corn to be used medicinally. As the _Meloe vesicatorius_ is commonly
found upon trees, such as the fraxinus, sambuchus, and ligustrum, it is
evidently different from the ancient cantharis, and yet their effects
upon the human frame would appear to have been very much alike. It
appears to be now agreed upon by all competent judges that the medicinal
cantharis of the ancients is the _Mylabris Cichorii_ or _M. Füsselini_,
which is still used for forming blistering plasters by the profession in
Constantinople and by the native practitioners in Hindostan. See Ainslie
(Mat. Ind., i, 622), Royle (Antiq. of Hindoo Med.), and Pereira (1834.)
The _Buprestis_, however, which also is included by Dioscorides in his
Materia Medica, can have been no other than the _Meloe vesicatorius_.
See Book V of this work. It is the tellini fly of the Hindoos. See
Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 417.) The ancients prepared the cantharides for
medicinal use in the same manner as the Spanish fly is now prepared,
namely, by killing them with the fumes of vinegar. Dioscorides says
cantharides are septic, ulcerative, and calefacient, and hence are mixed
up with the medicines that cure cancerous diseases, leprosy, and lichen
agrius; they are also emmenagogue when applied in a pessary; and some,
he adds, relate that cantharides are beneficial in dropsies, by acting
as diuretics. Their wings and feet are further said to be antidotal,
that is to say, we suppose, to counteract the operation of the body of
the insect. (ii, 65, 66.) Galen treats of the cantharis and buprestis
in very nearly the same terms as Dioscorides. Instead of using only
the wings and feet, as mentioned by Dioscorides, he says that he used
the whole insect. (De Simpl. xi.) In moderate doses he held it to be a
safe diuretic. (ii, 463, ed. Basil.) Aëtius and Oribasius give nearly
the same account of the cantharis as Galen. Cantharides are frequently
mentioned in the Hippocratic treatises (De Nat. Mulier. 565, ed. Föes; De
Intern. Affect. 552), and in the works of Celsus. (199, ed. Milligan.)
Aretæus is the first author, as far as we know, who notices the external
use of cantharides as a rubefacient. (De Curat. Morb. Chron. i, 4.) The
Arabians, in treating of cantharides, borrow nearly all the information
they give from Dioscorides and Galen. See Serapion (c. 441), Avicenna
(ii, 2, 201), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 162.) Rhases on his own authority,
affirms, that administered in small doses cantharides cleanse the
kidneys. We are rather surprised to find that the _Mylabris_ does not
occur in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Κάνναβις,
Cannabis, _Hemp_; the fruit is carminative and desiccative, so as to dry
up even the semen. The juice of it when green is useful for pains of the
ears and obstructions of them.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears evidently to be the _Cannabis sativa_, or Hemp.
The species _sylvestris_ of Dioscorides, is the _Althæa Cannabina_. See
Sprengel (ad Dioscorid. iii, 155), and Parkinson (Theatre of Plants,
307.) Dioscorides recommends the latter in the form of a cataplasm to
soothe inflammations and discuss tumours. Our author copies from Galen,
who, like him, only describes the _sativa_. The Arabians describe both
species with more accuracy than the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 170,
656), Serapion (207.) Avicenna calls them carminative and desiccative;
and hence he holds that they dry up the semen. He says a middling dose
proves laxative of the bowels.
Κάνωπον,
Canopum, _the Flower of the Elder-tree_, which has been already treated
of.
Κάπνιον,
Fumaria, _Fumitory_ (called also Capnos), and is so named because the
juice of it provokes a great discharge of tears; and it sharpens the
vision. It is also acrid and bitter; hence it occasions a discharge of
much bilious urine, and cures obstructions and atony of the liver. It
also strengthens the stomach and softens the belly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. All the commentators seem agreed that it is the _Fumaria
officinalis_, except Sibthorp, who prefers the _F. parviflora_, Lam.
Our author’s account of it is mostly taken from Dioscorides and Galen.
The others give nearly the same description of its medicinal virtues.
See particularly Serapion (c. 71), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 275.) They
represent it as being a stomachic and hepatic medicine, gently purgative
and diuretic. Fumitory is described as a medicinal herb by all our old
herbalists, and held a place in the Dispensatory down to a late date. See
Quincy (125.) The _F. officinalis_ is still retained in the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia.
