BOOK SEVENTH. (continued 2)

Commentary. This is a Syrian plant, which, although both Matthiolus and Gerarde pretend to give figures of it, has never been satisfactorily determined. Serapion and Avicenna have completely omitted treating of it, and Rhases merely says of the androsafes, by which he probably meant the androsaces, that it is decidedly heating with moderate astringency. (Cont. l. ult.) Our author seems to copy from Dioscorides (iii, 140.)

Ἀνεμώνη,

Anemone, Wind-flower; all the varieties of it have powers which are acrid, detergent, epispastic, and open the mouths of vessels: whence they increase phlegm, remove leprosy when applied, and attract milk.

Commentary. The wind-flowers, so celebrated in ancient poetry, being a numerous genus, there has been some difficulty in determining exactly the species described by Dioscorides. He mentions two, the cultivated and the wild, and divides each into two varieties, according to the difference of colour in their flowers. The former may be set down as the A. coronaria, and the other as the A. nemorosa. The latter only is indigenous in this country, but the other is commonly cultivated in gardens. He recommends them principally as external applications, as for foul ulcers, in collyria for inflammation of the eyes, and in pessaries to promote menstruation. (ii, 207.) Galen and the succeeding authorities follow him. The anemone is not to be found in Celsus. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 655); Serapion (c. 72); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. iii, 48); Ebn Baithar (ii, 100.) They do little more than copy from Dioscorides. The A. pratensis occurs in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (132.)

Ἄνηθον,

Anethum, Dill; it warms in the second degree intensely, and dries in nearly the same degree. When boiled in oil it is diaphoretic, anodyne, and soporific; and concocts crude swellings. But when burnt it becomes of the third order of heating and drying medicines, and is useful when sprinkled upon foul ulcers. But the green is more humid, and less hot and digestive.

Commentary. Our author condenses and abridges the account of the dill (Anethum graveolens) given by Galen. Dioscorides, in his usual empirical style, recommends it for various purposes, such as promoting the flow of milk, stopping slight vomiting, opening the bowels, increasing the urine, proving useful to hysterical women in a hip-bath, and so forth. (iii, 60.) The Arabians as usual copy from both. See Avicenna. (ii, 2, 69.)

Ἄνθυλλις,

Anthyllis; there are two varieties, both of which are desiccant applications to ulcers; but that resembling the ground-pine consists of more subtile particles, so as to be beneficial in epileptic cases. It is also more detergent.

Commentary. The former species, which Dioscorides describes and recommends for the cure of wounds, we would willingly refer to the Anthyllis vulneraria, but the predominance of authority is against it, and in favour of the Cressa cretica. The other is probably the Ajuga Iva. Avicenna joins Dioscorides in commending it as a vulnerary herb (ii, 2, 744), for which virtue the anthyllis was long celebrated, as its scientific name implies.

Ἄνησον,

Anisum, Anise; the seed is particularly acrid, eating, and drying in the third degree. Hence it is diuretic and dispels flatus.

Commentary. Serapion and Avicenna, like the Greek authorities, call the Pimpinella anisum diuretic and emmenagogue. It is now reckoned the first of the four hot seeds, the other three being carui, cumin, and fennel.

Ἀντίρρινον or Ἀνάρρινον,

Antirrinon, or Anarrinon, Snapdragon, has properties resembling those of the bubonium, but weaker, whence you may learn its properties.

Commentary. Galen writes of this article, Antirrinum Orontium, or Calfsnout, as being of no use in medicine. (De Simpl. v.) Dioscorides, also, mentions it only as an amulet and external application. (iv, 131.) It is scarcely noticed by the other authorities. According to Pliny, it is emmenagogue. Serapion has omitted it.

Ἄνωνις or Ὤνωνις,

Anonis, or Ononis, Rest-harrow, has heating powers, especially in its root. Its juice, when drunk with wine, promotes the secretion of urine, is lithontriptic, breaks eschars, and soothes pains of the teeth.

Commentary. Our author abridges his account of the Ononis antiquorum from Galen. All in fact borrow from Dioscorides, who further mentions of it, that it was sometimes used as a pickle. (iii, 18.) It would appear to be the Onobes of Rhases (Cont. i, 520), who gives the characters of it from Galen. Serapion and Avicenna have omitted it. Modern authorities enumerate it among the five aperient roots. It is only of late years that it has been expelled from our Pharmacopœias. Even yet it is not wholly unknown to our apothecaries. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 94.) Two species of the Anonis, the antiquorum and spinosa, occur in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 119.)

