_Ebulus_, are much commended by the ancients for the cure of dropsy.
As Dioscorides states, the elder is hydragogue, but disagrees with the
stomach. He further recommends a hip-bath made of water in which elder
has been boiled, for obstructions and hardness of the uterus (iv, 161.)
Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it in general terms like
Paulus. The Arabians in treating of it generally borrow from Dioscorides
and Galen. See particularly Serapion (c. 284.) It appears to be the
_acte_ of Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 23); and is the _aktha_ of Ebn
Baithar, according to his German translator, Dr. Sontheimer, in which
opinion we fully agree with him. The Sambucus of Avicenna (ii, 2, 611)
is not the elder, but the jasmine. We have not been able to detect the
other in his Book on the Mat. Med., but can scarcely suppose that he has
entirely overlooked it.
Ἅλες,
Sales, _Salts_, have desiccant and astringent powers. Wherefore they
consume whatever humours are in the body, and also contract by their
astringency. Whence they form pickles, and preserve substances from
putrefaction. Roasted salts are more discutient.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. For an account of the factitious salts of the ancients, see
in particular Pliny (H. N. xxxi, 39.) Sprengel remarks that the ἅλος
ἄχνη, or _spuma maris_, is merely the skum or down of salt, which sticks
to rocks in such situations as salt is usually formed in. The ἅλος
ἂνθος, or _flos salis_, he adds, is a very different substance, being a
native, impure carbonate of soda; containing also magnesia, lime, and
some terrene admixture, to which it owes its colour. When deprived of
its carbonic acid it becomes caustic, and was then called ἄφρος νίτρου
by the ancients (v. ἀφρόνιτρον.) The _sal ammoniac_ of the Greeks was
a native fossil salt, and considerably different from ours. Geoffroy
seems to agree with Salmasius, that it was the _sal gem_. Dr. Hill also
maintains that it was only a peculiar form of the sal gem. See also
Jameson’s ‘Mineral.’ (iii, 15.) In fact, from Dioscorides’ description of
the ammoniac salt, nobody can avoid seeing that it was merely a variety
of the common fossil salt. He treats of the medicinal faculties of the
salts at so great length that we dare not venture to copy his account of
them. It is literally translated by Pliny (xxxi, 45.) He recommends them
internally by the mouth and in clysters, and externally in fomentations,
baths, and fumigations. Serapion quotes the whole of Dioscorides’ chapter
on Salts without supplying much additional information of his own. He
describes minutely the process of roasting salts in an earthen vessel,
and covering them up with coals, and thus applying heat to them. The
_sal ammoniac_ he describes, from Arabian authorities, as being a white
red salt, extracted from hard clear stones, and being saltish, with much
pungency (c. 409.) We never could altogether satisfy ourselves whether or
not this be the same as the sal ammoniac of the Greeks. Rhases (Cont.
l. ult. 600) and Avicenna (ii, 2, 608) are brief and indistinct in
describing the sal ammoniac, but probably refer to the true sal ammoniac.
Ebn Baithar minutely describes several kinds of it. Pliny also has a
description of a factitious salt, which it would appear could be nothing
else than our sal ammoniac. (N. H. xxxvi, 45.) Still, however, we need
have no hesitation in setting down the ammoniac salt of the Greek medical
authors as being a variety of the sal gem. This is the conclusion which
Beckmann arrives at regarding it: he holds, however, that Geber and
Avicenna were certainly acquainted with our ammoniac salt. (History of
Inventions.)
Ἀλθάια ἢ Ἐβίσκος,
Althæa or Ebiscus, _Marsh-mallows_, is a species of wild mallows. It is
discutient, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and ripens tumours
(phymata). But the root and seed have all the other properties in a
more intense degree, and are also detergent of alphos. The seed is
lithontriptic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This must either be the _Lavatera arborea_ or _Althæa
officinalis_. Dioscorides is much fuller than our author in enumerating
its properties, but upon the whole they agree very well as to its
general character. Besides the cases in which our author recommends
it, Dioscorides speaks highly of the decoction of it when drunk with
wine in dysuria, the grievous pains of calculus, dysentery, and other
acute affections. He also advises the mouth to be rinsed with it in
cases of toothache (iii, 153.) It would be useless to go over the other
authorities, who supply no new views. Even our modern herbalists all
agree in repeating the praises of the marsh-mallow as delivered by
Dioscorides. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 72); Serapion (c.
76); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 26); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) This genus
of the _Malvaceæ_ does not seem to be noticed either by Hippocrates or
Celsus. The _Althæa officinalis_ occurs in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia,
published at Athens in 1837.
Ἅλιμον,
Halimon consists of heterogeneous particles, being saltish and
sub-astringent. But the greater part of it is of a hot temperament, with
an undigested sap. It therefore promotes the formation of milk and semen.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author abridges the characters of this substance, which
probably is the _Atriplex Halimus_, from Galen or Dioscorides (i, 126.)
It is the sea-purslane of our English herbalists. For the Arabians, see
particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 470.)
Ἁλκάια,
Alcæa, _Vervain-mallow_, is a species of wild mallows. When drunk
with wine it removes dysenteries and gnawing pains of the belly, more
particularly its root.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. All the authorities agree in giving this article, which
evidently is the _Malva Alcæa_, Vervain-mallow, the general characters of
the mallow. See particularly Dioscorides (iii, 154.) It does not occur
in the works either of Hippocrates or Celsus, nor, as far as we know, in
those of the Arabians.
Ἁλκυονία,
Alcyonia; they are detergent and discutient of all matters, being
possessed of an acrid quality; but the kind called milesium (it is
vermiform and purple) is the best: wherefore, when burnt, it cures
alopecia, and cleanses lichen and alphos. That which has a smooth surface
is most acrid, proving not only detergent, but likewise excoriating; but
that which resembles unwashed wool is the weakest of all.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. For an account of the alcyonia, see Aristot. (Hist. Anim. ix,
15); Pliny (N. H. x, 47, and xxxii, 27.) According to Sprengel, the A.
consisted of the bones of fishes which the kingfishers had swallowed and
vomited up. The term, however, was also applied to a kind of zoophytes,
five species of which are described by Dioscorides and Pliny. The 1st
species is the _Alcyonium cotoneum_, Pall.; the 2d, the _A. papillosum_;
the 3d, the _A. palmatum_; the 4th, the _Spongia stuposa_, Ellis, or
_Spongia panicea_, Pall.; and the 5th, the _A. aurantium_, Pall. (Mat.
Med. v, 135.) Geoffroy says that the alcyonia “are of a substance much
like gum tragacanth, and when mixed in broth of warm milk they swell and
make a rich soup.” The zoophytes called alcyonia are a kind of spongy
substances, containing a sort of living jelly in their interior. Our
author abridges Dioscorides’ account of the _alcyonia_, as likewise
do Avicenna (ii, 2, 605) and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 1, 677.) Celsus
prescribes it several times as a corrosive, caustic, and cleansing
medicine. (v, 6, 7, 18.) We believe it does not occur in the Hippocratic
treatises.
Ἅλμη,
Muria, _Brine_; that which is unmixed with other matter has properties
like salts, only weaker from the mixture with water. But the brine of
pickled fish and of pickled olives is possessed of very detergent powers,
and therefore is injected in ischiatic and dysenteric complaints.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Regarding the nature of this article, there can be no doubt.
Galen recommends the brine from pickled fish as a wash for putrid ulcers
both of the mouth and rectum. Dioscorides, in addition, recommends it for
such cases as sea-water is useful in, when poured upon the part. (v, 126.)
Ἀλόη,
Aloe, _Aloes_, is heating in the first degree, and desiccative in the
third. It is stomachic, detergent, discutient, and eccoprotic. When
washed it is less detergent, but more stomachic; it is anti-inflammatory,
and promotes the cicatrization of ulcers, especially those about the anus
and pudendum.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides is the first author who gives a distinct account
of this important article. He describes two varieties of the juice
(gum-resin), namely, the arenaceous and the hepatic. He says that it
closes up the mouths of veins in hemorrhoids; but, according to Avicenna
and Mesue, it produces the contrary effect. Hence, says Mesue, it is
hurtful in hemorrhoids and affections of the fundament. (De Simpl.
i.) Galen properly remarks that it is at the same time stomachic and
eccoprotic. Didymus mentions the hepatic aloe (Geopon. vi, 6), as do
several of the medical authorities. It is marked by Dr. Pereira as
being the _Aloe hepatica vera_ and _Aloe indica_ (Ph. Ed.), being the
liver-coloured socotorine aloe. That is to say, the hepatic is merely a
variety of the socotorine aloe. See also Dr. Royle (M. M. 598.) Isidorus
says of aloes: “In India et Arabia gignitur, arbor odoris suavissimi
et summi.” (Orig.) Averrhoes says it is an excellent purgative which
evacuates the stomach and liver. He commends it as an application to
apostemes. (Collig. v, 42.) Aloe was used in stimulant applications to
ill-conditioned sores. See Aëtius. Avicenna forbids us to administer
it during the prevalence of severe cold. (ii, 2, 64.) It was used in
eye-washes (Cels. vi), as it is by the native doctors in India to this
day. (Ainslie’s Mat. Ind. i, 10.) The aloe is not found in the Materia
Medica of Hippocrates.
