and for forwarding delivery; and the same character has descended to it
down to recent times. See Gerard, Culpeper, Quincy, and Hill. Even at the
present day it holds a place in our Dispensatories, but with a diminished
reputation: stat magni nominis umbra! The Arabians generally treated of
it along with the dittany. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 461); Serapion (De Simpl.
310.)
Γλοιὸς,
Sordes, that of baths, is moderately heating, emollient, and discutient.
It, therefore, agrees with fissures and condylomata.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Dioscorides, with the commentaries of Matthiolus and
Sprengel. Suffice it to say, that the _Sordes balneorum_ was nothing but
the sweat scraped from the bodies of persons who were _shampooed_, in an
apartment of the bath for this purpose, namely, in the Laconicum. (See
Book I, 68.) Of course it would consist of nothing but animal sweat,
mixed up perhaps with either natron or the flower of beans, which was
generally used during the process. The _Sordes gymnasiorum_ is also
in like manner treated of by Dioscorides, and it must have been the
sweat collected from the statues and walls of the gymnasia. Dioscorides
recommends it for crude boils (phymata), desquamated surfaces, and old
sores. The _Sordes palestræ_ must have been pretty much the same as the
_Sordes balneorum_, and accordingly it was used in a similar manner. The
_Sordes ex gymnasio_ occurs in Celsus’s list of emollients (v, 15); and
is treated of likewise by the Arabians. It appears singular that mankind
should have so long retained a fancy for such an application, considering
how easy it was to find a more agreeable substitute for it.
Γλυκυρρίζα,
Glycyrrhiza, _Liquorice_, is of a tepid and humid temperament, having
also some astringency. Hence it smooths asperities, not only in the
trachea but also in a scabious bladder. It also quenches thirst.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It would appear to have been rather the _Glycyrrhiza
glandulifera_ than the _G. glabra_. The latter, according to C.
Bauhin, contains more saccharine matter than the _G._ of the ancients.
Dioscorides, in his usual empirical style, enumerates with considerable
judgment the cases in which it may be administered with advantage; such
as asperities of the trachea (hoarseness) in the form of a linctus, for
ardour of the stomach, ulcerations of the bladder and kidneys, and so
forth (iii, 9.) All the ancient authorities, from Dioscorides downwards
agree in stating that liquorice quenches thirst; and this we believe is
still the popular opinion in this country, and was the professional, down
to a late date. See Rutty (Mat. Med. p. 221.) The glycyrrhiza occurs in
the works of Hippocrates, Celsus, and the Arabians. As they all give
it the same characters, we need not occupy space with extracts from
them. See particularly Serapion (De Simpl. 147); Ebn Baithar (ii, 66.)
According to the Greek Pharmacopœia the _G. glabra_ is the species now
used in Greece.
Γλυκυσίδη,
Glycyside, _Pæony_, (called also Pentorobon and Pæonia); its root is
acrid, somewhat bitter and desiccative, having also some astringency.
Hence it excites the menstrual discharge, and cleanses the kidneys and
liver when drunk, to the size of an almond, with wine; but if the wine be
austere it restrains alvine defluxions. When appended as a periapt, it
cures the epilepsy of children.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Sprengel makes the two species described by Dioscorides to
be the _Pæonia officinalis_ and _Corallina_. We have mentioned in the
Third Book that it has been much celebrated both in ancient and modern
times as a cure for epilepsy when appended as an amulet. See Andreas
Laurentius (De Mir. Strumar. Curat. pp. 40, 63), and Macer (De Viribus
Herb.) Quincy, in his ‘Complete English Dispensatory’ (London 1769),
says of the root of peony, “the good women highly esteem necklaces made
of it to hang about their children’s necks for convulsions and difficult
breeding of the teeth.” Considering the faith which many _educated_
persons now repose in the virtues of galvanic rings and garters, the
present generation has little ground for laughing at the credulity of
our forefathers, with respect to amulets and other phylacteries. On the
Pæonia, see particularly Dioscorides (iii, 147); Galen (De Simpl. v);
Serapion (c. 61); Ebn Baithar (ii, 240.) The _Pæonia officinalis_ is
still retained in the Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 121.)
Γναφάλιον,
Gnaphalium, _Cudweed_, is so called because its soft leaves have been
used in place of combed wool (gnaphalum.) They are white and moderately
astringent, and are, therefore, drunk with austere wine for dysentery.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There has been a great shifting of names by botanical
authorities of late, with regard to the _Gnaphalia_ and the cognate
genera. It seems now agreed that the medicinal cotton-weed of the
ancients shall be called _Otanthus maritimus_, Link. Our author borrows
from Dioscorides and Galen, who both give exactly the same character of
this plant, and this it retained down to a very recent period. See Quincy.
