heating, with a terrene astringency. It therefore promotes menstruation,
kills and expels the fœtus, agglutinates wounds, relieves hæmoptysis,
and other affections of the chest. The root of the small centaury is
possessed of no powers, but the branches are strongly desiccative, and
without pungency. Hence they are applicable in those cases in which the
great centaury was mentioned as being useful; and in ischiatic complaints
the decoction of it given in an injection evacuates bile and sometimes
blood, which affords great relief.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The _Centaurea Centaurium_, L., and the _Erythræa
Centaurium_, Pers., would appear to be the greater and less centaury
of the ancients. See Parkinson, Sprengel, and the other commentators
on Dioscorides. Pliny describes three sorts, but would seem to have
fallen into a mistake as to the meaning of a passage in Theophrastus.
See Harduin ad Plinii H. N. xxv, 32, and Parkinson (Theatre of Plants,
273.) Dioscorides recommends the greater centaury in the same cases as
our author, who abridges him and Galen under this head. He says very
particularly of it, that it produces menstruation, and expels the fœtus
when applied in the form of a collyrium (tent) to the vagina. (iii,
6.) The Arabians give it the same characters as their Grecian masters.
See Avicenna (ii, 2, 158), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 176), and Serapion
(c. 202.) Serapion and Mesue likewise recommend the lesser centaury
in sciatica, either in a potion to the amount of two drachms, or in a
clyster to the amount of three ounces, with oil of sesame. Galen has a
whole book on the virtues of the lesser centaury, in which there is a
prescription for an extract of it. The ancients had great faith in it
for the cure of hydrophobia. According to Galen, (who it may well be
supposed had devoted great attention to the study of its virtues), it is
possessed of bitterness with some astringency, and is most especially
excellent as a deobstruent in obstructions of the liver and scirrhus
of the spleen. He mentions that some gave it in a potion for nervous
affections, and that in a clyster it relieves sciatica by occasioning
evacuations of bile. He also recommends it strongly in the form of a
fomentation to ill-conditioned and obstinate ulcers. The lesser centaury
(_Erythræa Centaurium_, Persoon) still continues to hold a place in our
Dispensatory, but, as Dr. Pereira remarks, “is rarely used by medical
practitioners; yet it might be used as an indigenous substitute for
gentian.” (Materia Medica, 809.) In the days of Quincy it retained
all its ancient characters. (Engl. Dispens. 103.) Galen’s tract on it
must have been in great repute anciently, since Serapion has given a
translation of the whole of it. It is retained in the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia.
Κέρας ἀιγὸς,
Cornu Capri, _Goatshorn_, and Κ. ἐλάφου, Cornu Cervi, _Hartshorn_,
cleanse the teeth when burnt, and restrain the progress of foul ulcers.
The hart’s horn, when pulverised and then applied, fastens loose teeth;
when washed after burning, it relieves dysentery, cæliac affection,
spitting of blood, and jaundice, when given to the amount of two
spoonfuls. It is also mixed up with ophthalmic remedies. The horn of a
bull, when taken in water, restrains hemorrhages.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides, Galen, and Serapion speak of the medicinal
properties of _horn_ in nearly the same terms as our author. We need
scarcely say that the stag’s or hart’s horn has been much used in modern
times for the preparation of ammonia, which is hence called the spirit of
hartshorn. Dioscorides recommends hartshorn when burnt until it become
white, and cleaned like calamine, in affections of the eyes. It will now
be readily understood, that when so treated it is reduced to a phosphate
of lime. Avicenna further prescribes it for removing the swelling of
dropsy; and, like Dioscorides, he recommends it in jaundice. (ii, 2,
178.) We would remark, in conclusion, that it was the red deer which
furnished the medicinal hartshorn of the ancients, but that the moderns
have commonly used the horns of the fallow-deer instead. See Hill’s
Materia Medica (835.)
