Lour., although there has been considerable difference of opinion on this
point. See Gerarde’s ‘Herbal’ and the commentators on Dioscorides and
Mesue. Our author’s description of it is taken from Dioscorides (i, 21.)
The Arabian authorities and Simeon Seth describe several varieties of it;
the most excellent of which is said to be the Indian. At all times it has
been much used in India as a perfume. See in particular Avicenna, who
gives an elaborate dissertation on the different kinds of agallochum or
xylaloe, found in India, and the modes of preparing it (ii, 2, 733.) See
also Serapion (De Simpl. 197); Ebn Baithar (ii, 224); and Rhases (Cont.
l. ult. i, 27.) It does not occur in the Hippocratic treatises, nor in
the works of Celsus. Although not retained in our Dispensatory, it is
still kept in the shops of the apothecaries, and has the reputation of
being cordial and alexiterial. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 91.)
Ἀγαρικὸν,
Agaricum, _Agaric_, is a root or an excrescence from the trunk of a tree,
of a porous consistence, and composed of aerial and terrene particles.
It is of a discutient nature, cuts thick humours, and clears away
obstructions, of the viscera particularly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears to have been the same as the _Boletus igniarius_
(_touchwood_ or _spunk_), which is still retained in our modern
Dispensatories. It is a fungous excrescence which grows on the trunk of
the oak, larch, cherry, and plum. Dioscorides and most of the ancient
authorities speak highly of it as a styptic. Dioscorides also commends
it in stomach complaints, but Aëtius maintains that it is prejudicial to
the stomach. Galen calls it cathartic, and speaks highly of its virtues
in the cure of jaundice and other hepatic affections. (De Simpl. v.)
For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2); Serapion (De Simpl. 78); Rhases
(Contin. l. ult. i, 28.) They recommend it in jaundice, like Galen,
and in complaints of the lungs, melancholy, protracted fevers, and in
other cases. It is now seldom used, being found to act harshly both as
an emetic and a cathartic. We have treated of the poisonous agarici in
another place (v, 64.) The _Boletus Laricis_ occurs in the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia. (Athens, 1837.)
Ἀγήρατον,
Ageratum, _Maudlin_, is possessed of discutient and slightly
anti-inflammatory powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our modern herbalists are generally agreed that this is our
maudlin, that is to say, the _Achillea Ageratum_, and the commentators
on Mesue hold that it is his eupatorium. From Dioscorides down to modern
times it has been commended as a diuretic medicine and an emollient
of the uterus. Dioscorides, however, seems to say that it is heating,
whereas Galen represents it as mildly anti-inflammatory. Perhaps there
is some error in the text of the former. (iv, 59.) We do not find it in
the works of Hippocrates, nor in those of Celsus, nor have we found it
treated of by any of the Arabians, except Ebn Baithar, who merely gives
extracts from Dioscorides and Galen (ii, 57.)
Ἄγνος ἢ λύγος,
Vitex, the _Chaste-tree_, heats and dries in the third rank. It consists
of fine particles and dispels flatulence, whence it is believed to
contribute to chastity, not only when eaten and drunk, but also when
strewed under one. Its seed also, when drunk, acts as a deobstruent
of the liver and spleen. When toasted it is less flatulent and more
distributable.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The anaphrodisiacal powers of the _Vitex Agnus Castus_, or
chaste-tree, are noticed by most of the medical authorities, and by
Ælian (H. A. ix, 36.) But modern authorities question its claims to this
character. Until lately, however, it held a place in our Pharmacopœia.
Our author abridges Dioscorides (1, 134), and Galen (De Simpl.) For the
Arabians, see particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 43), and Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. 31.) It occurs in the works of Hippocrates.
Ἄγρωστις,
Gramen, _Grass_, that of Parnassus is particularly useful; it is
desiccative, moderately cooling, consists of fine particles, and is
somewhat sour; it, therefore, is an agglutinant of bloody wounds, and its
decoction is lithontriptic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides treats separately of the agrostis, which
probably is our couch-grass, or _Triticum repens_, and of the agrostis
in Parnasso, which has been very doubtfully referred to the _Parnassia
palustris_. (iv, 30.) Our author would appear to have confounded these
two articles together, and to have applied to the latter the characters
which Dioscorides gives to the other. The modern herbalists agree
with the ancients in commending the couch-grass as being diuretic and
lithontriptic. None of the commentators or herbalists have given a
satisfactory account of the esculent grass of Galen. The Arabians treat
of the grasses very confusedly. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 704);
Rhases (Contin. l. ult. iii, 50); Serapion (c. 119.) In the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia the _Triticum repens_ stands for the ἀ. (p. 72.) Apuleius
says “Græci agrostem Latini gramen appellant.”