Κάππαρις,
Caparis, _Caper-tree_; its root deterges, purges, incides, and discusses
by its bitterness and acrimony. It also contracts, astringes, and
condenses by its sourness. It therefore cures indurated spleens when
drunk and when applied externally. It is also emmenagogue, and occasions
a discharge of phlegm. It cures ill-conditioned ulcers, and relieves
pains of the teeth, dispels tumours and alphos, and kills vermin in the
ear. The leaves and fruit of it are possessed of similar powers, but
weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Capparis spinosa_, namely, the plant which
produces our officinal capers. Dioscorides and Serapion mention that
pickled capers act as a gentle laxative, but say that they are bad
for the stomach. The Arabians held that they are good whetters of the
appetite. Casiri (Bibl. A. H. i, 337.) Galen gives a very elaborate
article on the virtues of capers, which, he says, are the best medicine
which we possess in scirrhous enlargement of the spleen. He says it
clears away the humours by the belly and by urine, and also acts as
an emmenagogue. Their taste, he says, is a combination of bitterness,
acrimony, and sourness. He concludes by stating that capers produced
in very warm climates, such as Arabia, are much more acrid than in his
country. (De Simpl. vii.) The Arabians held that capers are aphrodisiacal
and alexipharmic. See Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 164), Avicenna (ii, 2,
138), and Serapion (c. 291.)
Κάρδαμος,
Nasturtium, _Cress_; the seed of it is caustic like mustard. When applied
externally, therefore, it proves rubefacient, incides also the thick
humours when drunk with other things. And the dried herb is possessed of
similar powers, but the juicy one is more moderate; it therefore is eaten
raw.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It was indisputably a species of cress, probably the
_Lepidium sativum_. We have treated of it as an article of food in Book
I. Our author’s account of it is mostly derived from Galen. Symeon Seth,
with most of the authorities, calls it aphrodisiacal. Macer says, on
the contrary, that its powers are equal to those of rue for repressing
venereal desires. Dioscorides calls it alexipharmic, and says of it,
that in fumigations it drives away venomous reptiles. It occurs in
the Flora Hippocratica. See Dierbach. The Arabians treat of it very
elaborately. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 472), Avicenna (ii, 2, 502),
and Serapion (c. 359.) They agree that it evacuates bile both upwards
and downwards, that it is aphrodisiac and alexipharmic. The cress
(_Nasturtium_), until very lately, was admitted into our Dispensatory.
See Gerard, Parkinson, Culpeper, and Quincy.
Καρδάμωμον,
Cardamomum, _Cardamum_, is also acrid, but weaker than the Cardamus. It
has also some bitterness, by which it destroys intestinal worms, and with
vinegar clears away scabies.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The officinal cardamom of the present time has now got the
scientific name of _Elettaria Cardamomum_, and as far as we can see
there is no reason to doubt its being identical with the cardamomum of
the ancients. There are, however, several varieties of the cardamom
which are not satisfactorily defined, any more than the four species
mentioned by Pliny. (H. N. xii, 29.) See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 32), and
Pereira (Mat. Med. 694.) Dioscorides recommends it for various purposes,
both externally and internally; for epilepsy, coughs, ischiatic disease,
nephritis, and as an alexipharmic and lithontriptic medicine. (i, 5.)
Galen is more guarded in enumerating its virtues, and all the other Greek
authorities follow him. The Arabians rather imitate Dioscorides. See
Avicenna (ii, 2, 156), and Serapion (c. 64.) One of Serapion’s Arabian
authorities, Isaac eben Amram, describes two species, the greater and the
lesser, a distinction still recognized. We need scarcely add that it is
well known at the present day, and is used for various purposes both in
this country and in the East.
Καρὶς,
Squilla, _a Legless Lobster_, when triturated and drunk with the root of
bryony it kills lumbrici.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The squilla belongs to the order of μαλακόστρακα. (See Book
I, 91.) The present article we suppose is the _Cancer Squilla_, L. It is
treated of very cursorily by the other authorities.
Καρκίνος,
Cancer, _Crab_; of the ashes of burnt crabs, that of river-crabs is
equally desiccative with those of the sea urchins and cockles. By the
peculiarity of its whole substance it proves wonderfully efficacious when
applied to persons bitten by mad dogs, as mentioned in another place. The
ashes of the sea-crabs being extremely desiccative, do not indeed agree
with them, but rather relieve those who stand in need of desiccative
remedies. The river-crab when pulverised and applied, ejects thorns and
the points of darts.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The _Cancer Pagurus_, a large edible crab, would appear to be
the sea animal treated of under this head. The river-crab, we suppose, is
the _Astacus fluviatilis_, or crawfish. Dioscorides recommends the ashes
of the river-crab most especially in hydrophobia, and as an application
to fissures in the feet and anus, chilblains, and cancers, and also
as an antidote to the bites of venomous animals. Galen also gives an
interesting account of the use of them in hydrophobia, and Serapion
repeats Galen’s account of them. See further, Book V, 3, of this work.