Γογγυλὶς,
Rapum, _Turnip_; the root and seed are flatulent, promote the formation
of semen, and rouse to venery.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The predominance of authority has determined us, after a good
deal of consideration, to set this down as the _Brassica Napo-brassica_,
the navew, or French turnip. All the authorities, in a word, from
Dioscorides downwards, held it to be aphrodisiacal. Dioscorides holds it
to be a sovereign remedy for chilblains in fomentation, cataplasm, or
prepared thus: a turnip is to be scooped out in the middle and filled
with rose-cerate, which is to be melted by placing the turnip in hot
ashes, when it forms an excellent application to ulcerated chilblains.
(ii, 134.) Pliny likewise says of the turnip, “Est et rapo vis medica.
Perniones fervens impositum sanat.” (H. N. xx, 9.) A roasted turnip
is still a popular remedy in Scotland for chilblains. Galen, Aëtius,
and Oribasius give brief descriptions of the _gongylis_, and from them
our author copies. Celsus treats of the _napus_ and _rapum_ only as
potherbs. The Arabians give a confused account of the matter; Avicenna
under _brassica_, and Serapion under _rapa_. (De Simpl. 191.) Rhases,
translating the 134th chapter of Dioscorides, renders _gongyle_ by _Rapa
rotunda_. (Cont. l. ult. 557.) Altogether it appears to us strange that
some of our late authorities should have referred the gongylis to the
_Brassica oleracea_. See Dierbach (Mat. Med. Hippocrat.) The introduction
of the different varieties of the latter into gardening is a very curious
but difficult subject. See Beckmann (Hist. of Invent.), and Loudon
(Encyc. of Garden. 674.)
Γορδύλιον,
Gordylium (called also by some Seseli), is hot, diuretic, and
emmenagogue. The root of it, when taken in a linctus, with honey,
promotes expectoration.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Most probably it is a species of Seseli. Either our author or
some copyist of his works has evidently been guilty of the mistake of
writing _gordylion_ for _tordylion_. See the chapter of Dioscorides on
the tordylium (iii, 56.)
Γύρις,
Pollen, _Fine Flour_, resembles starch in its properties, but is weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. On the medicinal properties of _pollen_, see Pliny (H. N.
xxii, 60), who, however, borrows all his information from Dioscorides
(ii, 107.) Both recommend the pollen used for glueing books, in
hæmoptysis.
Γύψος,
Gypsum, _Parget_, or Mineral White, in addition to its desiccant, is
possessed of obstruent powers. Hence it agrees with hemorrhages, along
with pollen and the white of an egg. When burnt it has no longer its
obstruent powers, but it is more desiccant and repellent, especially with
oxycrate.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated pretty fully of this article in another
place (Vol. II, 233.) It is the sulphate of lime, of which selenite
or the foliated sulphate of lime is a sub-species. In the shops, when
pulverized, it is known by the names of mineral white and stucco.
Dioscorides merely says of its medicinal powers, that it is styptic
and emplastic, and restrains bleeding and sweats. Galen is somewhat
fuller in his account of it, recommending it, with the fine flour of
wheat, which is found sticking about the walls of mills, and the down
of a hare, for stopping bleeding. Aëtius and our author copy closely
from Galen. Serapion borrows both from Dioscorides and Galen (c. 379.)
Avicenna recommends it with Armenian bole, lentils, myrtle-water, and
some vinegar, as an application to the forehead in bleeding from the
nose. (ii, 2, 284.) Rhases copies verbatim from Galen, Dioscorides,
and our author. (Cont. l. ult. i, 235.) Averrhoes recommends it in the
manner described above from Galen as a styptic. (Collig. v, 43.) Celsus
prescribes it for stopping colliquative sweating in cardiac disease (iii,
19.)
Δάδες,
Tedæ, _Dead Pines_, have certain acrid, concoctive, and detergent powers.
Hence boiled in vinegar they cure toothache when the mouth is rinsed
with the vinegar; but if a little honey is added, they bring away phlegm.
When made into a linctus they promote the discharges from the breast.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This term properly signifies a small torch used in performing
lustrations, but here it is used for a small slip taken from a pine-tree.
The tree from which the _tedæ_ were taken was the _Pinus Cembro_; this
Matthiolus, Harduin, and our old herbalists have clearly made out. See
in particular Parkinson (p. 1537.) Gerard calls it by the English name
of torch-pine, and, evidently copying from Dioscorides, adds, “the
torch-pine, cut into small pieces and boiled in vinegar, is a remedy
against the toothache, if the teeth be washed with the decoction.” (p.