Ἁλὸς ἄνθος,
Flos salis, _the Flower of Salt_, is a humid medicine, consisting of
more subtile particles than burnt salts, and is moderately acrid and
discutient.
Ἁλὸς ἄχνη,
Spuma maris; this is a frothy efflorescence of salts, but consists of
more subtile particles than salts, and discusses more, but contracts less.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. (Ἁλὸς ἄνθος and Ἁλὸς ἄχνη, see Ἃλες.)
Ἀλσίνη, or μυὸς ὂυς,
Alsine, or Auricula muris, _Chickweed_, has powers like the pellitory of
the wall, namely, cold and diluent. Wherefore it is applicable to hot
inflammations.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This has been generally set down as the _Stellaria media_,
but doubtfully. Dioscorides describes it as a _Myosotis_. (ii, 214.) See
also Pliny (H. N. xxvii, 8), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 18.)
Our old herbalists give a confused account of the chickweed. In fact,
this is one of the articles in the Materia Medica of the ancients which
we must set down as _lost_, from our inability to determine what it
was. It seems to have been looked upon by the Arabians as an important
article. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 18); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 99.) Like
our author, they copy closely from Dioscorides. We have not detected it
in the works either of Hippocrates or Celsus. It does not occur in the
modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Ἄλυπον,
Alypon; the seed of it purges black bile downwards when taken in the same
quantity as dodder of thyme, with salts and vinegar; but it occasions
slight ulceration of the intestines.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Many of the older commentators supposed this to be the
plant which produces turbit, but we shall have occasion to discuss this
question when treating of the additions to the Materia Medica made by the
Arabians. What this article really was is very uncertain. Pliny and all
the medical authorities mention its purgative powers. See in particular
Dioscorides (iv, 177), from whom our author evidently copies.
Ἄλυσσον,
Alysson, _Madwort_, is so called because it is of use to those who have
been bitten by mad dogs. Being possessed of discutient, detergent, and
desiccative powers, it removes obstructions of the kidneys, and cleanses
ephelis.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It was supposed by the earlier herbalists and commentators
that the A. of Galen is a different substance from that of Dioscorides.
The former (which is also our author’s) is a species of horehound, to
which the herbalists give the distinctive name of Galen’s madwort. It
is the _Marrubium Alyssum_. That of Dioscorides has been conjectured to
have been some species of _Veronica_, but, in fact, there is no certainty
on this point, and we must own our inability to perceive the difference
between it and the A. of Galen. Dioscorides recommends his plant in
ephelis and hydrophobia, (iii, 95.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 26.)
Ἀλώπηξ,
Vulpes, _the Fox_; the whole animal, if boiled alive or dead, renders the
oil discutient, when it attracts the deep-seated fluids to the surface.
Wherefore, when arthritic patients are put into a hip-bath of this oil
for a considerable time it removes the complaint entirely, if at its
commencement, and moderates it if protracted.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Galen and Serapion give nearly the same account of the
medicinal properties of the _Canis vulpes_ as our author.
Ἀμάρακος,
Amaracus, _Marjoram_; it is calefacient in the third degree, and
desiccative in the second.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That it was some species of marjoram appears quite certain
from the ancient descriptions of it; but, otherwise, it cannot be
satisfactorily determined. Most probably, it was the same as the
sampsuchus, namely, the _Origanum Marjorana_. Dioscorides strongly
recommends the ointment as an emmenagogue, and for various other
purposes. (i, 78.) For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 466); Serapion
(c. 286); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 439.)
Ἀμάραντον,
Amarantum, _Amaranth_, is attenuant and incisive, and therefore when
taken with wine it promotes the menstrual discharge, and dissolves
coagulated blood when taken with wine and honey. It dries up all
defluxions, and is bad for the stomach.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The old herbalists describe a plant under the English name
of Flower-gentle, which they represent to be this article, but it
cannot be satisfactorily determined. Our author borrows from Galen and
Aëtius his account of its medicinal properties, which certainly appears
rather contradictory. How a plant, which they represent as being of a
drying nature, should at the same time act as an emmenagogue, does not
well appear. Our English herbalist Gerarde sagaciously remarks that it
has probably got the character of stopping bleeding solely from its
ears being red, as if, forsooth, all red things must act in this way;
although, as he adds, Galen had laid it down as a rule (Simpl. 2, 4) that
no inference with regard to the virtues of substances can be drawn from
their colours. But see under _helicrysus_, which Dioscorides holds to be
the same plant.
