine, the Toadflax; this herb is like the Helxine, and is moderately refrigerant and astringent.
Commentary. That the Fluellin or Female Speedwell (Linaria Elatine) is the elatine of the ancients has been long known and almost generally admitted. See Parkinson, Gerard, Rutty, &c. Dioscorides recommends the leaves with flour for inflammations and running of the eyes, and for dysentery. Pliny, evidently translating Dioscorides, says of the elatine, “eadem cum line semine cocta sorbitionis usu dysenteria liberat.” (H. N. xxvii, 50.) It would appear that it had been omitted by the Arabians. It held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient character down to a late period. See Parkinson, Gerard, Quincy, Rutty, and Hill.
Pabulum cervi (Parsnip?), is of heating and drying powers in the second degree, and consists of subtile particles.
Commentary. Our older herbalists and commentators are pretty well agreed in holding it to be the garden parsnip (Pastinaca sativa.) Dioscorides pronounces it to be alexipharmic, and Aëtius does the same. The other authorities treat very briefly of it. Avicenna calls the Pastinaca aphrodisiacal, and this reputation it maintained down to modern times. See Quincy.
Salvia, Sage, is decidedly calefacient and subastringent.
Commentary. The sage (Salvia officinalis) has held a place in the Materia Medica from the earliest ages down to our times. Dioscorides calls it diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, and vulnerary. The other Greek authorities, like our author, speak more moderately in its praise. The Arabians who treat of it follow Dioscorides. See Serapion (De Simpl. 153.) In modern times it was at one period held in much esteem. See Quincy. It is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 142.)
Inula, Elecampane (?); it is calefacient and desiccative with some recrementitious humidity. When mixed with linctuses it promotes expectoration, and it acts as a rubefacient to the parts it is applied to.
Commentary. All the other authorities give the elecampane (Inula Helenium) much the same characters as our author. Dioscorides says the root is calefacient, and proves diuretic and emmenagogue; that in a linctus, with honey, it is useful in coughs, orthopnœa, and the like; and, further, that it is carminative and alexipharmic. The leaves he recommends in a cataplasm with wine for ischiatic disease, and in powder for hæmoptysis. (i, 27, 28.) Galen’s character of it mainly agrees with that of Dioscorides, that is to say, he recommends elecampane, internally, in chest complaints, and externally as a rubefacient in sciatica, hemicrania, and a disposition of the joints to dislocation. The Arabians give it all the characters ascribed to it by the Greeks, namely, of being diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, carminative, alexipharmic, and rubefacient externally; and, further, hold of themselves that it is cordial. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 235), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 237.) Serapion gives us the following extract from Hunain’s ‘Translation of Hippocrates’ (Hunain ex verbo Hippocratis): “Elecampane drives away anger and sorrow, strengthens the mouth of the stomach, clears the chest, expels the superfluities in the veins by the menses and urine, and more especially a wine made from it.” (De Simpl. 138.) In fact, as we ought perhaps to have mentioned, the helenium is a Hippocratic herb. (Nat. Mul. 572, ed. Foës.) It was also well known to Celsus (v, 11 et alibi.) The elecampane still retains its place in our Dispensatory and also in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 76.) The other species described by Dioscorides as the Egyptian elecampane, and which he recommends solely as being alexipharmic, is held by Sprengel to be the Teucrium Marum. Parkinson, however, supported by high authority, seems to make out a strong case for the Cistus Helianthemum, or rock rose (p. 655.) Old Gerard, on the other hand, adopts the opinion of those commentators who referred it to the Marum. (p. 67.) The Teucrium Marum also holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Apium palustre, Marsh Parsley; being formed in wet places, it has the same properties as the cultivated parsley, and is larger than it.
Commentary. The smallage (Apium graveolens) is briefly treated of by the other authorities. We need scarcely say that it is still retained in our Dispensatory. See Quincy.
Elephas, the Elephant; the parings from its hoof, when applied in a cataplasm, cure whitlow; and those of the bones and teeth of it, being of a drying and detergent nature, are mixed with similar medicines.
Commentary. Dioscorides in like manner recommends a cataplasm prepared with the shavings from the elephant’s hoofs in cases of paronychia. Most of the other authorities would appear not to have treated of it. Ivory shavings were retained in the Dispensatory until late years. See Quincy.
Recrementum argenti, the Dross of Silver, has the same powers as the molybdæna, for it is astringent and epispastic, hence it is mixed with the plasters called Fusca and Epulotic.