Κεράσια,
Cerasia, _Cherries_; the sweet are more laxative, the austere more
stomachic, but the acid agree best with pituitous and foul stomachs,
owing to their being incisive. The gum of the tree smoothes asperities of
the trachea, and relieves calculous affections when drunk with wine.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This unquestionably is the _Prunus Cerasus_, L. We have
given some account of cherries in the portion of our work devoted to
ancient dietetics. Galen, in his work on Simples, treats of them with
great precision; he remarks that in some the austere quality, in some the
sweet, and in others the acid prevails, and that when unripe the sour is
predominant. In fact, our author’s account of them is manifestly abridged
from Galen. Aëtius and the other authorities, in like manner, copy from
Galen. See also Serapion (c. 145.)
Κερατωνία,
Ceratonia, _Carob-tree_, and the fruit of it (_siliquæ_) are possessed of
desiccant and astringent powers, with a certain share of sweetness.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is unquestionably the _Ceratonia Siliqua_, L., or
_Carob-tree_. We have given some account of it among the articles of food
in Book I. All the other authorities on the Materia Medica give it nearly
the same characters as our author. The writer who is fullest on this head
is Avicenna, who treats of it under the name of _Carob_, i. e. _Siliqua_.
(ii, 2, 193.) See also Serapion (c. 135), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i,
366.) Our modern herbalists treat of it in nearly the same terms as the
ancients. See Parkinson (236.) It is still used on the Continent and in
Asia as an inferior article of food, and holds a place in the modern
Greek Pharmacopœia.
Κεφαλαὶ,
Capita, _Heads_; those of pickled herrings, when burnt, acquire a
desiccative power without being very acrid. They therefore relieve
fissures about the anus, and chronic cases of indurated uvula. The
entire head of the anchovy (_smaris_), when burnt, is useful in alopecia
when applied with bear’s grease. The burnt head of a mouse when applied
with honey does the same thing. The dried head of the kite without its
feathers, when drunk in water to as great an amount as can be lifted with
three fingers, relieves gouty affections. They say that the head of a
lizard extracts sharp-pointed things, and removes myrmecia, acrochordon,
and clavus.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the medicinal properties of _Heads_
is taken from Galen. See also Aëtius and Serapion. Dioscorides treats
of the different articles separately, and not under a general head like
Galen and his successors. (See ii, 31, 32, &c.) The Arabians merely copy
from Dioscorides and Galen, especially the latter. See in particular
Serapion (c. 571.)
Κηκὶς,
Galla, _Gall_; that sort called Omphacitis is a very sour medicine, and
hence it proves desiccant, repels defluxions, contracts and astringes
relaxed and debilitated parts. It agrees also with all cases of
defluxion. It is to be placed in the third rank of desiccants, and the
second of refrigerants. The other sort, which is yellow, porous, and
large, is desiccant indeed, but less so than the other, inasmuch as it
is deficient in astringency. In a decoction it relieves inflammations of
the fundament and prolapsus ani when burnt. Extinguished in vinegar they
become styptic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species of galls, of which the
better kind, called omphacitis, consisted of small, hard, and solid
pieces without perforations, and is not to be confounded with the
ὄμφακις, or cupula of the acorn, mentioned by Paulus. (iii, 62.) See also
Theophrastus (Hist. Plant. iii, 9), Pliny (H. N. xvi, 9), and Serapion
(De Simpl. c. 237.) Galls were much used by the ancient physicians in
all cases requiring powerful astringents. According to Dr. Hill, the
_Gallæ omphacitæ_ of the ancients were the same as the Aleppo galls now
in use, and the other kind, sometimes called _Onocicæ_, the same as
the European. Dioscorides describes the gall as the fruit of the oak,
an error which is to be found, as Dr. Pereira remarks, in the works of
comparatively recent writers. We need scarcely say that the excrescence
is now well ascertained to be the production of a hymenopterous insect
on the _Quercus infectoria_. Dioscorides treats largely of the cases in
which galls are applicable, concluding with the remark that their use is
indicated whenever it is wished to astringe, restrain, or dry. (ii, 146.)
Our author’s description of their medicinal properties is mostly taken
from Galen. Nearly the same may be said of Aëtius and Oribasius. The
Arabians, in treating of them, borrow all the information which they give
from the Greeks. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 308), Rhases (Cont.
l. ult. i, 234), Serapion (c. 98.)
