region of the East, which has always held that name, and to Abyssinia
(Georg. iv, 293), says, that India is the only country that produces
ebeny. (Georg. ii, 116.) This account of it will still be admitted to
be pretty correct. Dr. Royle mentions that “_Diospyros Ebenus_ yields
the best kinds in the Mauritius, perhaps also in Madagascar; but _D.
ebenaster_ and _D. melanoxylon_, the ebeny trees of the Coromandel coast,
yield it in the peninsula, of very good quality, as other species do in
other parts of India.” (Hindoo Med. 89.) See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 48.)
In medicine it was principally used in collyria for psorophthalmia and
xerophthalmia as recommended by Dioscorides (i, 129), and in old ulcers
and watery pustules as recommended by Aëtius (i) and Galen. (De Simpl.
vi.) See also Celsus (v, 12.) The Arabians, who must have been still
more familiar with it than the Greeks, say of it, in addition, that it
is lithontriptic. Rhases (Contin. l. ult. 258), Avicenna (ii, 2, 226),
and Serapion (c. 152.) It is still imported to this country, but has long
ceased to occupy a place in our Dispensatory.
Ἐγκέφαλον,
Cerebrum, _Brain_; the boiled brains of a hare when rubbed in and eaten,
are useful (it is said) for forwarding dentition in infants. Some write
that brain when eaten proves useful for tremblings. Dioscorides says
that the brain of a cock when drunk with wine relieves those who have
been bitten by venomous animals, and that it stops hemorrhages from the
meninges. Galen says that the brain of a camel when dried and drunk with
vinegar cures epilepsy, and that of the weasel in like manner; that
the brain of a swallow with honey is of use in suffusions; while that
of sheep when prepared in like manner is an excellent remedy in the
dentition of children.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Galen and Serapion treat of the medicinal properties of
brains in much the same terms as our author. Indeed our author copies
from Galen. Avicenna says brains prove emetic after food, and are useful
in the case of a person who has swallowed any poison. (ii, 2, 125.)
Ἐλάια,
Olea, _the Olive_; the green shoots of it are possessed of the same
degree of coldness as of astringency; the fruit when perfectly ripe is
moderately hot, but the unripe is more astringent and cold. The tear
of Ethiopian olive resembling the slender ammoniac, is possessed of
detergent powers. It is used, therefore, for cicatrices, albugo, and
dimness of vision, and for the pains of the teeth when put into the
carious hole. But some say that it is the wild olive that does this.
Oil from fully ripe olives is sweet and moderately hot, and rather of
a moistening nature. But the unripe has just as much astringency as
coldness. The washed is freer from pungency. As to the old, the older it
is so much the hotter and more discutient is it, more especially if it
consist of subtile particles at first. This is ascertained from its being
pure and transparent, and from a small quantity of it being sufficient to
anoint a large part of the body, and from its being readily drunk in by
the skin. Such in particular is the Sabine. That from the wild olive is
at the same time detergent, astringent, and drying, as an oil. Castor oil
has the same powers as old oil. The other kinds, such as that of sesame,
or of radish and the like, derive peculiar properties from the substance
they are formed from.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of the olive as an article of food in another
place. (Vol. I, 135.) The Ethiopian or wild olive comprehended several
species of the _Elæagnus_. The tears of it, mentioned by Dioscorides
and our author, and likened to gum ammoniac, are now unknown. Some, as
Parkinson remarks, have supposed it our gum elemi, but that is probably a
mistake. All the authorities, Greek, Latin, and Arabian, mention it as a
sour, astringent medicine. Samonicus calls it “succis oleaster acerbis.”
Abu l’Fadli calls it a powerful astringent. (Apud Celsii Hierobot.) The
leaves of the cultivated olive Dioscorides says have the same kind of
powers as the wild, but in an inferior degree, and hence, from their
greater mildness, they are more suitable for ophthalmic remedies; he
also recommends the juice of the green olive in pityriasis, psora, and
other cutaneous diseases. (i, 136.) We need not follow out what has been
written by the others on this subject.
Ἔλαιον. For an account of the oils used by the ancients in the practice
of medicine, see in particular Dioscorides (i, 29 et seq.), Galen (De
Simpl. vi), and Mesue (De Oleis.) The _Oleum Cicinum_, i. e. oil of the
palma christi, now called _castor oil_, is often mentioned by the ancient
authors. Dioscorides states that it is purgative and anthelminthic.