1361.) The other authorities treat of it in general terms, under the head
of Pinus.
Δαμασκηνά,
Damascena, _Damascenes_, will be treated of with Plums.
Δαμασσώνιον,
Damasonium, _Water-plantain_, has certain detergent powers, and proves
lithontriptic, and occasions a metastasis of the contents of the
intestinal canal to the urine.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is the _Alisma_ of Dioscorides,
and therefore probably the elegant water plant now called _Alisma
Plantago_. On this point see Gerarde, Parkinson, Cordus, and Sprengel.
Dioscorides recommends its root in cases of poisoning by the sea-hare,
the red frog, and by opium; in tormina and dysentery when drunk by itself
and with carrot; and in convulsions and hysterical complaints. He adds,
that the herb binds the belly, is emmenagogue, and softens swellings when
applied. (iii, 159.) Galen states that he had never any experience of it
in the cases mentioned by Dioscorides; but that he had found it possessed
of lithontriptic powers. The other Greek authorities follow him. The
Arabians copy from both. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 244, 249); Ebn Baithar (ii,
513.)
Δαῦκος,
Daucus, _Carrot_ (called also Staphylinus), consists of two varieties.
The root of the cultivated carrot is flatulent and aphrodisiacal; the
seed of the wild is wholly devoid of flatulent properties, is diuretic
and emmenagogue; and so in like manner the stem.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Of the three species of _Daucus_ described by Dioscorides
(iii, 76), the leaves of the first are compared by him to those of the
fennel; the leaves of the second to those of the wild parsley; and the
leaves of the third to those of coriander. The first is the species which
was long known in this country by the name of Candy carrots, and which
has obtained various names of late years from our botanical authorities.
It seems now settled that it should be called _Athamanta Cretensis_. “The
second,” says our indefatigable herbalist, old Parkinson, whose practical
acquaintance with all sorts of plants entitles his opinion to high
consideration, “is acknowledged to be so like the first that the climate
and country only make the difference.” It is now called _Athamanta
cervaria_. The third, or coriander-leaved daucus, as the same authority
clearly indicates, was probably a species of _seseli_. It, however,
is not very certainly determined. The following description of their
medicinal virtues by our Quincy may be said to embody the concurrent
opinions of all the ancient authorities, Greek, Roman, and Arabian. “The
seed is aperient and good in disorders of the kidneys; as also to hasten
delivery, and bring away the after-birth. It is likewise accounted a
good alexipharmic, and proper against the bites of venomous creatures.”
See Avicenna (ii, 2, 214, 287); Ebn Baithar (ii, 462); Celsus (v, 23);
Hippocrates (De Ratione Vict. in Acut.); also under Staphylinus.
Δάφνη,
Laurus, _The Bay-tree_; its leaves are powerfully desiccant and
calefacient, but its fruit still more so. The bark of its root, being
bitter and sub-astringent, proves lithontriptic and cures hepatic
affections when drunk to the amount of three oboli with fragrant wine.
Δάφνη πόα,
Laurus herba (Ruscus? _Butcher’s-broom?_), called also Alexandrina, is
hot, acrid, and somewhat bitter; it therefore promotes the menstrual and
urinary discharges. The daphnoides and the chamædaphne are possessed of
the same powers; but the latter is edible.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes the virtues of the bay-tree (_Laurus
nobilis_) at considerable length, representing it to be heating
and emollient, and hence he says, the decoction of it makes a good
hip-bath in diseases of the womb and bladder; the green leaves, he
adds, are sub-astringent, and hence prove useful when applied to the
stings of wasps and bees. He recommends the berries in phthisis and
other complaints of the chest, as alexipharmic, and as forming a good
application to leprosy, and as an injection in earache and deafness. The
bark, he says, is lithontriptic, kills the fœtus in utero, and proves
useful in hepatic diseases. (i, 106.) Galen briefly calls it diuretic
and emmenagogue. The Arabians follow Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2,
444.) The _Laurus_ still holds a place in the Materia Medica, although
now seldom used. See Pereira (p. 800.) The concurrent authority of the
commentators and herbalists has settled that the Laurus Alexandrina was a
species of _Ruscus_, probably the _R. hypophyllum_. The chamædaphne was
also a species of _Ruscus_, perhaps the _racemosus_. The daphnoides is
generally held to be the mountain laurel of Parkinson, i. e. the _Daphne
Alpina_. All the other authorities treat of these plants in nearly the
same terms as our author. They are all generally held to be emmenagogue
and diuretic.