Κηπέα,
Cepea, resembles the Purslain. The leaves of it in an infusion relieve
scabious bladder when drunk; and the root of it, when taken in a draught
with rock asparagus, relieves strangury from obstruction.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Little is known for certain of this herb; but the most
probable conjecture that has been made regarding it is, that it is the
_Sedum Cepæa_, L. Our author’s account of it is taken literally from
Dioscorides. Galen does not treat of it, nor have we been able to trace
it out in the Materia Medica of the Arabians. Our old herbalists treat
of it very hesitatingly under the head of brooklime. See Gerard and
Parkinson.
Κηρὸς,
Cera, _Wax_, being of a moderate temperament, forms the basis of many
other medicines. By itself it is slightly detergent, and has some
discutient and calefacient powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This article is so well known that it requires no
illustration. Dioscorides describes very circumstantially the process
for bleaching wax and making it white. It was done with salt water and
natron in a manner quite different from the process now pursued for this
purpose. (ii, 105.) The Arabians treat fully of it, but without making
any addition of much importance. See in particular Serapion (c. 10) and
Avicenna (ii, 2, 462.) Avicenna says that wax, when applied to the wound
inflicted by a poisoned arrow, prevents it from being followed by any bad
effects. He recommends it as an expectorant in diseases of the chest,
both in a liniment and in a potion. One of Serapion’s authorities,
Abugerig, in like manner, recommends it in diseases of the chest.
Κήρυκες,
Buccinæ (a species of shell-fish); their shell when burnt is possessed
of sufficiently desiccative powers without pungency, they therefore
agree with malignant ulcers, and are to be used for putrid ulcers with
vinegar, wine, or oxymel. That part of them which is as it were their
flesh when alive, if boiled in oil, renders the oil an useful injection
for relieving earache.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Sprengel makes them to be the _Buccina Harpa_ and _Lapillus_.
They are noticed among the articles of food in the ninety-first section
of the First Book. Dioscorides correctly remarks that a species of
quicklime is got from their shells. He recommends it as a dentifrice, and
as an application to burns. (ii, 5.) Galen very properly inculcates the
necessity of getting them finely levigated before applying them to sores.
Avicenna treats of the buccina along with other crustacea under one head.
His information is almost entirely borrowed from Dioscorides and Galen.
(ii, 2, 529.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 224.)
Κίκι,
Ricinus, _Palma Christi_; its fruit, which is also purgative, has
detergent and discutient properties, and so also has its leaf, but
weaker. We have already spoken of its oil.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that the κίκι or κρότων was the
_Ricinus communis_, the Castor-oil plant, or Palma Christi. It is
mentioned by Herodotus (Euterpe, 94) and in several passages of the
Hippocratic treatises. See Œconom. Hippocrat. (218.) It does not occur,
however, in the works of Celsus. Dioscorides informs us that it is called
_croton_, from its resemblance to the dog-tick, and it is worthy of
observation that both the plant and the dog-tick bear the name of Ricinus
in Latin. See Pliny (H. N. xi, 34, and xv, 7.) Dioscorides says that the
oil is used for lamps and plasters, and also as a purgative and emetic;
but that it is a very loathsome and harsh medicine when administered
internally. He further mentions the seeds as being used in cutaneous
diseases, and the leaves in diseases of the eyes (iv, 141.) Galen notices
it but very briefly as a purgative having detergent and discutient
powers. Aëtius and Oribasius appear to have overlooked it. Mesue commends
it as a purgative in cases of colic attended with flatulence. He says
it produces vomiting and painful dejection of the bowels, but that its
operation occasions a discharge of phlegm and bile, which often proves
effectual in diseases of the joints. (De Simpl. 28.) He calls it by the
names of _Albemesuch_, _Granum regum_, and _Kerva_. Avicenna says of
the oil, that it is laxative, and is a good application to scabies and
other cutaneous diseases. (ii, 2, 523.) It is deserving of remark that
the _Grana regia_ of Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 339), are applicable to
the _Lathyris_, and not to the _Cici_. Indeed Mesue jumbles together his
description of these two substances. (l. c.) We have mentioned already
that the _Oleum Cicinum_ or _Castor-oil_, was used as a purgative by the
ancient physicians. Dr. Hill says of it, “the ancients obtained an oil by
expression, and also by boiling, from the seeds; they called it _Oleum
Cicinum_; they used it, for burning in their lamps, and in some of their
ointments and plasters. Dioscorides commends it internally against worms;
and Piso tells us that it is sometimes used in the same manner in the
Brazils, with success.”