Ἀπαρίνη,

Lappa, Cleavers (which some call philanthropon, others omphalocarpon), is moderately detergent and desiccative; it also consists of subtile particles.

Commentary. All the herbalists and best commentators agree that it is the Galium aparine. (See Gerarde, Sprengel, and others.) According to Dioscorides a decoction of its leaves is useful to persons bitten by phalangia and vipers, when drunk with wine; an injection of the same into the ears cures earache; and when mixed up with axunge it discusses scrofulous tumours. Galen and the subsequent authorities seem to attach less importance to it. (iii, 94.) We cannot find it in Serapion, Rhases, Avicenna, nor Haly Abbas; but it is treated of by all our older herbalists, and has found a place in many modern pharmacopœias. It is not contained, however, in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.

Ἄπιον,

Pyrum, the Pear, is unequal as to temperament, consisting partly of terrene and partly of watery matter. When eaten, therefore, it is stomachic, and quenches thirst. When applied as a cataplasm it dries and cools moderately.

Commentary. Our author copies the characters of the Pyrus communis from Galen and Aëtius. We have treated of it as an article of food in the First Book. Both Dioscorides and Pliny make mention of perry. Dioscorides says, that pears prove prejudicial to hungry persons when eaten. (i, 167.)

Ἀπόκυνον or Κυνοκράμβη,

Brassica canina, Dog’s-bane; it is also called cynomoron, because it proves quickly fatal to dogs. But it is also deleterious to men, being very fetid and hot, without being desiccant. Hence, when applied externally as a cataplasm it is discutient.

Commentary. Our author borrows his account of this article very closely from Galen. It is clearly a poison rather than a medicine. In fact, it is classed by Schulze among the ancient poisons. (Toxicol. veterum.) Orfila also treats of it among the acrid poisons (p. 82, Eng. ed.) It seems doubtful whether it be the Periploca Græca, as we formerly stated it to be (II, 242); the Cynanchus erectus, as Sprengel supposes; or one of the species of Apocynum. Having no practical acquaintance with these herbs, we cannot pretend to give any decided opinion on the subject.

Ἀπόχυμα,

Apochyma, is the old pitch scraped from ships. It is solvent, desiccant, and discutient of tumours.

Commentary. Dioscorides calls it also Ζωπίσσα. It consists, as he explains, of the wax and pitch of ships which had been macerated in salt water. Pliny says of it, “Zopissam eradi navibus diximus cera marino sale maceratâ. Optima hæc a tirocinio navium. Additur autem in malagmata ad discutiendas collectiones.” (H. N. xxiv, 26.)

Ἀράχνη,

Aranea, the Spider, when softened into a plaster, and applied to the forehead and temples, is said by Dioscorides to remove the periodical attacks of tertians. Its web, when applied, stops hemorrhage, and preserves superficial sores from inflammation.

Commentary. Dioscorides describes two species, which probably are the Aranea retiaria, and the Aranea domestica. Serapion gives the same account of their medicinal properties. They appear to have been principally used externally, as an anti-inflammatory application.

Ἀργεμώνη,

Argemone, Prickly Poppy, is possessed of detergent and discutient powers.

Commentary. Of the two species described by Dioscorides, the former, which is the Papaver argemone, is recommended by him in nebulæ and albugo of the eye, and its leaves as a soothing cataplasm for inflammations. The other, which may be the Geum urbanum, or avens, he also recommends principally as an external application in sores and affections of the eyes; but adds of it, that when drunk with wine it is useful in the case of persons stung by venomous animals. (ii, 208.) Galen and the succeeding authorities treat of it more cursorily; and the Arabians would seem not to treat of it at all, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives translations of what Dioscorides and Galen had written of it. (i, 28.)

Ἀρίσαρον,

Arisarum, Friar’s Cowl, is smaller than the wakerobin, but much more acrid; and has a root of the size of an olive.

Commentary. Our herbalists give the name of Friar’s Cowl to this plant, which even they admit to be possessed of insignificant powers. It is the aris of Pliny. (H. N. xxiv, 16.) Its botanical name is Arum arisaron. Dioscorides calls it an acrid medicine, and recommends it solely in collyria. (ii, 198.) The Arabians appear to have confounded it with the arum, under the name of Luf. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 132); and Ebn Baithar (ii, 449.)