Aëtius states that _linseed oil_ may often be used instead of it. _Almond
oil_ he particularly commends in complaints of the ears. The _oil of
Sesame_, he says, resembles common oil, being a gentle purgative; it is
the _gingilie_ oil of the modern Hindoos. Serapion recommends the oil
of olives as an astringent application to stop profuse perspiration,
to remove scabies and other cutaneous complaints on the head, to cure
aphthæ and ulcers of the mouth, and for various other complaints. He,
however, merely copies from Dioscorides, (i, 136.) But of all the
ancient authorities, Mesue is the one who gives the fullest account of
the composition and medicinal powers of the oils. Some of them are not
described by the Greeks before his time, as far as we know. We shall give
a specimen of a few of his prescriptions. His _oil of mandragora_, which
he recommends for extinguishing inflammation and procuring sleep, is
prepared from equal parts of the juice of its berries and oil of sesame
boiled in a double vessel until the juice be evaporated. Add, he says,
a little juice and boil again, do so a third time, and lay it aside.
For the oil of mandrake a much more complicated receipt is given by
Myrepsus (xvi, 50), which held its place in our Pharmacopœia down to the
days of Quincy. (Complete Dispensatory, 527.) The _oil of eggs_, which
Mesue commends strongly from experience for cleansing the skin, curing
cutaneous eruptions, making hair grow, and curing malignant ulcers, he
directs to be prepared thus: about thirty yelks of eggs hardened by
boiling, and broken down into pieces, are to be fried in an earthen
fryingpan that has been leadened, stirring with a wooden or iron ladle
until they grow red, and their oil is poured out, which they yield the
more largely if compressed with the ladle. This oil of eggs is described
in similar terms by Moses Charras, in the Royal Pharmacopœia (p. 200),
and is a popular remedy in Scotland to this day. Mesue describes the
composition of an oil of frogs, which he recommends much for soothing
the pains of arthritis, and the burning heat of ardent fevers, also the
oil of vipers, of wolves, and many others, which will be more properly
treated of by us in section xx of this Book. The oils are also well
described by Aëtius (i) and Myrepsus (De Oleis.)
Ἐλαιόμελι,
Elæomeli, _Honeyed Oil_. In Syria, an oil thicker and sweeter than honey,
flows from a certain trunk; when drunk to the amount of two cyathi with
a hemina of water, it produces a discharge of crude and bilious matters
from the bowels. Those who have taken it become torpid; yet one need not
be alarmed, but only rouse them.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Pliny describes it as a natural exudation from trees on
the maritime coasts of Syria. He adds, it is fat, thicker than honey,
thinner than resin, of a sweet taste, and is used in medicine: “Manat
ex arboribus pingue, crassius melle, resina tenuius, sapore dulci, et
hoc medicis.” (H. N. xxv, 7.) He states in another place that it is a
nauseous purgative. (xxiii, 56.) Dioscorides gives the same account of it
as our author, and describes an oil to be prepared from it. Avicenna and
Rhases recommend it as an application to ulcerated scabies. It appears
singular that this natural substance should have been entirely lost
sight of in modern times, inasmuch that unless we adopt the conjecture
of Alston, that it was some species of manna, we must admit ourselves
entirely ignorant of it.
Ἐλατήριον,
Elaterium; the juice of the fruit of the wild cucumber is so called,
being in the second order of calefacients. It promotes the menstrual
discharge, and destroys the fœtus when applied in a pessary, by its
extreme bitterness. When rubbed in with milk it evacuates by the nose.
When administered in an injection, it occasions a discharge downwards of
phlegm, and sometimes of blood.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It would appear that Hippocrates applied the term to all
drastic purgatives. See Eustathius, Iliad. (xviii, 564.) By Dioscorides
and all subsequent authorities, it is restricted to signify the fecula
of the _Momordica Elaterium_, or wild cucumber. It was much used by the
ancient physicians in the cure of dropsy, as we have stated in the Third
Book. Dioscorides correctly states that it evacuates bile and phlegm,
both upwards and downwards. He recommends it particularly in cases
attended with difficulty of breathing. As an emetic, he directs us to
administer it in oil, or with the ointment of iris. As a purgative, he
recommends it to be given with double the quantity of salt and some
mustard, in the form of a pill, of the size of a tare. Like our author,
he states that it is emmenagogue, and proves fatal to the fœtus when
applied in a pessary. Galen and the other authorities on the Materia
Medica give it nearly the same characters. Theophrastus states that it
is the most durable of all medicines, and that the oldest is the best.