Commentary. What the Scoriæ argenti are will be readily understood from the following description of the process of extracting silver from the ores of it: “These ores are extremely hard, and also mixed with bituminous, sulphureous, arsenical, or vitriolic substances, which carry off with them a considerable part of the silver, or burn it to scoriæ along with themselves.” Geoffroy, &c. (p. 272, Engl. ed.) Our author copies almost verbatim from Dioscorides, and the other Greek authorities supply nothing additional under this head. Aëtius treats of the scoriæ in general terms, as we shall see in the proper place, and merely says of the Scoriæ argenti that they are possessed of desiccative powers. Of the Arabians, Avicenna, in treating of this article, borrows every word from the Greeks. (ii, 2, 693.) Serapion quotes an Arabian authority, Adamasti, to the effect that the scoria argenti is of use in cardiac disease (c. 415.) Rhases, after quoting from Galen, Dioscorides, and Paulus, gives the opinions of two Arabian authorities, Damas (?) and Chuz, the former to the effect that it is useful in palpitation of the heart and fetor of the mouth, and the other, that it cures scabies and pruritus. (Cont. l. ult. i, 74.)
Helleborus, Hellebore; both kinds are calefacient and desiccative in the third degree. It (the white) is also acrid and detergent; and hence it agrees with leprous affections of the skin. The black, when introduced into fistulæ, makes the callus cast off in three days.
Commentary. Those who wish to see the general literature of this interesting article may find our opinions briefly stated under the proper head in the Appendix to Dunbar’s ‘Lexicon.’ In this place it will be sufficient to mention that we have come to the conclusion that the Helleborus albus of the ancients was identical with our Veratrum album. Hippocrates makes mention of both species; when he simply uses the term helleborus, he means the white, as in Aphor. v, 1, and iv, 15, 16. He also recommends the niger as well as the albus in melancholy and quartans (Epist. 1288, ed. Foës.) Aretæus, at the conclusion of his work, as it has come down to us, pronounces a strong eulogy on hellebore, which he calls the great remedy in cases of elephantiasis. Dioscorides recommends it as an emetic, emmenagogue, and sternutatory. (iv, 148-9.) Mesue and Serapion mention it as an emetic, but concur with Hippocrates in stating that it sometimes induces convulsions if administered unguardedly. Haly Abbas gives exactly the same account of it. Averrhoes mentions that in his time the Lapis lazuli was used as a purgative in place of hellebore. (v, 42.) Rhases concurs with the Greek authorities in praising its effects for the cure of epilepsy, melancholy, arthritis, and mania. Macer Floridus praises it in the cure of epilepsy, mania, quartans, &c. We would now beg to be allowed to depart from our general rule, and to quote some modern opinions in illustration of the ancient on this important subject,—the more important from hellebore forming, as is supposed, one of the ingredients in the celebrated patent medicine eau médicinale. Conrad Gesner, an upright and learned physician, as Bergius calls him, had great confidence in the white hellebore, which he took himself, and administered freely to his patients with great success. He says of it, “recreat et roborat, et hilariorem facit, et acuit ingenium, quod in me et aliis sæpissime expertus scribo. Ego, si vixero, in ellebori historiâ multa proferam quæ medici admirentur.” The following is his formula for preparing it: ℞ Hell. alb. dr. ij, vini cretici oz. vj, stent in maceratione, per mensem, additis, si placet, aromatibus. Of this preparation, from 6 to 9 scr. were given according to circumstances. Baglivi calls hellebore the “Hercules remediorum, pluriumque domitor incurabilium morborum.” Platearius, treating of hellebore, says that the ancients used it as a purge, in like manner as scammony is now used, for that men’s bodies, in former times, were stronger than now; such a medicine would require to be given with great caution. He says of it, that it purges phlegm and black bile. The white, he adds, is a more violent medicine than the black. (De Simplici Medicina.) For a great many years past, with the exception of the partial administration of the eau médicinale in cases of gout, the internal use of the veratrum may be said to have been quite lost in the practice of medicine, and that, not only in this country, but also in the land of Hippocrates and Dioscorides. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is directed to be kept as a poison. (p. 76.) Mesue, Serapion, and many of the authorities recommend the black hellebore in melancholy. That it was either the Helleborus niger, or the species orientalis, Tournefort, and not the Veratrum album which was commonly administered in Anticyra, in cases of mania and melancholy, is clearly proved from Dioscorides (iv, 149.) He further states of it that, applied per vaginam, it procures menstruation, and kills the fœtus; he recommends it for the cure of scabies, alphos, lichen, and leprosy; he also speaks favorably of it as an external application to fistulæ, dropsies, toothache, and diseases of the ears. Galen recommends both species equally in nearly the same class of complaints. Notwithstanding the high authority of Pereira, who maintains the contrary, we do not see the least reason to doubt that the black hellebore of the ancients was our Helleborus niger, or Christmas rose. See Gerard (Paradisus, p. 386) and Parkinson (p. 211.) Without doubt it was introduced into this country by the Romans for their H. niger. The H. officinalis, Salisb., which Dr. Sibthorp brings forward in its place, is a distinct species. See Alston’s Lectures (42); also the Greek Pharmacopœia, Athens, 1837, (p. 77.)
Elichrysum, Shrubby Everlasting or Eternal Flower (called also Chrysanthemon and Amarantum), is a plant used for garlands, having capillary leaves of a golden appearance. When drunk with wine it is suitable for dysuria, the bites of reptiles, ischiatic disease, and fractures. It also promotes menstruation, and dissolves coagula when drunk with wine and honey, and relieves catarrhs.