Galen speaks with great confidence of their efficacy in this case, indeed
he affirms that he had never known them fail when they had got a fair
trial. The other authorities supply no additional information of interest
under this head. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 147), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. iii,
42.) These two agree that the flesh of the river-crab with the milk of
asses is beneficial in phthisis.
Κάρον,
Carum, _Caraway_; the seed is desiccant and heating in the third degree;
and not only the seed, but also the whole plant is carminative and
diuretic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is the _Carum Carui_. It is
evidently the careum of Pliny, and derives its name from Caria. (H. N.
xxix, 49.) Our author copies closely from Galen. Dioscorides calls it
diuretic, stomachic, pleasant to the taste, digestive, &c. The Arabians
further give it the character of being a cordial and anthelminthic
medicine. (See Serapion (c. 279), Avicenna (ii, 2, 137), and Rhases
(Cont. l. ult. i, 178.)
Καρπήσιον,
Carpesium, is aromatic, and consists of subtile particles. It therefore
clears away visceral obstructions, proves diuretic, and removes calculi
of the kidneys.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The Arabians identified this substance with their own
_Cubebæ_. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 242), Avicenna (ii, 2, 134),
and Serapion (c. 188.) But we will show in another place that this was
a mistake on their part. Nothing satisfactory has been ascertained
regarding it, and we have no pleasure in dwelling upon the conjectures of
the commentators on Dioscorides and of the herbalists.
Καρύον,
Nux Juglans, _Walnut_; the tree has some astringency in the shoots, but
more in the bark of the nuts. The juice of them, therefore, when boiled
with honey, becomes a stomachic medicine. The rind of it, when burnt,
consists of subtile particles, and becomes desiccant without pungency;
but the edible part of it being oily, is readily converted into bile.
The oil formed from them consists of subtile particles, and discusses
swellings and gangrenes. Walnuts which are rancid from age prove
detergent of cutaneous affections. But the Pontic, called the slender
nut, is colder and austere, but in other respects is like the large.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of this article in the portion of our work
devoted to dietetics. See Book I. We shall merely repeat that the two
species of nuts described by Paulus and other ancient authorities are
evidently the _Nux Juglans_, or walnut, and the _Nux Avellana_, or
filbert. This is very evident from Galen’s description of them. (Opera.
ed. Basil, ii, 88.) Our author copies closely from him. Dioscorides
treats of the nuces still more circumstantially, recommending them both
internally and externally as being vermifuge, and curing ill-conditioned
ulcers, and many other diseases. The filbert, when triturated with axunge
or bear’s grease, he recommends for the cure of baldness. (i, 178,
179.) The Arabians, under this head, do little more than condense the
information supplied to them by their Grecian masters. See in particular
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 505), Avicenna (ii, 2, 42, 494), and Serapion
(c. 162.) Serapion states that the nux avellana is useful in catarrhs,
and as an application in cases of alopecia. Here, however, he professes
to borrow from Dioscorides. Avicenna and Rhases recommend the oil of the
hazel-nut in herpes esthiomenos, erysipelas, and fistula lachrymalis.
They speak favorably of both as a remedy for the bites of venomous
animals. They also are agreed that the walnut is expectorant.
Καρυόφυλλον,
Caryophyllum, _Cloves_; they are not the substance which their name might
imply, but, as it were, the flowers of a tree which are brought from
India; like chaff, black, nearly a finger’s length, aromatic, acrid,
bitterish, hot, and desiccative in about the third degree. They serve
many useful purposes for condiments and other medicines.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. From our author’s description there cannot be the least
hesitation on our part in acknowledging it to be the _Caryophyllus
aromaticus_, L. (_i. q._), _Eugenia Caryophyllata_, Thunberg, that is
to say, the Clove-tree. We are equally well convinced that no mention
of this article is to be found in the works of Dioscorides, Pliny,
Theophrastus, Galen, Aëtius, Oribasius, nor, in short, in those of any
preceding author. Whence Paulus drew his knowledge of it cannot now
be ascertained. The Arabians display a very correct acquaintance with
it. Avicenna, in treating of it, refers to no other Greek authority
but Paulus. After describing it in much the same terms as our author,
he states it to be hot and dry in the third degree, says it renders
the breath fragrant, improves the sight, and is useful in pterygium;
is stomachic and hepatic, and removes vomiting and nausea. (ii, 2,
311.) Serapion, in treating of the _Gariofilus_, first quotes from a
translation of Galen the description of the _Garyophyllon_ given by
Paulus, which he affirms is taken line for line from Galen. This is
evidently a mistake, founded on some erroneous translation of Galen into
Arabic. He then gives its characters from several Arabian authorities
to the effect that it is stomachic, hepatic, cordial, aphrodisiacal,
and digestive; and says that it is brought from India. (c. 319.) Rhases
says cloves are hot and dry, and are both stomachic and cordial. (Ad
Mansor. iii, 22.) We have not been able to find the passage in the
‘Continens’ where they are treated of, there being some mistake in the
marginal reference of Avicenna. Symeon Seth says of the caryophyllon
that it is hot and dry in the second, or, perhaps, in the third degree;
is the fruit of a tree, and is stomachic, hepatic, and cordial; removes
nausea connected with humidity, but is bad for the bowels. (c. 15.) The
caryophyllon also occurs in one of the antidotes of Myrepsus. (c. 22.)