Ἀριστολοχία,

Aristolochia, Birthwort; all kinds of it are hot, consist of subtile particles, and are detergent, bitter and subacrid; and are most useful remedies. The round consists of more subtile particles, and is every way more drastic. The clematitis is fragrant but weaker. The long is, in other respects, intermediate between these, but no less hot than the round.

Commentary. Three species of the Birthwort, the Aristolochia longa, rotunda, and clematis, have been described by the authorities from Dioscorides downwards. The first two still retain their places in our Pharmacopœias, but are seldom used. Dioscorides recommends them, especially as uterine medicines, for promoting menstruation, the lochial discharge, and the expulsion of the fœtus. He also says it is useful in affections of the chest, the spleen, and in other diseases. (iii, 4, 5.) The toxicologists from Nicander downwards recommend the birthwort as an antidote to poisons. See also Theophr. (H. P. ix, 15); and Apuleius (De Herbis.) Mesue describes it as being phlegmagogue, cholagogue, and emmenagogue. He also recommends it in a fumigation along with arsenic for asthma. (De Simpl. ii, 27.) Avicenna treats of it at great length, recommending it strongly as an uterine and alexipharmic medicine. (ii, 2, 49.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 77); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion (c. 171); Ebn Baithar, pluries. Pliny describes a fourth species under the name of Pistolochia. Modern authorities confirm the birthwort’s character as to its being powerfully emmenagogue. See Quincy, Lewis, Pereira, and the other writers on the Materia Medica.

Ἄρκευθος,

Juniperus, the Juniper, heats and dries in the third degree. The fruit is equally calefacient, but desiccant only in the first degree.

Commentary. Dioscorides describes two species of it, the major and the minor, which probably are to be referred to the Juniperus macrocarpa, Sibth., and the J. oxycedrus. He calls them acrid, diuretic, and calefacient, and further recommends them in diseases of the chest, in the hysterical convulsion, and as being alexipharmic. (i, 103.) The other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, copy closely under this head from him. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 359); and Ebn Baithar (ii, 189.) The vernix is a resinous gum, which is procured from the juniper; it is called Sandarax by the Arabians, and is to be carefully distinguished from the sandaracha or sulphuret of arsenic. They recommend it in hæmoptysis. See Serapion, Rhases, and Avicenna. Of the juniper, see further under Κέδρος, and appendix under Sandaracha.

Ἄρκιον,

Arcium (called also Prosopites); its leaves are like those of the colocynth, but larger and harder. It is discutient and desiccant, and has some stypticity. Wherefore, its leaves cure old sores.

Commentary. The ancient descriptions of this plant seem to point to the burdock, which, however, owing to a confusion of names, has been called the Arctium lappa. Dioscorides recommends it internally in diseases of the chest, and externally as a cataplasm to old ulcers. (iv, 105.) This is the same as the second arctium of Galen, who recommends it in the same cases as Dioscorides. Apuleius, like Dioscorides, says it is useful in cases of strangury. Our old herbalists treat of the virtues of the burdock in the same terms as the Greek and Roman authorities. The Arabians, as far as we can discover, do not treat either of the arcion or the arction, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen, and seems puzzled to distinguish the two plants from one another. (i, 25.) In the modern Greek Dispensatory both the Arctium bardana and the A. lappa are set down as corresponding to the ἄρκειον.

Ἄρκτιον,

Arctium, Lappa, is like the verbascum; its roots are tender, white, and sweet: it consists of subtile particles, and is possessed of desiccant and moderately detergent powers.

Commentary. This, which is treated of under the same name by Dioscorides (iii, 104), and is the former arctium of Galen, is probably the Verbascum sanguineum. The description of it given by Galen, at all events, points to some species of the mullein. Both the authorities we have mentioned recommend it as an application to burns and chilblains.

Ἀρμενιακὸν,

Armeniacum, has detergent properties with a little acrimony, and a small degree of astringency. It is therefore mixed up with ophthalmic medicines, and promotes the growth of the hairs of the eyelids.

Commentary. We shall not enter into the discussion of disputed points respecting this article, further than to state our own opinion, that in all probability it was a native ore of carbonate of copper; but which of the species or sub-species described by modern mineralists the armenium was, we cannot venture to decide. See Cleavland’s Mineralogy (p. 570, &c.) Dioscorides, who treats of it under the name of armenium, (v, 105), compares it to chrysocolla, which it is well ascertained is that species of native carbonate of copper now described under the names of copper green and mountain green. He merely recommends it as a cosmetic when applied to the eyelashes. Serapion confounds this substance with the Lapis armeniacus, (c. 404); but Avicenna accurately distinguishes between them. (ii, 2, 56, 415.)