Κιννάβαρις,
Cinnabaris, _Sanguis Draconis_, is possessed of moderately acrid powers
with some astringency.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We must refer to what we have stated in another work, which
we have already often quoted, for the general literature of this subject.
It will be sufficient in this place to state that the substance here
treated of under the name of Cinnabaris is indisputably the _Sanguis
Draconis_, or concrete juice of the _Dracœna Draco_. This is obvious
from Dioscorides’s description of it, who says that it is of a deep
colour, and hence some had thought it the blood of the dragon. (v, 109.)
See further, Pliny (H. N. xxxiii, 38), and the very interesting note of
Harduin, in which the origin of the confusion of the dragon’s blood with
cinnabar is fully explained. Serapion treats of the _Sanguis Draconis_ as
the production of a tree, and quotes a description of it from Dioscorides
and Galen. What vegetable substance in their Mat. Med. Serapion refers
to, we are at a loss to decide. One of his authorities, Constantinus,
calls it the juice of a plant, possessed of styptic powers, and therefore
used as an astringent both internally as a suppository, and externally
when so applied. (De Simpl. 341.) Avicenna recommends it similarly,
but gives no description of it. (ii, 2, 627.) It is to be borne in
mind that besides the vegetable cinnabar, the ancients described two
other substances under this name, viz., the native mineral cinnabar or
sulphuret of quicksilver, and a factitious cinnabar, which was their Sal
Atticum. See Hill (Mat. Med. 60), and Geoffroy (215.) The dragon’s blood
is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, where it is set down as the
product of the _Calamus Draco_.
Κιννάμωνον,
Cinnamomum, _Cinnamon_, is composed of extremely subtile parts, yet is
not extremely heating, but only in the third degree. But of those in the
same rank of calefacients none is so desiccative owing to the tenuity of
its parts. The cinnamomis is a sort of weak cinnamon; but some call it
pseudo-cinnamomum.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Sprengel and Dierbach acknowledge it as the _Laurus
Cinnamomus_. We have stated, however, under Cassia that Stackhouse
is of opinion that the ancients were unacquainted with our _Laurus
Cinnamomus_; but we see no good grounds for this opinion. We shall give
the words of Sprengel: “Cassia lignea nostratum et cassia cinnamomea
eadem esse videntur, unde et cassiam ipsam ex eadem arbore provenire,
quæ cinnamomum largiatur, veteres jam statuerunt.” (ad Dioscor. i, 13.)
Dioscorides recommends cinnamon in uterine affections, that is to say,
for promoting the flow of the menses and for the expulsion of the fœtus.
We need scarcely mention that this use of it has been revived of late.
He also holds it to be alexipharmic, recommends it in coughs, dropsies,
and diseases of the kidneys and bladder; in complaints of the eyes,
and in the formation of elegant ointments; in short, he adds, it is a
medicine much in use. (i, 13.) Galen and the other Greek authorities
give its medicinal characters in more general terms. The Arabians treat
of it at great length, and more especially Avicenna, who recommends it
in the same cases as Dioscorides, namely, as a diuretic, emmenagogue,
and alexipharmic medicine, and also as a stomachic and deobstruent in
congestion of the liver. He also holds it to be cordial and expectorant.
(ii, 2, 124.) Serapion professes to borrow his account of cinnamon from
Dioscorides and Galen; but the extract which he gives from the latter,
is not to be found in his works as they now exist. In it cinnamon is
commended as being an aromatic medicine, applicable in complaints of the
stomach and liver, in affections of the eyes, and as an emmenagogue and
diuretic. (De Simpl. 266.) Rhases copies from Dioscorides, Galen, and our
author. (Cont. l. ult. i, 213.)