Commentary. Linnæus makes the ancient Helichrysum identical with his Gnaphalium. (Gener. Plant. 946.) Accordingly Sprengel, in his R. H. H., refers it, with Cordus and Sibthorp, to the Gnaphalium Stæchas. But in his edition of Dioscorides he rather inclines to the Tanacetum annuum. Dr. Hill says of the tansy: “It has been greatly celebrated as an uterine, a vulnerary, and a diuretic. It is recommended in suppressions of the menses, and in cases of the gravel, and other nephritic complaints.” This agrees so well with the characters of the elechrysus as given by Dioscorides and Paulus, that we are inclined to identify this article with the Tanacetum annuum. It is proper to admit, however, that the virtues which Dioscorides ascribes to the elechrysus are ascribed by old Gerard to the cudweed. It is one of those articles in the ancient Materia Medica which can never be satisfactorily determined. See further, Parkinson (p. 695) and Lewis’s Dispensatory (i, 411.)
Helxine, or Parietaria, Pellitory of the Wall (called also Perdicium, Parthenium, Sideritis, and Heraclea); its powers are detergent and slightly astringent, with a coldish humidity. The Helxine, called also Cissampelos, is possessed of discutient powers.
Commentary. This is evidently the second species of Dioscorides (iv, 86), who represents the leaves as being cooling and astringent, and consequently proving a suitable cataplasm in cases of erysipelas, burning, and other inflammations, and as proving useful in chronic coughs, inflammations of the tonsils, and so forth. That this plant is the pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis) has been long pretty generally acknowledged. See Parkinson, Gerard, and Sprengel. Galen ascribes the same medicinal virtues to it as Dioscorides; and Aëtius and Oribasius treat of it in nearly the same terms. It is the muralis of Celsus, who recommends the juice of it, added to ceruse, as an application to the gout. (iv, 24.) It may be proper to mention that Dioscorides (l. c.), Pliny (H. N. xxii, 19), and Apuleius (81), also recommend it as an application in cases of gout. The Arabians give the pellitory exactly the same characters as the Greeks do. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 335) and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 536.) The Arabians call it herba vitri, because glass vessels were cleaned with it. It is now excluded from the Dispensatory, but held a place in it down to a late date. See Quincy, Hill, and Rutty. That the former species of helxine described by Dioscorides was a species of Convolvulus has long been known. See Matthiolus and Parkinson. Dodonæus makes it the niger, and Sprengel the arvensis. Dioscorides briefly states of its medicinal virtues, that it is laxative. (iv, 39.) It is not treated of, as far as we have discovered, by Galen, Aëtius, or Oribasius. The Arabians treat of it as a species of Volubilis, by the name of acfin. See Serapion (De Simpl. 41); Mesue (De Simpl. 24.) Both agree with Dioscorides in making it to be laxative. See further App.
Panicum, Panic, is, like millet, desiccative and refrigerant in its powers when applied externally. It also dries up alvine fluxes.
Commentary. Panic, as Miller remarks, is a plant of the millet kind. It is the Panicum Italicum. It is more an article of food than of medicine. We have treated of it accordingly in the part of this work devoted to Dietetics. See Vol. I, 124.
Empetron, Black-berried Heath, is a medicine which purges phlegm and bile. It is also saltish and therefore, detergent.
Commentary. It is not well determined whether it be a species of Crithmum, Herniaria, or Salsola. Dioscorides makes it to be a purger of phlegm, bile, and water; and all the other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, give it the same characters in the main. It does not appear that the Arabians have noticed it; neither do we find it in the works of Hippocrates or Celsus. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is set down as being the Pimpinella Saxifraga.
Epithymum (vel Cuscuta minor?) Dodder of Thyme, is desiccant and calefacient in the third degree, being more drastic than thyme.
Commentary. Dioscorides says of the Cuscuta Epithymus, or lesser dodder of thyme, that it purges phlegm and black bile, and agrees particularly with melancholic and flatulent cases. (iv, 176.) Aëtius, likewise, calls it a melanogogue medicine. Galen and Oribasius give exactly the same character of it as our author. Serapion gives a most graphic description of this singular parasitic plant, in the present instance quoting solely from Arabian authorities. They agree in general that it is deobstruent, cathartic, and emmenagogue, and join in recommending it particularly in jaundice, obstructions of the liver and spleen, and in the fevers of children. (De Simpl. 39.) Mesue, also, gives nearly the same characters of it; he mentions of it that it is a weak and slow purge, unless taken in a large dose, and, therefore, he recommends it to be given with Indian myrobalans, black hellebore, mulse, salts, or the like. (16.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 226) and Rhases (Cont. 270.) It held a place in our Dispensatory, with the character of being a cleanser, down to a late period. See Rutty (Materia Medica, p. 80.); Quincy (Complete Engl. Dispens. p. 117.)