Ebn Baithar, however, is the ancient authority who gives the fullest
account of cloves, which he represents as being useful in diabetes and
strangury, in black bile, diarrhœa, and chronic coughs. He says in
particular that they are uterine and aphrodisiac, and hence warm the
uterus and promote impregnation. He also holds that they are stomachic,
carminative, and hepatic. (ii, 281.)
Κάσσαμον,
Cassamum; some say that it is the fruit of the balsam-tree, of which we
have treated under that word.
Κασσία,
Cassia, is heating and desiccative in the third order, consists of
sufficiently subtile particles, is acrid, and moderately astringent. It
is therefore incisive and discutient, imparts strength to the organs, and
is also emmenagogue.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Salmasius contends that the ancient Cassia was the same as
our cinnamon. See Needham (ad Geopon. vii, 13), and Celsus (Hierobot.
in voce Kiddah.) Stackhouse affirms, however, that the ancients were
unacquainted with the _Laurus Cinnamomum_. He refers it to the _Laurus
gracilis_. (Comment. in Theophrast.) Sprengel, in his R. H. H., makes
it to be the _Laurus Cassia_, which has now got the scientific name
_Cinnamomum Cassia_. The close connexion between the cinnamon and cassia
has occasioned difficulty in distinguishing them from one another, down
even to the present times. They are often sold for one another in the
Indian bazaars. The _Cassia lignea_ of the ancients would appear to
have been the same thing as the _Cassia bark_ of the moderns. According
to Ainslie, the odour of it is very like cinnamon, but fainter. (Mat.
Ind. 35.) The _Cassia Fistula_ was merely the bark rolled up into
_fistulæ_, or pipes. The Greeks, as we shall show in another place, were
unacquainted with the true _Cassia Fistula_. Dioscorides describes
several varieties of it which cannot now be readily recognized. He calls
it heating, diuretic, desiccant, and mildly astringent, and recommends it
as an emmenagogue, and for various other medicinal purposes. He concludes
by saying it may be used in place of cinnamon, and that it is useful for
many purposes. (i, 12.) Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of
it briefly, in nearly the same terms as Paulus. All the Arabians treat
of it fully. See in particular Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 183), Serapion (c.
301), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 151.) Avicenna describes circumstantially
several kinds of cassia, which he says is closely allied to cinnamon
in nature and in virtues. He recommends it in diseases of the eyes and
uterus, and joins Serapion in holding it to be alexipharmic. The only
Arabian authority quoted by Rhases under this head (namely, Misib) calls
it stomachic, hepatic, and attenuant. The same authority is quoted by
Serapion. Another of Serapion’s authorities says it has strong powers for
procuring abortion. The cassia occurs in the works of Hippocrates, and in
those of Celsus. The latter ranks it in his list of discutients. (v, 11.)
Galen states that, in the absence of cinnamon, a double dose of cassia
or of carpesium may be used in place of it. (ii, 434, ed. Basil.) It is
described by Theophrastus (H. P. ix, 5), and Pliny (xi, 43).
Καστόριον,
Castorium, _Castor_, is heating and desiccative, with excessive tenuity
of parts, by which, in addition to its other actions, it is rendered a
suitable remedy for affections of the nerves proceeding from a collection
of humours. It also readily warms parts which are immoderately cooled,
both when applied externally and when drunk, without at all injuring
any other part, even if they should be in a state of moderate fever, as
in cataphora and lethargy. It is likewise emmenagogue, and expels the
secundines. In affections of the brain and lungs it is a very efficacious
remedy, even when inhaled in respiration.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. All the ancient authorities describe the Castor as being the
testicles of the beaver (_Castor Fiber_, L.) Matthiolus, we believe, was
the first to rectify this error. It is a substance contained in follicles
situated between the anus and genital organs. The use of castor in
hysteria is mentioned by Herodotus. (iv.) Dioscorides, Galen, Rhases,
and Serapion, like our author, recommend it as an emmenagogue; Celsus
prescribes castor with pepper in cases of tetanus. (iv. 3.) He also
recommends it in lethargy and deafness. (vi.) Pliny also mentions its
being used in tetanus and other cases where soporifics are indicated.