Ἄνχουσαι,
Anchusæ, _Alkanet_; there are four varieties, all of which are not
possessed of the same powers. For that which is called onoclea has a root
which is astringent and somewhat bitter; whence it is useful in splenitic
and nephritic cases. It is a suitable remedy for erysipelas when applied
with polenta. The leaves are less cooling and desiccative than the root,
and, therefore, they are also drunk for diarrhœa. The lycapsos being more
astringent, agrees in like manner with erysipelas. The onochilos (or
alcibiadios) being possessed of stronger medicinal properties than these,
is beneficial for the bites of vipers, when applied as a cataplasm, as an
amulet, and when eaten. The fourth variety being smaller than the others,
has scarcely got a name: but being more bitter than the alcibiadios, it
is applicable in cases of the broad lumbricus when taken in a draught to
the extent of an acetabulum.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The first species is either the _Anchusa tinctoria L._,
or the _Lithospermum tinctorium_; the lycapsos, the _Echium italicum
L._; the alcibiadios, the _Echium diffusum_, and the fourth species the
_Lithospermum fruticosum_. There is considerable difficulty, however, in
determining the alkanets of the ancients. Our author, in his account of
them, follows Galen, who, in his turn, copies from Dioscorides. Avicenna,
Rhases, and Haly Abbas borrow all they say of them from Dioscorides
and Galen. The only one of these substances that is retained in our
modern Pharmacopœias is the _Anchusa tinctoria_, and it is used only
for colouring. The medicinal virtues of the _Lithospermum_, or of any
species of _Echium_, are scarcely recognized. Indeed, as the Anchusa
tinctoria is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, and as it is
there stated to be a common plant in Greece, we need have no hesitation
in admitting it to be the common anchusa of the ancients.
Ἄδάρκη,
Adarce is a sort of froth of salt water, collecting about rubbish and
weeds. It is very acrid, and heating almost to burning when applied
externally with other things; for it cannot be taken internally.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The description of this substance given by Dioscorides,
Galen, and the other authorities is substantially the same as our
author’s, from which all we can gather is that it was a saline concretion
formed about reeds and herbs in salt lakes. But even Matthiolus confesses
that he never could satisfy himself that he had found the substance in
question, and no modern authority on the Materia Medica has treated of
it. Dioscorides compares it to the _alcyonium_, from which we think it
probable that the adarce may have been applied to some species of this
zoophyte. See Alcyonium. Dioscorides recommends it for the cure of lepra
and sciatica (v, 136.) The Arabians borrow from him under this head.
See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 17); Serapion (c. 378.) It is not
mentioned by Celsus.
Ἄδίαντον,
Adiantum, _Maiden-hair_, is desiccative, attenuant, and moderately
discutient; and with regard to heat and cold, it holds an intermediate
place. It, therefore, cures alopecia, discusses swellings, proves
lithontriptic when taken in a draught, dries up expectorations from the
lungs, and stops defluxions of the belly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Theophrastus says that it derives its name from its property
of not being wet in rain. He adds, that it promotes the growth of the
hair. (H. P. vii, 13.) Nicander says the same of it. (Ther. 846.)
According to Apuleius, it is the same as the callitrichon, polytrichon,
and asplenon. There can be no doubt that it is the _A. Capillus Veneris
L._ Dioscorides describes another species by the name of τριχόμανες,
which Sprengel and Schneider agree in referring it to the _Asplenium
Trichomanes L._ Stackhouse agrees with them respecting both these
species. The syrup of capillaire, which still holds its place in the
shops as a favorite domestic medicine, is prepared from the _Adiantum_.
Αΐζωον,
Sempervivum, _Wall-pepper_ (or _House-leek_?), of which there are two
varieties. It cools in the third degree, is moderately desiccative and
astringent, and is applicable for erysipelas, herpes, and inflammations
from a defluxion.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author, copying from Galen and Aëtius, describes two
species which seem to be the _Sempervivum arboreum_ and _Sedum rupestre_.
Dr. Lindley, however, refers the latter to _S. ochroleucum_. Dioscorides
has a third species, which may be referred to the _Sedum stellatum_.
The greater house-leek is praised by Dioscorides as an application for
headache, for the bites of venomous spiders, diarrhœa, and dysentery; as
an anthelminthic when drunk with wine; for stopping the fluor of women
in a pessary, and as an application to the eyes in ophthalmy (iv, 88,
89.) Macer Floridus commends it in menorrhagia. He calls it _acidula_.