Epimedium, Barren Wort; its powers are moderately refrigerant, with a watery humidity. When applied in the form of a cataplasm it preserves the breasts in a right state. It is also said to prevent conception when taken in a draught.
Commentary. Our author borrows his description of the Epimedium Alpinum, or Barren Wort, from Dioscorides; and none of the others supply any additional information respecting it.
Epimelis, Crab-tree, called also Unedo by the Italian husbandmen. It is a sort of wild apple, the fruit of which, being sour, is bad for the stomach, and occasions headache.
Commentary. It appears, from Dioscorides (i, 170), that it is a species of Medlar. Probably, then, it was the Mespilus Germanica. Dioscorides, Galen, and all the other authorities that treat of it give it the same character as our author. As a medicine, it has the same characters as the other Medlars.
Epipactis (called also Helleborine, or Bastard Hellebore), is drunk as an antidote for deadly poisons, and for diseases of the liver.
Commentary. The older herbalists, supported by the authority of Anguillara, incline to refer this article to the genus Herniaria, or Rupture Wort. The epipactis, it would seem, is still in great repute throughout Greece, as being alexipharmic, and curing complaints of the liver. Our author and all the others who notice it take its medicinal characters from Dioscorides. (iv, 107.) As far as we have been able to discover, it is not noticed by Hippocrates, Celsus, nor any of the Arabians.
Cicer, Vetch or Chick-pea, a common kind of pulse; is flatulent, nutritious, a proper medicine for the bowels, diuretic, engenders milk and semen, and proves emmenagogue. The kind called Arietinum is more diuretic than the others. A decoction of them, more especially the black sort, breaks down stones in the kidneys. The species called Ervinum, is hotter than the others, and bitterish. The wild are in every respect stronger than the cultivated.
Commentary. It comprehends several species of the Cicer. The κριὸς is undoubtedly the Cicer arietanum. The two other species cannot be so readily determined. Probably they are but varieties produced by cultivation. We have treated of them among the articles of food, in the 79th section of the First Book. As a medicine, Dioscorides recommends them especially in a cataplasm for inflammations of the testicles, scabies, achor, lichen, cancerous and ill-conditioned ulcers. All kinds of vetches, he says, are diuretic, and prove useful when given with rosemary, for jaundice and dropsy. (ii, 126.) Galen gives the chiches the same character, and further holds them to be lithontriptic. (De Simpl. v.) Aëtius follows him closely. (i.) The Arabians in addition say that chiches are anthelminthic, diuretic, and purgative, and that they are useful in arthritic diseases. See Serapion (80); Avicenna (ii, 2, 128); and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 209.) Avicenna, in particular, gives a long list of their medicinal virtues. In addition to those already stated, he joins Hippocrates in holding chiches to be aphrodisiacal; and hence he says procreating animals, such as camels, are fed with them. He joins the others in holding them to be deobstruent, lithontriptic, cathartic, and diuretic. Chiches long held a place in our Dispensatory with the characters given to them by Dioscorides and Avicenna. See Quincy (111) and Rutty (122.) Three sorts were used in modern as in ancient times, namely, the white, the red, and the black, but, as Quincy remarks, their medicinal virtues are all pretty much the same.
Lana, Wool; that which is unscoured is useful for embrocations, for the Œsypum is digestive, like butter. That which is scoured is simply the vehicle for other applications. That which is burnt has acrid, hot, and desiccative powers, with some tenuity of parts so as to melt down the flaccid flesh of ulcers.
Commentary. Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, and the other authorities give nearly the same account of the medicinal properties of wool.
Erica, Heath, is possessed of discutient powers without pungency. Its flower and leaves are principally to be used.
Commentary. Sprengel and Schneider agree that it is the Erica arborea, but the description of it given by Dioscorides, namely, that “it is like the tamarisk but much smaller,” would rather seem to apply to one of the lesser species. Dioscorides commends it as an application to the bites of reptiles. (i, 116.) Our author copies from Galen. The Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, would appear not to have treated of it, and it has not held a place in our Dispensatory for a long time past. The old herbalists, copying from the ancient authorities, ascribe to the heath the virtues which Dioscorides and Galen held it to be possessed of.
Erinos, Water-basil, is an aquatic herb, two drachms of the fruit of which with four drachms of honey, when rubbed in stops defluxions of the eyes. Its juice is also a remedy for earache.
Commentary. That it is a species of Campanula has been long agreed upon. Columna held it to be the C. Rapunculus or Rampions, but Sprengel names it C. Erinus. It is the echinos of Galen, as is obvious from the similarity of the descriptions of the two articles. Few of the other authorities notice it. Our author merely abridges Dioscorides (iv, 29.) The rapunculus or rampion is still cultivated as a salad. See Loudon (Encycl. of Garden. 734.)
Hermodactylus, Hermodactyl; the root of it is possessed of purgative properties, and also the decoction. It is given for affections of the joints in rheumatism, but it is bad for the stomach.
Commentary. We cannot afford room here to discuss fully the much agitated question respecting the ancient hermodactylus, and beg to refer to what we have said on the subject in the Appendix to Dunbar’s Lexicon. See also particularly the commentators on Mesue and Dioscorides. It is to be remarked that our author has entirely omitted to notice the Κολχικὸν of Dioscorides by name, and that the only article which he has in place of it is the Ἑρμ. This is a presumptive proof of the identity of these two medicines. Serapion moreover, in his chapter on Hermodactylus, gives the words of our author in this place along with Dioscorides’s account of the colchicum. Accordingly, Bergius, Tournefort, Humelbergius, and Geoffroy are decidedly of opinion that they were identical. Prosper Alpinus, in like manner, says of it “hermodactylus qui est radix colchici Græcorum.” (De Med. Meth. iii, 9.) See also Hill’s Mat. Med. On this side of the question we further beg to quote the authority of Dr. Paris: “The active ingredient of the Eau médicinale has been discovered to be the Colchicum Autumnale or meadow-saffron; upon investigating the properties of this medicine, it was observed that similar effects in the cure of the gout were ascribed to a certain plant called hermodactylus by Oribasius and Aëtius (Paulus Æg.?), but more particularly by Alexander of Tralles, a physician of Asia Minor, in the fourth century; an inquiry was accordingly instituted after this unknown plant, and upon procuring a specimen of it from Constantinople it was actually found to be a species of colchicum.” (Pharmacologia, 58.) We have already given a full account of the administration of hermodactylus in gout. (Book III, 78.) Alexander of Tralles, as far as we know, is the earliest authority that treats of the hermodactylus by name, and he recommends it for the cure of arthritic diseases. (xi.) Our author is the only one of the Greek writers who admits it into the Materia Medica. The Arabians treat of it fully, but some of them confusedly, by mixing up the ancient descriptions of the ephemeron and colchicum with it. Thus Serapion, after quoting, as already stated, Dioscorides’s account of the colchicum, gives the opinions of various Arabian authorities, all of whom concur in representing it to be a calefacient herb, and most of them in recommending it in diseases of the joints. (De Simpl. 194.) Mesue recommends it as a phlegmagogue in diseases of the joints, when given internally with cumin, ginger, pepper, myrobalans, &c.; and externally in the form of a cataplasm. He also states it to be a good application to foul ulcers. (De Simpl. vii.) Avicenna quotes no Greek authority in his chapter on Hermodactylus but Paulus, from which it may be inferred that he did not identify it with the colchicum of Dioscorides, like Serapion. He recommends it especially in gout, both internally and in the form of plaster. (ii, 2, 343.) Rhases refers to no other Greek authorities on this head except Paulus and Alexander, but quotes the opinions of several Arabians, all of whom agree in recommending hermodactylus in gout and foul ulcers. An anonymous authority makes it to be aphrodisiac. (Cont. l. ult. 362.) See also Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 43.) It is particularly to be remarked that the Arabian authorities all notice three varieties of the hermodactyl root, the white, the red, and the black; and restrict the medicinal use of the H. to the first of these, and condemn the two others as being deleterious. Nicholaus Myrepsus (i, 1) and Actuarius (De Compos. Med. i), however, prescribe also the red, which the learned Fuchsius, in his annotations on the former, sets down as being the behen rubrum. We know not what are his grounds for this opinion. It is the white variety which has been always used medicinally. See Boerhaave, Quincy, and Pereira. We would beg particularly to refer our readers who wish to obtain the modern literature of this subject, to the Materia Medica of Pereira (p. 949.)
Serpyllum, Wild Thyme, is heating, so as to promote the urinary and menstrual discharge.
Commentary. All agree that the Thymus Serpyllum is possessed of diuretic and emmenagogue powers. Dioscorides recommends it in tormina, convulsions, &c., and as an alexipharmic. The others, like our author, treat more briefly of it in general terms. Serapion and Avicenna borrow freely from Dioscorides. The Serpyllum held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient characters down to a very recent date. See Quincy and Rutty (Mat. Med.) The latter, however, questions its identity with the ancient Serpyllum.
Erythrodanum, Madder, is the Rubia Tinctorum. Being sour and bitter, it purges the spleen, liver, and kidneys, so as to occasion a discharge of bloody urine. It acts as an emmenagogue, and cleanses the sordes of the skin.
