to refer to what we have said in the Appendix to the Greek Lexicon.
Notwithstanding all the illustration which it has received, it must be
admitted that now we have no practical acquaintance with the article in
question, unless we agree with Dr. Pereira in setting it down as the
_Amomum Cardamomum_. This opinion, however, which had been previously
stated by Feæus (Flor. Virg. xvi, 199), is controverted by the learned
Sprengel. (ad Dioscor. i, 14.) But still if the cardamom be not exactly
the amomum of the ancients, there can be no doubt that these two
substances must have been very similar to one another. Dioscorides treats
more fully of this article than Galen, Aëtius, Oribasius, or our author,
describing it as being calefacient, astringent, desiccative, soporific,
and anodyne when applied in a plaster to the forehead, and stating that
it ripens and discusses boils and meliceris, proves useful to persons
stung by scorpions, in a cataplasm with basil; relieves gouty persons,
soothes inflammations of the eyes, and those in the bowels, with raisins;
that it is useful in female complaints, in the form of a hip-bath, and
that the decoction of it is fitting in cases of nephritis, hepatitis,
and gout. (i, 14.) Serapion quotes the descriptions of it given by
Dioscorides and Galen, and adds, upon the authority of Humaim, the son
of Isaac, that it is possessed of inebriating and soporific powers. (c.
279.) Avicenna’s account of it is made up from Dioscorides, Galen, and
Serapion (ii, 251.) Haly Abbas recommends the decoction of it (_hamama_)
in diseases of the liver and kidneys. Celsus includes both the amomum
and cardamomum (which, by the way, seems decidedly to prove that they
were not _exactly_ the same thing) among the ingredients of an emollient
plaster (_malagma_) which he describes, and which he recommends as an
excellent application to abscesses, and various schirrous tumours.
(v, 18, 7.) It does not occur, we believe, in the Materia Medica of
Hippocrates; at least we have failed to detect it while writing this
article.
Ἀναγαλλὶς,
Anagallis, _Pimpernel_; both kinds are of sufficiently detergent powers,
having some hottish and attractive properties, so that they extract
thorns; and the juice of it purges by the nose.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. These two well-known plants, namely, the _Anagallis arvensis_
and _cærulea_, are included in all the ancient lists of medicinal herbs,
and were only of late excluded from our British Pharmacopœias. All
the authorities, ancient and modern, give them the same characters as
Dioscorides, to whom our author is principally indebted. (ii, 209.) He
says they are useful in diseases of the kidneys and liver. (l. c.) The
anagallis does not occur in the works of Celsus. For the Arabians, see
Serapion (c. 155); Avicenna (ii, 2, 32.) They all copy from Dioscorides
and Galen. Even Ebn Baithar supplies nothing of much consequence. (i, 90.)
Ἀνάγυρος,
Anagyrus, _Stinking-bean Trefoil_; is a strong-scented and acrid shrub
of hot and discutient powers, but the seed consists of more subtile
particles, and is emetic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides and Pliny recommend the _Anagyris fœtida_ for
promoting the pains of labour, and the expulsion of the placenta after
delivery. It is curious to remark that our old herbalists ascribe the
same virtues to it. It was therefore to our forefathers in the profession
what the ergot of rye is to the present generation; being, according to
Galen, an acrid, diaphoretic, and heating substance, its action must, in
many respects, have resembled the ergot. With the exception of Oribasius,
who merely copies Dioscorides, we are not aware of any ancient writer
that treats of it, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, and he also merely
copies the descriptions of it given by Dioscorides and Galen. Though
excluded from our Dispensatory, this article is not wholly unknown to the
shops. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharm. 93.)
Ἀνδράχνη,
Portulaca, _Purslain_, is cooling in the third degree, but humectates
in the second; and by these powers it relieves heat of the stomach when
applied to the abdomen, and dispels defluxions. By its viscidity it
smooths the teeth when set on edge by acids; and by its astringency it
relieves dysentery and hemorrhages.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Aëtius, like our author, describes the purslane (_Portulaca
oleracea_) as a cooling and sub-astringent herb. Both he and our author
copy from Galen, who writes earnestly in commendation of this plant,
which retained its place in our English Dispensatories down to a late
date. Dioscorides likewise writes fully on its virtues, recommending it
as a cooling and astringent medicine, externally, in pains of the head,
inflammations of the eyes &c., and internally, for inflammations of the
bowels, intestinal worms, hæmoptysis, hemorrhoids, and various other
cases. (ii, 150.) Celsus also calls it an astringent and cooling herb.
(ii.) For the Arabians, see Serapion (c. 349); Avicenna (ii, 2, 534);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 563); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) They treat of
it in nearly the same terms as the Greeks.
Ἀνδρόσαιμον,
Androsæmum, _Tutsan_, or _Park-leaves_, (or St. John’s wort?); there are
two varieties of it, the one of which is called ascyrron and ascyrroides,
being a species of hypericon, but the other is named dionysias. Their
fruit is purgative, but their leaves more desiccant.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our Tutsan or Park-leaves has been generally set down as this
plant, but Sibthorp, who viewed the plants of classic lands on the spot,
inclines to the _Hypericum ciliatum_. The truth of the matter we believe
to be that as the _Hypericum_ is a numerous genus, and the species have
a close resemblance to one another, they were often confounded together
by the older authorities. Both Culpeper the herbalist and Rutty have
expressed their wonder that so important an article as the _androsæmum_
should have been lost sight of in recent times. Pliny, and all the
medical authorities, recommend it strongly as an application to burns
and ulcers, and ascribe cholagogue powers to it when administered
internally. See Dioscorides (iii, 163); Galen (De Simpl. v); Aëtius (i);
Oribasius (Med. Coll. xiii); Ebn Baithar (ii, 579); Rhases (Cont. l. ult.
i, 59.) The last two merely give extracts from Dioscorides and Galen.
Ἀνδρόσακες,
Androsaces, is a bitter and acrid herb, discutient and desiccative. It
and its fruit, when drunk, are diuretic.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *