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.
* * * * *