Commentary. There seems scarcely any reason to hesitate in admitting it to be the Rubia Tinctorum, madder and dyer’s madder. Dioscorides holds it to be powerfully diuretic, insomuch as sometimes to occasion a discharge of blood in the urine. He recommends it in sciatica and paralysis; as an alexipharmic medicine, and as producing abortion, menstruation, and the lochial discharge when applied as a pessary. He adds, that it cures alphos (mild leprosy) in a cataplasm with vinegar. (iii, 150.) Our author borrows from Galen, who sets it down as being deobstruent, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Aëtius uses nearly the same words as our author in treating of it. All the Arabians follow the Greeks in giving madder the character of being diuretic and deobstruent when given internally, and emmenagogue and alexipharmic when applied externally. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 573), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 590.) The Arabian writers mention that a bread was sometimes prepared from madder in times of famine. (Casiri, Bibl. Arab. Hisp., 336.) It is still sometimes given as an emmenagogue, notwithstanding that Dodonæus questioned the truth of Dioscorides’s opinion as to its possessing the powers of occasioning bloody urine and a discharge of the menses. (De Purgant. 97.) Our old herbalists, Parkinson and Gerard, dispute whether Dioscorides or Dodonæus is to be followed in this instance. The Rubia Tinctorum holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Erysimum, Hedge-mustard; its seed is fiery and heating, equally as cresses. Wherefore, when boiled in leaven and added to linctuses, it purges the chest. It also softens indurations, and in the form of a cataplasm is of use for latent cancers.
Commentary. We may pretty confidently set it down as the Erysimum officinale, Hedge-mustard. Our author abridges Galen, who, in the present case, borrows almost everything from Dioscorides. Aëtius copies from Galen even more closely than our author. The Arabians, in like manner, borrow everything from Dioscorides and Galen under this head. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 357.) It is worthy of remark that Dr. Hill gives the same medicinal character to the hedge-mustard which Dioscorides gives to the Erysimon, which it will be admitted forms a strong presumption of their identity; at all events, they were evidently congeners, a fact which is not disputed by those who question their identity. See Rutty (Mat. Med.) and Sprengel (ad Dioscor.)
Eruca, Rocket, being also like it in temperament, is flatulent. It therefore produces venereal incitement, and the seed of it is diuretic. The wild is stronger than the cultivated.
Commentary. There can be no doubt that it is the Brassica Eruca, L. Dioscorides agrees with our author in setting it down as being aphrodisiacal and diuretic, and Aëtius does the same. The latter proposes to correct its tendency to induce headache by giving it with lettuce. (ii, 169.) Celsus ranks the “eruca” among the things “quæ contrahere semen videntur.” (iv, 21.) The Arabians agreed with the Greeks as to its aphrodisiacal properties. (Casiri, Bibl. Arab. Hisp. i, 336.) See also Serapion (224), Avicenna (ii, 2, 227.) Even down to a late date rocket retained this character. See Rutty (183), and Quincy (109.) It is still cultivated in gardens. See Loudon (Encycl. &c. 744.)
Eupatorium, Hemp-agrimony, consists of subtile particles, and is possessed of incisive powers without manifest heat. Hence it clears away obstructions of the liver, and has also some astringency.
Commentary. That the Eupatorium of Dioscorides and the other Greek authorities is the Agrimonia Eupatorium, will hardly be questioned now by any competent judge who has investigated the question. Dioscorides recommends its leaves in ill-conditioned ulcers, and its seed and stalk in wine, for dysentery and the stings of reptiles. (iv, 41.) Galen makes it to be deobstruent and tonic. Serapion copies from Dioscorides and Galen, and merely adds, in the end, from Rhases, that southernwood is more suitable in complaints of the liver; and from Mesue, that it is good in protracted fevers. (De Simpl. 77.) Avicenna’s chapter on Eupatorium is entirely compiled from Dioscorides, Galen, and Serapion, without the slightest change or addition. (ii, 2, 239.) No one who has examined into the matter can therefore doubt that the Eu. of these two Arabians, was the same as that of the Greeks. The Eupatorium of Mesue, however, has been generally held to be a very different plant, namely, the Eupatorium Cannabinum, according to some, from his comparing the leaves to those of the lesser centaury. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the Latin translations of the Arabians are not to be trusted in small matters, and therefore this comparison may be all a mistake. And that the Eu. of Mesue was the same as that of the others, seems highly probable from his recommending it in the same complaints, namely, in obstructions of the liver, and chronic fevers. (De Simpl. 15.) Such is the conclusion to which an impartial examination of the question has brought us. It is but fair to mention, however, that all the old herbalists and writers on the Mat. Med. down to Rutty and Quincy, are against us, and hold that the Eupatorium of Mesue was different from that of the Greeks. See Matthiolus (in Dioscor.); Parkinson (Theatre of Plants); and the commentators on Mesue.
Euphorbium, is possessed of caustic powers, and consists of subtile particles like the other juices.
Commentary. A gum-resin produced from some species of Euphorbia still holds its place in the Materia Medica. Alston remarks, “neither Dioscorides nor Galen take any notice of the cathartic quality of the Euphorbium, but Pliny does, as do also Aëtius, Paulus, and the Arabians; but all make it excessively acrid, upon account of which its internal use is now generally condemned.” Mesue particularly commends it in diseases of the joints. It was formerly supposed that Euphorbium is procured from a species called the E. antiquorum, but it is now admitted that the species is still undetermined. See Pereira (1127.) Probably, as stated in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, it is procured from several species of the Euphorbia. (66.)