(H. N. xxxii, 3, 8.) Of all the ancient authorities Avicenna treats
of it most fully, recommending it particularly in nervous affections,
stupor, and paralysis, also in hiccough when drunk with vinegar, and as
a carminative in flatulence of the bowels. The best counter-agents to
it are acid citrons, vinegar with wine and asses’ milk. He says of it,
that it is alexipharmic, and proves beneficial in the suffocation induced
by hellebore. (ii, 2, 122.) Serapion copies literally from Dioscorides
and Galen (c. 445.) Rhases recommends it as a calefacient medicine for
warming the nerves, promoting menstruation, and dissolving swellings. (Ad
Mansor. iii, 30.) The account which he gives of it in his ‘Continens’ is
made up of extracts from Dioscorides, Galen, and our author. (l. ult.
188.) Ebn Baithar gives a very lengthy and not uninteresting account of
this substance. (i, 263.)
Καυκαλὶς,
Caucalis, _Wild Carrot_; it is heating, like the carrot, desiccant,
diuretic, and is pickled as a preserve.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Sibthorp supposed it to be the _Tordylium officinale_; but
perhaps we may venture to refer it rather to the _Caucalis maritima_,
Lam. R. Stephens calls it _Persil batard_, i. e. _Bastard parsley_. It
is more properly an article of food than a medicine. Our author borrows
his account of it from Dioscorides and Galen, and none of the other
authorities supply any additional information of interest respecting
it. In modern times its application in medicine has been extended. See
Matthiolus (in Dioscorid.) and Parkinson (922.)
Κέγχρος,
Milium, _Millet_, is cooling in the first degree, and desiccant in the
second. It also, to a certain degree, consists of subtile particles.
When used then for a fomentation in small bags, and in the form of a
cataplasm, it is of a desiccant nature.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dierbach inclines to the _Holcus Sorghum_, a species of
millet called _Sorgo_ or _Guinea corn_. Most of the other authorities
refer it to the _Panicum Italicum_. (See Sprengel, Schneider, and
Parkinson.) We have treated of it among the articles of food in Book I.
As a medicine, it is principally in the form of a fomentation that it is
prescribed by Dioscorides and the other authorities. Galen does not speak
very favorably of the cataplasm prepared from it. The Arabians treat of
it in much the same terms as the Greeks. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i,
532), Avicenna (ii, 2, 288), and Serapion (c. 102.) They all speak of it
as being a very inferior article of food; and as a medicine, recommend it
only in a fomentation. It was retained in our English Dispensatory down
to a late date. See Quincy. To this day it is much prized by the native
practitioners of Hindostan. See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 124.)
Κέδρος,
Cedrus, _Cedar_ (?), or _Juniper_; the shrub, which resembles juniper,
and the tree are calefacient and desiccative in the third degree; but
the oil prepared from them, which they call cedræa, touches upon the
fourth, being composed of sufficiently subtile particles. It therefore
corrodes soft flesh readily, and without pain; and the hard flesh, more
particularly of dead bodies, it dries and preserves from putrefaction. It
kills lice, nits, ascarides, worms in the ears, and has many other powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species, the larger being probably
the _Juniperus Phœnicea_, and the smaller the _Juniperus communis_.
The ἄρκευθος was a species of the same genus. Pliny calls the pitch of
the tree by the name of _Cedria_, and the oil by that of _Pisselæon_.
Is the cedria the gum vernix, called sandarax by the Arabians? We will
discuss this question in the Appendix to this Book, when we come to treat
of the substances introduced into the Materia Medica by the Arabians.
Dioscorides says of the fruit of the cedar or juniper, that it is
calefacient and bad for the stomach, that it is useful in coughs, as an
emmenagogue, and alexipharmic. (i, 105.) Galen says the fruit is edible,
but apt to occasion headache and pain of the stomach. (De Simpl. vii.)
The Arabians treat fully of it. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 160, 668.) He and
the other Arabians borrow nearly all their information from the Greeks.
Even Ebn Baithar contains little that is original under this head. (ii,
94.) We observe, by the way, that his translator, Dr. Sontheimer, marks
it as the _Pinus Cedrus_, but this it clearly cannot be.
Κεντάυριον,