Δέρμα,
Pellis, _Skin_; that of a sheep newly taken off and still warm,
when applied to those who have been scourged with rods, cures them
wonderfully. The skin of the hippopotamus, when burnt and triturated
with water and applied, disperses hard tubercles. That of the viper,
when triturated and applied in cases of alopecia, promotes the growth
of the hair in a wonderful degree. The leather of old shoes burnt has
desiccative ashes; hence it cures sores in the feet from friction, if not
in an inflamed state; and also burns, intertrigo, and protuberances.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have mentioned, in the Fourth Book, that the fresh skin
of a newly-killed sheep was esteemed an excellent application to parts
which had been bruised or cut by scourges. (See Vol. II, 46.) Dioscorides
and most of the other authorities recommend the ashes of old shoes in the
cases mentioned by our authors. Avicenna recommends the fresh skin of a
goat as an application to poisoned wounds. (ii, 2, 539.)
Δίκταμνον,
Dictamnum, _Dittany_, consists of more subtile particles than pennyroyal,
but resembles it in other respects. That variety called Pseudo dictamnum
is weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the Dictamnus Creticus, so celebrated even in poetry
(Virg. Æn. xii, 412) as a vulnerary herb, was a species of _Origanum_,
has been long known and acknowledged. Until of late years it held a
place in our Dispensatories under the name of dittany of Candy. It
was always held to be alexipharmic, and as such it is commended by
Dioscorides. Such, he adds, is the power of this herb that by the smell
and touch it kills venomous reptiles; and the juice of it when poured
into a wound inflicted by an iron instrument or the bite of a venomous
animal immediately cures it. (iii, 34.) Galen would appear to have been
sceptical as to the great medicinal powers said to be inherent in this
plant, for he dismisses it with a brief notice to the effect that it
is more attenuant than the pennyroyal, but like to it otherwise. See
also Celsus (v, 25.) The Arabians follow Dioscorides, and represent it
to be diuretic and emmenagogue. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 461) and Serapion
(De Simpl. 310.) They describe it along with the pennyroyal. The
bastard dittany has been pretty generally recognized as the _Dictamnus
Fraxinella_. See Parkinson, Miller, and Pereira (ii, 1652, ed. sec.)
The last of these authors remarks regarding it, that “it was formerly
much used in medicine, but of late years has fallen into almost total
disuse.” Not very many years ago, however, it was in great repute as
being diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, anthelmintic, &c. See Alston’s
Lectures (i, 434.) It is still esteemed by the Arabians and Persians as a
tonic and stimulant. Ainslie (Mat. Med. 63.)
Διονυσίας,
Dionysias, is treated of under Androsæmum.
Διφρυγὲς,
Diphryges, _Husk of Brass_, is possessed of mixed powers, being somewhat
astringent and moderately acrid. It is therefore a good application for
malignant ulcers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides gives a very circumstantial description of three
varieties of this substance, which for many years has been lost sight of.
Matthiolus calls it the Husk of Bronze, and Sprengel says it is called
_Kupfermulm_ in Germany. Rutty ranks it among the obsolete medicines of
the ancients. (Mat. Med. pr. 27.) Rhases treats of it. (Cont. ult. 256.)
See Serapion (c. 418.)
Διψακὸς,
Dipsacus, _Teasel_; the root of this thorn is desiccant in the second
degree, and is also somewhat detergent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The root of the _Dipsacus fullonum_, or manured teasel, is
praised by Dioscorides as an application to fissures and fistulæ of the
anus, and it held a reputation in these cases down to a late period.
See Rutty (Mat. Med. 168.) Dioscorides further mentions its use as an
amulet in quartans, for which also it was long celebrated; for our Quincy
speaks of “the superstition of some people of his day in using it as a
charm against agues.” (Complete Dispensatory, 117.) For the Arabians,
see particularly Serapion (c. 106) and Ebn Baithar. It is not noticed by
Hippocrates nor Celsus.
Δορύκνιον,
Dorycnium, _Shrub Trefoil (?)_, is of a similar temperament with the
poppy and mandragora, that is, immoderately cold. When taken in a small
quantity it occasions torpor, and in larger doses it proves fatal.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. In the Fifth Book we have stated the difficulty of
determining what it was. Authorities are divided between the _Convolvulus
Dorycnium_ L. (Angl. Shrubby Bindweed), the _Solanum Sodomæum_, and
_Atropa Belladonna_. Dioscorides says of it that it is soporific, and
when taken in large doses proves fatal; he adds, some affirm that the
seed of it is sought after for philtres, or love potions. (iv, 75.) Galen
gives nearly the same account of it under the name of _Dorycnidium_. The
Arabians would appear not to have admitted it into the Mat. Med., for the
Doronicon of Serapion is a different plant. (c. 335.)