Ἀρνάβω,

Arnabo, is one of the aromatics. Hence it is mostly mixed up with ointments, being possessed of hot and dry powers in the third degree, like cassia and carpesium. Hence Posidonius says, that it may be used instead of cinnamon when it is not at hand.

Commentary. This article, which is treated of only by Aëtius (xvi, 113), besides our author, has never been accurately determined. It has been supposed to be the zerumbeth, of which we will have occasion to treat more fully in another place. See the Appendix.

Ἀρνόχλωσσον,

Plantago, Plantain, both cools and dries in the second degree, being composed of a watery and a terrene substance, and having a little astringency; therefore it agrees with malignant ulcers, defluxions, and mortifications; by the symmetry of its temperament it stops hemorrhages, and agrees with most of them. For it is desiccant without being stimulant, and cooling without being narcotic.

Commentary. The greater plantain of Dioscorides was probably the Plantago major, which, in all ages down to the present times, has been so celebrated as a vulnerary herb. Our author’s account of its virtues is taken either from Dioscorides or Galen, for, in the present instance, there is scarcely a shade of difference in opinion between these two authorities. The lesser plantain of Dioscorides is either the lanceolata or maritima, probably the former. (ii, 152.) See Macer Floridus. Avicenna and Serapion copy word for word from Dioscorides and Galen. None of the plantains are mentioned by Hippocrates. Celsus places the “plantago” in the list of substances which are both astringent and cooling. (ii, 33.) None of the species of plantago here described occur in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.

Ἄρον,

Arum, Wakerobin, is of the first order in heating and drying, being formed of a terrene substance that is hot and detergent. Its roots are hotter. But the dracunculus is stronger.

Commentary. We have all along assumed, with our older herbalists, that this is the wakerobin or cuckow-pent, namely, the Arum maculatum L. Pliny and Mesue are the only ancient authors who have noticed its purgative powers. Our author’s account of its faculties is much the same as that given by Dioscorides, Galen, and Oribasius, and its ancient character has been amply confirmed by modern authority. The Arabians treat of it fully, but rather confusedly, under the name of Luf. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 432); Serapion (c. 43); Ebn Baithar (ii, 246.) Even at the present day it is not wholly excluded from the Materia Medica. See Pereira (M. M. p. 811.) We have treated of its congener, the dragon herb, as an article of food, in another place. See Book I, 114.

Ἀρσενίκον,

Arsenic, is possessed of caustic powers. It is used also for depilatories, but if the application be allowed to remain long it affects the skin itself. When burnt its particles become attenuated.

Commentary. There can be no hesitation in deciding that this is the yellow sulphuret of arsenic, commonly called orpiment, the latter term being a corruption of auripigmentum, the Latin name of it. See Celsus (v, 5.) The ancients used this mineral very freely as an external application, and internally by the mouth, in clysters, and in fumigations. Avicenna recommends arsenic with the gum of pine, in the form of a pill, for asthma. He also speaks highly of a potion containing arsenic and honeyed water. He particularly commends arsenic as an application to herpes esthiomenos of the nose. (ii, 2, 48.) Cælius Aurelianus recommends an injection containing arsenic for ascarides. (Tard. Pass. iv, 7). It was freely used in injections for the cure of chronic dysentery. (See Book iii.) Serapion speaks favorably of it in complaints of the eyes. (§ 381.) Servitor says, that sublimed arsenic is a septic and pungent medicine, which removes the fungous flesh of ulcers, and is a depilatory. He describes minutely the process of subliming and whitening it. Avicenna likewise makes mention of white arsenic. Geber also treats of sublimed arsenic, by which it is clear he meant the factitious oxide with which we are now familiar. (iii, 29.)

Ἀρτεμισία,

Artemisia, Mugwort; both varieties are heating in the second degree, and desiccant in the first. They are composed of subtile particles, so that they break down stones in the kidneys, and suit with fumigations of the womb.