Ephemerum (or Colchicum Autumnale?), not the poisonous species but that which is called the Wild Iris. It is possessed of mixed powers, repellent, and discutient.
Commentary. See Ἑρμοδάκτυλος, and Book V (48.) The E., here said to be the same as the wild iris, is the Convallaria verticillata. Dioscorides recommends its root in toothache, and its leaves as possessing discutient powers when applied to swellings and tumours. (iv, 75.) Galen is at great pains to explain its modus operandi agreeably to his theory of the action of medicines.
Vipera, the Viper; its flesh is decidedly hot and dry in temperament, so that it cleanses the whole body by the skin. Wherefore many persons affected with elephantiasis, by eating or drinking of it have been cured. Those which live by the sea-side, or in other dry situations, rather occasion thirst.
Commentary. As stated by us in the Fifth Book, the Echidna Asiatica of Nicander is the Coluber Ægyptius, and the E. Europæa the C. Berus. The ἔχις, probably is the C. Amodytes. Dioscorides recommends vipers, having their head and tail cut off, and the entrails taken out, boiled with oil, wine, a little salts and dill, for nervous affections and scrofula. He gives no credit, however, to the vulgar belief of his time, that living upon vipers prolonged life, or that they prevented lice from forming on the body. He describes distinctly the process of preparing salts from vipers, but says they have not the same efficacy as the flesh. (ii, 18.) The Arabians display much more credulity than Dioscorides, in describing the medicinal virtues of vipers, ascribing to them wonderful powers, not only of preserving life, but even of restoring youth. See in particular, Avicenna (ii, 2, 608), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 731.) Galen gives a very lengthened disquisition on the medicinal virtues of vipers. (De Simpl. xi.) Aëtius abridges the same. (ii, 160.) See Oribasius (Med. Collect. xv, 2.) We shall have occasion, however, to treat further of the medicinal properties of the viper when describing the composition of the theriac; and, instead of collecting the sentiments of the ancient authorities on this head, we shall in this place merely subjoin the opinion of a modern author, who appears to have been familiar with the use of it: “The powder of vipers is very much enlivened with the volatile salt wherewith the vipers abound, which enables it to force its virtues through the pores, though never so close shut, to the more remote parts of the body. It is a singular medicine to cure scabs, itches, and erysipelas, and particularly the leprosy. It restores plumpness of body to persons wasted with long agues and tedious diseases. It is to be taken fasting, in broths, wine, or any other cordial liquor, or else incorporated with some syrup, or in some confection like a bolus.” (Moses Charras.) In Scotland the adder (which is a variety of the Coluber Berus) is a popular remedy for malignant diseases of the skin. It is taken in the form of soup, as described by Dioscorides. The viper broth is described in Quince’s Dispensatory (400) in nearly the same terms as by Dioscorides, and recommended “as doing good service in leprous and other obstinate cutaneous complaints.”
Echinus; the herb is austere, repellent, and desiccant. Of the Land Echinus, or Hedgehog, the flesh when strongly dried is discutient and desiccant; when taken in a draught, therefore, it is beneficial in elephantiasis, cachexia, and many other complaints. Its skin, when burnt, becomes more desiccant and discutient. It therefore cures alopecia when rubbed in with liquid pitch. Of the Sea Echinus, the edible part is diuretic, and agrees with the bowels. Its shell, when burnt, resembles that of the land echinus.
Commentary. The herb is not described by Dioscorides, Theophrastus, or Pliny. It would appear to be the same as the Erinus, which see. The Ἐ. χερσᾶιος is undoubtedly the Hystrix Cristata, and the Ἐ. θαλάττιος the Echinus Esculentus. Dioscorides and Galen give the same account of their medicinal properties as our author. Serapion, after giving the description by Dioscorides and Galen, adds, from an Arabian authority, that the flesh of the land echinus is beneficial in protracted fevers. (De Simpl. 435.) Avicenna (ii, 2, 234,) treats of the two echini at greater length than any other ancient author, recommending the flesh of the land, in phthisis, dropsy, elephantia, scabies, scrofula, and other complaints of a formidable nature. Upon the whole, however, his account of it is mostly made up of extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. See in like manner Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 273.) He recommends the land echinus in the irretention of urine to which children are subject, adding that when frequently administered, it brings on dysuria. He and Avicenna quote Serapion as an authority for its use in protracted fevers. Both the echini disappeared from our Dispensatory a considerable time ago.
Echium, Viper’s Bugloss, (some call it also Dorias, and others Alcibiadium,) is a prickly herb, which not only relieves those who have been bitten by reptiles when drunk in wine, but, if taken beforehand, it preserves them from being injured.