Δρακόντιον,
Dracontium, or Dracunculus, _Dragon-herb_, somewhat resembles the
Wake-robin (Arum), but is more acrid and bitter than it, and also hotter,
and consists of more subtile particles. It has also some astringency. The
root of it, therefore, when taken in a potion cleanses the bowels, and
is an excellent application to malignant ulcers; and the leaves in like
manner. But the fruit of it is stronger.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of the Dragon-herb (_Arum Dracunculus_)
as an article of food in another place. (Vol. I, p. 114.) Dioscorides
gives so circumstantial a description of its medicinal properties that
we cannot find space for it. Suffice to say, he uses it internally
in diseases of the chest, and as an aphrodisiac, externally, in
various cutaneous diseases, in collyria, in injections into the ears,
and as an alexipharmic. (ii, 195.) Galen embodies the substance of
Dioscorides’s empirical description of its virtues agreeably to his own
system, recommending it principally as a deobstruent internally, and
an application to sores and cancerous tumours externally. Aëtius also
gives an elaborate description of its powers. Oribasius merely states in
general terms that it is calefacient and attenuant. Apuleius recommends
it for the bite of the asp. Mesue ascribes to it powerfully cathartic and
carminative powers. His account of it is very elaborate, and deserving of
more attention than we can afford room to bestow upon it. He recommends
it in the form of a suppository to relieve hemorrhoids and flatulence.
(De Simpl. 24.) Avicenna borrows largely from Dioscorides. (ii, 2, 432.)
Rhases copies from Dioscorides, Galen, and Oribasius. (Cont. l. ult. i,
257.) Serapion does the same. (De Simpl. 43.) It remains to be mentioned
that Dioscorides, Oribasius, Mesue, and Avicenna, besides the species
of dracunculus which we have been treating of, also describe another by
the name of the Lesser. It is supposed to be the _Arum Italicum_. The
dragon-herb held a place in the Dispensatory down to a very late date.
Boerhaave calls it a powerful diuretic and promoter of the menses. Quincy
says it is reckoned alexipharmic.
Δρυοπτερὶς,
Dryopteris, _Oak-fern_, is sweet, acrid, and bitterish, and its root has
some sourness. It is septic, and hence it is depilatory.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Dierbach, it comprehends both the _Polypodium
Dryopteris_ and the _Asplenium Adiantum nigrum_, and this opinion is
supported by that of the older authorities. See Parkinson (1042) and
Alston (§ 52.) Sprengel refers it to the former. Our author borrows
from Dioscorides, and Avicenna does the same. (ii, 2, 219.) Our older
herbalists, Parkinson and Gerard, treat of the oak-fern, but it has long
ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory.
Δρῦς,
Quercus, _the Oak_; its leaves and fruit are possessed of desiccant and
tepid powers, so as to agglutinate recent wounds and cure incipient
inflammations. The membrane under the bark of the acorn which surrounds
the fleshy part of the fruit being much more astringent, is given for the
female fluor and other diseases attended with discharges.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dierbach states that three species of the oak with edible
roots grow in Greece, the _Quercus Æsculus_, the _Q. Ilex_, and the _Q.
Ballote_. He adds, that the first species is generally meant by δρῦς in
the Hippocratic writings. Eustathius remarks that the φηγὸς of Homer
was a species of oak. (Ad Iliad. v, 691.) In fact, it was the _Quercus
æschylus_, or rather comprehend it and the _Q. Robur_. See Parkinson
(1389.) After all the illustration which the subject has received from
the old herbalists, and more recent commentators on Dioscorides and
Theophrastus, it must be admitted that there is still considerable
difficulty in determining the various species of oak described by the
ancients. Our author borrows his account of the medicinal powers of the
oak from Dioscorides, whom all the other authorities also follow. The
quercus occurs in the Mat. Med. of Hippocrates, and in those of all the
Arabians. We need scarcely add that the _Quercus Robur_ still maintains a
place in our Dispensatory.
Ἔβενος,
Ebenus, _Ebeny_; the wood is calefacient, detergent, and consists of
subtile particles. Hence it is believed to remove films which obstruct
the pupil, and is an ingredient for other ophthalmic remedies.
* * * * *