Commentary. The three species of the artemisia described by Dioscorides are probably the arborescens, spicata, and campestris. He recommends the artemisia strongly as an emmenagogue, when given internally, in the form of a hip-bath, and as an injection into the vagina. He also makes it to be lithontriptic. (iii, 107, 118.) The same characters are given it by Galen and by Avicenna, whose berengfef it appears to be. (c. 83.) Aëtius and most of the authorities describe only the first two species of the artemisia. Serapion and Avicenna describe under this head an oriental species, which, it is probable, was the Artemisia Judaica. Honain (ap. Avicennam), also describes the A. Indica. The famous Moxa is prepared from the lanugo or downy substance which adheres to the under surface of the leaf of the artemisia. See Barrow’s ‘Travels in China,’ Woodville, Miller, and Pereira. That the artemisia long retained the character which Dioscorides gave it, of possessing powerful virtues as an emmenagogue and a lithontriptic, is evident from what is said of it in the work of Macer Floridus. Except as furnishing the moxa, (and it is now believed to be got from a particular species, the A. moxa) the species of artemisia here treated of are now wholly discarded from the practice of medicine.

Ἅρτος,

Panis, Bread; in a cataplasm it is more discutient than can be accounted for from the properties of wheat, owing to its containing salt and leaven. For the leaven is attractive of the deep-seated humours.

Commentary. We have given some account of the kinds of bread used by the ancients in the 78th sect. of the First Book. Oribasius gives an excellent description of the mode of preparing the bread poultice and its uses. He directs us to dissolve the bread in water until it acquires the consistence of gruel, and then, having added oil or butter to it, to boil it to the proper consistence. He adds, that it is the best of all applications with which he was acquainted for promoting suppuration. His account of the different kinds of cataplasms is most ample and interesting. (Med. Collect.)

Ἄσαρον,

Asarum, Asarabacca, has the same powers as the sweet flag, but more intense.

Commentary. This plant, which is certainly the Asarum Europæum, or common Asarabacca, is said by Dioscorides to be diuretic, heating, and emetic, answering well with dropsical cases and chronic sciatica and promoting menstruation; its roots drunk with mulse to the amount of six drachms, he says, purge like white hellebore. (i, 9.) Galen seems to have overlooked the importance of this article, for he is nearly as brief as our author in treating of it; and Aëtius and Oribasius follow him. Serapion, Rhases, and Avicenna recommend it in the same cases as Dioscorides, and also in obstructions of the liver and spleen, and as a stimulant ingredient in collyria. Modern authorities confirm the character of this medicinal article given it by Dioscorides. See Lewis (Mat. Med. i, 178); Rutty (Mat. Med. 43); Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 38.) Although not excluded from our Dispensatories, less attention is now bestowed on the asarabacca than it would seem to deserve. See Royle (M. M. p. 548.) Ipecacuanha has nearly superseded it as an emetic in this country. The asarum is still retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 22.)

Ἀσβόλη,

Fuligo, the Soot which painters use. It is taken from glassworks, and is possessed of discutient and acrid powers, so as to burn and occasion putrefaction. It cures burns, with rose-cerate.

Commentary. Dioscorides and some of the other authorities mention the Fuligo, or soot of glassworks, in nearly the same terms as Paulus.

Ἀσκαλαβώτης,

Stellio, the Swift; this animal is useless for all other purposes, but they say that it is a good application to persons bitten by a scorpion. It is mixed also with venereal excitants.

Commentary. We have treated of this reptile in the Fifth Book. It is the spotted lizard, Lacerta stellio L. Its aphrodisiacal faculty is alluded to by our author in another place. (B. III, 58.)

Ἀσκληπιάς,

Asclepias, Swallow-wort, being hot and dry as to its powers, and consisting of subtile particles, agrees well with tormina when drunk with wine, and in the form of a cataplasm it is a good application to the bites of venomous animals, and malignant ulcers in the uterus and breasts.

Commentary. There appears little reason to doubt that it is the Asclepias vincetoxicum, or Swallow-wort. Our author borrows its medicinal characters from Dioscorides. (iii, 96.) Galen candidly admits, that he had no experience of it as a medicine. Pliny, like Dioscorides and our author, recommends it for the cure of tormina and the bites of serpents. (H. N. xxvii, 18.) Until lately it held a place in our modern Dispensatories, with the characters given it by the ancients. See Quincy (p. 59); Rutty (Mat. Med. p. 44); Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 57.)

Ἄσκυρρον is treated of under Androsæmon.

Commentary. We have stated under ἀνδρόσαιμον the difficulty there is in distinguishing the different species of Hypericum described by the ancients. We cannot pretend to decide whether the present article be the androsæmum or the perforatum. Dioscorides recommends the ascyrron as an emmenagogue, in sciatica, and as an application to burns. (iii, 163.) The Arabians treat of it only as being identical either with the hypericum or the androsæmum. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 59); Avicenna (ii, 2. 354.)