Commentary. It appears to us quite clear that this article is the Echium vulgare or Viper’s Bugloss, which we have no doubt was introduced into Britain with other medicinal herbs by the Romans, for it is never found remote from cultivated places, and therefore we believe it not to be truly indigenous. Some have taken it for the Echium rubrum, from Dioscorides having described the flowers as being purplish, whereas, purplish signifies a bright blue, and not red as is supposed. Parkinson thus describes the colour of the flowers of the Echium vulgare: “The flowers are of a purplish violet colour, in them that are fully blown, but more reddish while they are in bud; but in some places of a paler purple colour,” &c. (p. 413.) We, then, have no hesitation in acknowledging it as the Echium vulgare. Our author borrows his account of its medicinal powers from Dioscorides. (iv, 27.) The Arabians would seem to confound it with the Anchusæ, to which it is closely allied. Our old herbalists, in treating of the viper’s bugloss, follow Dioscorides; but it has long ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory. It still, however, is known in the shops, where its root retains the character of being aperient and slightly astringent. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 54.)
Defrutum, Boiled Must; it is moderately heating and digestive, and is also emplastic and free from pungency.
Commentary. Pliny gives the following account of it: “Siræum quod alii hepsema, nostri sapam appellant, ingenii, non naturæ opus est, musto usque ad tertiam partem mensuræ decocto: quod ubi factum ad dimidiam est, defrutum vocamus.” (H. N. xiv, 11.) Harduin states that the Hepsema is called Rob or Sapa semplex. (l. c.) Moses Charras gives the following directions for preparing it: “℞. Of the new juice of white grapes perfectly ripe, lb. xxx; boil it over a gentle fire in an earthen glazed vessel, or a copper vessel tinned within, until a third part of the juice only remains. But if you desire a defrutum, boil it only to the consumption of the third part.” (Roy. Phar. p. 70.) The following prescription, taken from a still later writer, will further be useful in illustrating the meaning of a term which often occurs in the course of this work, but which has now fallen into disuse. “The Simple Rob or Sapa. Take of juice newly expressed from generous and white grapes any quantity, and boil it over a slow fire, until one pint of it only remains out of three, or it becomes of a honey consistence.” Quincy’s Dispensatory (432.) Few of the other authorities treat of this article at all, and those that do, despatch their notice of it in few words. Thus, for example, Avicenna says of rob, that it is expectorant, and hence it is made an ingredient in the syrup of poppies; and that it is useful in pain of the kidneys and bladder. (ii, 2, 570.)
Far, Spelt, has powers like the kinds of wheat, holding an intermediate place as to heating and cooling; it is also gently desiccative and emplastic.
Commentary. This, as we have explained elsewhere (Vol. I, 123), is the Triticum Spelta, to which our older herbalists give the names Greek Wheat, Spelt Wheat, or Spelt Corn. That the Zeia of the Greeks was identical with the Far of the Romans, is proved beyond all dispute from a passage of Asclepiades preserved by Galen. (De Locis Affectis, ix.) The term spelta is derived from the latino-barbarous translations of the Arabians. See Serapion (122), who quotes under this head the chapter of Dioscorides on tragus, which was spelt deprived of its hull. The other authorities say little of spelt as a medicine; but commend it highly as an article of food. (See Vol. I, l. c.) Avicenna describes it by the name of harcoman (ii, 2, 323); and Rhases by that of haratinam (Cont. l. ult. i, 352.)
Zingiber, Ginger; its root is powerfully heating, but not on its first application, as it contains some crude and thick juice, on which account it readily becomes carious, but it preserves the heat.
Commentary. Without doubt the Amomum Zingiber. Dioscorides after describing the country of the ginger, and the characters of the best kinds of it, states its medicinal powers to be heating, digestive, mildly aperient of the bowels, and stomachic; and recommends it in nebulæ of the cornea, and adds of it, that as an ingredient in antidotes and otherwise it resembles pepper (ii, 189.) Galen writes very elaborately in explanation of the action of ginger on the animal frame; and, in accounting for the difference between it and pepper and other articles of the same class practically, his conclusions regarding it are the same as our author’s. Aëtius and Oribasius copy from him. Serapion, after quoting the opinions of Dioscorides and Galen, gives a very sensible account of the virtues of ginger from Mesue and another unknown authority. Mesue says it is beneficial in obstructions of the liver, arising from coldness and humidity; that it softens the belly, heats the stomach and the whole body; promotes digestion; is alexipharmic and aphrodisiacal; removes phlegm (water brash?) and is beneficial in obscurity of vision. The unknown authority says it improves the memory, and removes the humidity in the stomach, arising from the eating of fruit, such as melons and the like (De Simpl. 336.) In the works of Mesue, now extant, ginger is not treated of. Rhases gives very interesting extracts from Dioscorides, Galen, and various Arabian authors. Of the latter, one says of ginger, that it softens the belly, and another that it binds it. (Cont. l. ult. i, 762.) Avicenna quotes Dioscorides as stating that it is aperient, and Alcanzi as holding that it is astringent. He agrees with the latter, that ginger binds the bowels, when their loose state arises from indigestion and viscid humours. He agrees also with the other authorities, that it is stomachic and aphrodisiac. (ii, 2, 735.)