(H. P. ix, 14.) It is said by Hippocrates, that if a woman or she-goat,
giving suck, partake of elaterium, it will affect her young. (Epid. vi,
5.) Galen in his commentary remarks, that other purgatives have the same
effect when given similarly. (Op. t. v, 218, ed. Basil.) The Arabians
also show a good practical acquaintance with this substance. Thus, for
example, Avicenna praises it strongly in affections of the chest attended
with difficulty of breathing, and more especially in cases of dropsy.
He recommends it also in the form of a clyster for the cure of diseases
of the joints and sciatica, and speaks of a plaster of it for the gout.
He directs a pill to be prepared from it with double the quantity of
salt. He states correctly that it occasions evacuations of phlegm and
blood; that it is diuretic, and emmenagogue, and kills the child in a
suppository. (ii, 2, 177.) Mesue also writes of the wild cucumber and
elaterium with great precision, recommending the latter internally as
an emetic, a phlegmagogue, and a hydragogue, more especially in dropsy.
He also recommends it in jaundice, and _engorgement_ of the liver
and spleen; and states that it is most beneficial in sciatica when
administered in a clyster or applied as a plaster. He speaks highly of
the efficacy of the roots of the wild cucumber when applied to the head,
in a cataplasm for hemicrania, and as an errhine in the same complaint.
(De Simpl. ix.) Serapion also, in treating of the wild cucumber, gives
interesting extracts, both from Greek and Arabian authorities, respecting
the medicinal powers of elaterium. (De Simpl. 204.) Ebn Baithar gives a
most ample account of it. (ii, 276.)
Ἐλάτη,
Abies, _the Fir_; this tree is calefacient and desiccative, like the
black poplar. Its resin will be treated of among the resins.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt it is the _Pinus Abies_, L. The other
authorities in general do not treat of it, except under the resinæ. It
does not otherwise occur in Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, or Avicenna.
Ἐλατίνη,
Elatine, _the Toadflax_; this herb is like the Helxine, and is moderately
refrigerant and astringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the Fluellin or Female Speedwell (_Linaria Elatine_)
is the elatine of the ancients has been long known and almost generally
admitted. See Parkinson, Gerard, Rutty, &c. Dioscorides recommends the
leaves with flour for inflammations and running of the eyes, and for
dysentery. Pliny, evidently translating Dioscorides, says of the elatine,
“eadem cum line semine cocta sorbitionis usu dysenteria liberat.” (H. N.
xxvii, 50.) It would appear that it had been omitted by the Arabians. It
held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient character down to a
late period. See Parkinson, Gerard, Quincy, Rutty, and Hill.
Ἐλαφόβοσκος,
Pabulum cervi (_Parsnip?_), is of heating and drying powers in the second
degree, and consists of subtile particles.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our older herbalists and commentators are pretty well agreed
in holding it to be the garden parsnip (_Pastinaca sativa_.) Dioscorides
pronounces it to be alexipharmic, and Aëtius does the same. The other
authorities treat very briefly of it. Avicenna calls the _Pastinaca_
aphrodisiacal, and this reputation it maintained down to modern times.
See Quincy.
Ἐλελίσφακος,
Salvia, _Sage_, is decidedly calefacient and subastringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The sage (_Salvia officinalis_) has held a place in the
Materia Medica from the earliest ages down to our times. Dioscorides
calls it diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, and vulnerary. The other
Greek authorities, like our author, speak more moderately in its praise.
The Arabians who treat of it follow Dioscorides. See Serapion (De Simpl.
153.) In modern times it was at one period held in much esteem. See
Quincy. It is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 142.)
Ἑλένιον,
Inula, _Elecampane_ (?); it is calefacient and desiccative with some
recrementitious humidity. When mixed with linctuses it promotes
expectoration, and it acts as a rubefacient to the parts it is applied to.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. All the other authorities give the elecampane (_Inula
Helenium_) much the same characters as our author. Dioscorides says the
root is calefacient, and proves diuretic and emmenagogue; that in a
linctus, with honey, it is useful in coughs, orthopnœa, and the like;
and, further, that it is carminative and alexipharmic. The leaves he
recommends in a cataplasm with wine for ischiatic disease, and in powder
for hæmoptysis. (i, 27, 28.) Galen’s character of it mainly agrees
with that of Dioscorides, that is to say, he recommends elecampane,
internally, in chest complaints, and externally as a rubefacient in
sciatica, hemicrania, and a disposition of the joints to dislocation. The
Arabians give it all the characters ascribed to it by the Greeks, namely,
of being diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, carminative, alexipharmic,
and rubefacient externally; and, further, hold of themselves that it is
cordial. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 235), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 237.)