Ἀσπάλαθος,

Aspalathus, Rose-wood, is composed of heterogeneous ingredients, having acrid and astringent powers, and hence it is desiccant. On this account it is useful for mortifications and defluxions.

Commentary. We must not enter into the discussion regarding this article; suffice to say, that we have now arrived at the conclusion that it was either the Lignum rhodium, or a substance so near to it in qualities, that the latter came to be substituted for it. We need scarcely say, that there is great difference of opinion among the botanical authorities what tree or shrub it is which produces the Lignum rhodium. Upon the whole the predominence of evidence is in favour of some species of Cytisus. Dioscorides recommends the aspalathus when boiled in wine as a gargle in aphthæ, as an injection in spreading and impure ulcers of the genital organs (chancres?), in dysuria, flatulence, and other complaints. (i, 19.) Now it will be observed that the distilled oil of Lignum rhodium has been recommended in similar cases by modern authorities. See Moses Charras (Royal Pharmacopœia, Chemical, iii, 1, 24.) The Arabians give the aspalathus the same characters as the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 206); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 251.) The aspalathus of Celsus (v, 24) was, no doubt, the same as that of Dioscorides. It is probably the μέλαινα ῥίζα of Hippocrates.

Ἀσπάραγος,

Asparagus, the Rock Asparagus, or Myacanthinus, is detergent, but of a middle temperament as to heat and cold; it is deobstruent of the kidneys and liver, especially its roots and seed. It also cures toothache.

Commentary. See Book I, 75. The medicinal asparagus of the ancients would appear to have been different from our garden asparagus, from the description of its root given by Dioscorides (ii, 151), and yet there seems to have been very little difference between them in properties, since both are used for the same culinary and medicinal purposes; the ancient, we suppose, must have been the A. acutifolius. From Dioscorides down to the present time, the asparagus has been celebrated as being possessed of deobstruent and diuretic powers, and hence it has been given in jaundice, nephritis, and many other diseases of a like kind. Celsus recommends it as a pickle in affections of the spleen. (iv, 9.) It occurs in the Hippocratic collection, and is fully treated of by the Arabians. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 603); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 667.) Symeon Seth, after repeating from Galen that the asparagus acts upon the kidneys and imparts its odour to it, remarks that this need not surprise us, since, by holding a certain herb of a red colour in the hands, the urine is reddened. What herb he alludes to cannot be exactly ascertained. (V. Not. Bogdani.) At all events it is clear from this that the ancients believed in absorption by the cuticle. The Arabians held that it is antiseptic. Casiri (Bibl. Hist. Arab. 337.) The wild asparagus was called Corruda (Cato de R. R.)

Ἀσπλήνιον,

Asplenium, Spleenwort, or Ceterach, has the properties of a substance which consists of subtile particles, but is not hot. It therefore breaks down stones and dissolves indurated spleens.

Commentary. The spleenwort, or Asplenium ceterach, held a place in the Materia Medica from the earliest times down to a very recent period. Dioscorides commends it in diseases of the spleen (whence it derives its name), in strangury, jaundice, and calculus. Galen briefly assigns it the same character, which is repeated by Aëtius and Oribasius, as well as by our author, and also by Avicenna (630.) We cannot find it mentioned by Serapion or Rhases. It held a place in our Dispensatory in the time of Lewis. (Materia Medica A.D. 1791.)

Ἀσταφὶς,

Uva passa, the Raisin; the cultivated is possessed of digestive, astringent, and slightly discutient powers; the wild is possessed of strongly acrid, so as to be strongly phlegmagogue and detergent.

Commentary. Dioscorides treats much more fully of the medicinal powers of raisins than Galen and our author, recommending them in affections of the windpipe, chest, kidneys, and bladder; for dysentery when eaten with their stones by themselves, or when fried along with millet flour, barley-meal, and eggs; in masticatories with pepper; in inflammation of the testicles, when applied in a cataplasm with the flour of beans and cumin; for epinyctis, carbuncle, fevers, putrid and gangrenous sores about the joints, without their stones, when pounded with rue; for gout in a cataplasm with opoponax, and for the removal of loose nails. (v, 4.) Avicenna and Rhases briefly quote Dioscorides, and supply nothing additional. They hold, like the Greeks, that in particular cases raisins prove injurious to the urinary organs. Symeon Seth mentions that the Egyptians prepared a very sweet wine from raisins and honey. (De Alimentis.)