Serapion, Avicenna, Rhases, and Haly Abbas merely copy from the Greeks.
Even Ebn Baithar has nothing original under this head. These plants,
although not retained in our Dispensatory, are still allowed to possess
medicinal properties. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 345.) It is still retained
in some of the foreign Dispensatories, and is held to be refrigerant and
astringent.
Ἀετώνυχον,
Ætonychon will be treated of under the head of _Stones_.
Ἀθηρά,
Pulticula, _Pap_, is a kind of puls fit for being supped, which is
prepared from ground spelt or from any corn, and agrees with children. It
answers also for cataplasms.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides gives the same account of it. It is the _Puls
fritilla_ of Pliny. Matthiolus says it is called _bouillie_ in French, i.
e. _pap_. Hesychius speaks of its being prepared from wheat, and Pliny
from rice.
Ἀιγίλωψ,
Ægilops, _Cockle_, is possessed of discutient powers, whence it cures
indurated inflammations and ægilops (fistula lachrymalis.)
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There is great difficulty in determining the grasses of
the ancients. This may be seen by consulting the ‘Herbal’ of Gerarde
on this subject. The present article was probably the _Ægilops ovata_.
Dioscorides gives nearly the same account of it as our author, who copies
Galen. He further mentions that the juice of it, mixed up with flour and
dried, was laid up for use (iv, 136.) The Arabians borrow closely from
Dioscorides. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 211), and Serapion (c.
25.)
Ἄιγειρος,
Populus nigra, _the Black Poplar_; it is heating in the first degree,
moderately desiccative, and consists of fine particles. Its leaves, when
applied with vinegar, remove gouty pains; but the resin of it being
hotter than the leaves, is mixed with restorative ointments and emollient
plasters. But its fruit, when drunk with vinegar, is beneficial to
epileptics.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is the _Populus nigra_. Our
author and all the other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, copy
closely from Dioscorides (i, 110.) We will have occasion to treat of its
gum or resin afterwards. See Karabe. Celsus does not mention the black
poplar. The αἴγειρος κρητικὴ of Hippocrates was no doubt a variety of
_Populus nigra_. For the Arabians, consult in particular Avicenna (ii, 2,
333, 340, 364); Serapion (c. 266); and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 165.)
Ἀιδοῖον,
Testiculus, _the testicle_ of a stag, when dried and triturated with wine
and drunk, is a remedy to those who have been bitten by vipers. It is
also mixed with compound medicines.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Sextus Platonicus in like manner recommends the privy parts
of a stag as an antidote for poisons. All copy from Dioscorides (ii, 46.)
Ἀιθάλη and λίγνυς will be treated under Λ.
Ἀιθιοπίς,
Salvia Æthiopis, _Ethiopian Sage_, has leaves like the petty-mullein; and
the decoction of its root, when drunk, relieves ischiatic and pleuritic
diseases, hæmoptysis, and asperity of the trachea, when taken with honey.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It may be set down as being the _Salvia Æthiopis_, to which
our English herbalist Gerarde gives the English name of mullein of
Æthiopia. Neither Galen nor Aëtius has treated of it. Our author has
borrowed from Dioscorides (iv, 193.) We do not find it in the Materia
Medica of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely
gives an extract from Dioscorides under this head.
Ἃιμα,
Sanguis, _Blood_; no kind of it is of a cold nature, but that of swine
is liquid and less hot, being very like the human in temperament. That
of common pigeons, the wood pigeons, and the turtle, being of a moderate
temperament, if injected hot, removes extravasated blood about the eyes
from a blow; and when poured upon the dura mater, in cases of trephining,
it is anti-inflammatory. That of the owl, when drunk with wine or water,
relieves dyspnœa. The blood of bats, it is said, is a preservative to the
breasts of virgins, and, if rubbed in, it keeps the hair from growing;
and in like manner also that of frogs, and the blood of the chamæleon
and the dog-tick. But Galen, having made trial of all these remedies,
says that they disappointed him. But that of goats, owing to its dryness,
if drunk with milk, is beneficial in cases of dropsy, and breaks down
stones in the kidneys. That of domestic fowls stops hemorrhages of the
membranes of the brain, and that of lambs cures epilepsies. The recently
coagulated blood of kids, if drunk with an equal quantity of vinegar, to
the amount of half a hemina, cures vomiting of blood from the chest. The
blood of bears, of wild goats, of buck goats, and of bulls, is said to
ripen apostemes. That of the land crocodile produces acuteness of vision.