Serapion gives us the following extract from Hunain’s ‘Translation of
Hippocrates’ (Hunain ex verbo Hippocratis): “Elecampane drives away anger
and sorrow, strengthens the mouth of the stomach, clears the chest,
expels the superfluities in the veins by the menses and urine, and more
especially a wine made from it.” (De Simpl. 138.) In fact, as we ought
perhaps to have mentioned, the helenium is a Hippocratic herb. (Nat.
Mul. 572, ed. Foës.) It was also well known to Celsus (v, 11 et alibi.)
The elecampane still retains its place in our Dispensatory and also in
the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 76.) The other species described by
Dioscorides as the Egyptian elecampane, and which he recommends solely
as being alexipharmic, is held by Sprengel to be the _Teucrium Marum_.
Parkinson, however, supported by high authority, seems to make out a
strong case for the _Cistus Helianthemum_, or rock rose (p. 655.) Old
Gerard, on the other hand, adopts the opinion of those commentators who
referred it to the _Marum_. (p. 67.) The _Teucrium Marum_ also holds a
place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Ἐλεοσέλινον,
Apium palustre, _Marsh Parsley_; being formed in wet places, it has the
same properties as the cultivated parsley, and is larger than it.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The smallage (_Apium graveolens_) is briefly treated of by
the other authorities. We need scarcely say that it is still retained in
our Dispensatory. See Quincy.
Ἐλέφας,
Elephas, _the Elephant_; the parings from its hoof, when applied in a
cataplasm, cure whitlow; and those of the bones and teeth of it, being of
a drying and detergent nature, are mixed with similar medicines.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides in like manner recommends a cataplasm prepared
with the shavings from the _elephant’s_ hoofs in cases of paronychia.
Most of the other authorities would appear not to have treated of it.
Ivory shavings were retained in the Dispensatory until late years. See
Quincy.
Ἑλκυσματα τοῦ ἀργύρου,
Recrementum argenti, _the Dross of Silver_, has the same powers as the
molybdæna, for it is astringent and epispastic, hence it is mixed with
the plasters called Fusca and Epulotic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. What the _Scoriæ argenti_ are will be readily understood
from the following description of the process of extracting silver from
the ores of it: “These ores are extremely hard, and also mixed with
bituminous, sulphureous, arsenical, or vitriolic substances, which carry
off with them a considerable part of the silver, or burn it to _scoriæ_
along with themselves.” Geoffroy, &c. (p. 272, Engl. ed.) Our author
copies almost verbatim from Dioscorides, and the other Greek authorities
supply nothing additional under this head. Aëtius treats of the _scoriæ_
in general terms, as we shall see in the proper place, and merely says
of the _Scoriæ argenti_ that they are possessed of desiccative powers.
Of the Arabians, Avicenna, in treating of this article, borrows every
word from the Greeks. (ii, 2, 693.) Serapion quotes an Arabian authority,
Adamasti, to the effect that the scoria argenti is of use in cardiac
disease (c. 415.) Rhases, after quoting from Galen, Dioscorides, and
Paulus, gives the opinions of two Arabian authorities, Damas (?) and
Chuz, the former to the effect that it is useful in palpitation of the
heart and fetor of the mouth, and the other, that it cures scabies and
pruritus. (Cont. l. ult. i, 74.)
Ἐλλέβορος,
Helleborus, _Hellebore_; both kinds are calefacient and desiccative in
the third degree. It (the white) is also acrid and detergent; and hence
it agrees with leprous affections of the skin. The black, when introduced
into fistulæ, makes the callus cast off in three days.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Those who wish to see the general literature of this
interesting article may find our opinions briefly stated under the
proper head in the Appendix to Dunbar’s ‘Lexicon.’ In this place it
will be sufficient to mention that we have come to the conclusion that
the Helleborus albus of the ancients was identical with our _Veratrum
album_. Hippocrates makes mention of both species; when he simply uses
the term helleborus, he means the white, as in Aphor. v, 1, and iv, 15,
16. He also recommends the _niger_ as well as the _albus_ in melancholy
and quartans (Epist. 1288, ed. Foës.) Aretæus, at the conclusion of his
work, as it has come down to us, pronounces a strong eulogy on hellebore,
which he calls the great remedy in cases of elephantiasis. Dioscorides
recommends it as an emetic, emmenagogue, and sternutatory. (iv, 148-9.)