Ἀστὴρ Ἀττικὸς,

Aster atticus, Starwort, is also called bubonium, because it is believed to cure buboes, not only when applied for this purpose but even when appended as a periapt. It is possessed of mixed powers, being discutient and cooling.

Commentary. Our author’s account of the starwort, Aster amyllus, is taken from Galen, who in his turn copies from Dioscorides. In the common editions of Dioscorides there is a passage under this head (which although quoted by Serapion (§ 96), is scarcely considered genuine by Sprengel, seeing it is not alluded to by Galen or Pliny), in which the Aster atticus is recommended for ardour of the stomach, inflammations of the eyes, buboes, and quinsies. The Arabians in treating of the Aster atticus copy from Dioscorides. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 357); Serapion (De Simpl. 96); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 95.) It is not found in the works of Celsus. It held a place in our modern Dispensatory down to a late date. See Quincy (116.)

Ἀστράγαλος,

Astragalus, Wild Liquorice, is a small shrub, having astringent roots, and is desiccative in no contemptible degree. It promotes the cicatrization of old ulcers, and when drunk with wine stops the discharges of the bowels. It is mostly produced in Phæneum of Arcadia.

Commentary. That the astragalus belongs to the vetch tribe can admit of no doubt, but the particular genus and species have never been determined. All the authorities, both ancient and modern, recommend it as an astringent both externally and internally. We cannot find it in the works either of Hippocrates or Celsus. Our author manifestly borrows from Dioscorides. (iv, 62.) The Arabians do not appear to treat of it.

Ἄσφαλτος,

Bitumen; it is desiccant and calefacient in the second degree: it is therefore agglutinative of fresh wounds.

Commentary. The asphaltus, or Bitumen judaicum, held a place in the Materia Medica from the days of Hippocrates down to a very recent period. It got the name of Jew’s pitch, from its having been principally procured from Judæa, where it is found floating on the surface of the Dead Sea, or Lacus Asphaltites. Some commentators have been puzzled by Dioscorides representing the colour of the finest asphaltus as purplish, but it is to be borne in mind that the ancients applied this term not to a scarlet red but to any rich dark-blue colour, such as that of the sea. All the authorities, ancient and modern, represent it as being emollient, discutient, and emmenagogue. Serapion gives a very interesting account of it. (§ 177.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 114); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 88); also Celsus (v, 6.)

Ἀσφόδελος,

Asphodelus, Kingspear; its root is possessed of detergent and discutient powers. When burnt its ashes become more calefacient, desiccative, and attenuate. It therefore cures alopecia.

Commentary. All the ancient authorities, including Hippocrates and Celsus, treat of the Aspodelus ramosus, or Kingspear, and in general are agreed in recommending it internally as being emmenagogue and diuretic, and externally as an application to alopecia or porrigo decalvans. The author who treats of it most elaborately is Dioscorides, who recommends it for the purposes we have mentioned, and as an alexipharmic, as a cure for toothache, and many other cases. (ii, 199.) Our author follows Galen. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 273); Serapion (c. 221); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 26.) They all copy from Dioscorides and Galen. It was sometimes used as a culinary herb. See Vol. I, p. 118. Our old herbalists repeat its ancient characters as a medicine. See Gerard (i, 70.) It has been discarded from the Pharmacopœia for some time past.

Ἀτρακτυλὶς,

Atractylis, Wild Cnicus, or Distaff-thistle; it is of the thorny tribe, being possessed of desiccative and moderately heating powers.

Commentary. In another place (Vol. I, p. 113) we have treated of the atractylis as a culinary herb, agreeing with Sprengel in referring it to the Carlina lanata. The commentators on Dioscorides, however, are greatly at variance with regard to it; most of the old herbalists agree with Belon and Fuchsius in holding it to be the Carduus benedictus, or blessed thistle. See Gerard’s Herbal (ii, 489.) We cannot help remarking, however, that the virtues of the Carduus benedictus as given by Quincy (English Dispensatory, i, 2) by no means agree with those assigned to the atractylis by Dioscorides; he holds it to be alexipharmical. (iii, 97.) Our author copies from Galen. The Arabians supply no additional information. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 159.)

Ἀτράφαξις,

Atriplex, Orache, moistens in the second degree and cools in the first. It therefore opens the belly. Its fruit is possessed of detergent powers, whence it is useful in jaundice and obstructions of the liver.