The blood of stallions is mixed with septic medicines. The antidote from
bloods is given for deadly poisons, and contains the blood of the duck,
of the stag, and of the goose.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author abridges this article from Galen. See also in
particular Serapion (De Simpl. ex Animalibus.)
Ἄιρα,
Lolium, _Darnel_, is heating and drying, almost in the third degree,
being equal in power to the iris.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This, which is the _Zizanien_ of the Arabians, may be set
down as the _Lolium temulentum_. Dioscorides gives the fullest account of
its medicinal faculties; he recommends it along with radishes and salt as
an application to gangrenous and spreading sores, and with sulphur and
vinegar for lichen and lepra; when boiled with pigeon’s dung and linseed
in wine for discussing strumous and indolent tumours; for ischiatic
disease boiled with mulse and applied as a cataplasm; and used in a
fumigation with myrrh, saffron, and frankincense, he says it promotes
conception (ii, 122.) Aëtius says, it is more acrid but less attenuant
than iris. We have not been able to find it noticed in the works of
Hippocrates nor in those of Celsus. The Arabians merely copy Dioscorides
and Galen. See Serapion (c. 70); and Avicenna (ii, 2, 658.) Our old
English herbalists repeat the ancient characters of this plant.
Ἀκαλλίς
is the fruit of a shrub growing in Egypt, the decoction of which is an
ingredient in the Collyria, for promoting acuteness of vision.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Galen and Aëtius have not treated of this article. Our author
copies from Dioscorides, who, under the name of ἀκακαλὶς, describes it
as an Egyptian plant, resembling the myrica (i, 118.) We may therefore
conjecture, with considerable probability, that it is merely some species
or variety of the tamarix. It does not appear that it is treated of by
the Arabians, nor have we found it in the works of Hippocrates or Celsus.
Ἀκακία,
Acacia is of the third order of desiccants, and of the first of cooling
medicines; but if washed, of the second. It is sour and terrene.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes the acacia as being a thorny tree or
shrub, not erect, having a white flower and fruit like lupine, inclosed
in pods, from which is expressed the juice that is afterwards dried in
the shade (i, 133.) It was much disputed among the older commentators on
Dioscorides whether or not this description applies to the _Acacia vera_;
but since the time of Prosper Alpinus, it has been generally decided in
the affirmative by all scholars, with the exception of Dierbach, who
contends in favour of the _A. Senegal_, without any good reason, as
far as we can see. This gum was used medicinally by the authors of the
Hippocratic collection, who prescribe it as an astringent in hemorrhages,
for which purpose it is also recommended by Celsus (v. 1.) Serapion and
the others merely copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular
Avicenna (ii, 2, 3.)
Ἀκαλύφη,
Urtica, _the Nettle_; the fruit and leaves are composed of fine
particles, and are desiccative without pungency; they dispel and cleanse
swellings, loosen the bowels, are moderately flatulent, and therefore
incite to venery.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This article is either the _Urtica dioica_, or the
_pilulifera_; or both species were comprehended under it. In the modern
Greek Pharmacopœia, the _pilulifera_ stands first (p. 164.) Galen, like
our author, calls it aphrodisiacal. Macer Floridus recommends it strongly
as being calefacient and stimulant. Both Dioscorides and Galen agree
in commending it as an expectorant when the chest is loaded with thick
humours. The Arabians treat of it at considerable length. See Avicenna
(ii, 2, 714); Serapion (c. 150); Rhases (Cont. l. ult.; 152.)
Ἄκανθος,
Acanthus, _Bears-breech_ (called also Melamphyllon and Pæderos), has
discutient and desiccative powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the plant which our English herbalists describe by the
name of Bears-breech, now called the _Acanthus mollis_ by botanists.
Dioscorides recommends it as being diuretic, and astringent of the
bowels (iii, 17.) Our author follows Galen. Whether “gummi acanthinum”
of Celsus (v, 2) belong to this place, or not rather to the acacia, as
Milligan suggests, we cannot determine for certain. Modern authorities
have confirmed the characters which the ancients ascribed to it. (See
Rutty, M. M. p. 70); Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 45.)
Ακάνθιον,
Acanthium, is composed of fine particles, and has heating powers,
therefore it is a remedy for convulsions.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Gerarde and our other herbalists delineate and describe
this plant under the name of the cotton-thistle, meaning either the
_Onopordon acanthium_ or _O. Illyricum_, cotton-thistle. Dioscorides
affirms that it is of service to persons affected with tetanus, and upon
his authority all the others, both ancient and modern, ascribe virtues to
it in this case. The reader may be amused by comparing what Gerarde and
Culpeper have written of it with the ancient descriptions of Dioscorides
and Pliny. The cotton-thistle was long used as a potherb. See Beckmann
(History of Inventions, under ARTICHOKE); and Loudon (Encycl. of Garden,
p. 736.)