Mesue and Serapion mention it as an emetic, but concur with Hippocrates
in stating that it sometimes induces convulsions if administered
unguardedly. Haly Abbas gives exactly the same account of it. Averrhoes
mentions that in his time the _Lapis lazuli_ was used as a purgative in
place of hellebore. (v, 42.) Rhases concurs with the Greek authorities
in praising its effects for the cure of epilepsy, melancholy, arthritis,
and mania. Macer Floridus praises it in the cure of epilepsy, mania,
quartans, &c. We would now beg to be allowed to depart from our general
rule, and to quote some modern opinions in illustration of the ancient
on this important subject,—the more important from hellebore forming, as
is supposed, one of the ingredients in the celebrated patent medicine
_eau médicinale_. Conrad Gesner, an upright and learned physician, as
Bergius calls him, had great confidence in the white hellebore, which
he took himself, and administered freely to his patients with great
success. He says of it, “recreat et roborat, et hilariorem facit, et
acuit ingenium, quod in me et aliis sæpissime expertus scribo. Ego, si
vixero, in ellebori historiâ multa proferam quæ medici admirentur.” The
following is his formula for preparing it: ℞ Hell. alb. dr. ij, vini
cretici oz. vj, stent in maceratione, per mensem, additis, si placet,
aromatibus. Of this preparation, from 6 to 9 scr. were given according
to circumstances. Baglivi calls hellebore the “Hercules remediorum,
pluriumque domitor incurabilium morborum.” Platearius, treating of
hellebore, says that the ancients used it as a purge, in like manner
as scammony is now used, for that men’s bodies, in former times, were
stronger than now; such a medicine would require to be given with great
caution. He says of it, that it purges phlegm and black bile. The
white, he adds, is a more violent medicine than the black. (De Simplici
Medicina.) For a great many years past, with the exception of the partial
administration of the _eau médicinale_ in cases of gout, the internal
use of the veratrum may be said to have been quite lost in the practice
of medicine, and that, not only in this country, but also in the land
of Hippocrates and Dioscorides. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia it is
directed to be kept as a poison. (p. 76.) Mesue, Serapion, and many of
the authorities recommend the black hellebore in melancholy. That it was
either the _Helleborus niger_, or the species _orientalis_, Tournefort,
and not the _Veratrum album_ which was commonly administered in Anticyra,
in cases of mania and melancholy, is clearly proved from Dioscorides (iv,
149.) He further states of it that, applied _per vaginam_, it procures
menstruation, and kills the fœtus; he recommends it for the cure of
scabies, alphos, lichen, and leprosy; he also speaks favorably of it as
an external application to fistulæ, dropsies, toothache, and diseases
of the ears. Galen recommends both species equally in nearly the same
class of complaints. Notwithstanding the high authority of Pereira, who
maintains the contrary, we do not see the least reason to doubt that
the _black hellebore_ of the ancients was our _Helleborus niger_, or
Christmas rose. See Gerard (Paradisus, p. 386) and Parkinson (p. 211.)
Without doubt it was introduced into this country by the Romans for
their _H. niger_. The _H. officinalis_, Salisb., which Dr. Sibthorp
brings forward in its place, is a distinct species. See Alston’s Lectures
(42); also the Greek Pharmacopœia, Athens, 1837, (p. 77.)
Ἐλίχρυσον,
Elichrysum, _Shrubby Everlasting_ or _Eternal Flower_ (called also
Chrysanthemon and Amarantum), is a plant used for garlands, having
capillary leaves of a golden appearance. When drunk with wine it is
suitable for dysuria, the bites of reptiles, ischiatic disease, and
fractures. It also promotes menstruation, and dissolves coagula when
drunk with wine and honey, and relieves catarrhs.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Linnæus makes the ancient Helichrysum identical with his
_Gnaphalium_. (Gener. Plant. 946.) Accordingly Sprengel, in his R. H. H.,
refers it, with Cordus and Sibthorp, to the _Gnaphalium Stæchas_. But in
his edition of Dioscorides he rather inclines to the _Tanacetum annuum_.
Dr. Hill says of the tansy: “It has been greatly celebrated as an
uterine, a vulnerary, and a diuretic. It is recommended in suppressions
of the menses, and in cases of the gravel, and other nephritic
complaints.” This agrees so well with the characters of the elechrysus as
given by Dioscorides and Paulus, that we are inclined to identify this
article with the _Tanacetum annuum_. It is proper to admit, however, that
the virtues which Dioscorides ascribes to the elechrysus are ascribed by
old Gerard to the cudweed. It is one of those articles in the ancient
Materia Medica which can never be satisfactorily determined. See further,
Parkinson (p. 695) and Lewis’s Dispensatory (i, 411.)
Ἑλξίνη,