Ἀμβροσία,
Ambrosia; when applied as a cataplasm it has astringent and repellent
powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Ambrosia, as Pliny remarks (H. N. xxvii, 11), is a vague name
which has been applied to various plants. Our old herbalists describe a
plant under the English name of Oak of Cappadocia, which they represent
as the A. of Dioscorides. He gives it the same medicinal character as our
author (iii.) Galen and Aëtius do the same. It probably is the _Ambrosia
maritima_, a plant not yet wholly unknown to the shops. See Gray (Suppl.
to Pharmacop. p. 70.) We have not found it described by any of the
Arabians except Ebn Baithar (i, 80.)
Ἄμμι,
Ammi, _Bishop’s Weed_, is of the third order of calefacients and
desiccants, being composed of subtile particles, discutient and diuretic;
but the seed of it is particularly useful.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The _Ammi copticum_, or Bishop’s weed, has long held a
place in the Materia Medica, and yet it is now scarcely recognized.
See Dioscorides (iii, 63); Galen (De Simpl. v); Avicenna (ii, 2, 60);
Serapion (c. 297.) It is now ranked as one of the four lesser hot seeds,
and is held to be attenuant, aperient, and carminative. In a word, all
the authorities, ancient and modern, agree in giving it the characters
bestowed upon it by Dioscorides and Galen.
Ἀμΐαντον,
Lapis Amiantus, is formed in Cyprus, being like stone-alum, and is so
called because when put into the fire it is not burnt. Some use it in
desiccative depilatories.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This is generally confounded with the _Alumen plumosum_,
with which it is compared by Dioscorides, but it is in fact a different
substance, being a variety of asbestus. Dioscorides does not mention any
medicinal properties of which it is possessed, but states that garments
were made out of it, which resisted the force of fire. (M. M. v, 155.)
See also Pliny (H. N. xix, 4.)
Ἄμμος,
Arena, _Sand_; that on the sea-shore is sufficiently desiccative.
Wherefore when heated by the sun it dries up all humid bodies which have
been buried in it; and when roasted it forms a dry fomentation instead of
millet or salts.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. _The Sand of the Sea-shore._ We have often had occasion,
in the course of this work, to mention the use of heated sand as a dry
fomentation.
Ἀμμωνιακὸν θυμίαμα,
Ammoniacum thymiama, _Ammoniac Perfume_, is a juice of intense emollient
powers, so as to dissolve scirrhous tumours and tofi.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes the ammoniac as being the juice of a
Ferula growing near Cyrene, and mentions afterwards that an inferior
kind is also obtained from a tree of the reed tribe in Lybia, near
Ammon. The reed which produces the better kind is now called the _Ferula
tingitana_. Whether the inferior kind be the commercial ammoniacum of
the present day, which is procured from the _Dorema ammoniacum_, does
not appear certain. Dr. Hill holds that the ancients were acquainted
with the two kinds which we have. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is
questioned whether it is the product of the _Heracleum gummiferum_, or
_Ferula orientalis_. The _thymiama_, or _suffimentum_, was the finest
kind of ammoniac, and was so called from being used in religious rites.
Dioscorides recommends ammoniac for many medicinal purposes, both
internally and externally; as for loosening the bowels when taken in a
draught; for asthma and other affections of the chest when given as a
linctus with honey; for indurations of the spleen and liver when applied
in the form of a cataplasm; and for nebulæ of the cornea. (iii, 88.)
Galen gives nearly the same characters of it. Serapion quotes Dioscorides
and Galen, and adds a few other particulars of not much importance from
Arabian authorities, such as that it is diuretic and emmenagogue, and
expels humours from the body. (c. 268.) Rhases, Avicenna, Ebn Baithar,
and Haly Abbas supply no additional information of any interest under
this head. Averrhoes commends it as a medicine which softens and
dissolves hard tumours. (Collig. v, 42.)