Ἄκανθα λευκή,
Spina alba, _the White-thorn_. Its root is desiccative and moderately
astringent, therefore it relieves stomachic complaints, hæmoptysis,
and toothache; but its seed, consisting of fine particles, and being
of a hot nature, when drunk relieves convulsions. Acantha Ægyptia, or
Arabica, _the Egyptian or Arabic thorn_, is possessed of very astringent
and desiccative powers. Whence it restrains a flow of blood and other
discharges.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Respecting the two thistles here described, we may refer
the former, with Sibthorp, to the _Cirsium Acarna_, and the latter,
or Arabian, to the _Onopordon acanthium_. All the authorities follow
Dioscorides in giving its characters. (iii, 12.) See Avicenna (ii, 2,
671-3); Serapion (c. 130); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. i, 670.)
Ἄκινος,
Acinus; it resembles basil, and is moderately astringent, therefore it
restrains alvine and uterine discharges, when taken in a draught; and
when applied as a cataplasm, is of use for erysipelas and phygethlon.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our old herbalists describe it under the name of wild basil,
meaning perhaps the _Ocimum pilosum_, and there seems little reason to
question their authority in this instance. Neither Galen nor Serapion
has described it. Indeed we are not aware that any of the Arabians has
described it except Ebn Baithar (ii, 254); neither have we found it in
the Hippocratic collection, nor in the works of Celsus.
Ακόνιτον or Παρδαλιαγχὲς,
Aconitum, _Wolfsbane_, is possessed of septic and deleterious properties;
it is, therefore, not to be taken internally, but externally it may be
applied to flesh requiring erosion. The lycoctonon, being possessed of
the same properties as the former, is particularly fatal to wolves, as
the other is to panthers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The two species of aconite described by Dioscorides (iv,
77), and the other authorities, are generally supposed to be the
_Doronicum Pardalianches_ and the _Aconitum Napellus_. In the modern
Greek Pharmacopœia, the _Neomontanum_ is substituted for the former of
these. The κάμμαρον of Hippocrates would seem to be the latter. It has
been already treated of among the poisonous substances in the Fifth Book
(§ 45.) It was used only as an anodyne, and principally in complaints
of the eyes. Avicenna in treating of the aconites, borrows closely from
Dioscorides (ii, 2, 361, 676.) He says of the lycoctonon, that it is not
administered either internally or externally. Rhases says of the aconite,
that it was used to relieve pains of the eyes. (Cont. l. ult. i, 20.)
Ἄκορον,
Acorum, _Sweet Flag_, heats and dries in the third degree. We use its
root for a diuretic, and for scirrhus of the spleen. It also attenuates a
thickened cornea.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears indisputably to be the _Acorus pseudacorus_,
as even Gerarde the old herbalist has clearly stated, and not the
_Acorus verus_, as Dr. Hill and others have maintained. All the ancient
authorities ascribe much the same virtues to it as our author. See
particularly Dioscorides (i, 2); Avicenna (ii, 2, 45); Rhases (Cont.
l. ult. 21); Serapion (c. 269.) In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is
identified with the κάλαμος ἁρωματικός (p. 32.)
Ἀκρίδες,
Locustæ, _Grasshoppers_, in fumigations relieve dysuria, especially of
women. The wingless grasshopper, when drunk in wine, relieves the bite of
scorpions.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is quite certain that the Ἀκρὶς of the Greeks, and
the _Locusta_ of the Romans was a species of locust or grasshopper.
See Harduin (ad Plin. H. N. xi, 35.) Without doubt, then, it was the
_Gryllus migratorius L._ The wingless locusta mentioned by our author is
the insect in its larvous state. Our author copies from, and abridges,
Dioscorides (ii, 56); and Avicenna does the same (ii, 2, 388.) Celsus
treats of the locusta only as an article of food (ii, 28.) In this way,
as is well known, the locusts were much used by the ancients. They are
not noticed, however, either as an article of food or of medicine in the
modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Ἄκτη μεγάλη,
Sambucus, _the Elder-tree_, and Χαμαιάκτη, Sambucus humilis _vel_ Ebulus,
_Dwarf-elder_, are possessed of desiccative, moderately discutient and
agglutinative powers. When eaten or drunk they occasion a discharge of
water from the bowels.
* * * * *