Commentary. We have treated of the orach (Atriplex Hortensis) as a culinary herb in Book I, § 74. It is still used as an article of food on the Continent. Our author copies from Dioscorides (ii, 145), whose account of it is amplified and explained by Galen. (De Simpl. v.) It is briefly treated of in like terms by Avicenna (ii, 2, 174); Serapion (c. 146); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 97.) Rhases, after quoting what Dioscorides and Paulus say of it, adds on his own authority that he had known the seed of it prove powerfully emetic and laxative.

Ἀφάκη,

Aphace, Wild Vetch, is possessed of astringent powers like the lentil; but when eaten it is more difficult to digest than the lentil, and is more strongly desiccative, with a moderate degree of heating properties.

Commentary. This is clearly a species of Vicia, but whether the bithynica, lutea, or hybrida cannot be satisfactorily determined. It is treated of by our older herbalists, who agree with the ancients in assigning to it astringent powers. The Arabian authorities would appear to have overlooked it. Our author is indebted to Dioscorides (ii, 177) and Galen (De Simpl. v.)

Αφρόνιτρον,

Aphronitrum is possessed of discutient and detergent powers, so as not only to cleanse those parts which are foul, but also to cure pruritus. But when drunk it is bad for the stomach.

Ἀφρὸς νίτρου,

Spuma nitri; it has powers like those of natron, but its substance is more attenuate, and therefore it is smooth like flour.

Commentary. As Dr. Coray’s account of the Nitrum, Aphronitrum, and Spuma nitri of the ancients is of high authority, we are induced to give it in his own language literally translated. “The nitrum of the ancients was not that substance which modern chemists call by the name (nitre or nitrate of potass), being a composition of nitric acid and a vegetable alkali, but that which is called natron, being a native combination of carbonic acid and an alkali (natron or native carbonate of soda.) And they called the harder and more stony lumps nitrum or litrum, and the more spongy and softer aphronitrum or aphrolitrum; and spuma nitri or litri, the superficial efflorescence of the nitrum and floury part, which was easily scraped off.” (Ad Xenoc. et Galen. de Al. ex Aquat.)—From this account it appears that the firmer and harder lumps of the native carbonate of soda were called nitrum; the softer and more spongy pieces aphronitrum, and those kinds which had a bright florid appearance externally and readily crumbled down into a powder, the spuma nitri. Dioscorides gives a more lengthy account of its medicinal properties than either Galen or our author, not only recommending it externally as a stimulant and discutient application to various cutaneous diseases and the bites of mad dogs, but also internally as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms, buprestis, bull’s blood, &c. (v, 129.) Serapion has a very interesting chapter on nitrum and aphronitrum, but it is in a great measure made up from Dioscorides and Galen (c. 411.) For a further account of the ancient nitrum, see under Litrum in this section. We may just mention in this place that the aphronitrum would appear to have been merely Afrum nitrum, that is to say, a variety of the nitrum or natron found in Africa.

Ἀχρὰς,

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.

Ἀψίνθιον,

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.)

Βάλανος Μυρεψικὴ,

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.)

Βάκχαρις,

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.)

Βαλάυστιον,

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.

Βάλσαμον,

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.

Βαλωτὴ,

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.)

Βάτος,

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.)

Βατράχιον,

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.

Βάτραχοι,

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.)

Βδέλλιον,

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.

Βεττονικὴ,

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.

Βηχίον,

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.)

Βλίτον,

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.

Βολβὸς,

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.)

Βότρυς,

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.

Βουβώνιον,

Bubonium, has been described under Aster Atticus.

Βούγλωσσον,

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.

Βούνειον,

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.

Βόυπρηστις,

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.)

Βόυτυρον,

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.)

Βούφθαλμον,

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.

Βράθυς,

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.

Βρεττανίκη,

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.

Βρόμος,

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.

Βρύον,

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.)

Βρυωνία,

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.)

Γἀλα,

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.)

Γαλὴ,

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.

Γάλιον,

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.

Γαλίοψις,

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.

Γάρος,

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.’

Γεντιανὴ,

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.

Γεράνιον,

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.)

Γῆ,

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.

Γήρας ὄφεως,

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.)

Γῆς ἔντερα,

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.)

Γίγαρτα,

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.)

Γιγγίδιον,

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.

Γλαύκιον,

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.

Γλαὺξ,

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.

Γλήχων,

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.)

Γλοιὸς,

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.

Γλυκυρρίζα,

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.

Γλυκυσίδη,

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.)

Γναφάλιον,

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.

Γογγυλὶς,

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.)

Γορδύλιον,

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.)

Γύρις,

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.

Γύψος,

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.)