Ἀμόργη,
Amurca, _the Lees of Oil_, is of the second order of intensely
calefacient, and desiccative medicines. By these means it cures ulcers in
dry bodies, but increases and exasperates those in others.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The _amurca_, as Dioscorides states, is the sediment of
strained oil. Celsus mentions it often as a strong external application,
in which form it is greatly commended by Dioscorides in various
affections. He says it is an article in collyria and plasters. He also
speaks of its being used as an injection into the rectum, the urethra,
and the vagina, in diseases of these parts.
Ἀμπελόπρασον,
Ampeloprasum, _Vine-leek_, being a species of wild leek, is most acrid
and hot according to the last degree: hence it proves deleterious. It is
incisive, deobstruent, and hurtful to the stomach.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The _Allium Ampeloprasum_ L. is recommended by Dioscorides as
being more powerfully calefacient and emmenagogue than the leek (_Allium
Porrum_); and when given in food, beneficial to persons stung by venomous
animals. Our author follows Galen.
Ἄμπελος ἀγρία,
Vitis sylvestris, _the Wild Vine_; its grapes and tops are possessed
of detergent powers, but have also some astringency. The powers of the
_cultivated vine_ are like those of the wild, but weaker. The shoots
of the _white vine_ (called also bryonia and psilothrum) are eaten as
stomachics, and prove diuretic. The root is detergent, attenuant, and
moderately hot. Wherefore it melts down the spleen when drunk or applied
externally as a cataplasm with figs; and it cures itch and leprosy. The
black vine, also called bryony, is like the aforementioned, only weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The wild vine is evidently the _Tamus communis_; the white
the _Bryonia dioica_; and the black the _Bryonia alba_. Gerarde, our old
herbalist, says that the reason why the bryony and the wild vine are
confounded together, is that Pliny could not sufficiently expound them
(xxiii, 1), and made them all one, in which error are all the Arabians.
Dioscorides treats of them at considerable length, and more especially of
the white, which he commends in the strongest terms, as an application
to malignant and ill-conditioned sores. (iv, 180.) He and Oribasius take
notice of its purgative powers. Our modern herbalists and older writers
on the Materia Medica, all treat of the bryonies in the same terms as the
ancient authorities. See _Bryonia_.
Ἀμὐγδαλα,
Amygdalæ, _Almonds_; the bitter are possessed of powers which are
attenuant and deobstruent of deep-seated viscid and thick humours, and
detergent of those lodged in the skin. The wood has the same powers. The
sweet are moderately hot.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Respecting this article there can be no difference of
opinion. Plutarch and many of the ancient authorities take notice of
the powers of almonds in resisting intoxication. Dioscorides states
that a cataplasm formed from almonds, with vinegar or rose oil, and
applied to the forehead or temples relieves headache. Taken internally,
he says, they are laxative, soporific, and diuretic. (i, 186.) Serapion
gives nearly the same account of them. (c. 82.) Dioscorides greatly
commends almond oil as a demulcent in various complaints, such as
pains, inflammation, and displacement of the uterus, also in headache
and earache, in nephritic, calculous, and other diseases. (i, 38.)
Avicenna gives it the same character, and otherwise enlarges very fully
in recapitulating the virtues of almonds. As an article of food, he
says, bitter almonds are stomachic, and sweet almonds are fattening.
He recommends them as an application to herpes and other diseases of
the skin. Bitter almonds he speaks highly of in obstructions of the
kidneys. Altogether the account which he gives of this article is most
interesting. (ii, 257.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 45); Averrhoes
(Collig. v, 42.) The latter recommends them as powerful deobstruents of
the liver.
Ἄμυλον,
Amylum, _Starch_, is formed from clean wheat moistened with water during
the heat of the dog-days, which water is to be poured off five times in
the day. When it becomes very soft, it is to be strained and the water
poured off, and the bran separated; and it is to be dried quickly in the
sun before it become sour. Its powers are moderately cooling, desiccant,
and emollient of acrid humours.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the mode of preparing starch is
mostly taken from Dioscorides (ii, 123.) Pliny describes the process
in nearly the same terms. He says, it may be prepared from wheat or
spelt. (H. N. xxviii, 17.) He calls it astringent, and recommends it
in hæmoptysis. Serapion also recommends it in this complaint. (c. 29.)
Celsus ranks it among the “res boni succi.” (ii, 20.) It is mentioned
by Hippocrates, who recommends it as an application to the mouth of the
womb. (De Mulieb. ii.)
Ἄμωμον,
Amomum; its powers are like those of the sweet-flag; but the former is
the drier, and the latter more digestive.
* * * * *