Κιρκέα,
Circea, _Enchanter’s Nightshade_; its root, which is desiccative and
fragrant, when drunk with wine, cleanses the uterus. Its fruit, when
taken in gruel, promotes the formation of milk.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The commentators are much divided respecting it. Sprengel
inclines to the _Cynanchus niger_. Lobelius took it to be the _Solanum
Dulcamara_. One thing is certain, that it was quite different from any
known species of the modern genus _Circæa_. See Parkinson (351.) Both
Galen and our author, in treating of it, borrow from Dioscorides, the
former of these professedly. We have not been able to detect it in the
Mat. Med. of the Arabians.
Κίσσηρις,
Pumex, _the Pumice-stone_, is detergent, and more particularly of the
teeth, not only in power, but also by its asperity. It is also joined to
the medicines used for the incarnation of ulcers, and to the abstergent
plasters applied to the skin. If burnt, its parts became finer, but it is
then pungent; but if washed it lays aside its pungency.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it was Pumice. Pumice, according
to the latest analysis, is found to contain silica, argil, magnesia,
soda, oxyd of manganese, and some water. For an account of it, see Pliny
(H. N. xxxvi, 42.) He recommends it in diseases of the eyes. It appears
evident, however, that he had copied from his contemporary, to whom he
is so frequently indebted, we mean Dioscorides, who gives a similar
description of pumice, and also recommends it in diseases of the eyes,
more especially in opacity of the cornea, and likewise as an ingredient
in applications to sores, and as a dentifrice. (v, 124.) Galen, after
some preliminary discussion whether pumice be a metal, a stone, or an
earth, proceeds to state its medicinal properties, in which he agrees
with Dioscorides, most especially commending it as a dentifrice. (De
Simpl. ix.) We may just mention in this place that modern authorities
do not think so highly of this substance as a dentifrice. See Jameson’s
‘Mineral.’ (i, 333.) The Arabians under this head merely copy from
Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 417.) Pumice
anciently was used for polishing the leather with which books were bound.
(Catullus, Epig. i.) Theophrastus (De Lapidibus), states that pumice
is formed by the action of fire; and M. Dolomieu suspects that it is a
vitrified granite or gneiss. The pumice, for some time past, has ceased
to hold a place in our Dispensatory. Neither is it to be found in the
modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Κιστὸς ἤ Κίσσαρος,
Cistus, _Rock-rose_; it is an astringent shrub, and of gently cooling
powers. Its leaves and shoots are so desiccative as to agglutinate
wounds; but the flowers are of a more drying nature, being about the
second degree, and hence when drunk they cure dysenteries and all kind of
fluxes. Externally they relieve putrid ulcers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Stackhouse marks it simply as the _Cistus_, L., called by
Miller the _Rock-rose_ (Index to Theophrastus.) Woodville calls it the
_C. Creticus_ (Medical Botany.) Dioscorides describes two species of
it, which probably are the _C. salvifolius_ and _C. villosus_. Galen
particularly commends the former in uterine diseases. He also treats
under this name of a much more celebrated species of the cistus, namely,
the _Ladaniferus_, of which we will have to give some account under
Λάδανον. Aëtius and Oribasius are the copyists of Galen. The Arabians
treat separately of the _Cistus_ and _Ladanum_, recommending the former
as a powerful astringent, both in external ulcers and in those of the
intestines and womb. Avicenna speaks favorably of it in deafness and
other affections of the ear. (ii, 2, 111.) Serapion would appear to
have confounded it with the κισσὸς (ivy); or at least he has given a
very confused account of it in his chapter on the Ivy. (De Simpl. 41,
42.) Rhases does not appear to notice it separately from the _Landanum_
(Ladanum) (Cont. l. ult. iii, 67.) The two species of cistus treated
of under this head have long ceased to hold a place in our modern
Dispensatories.
Κισσὸς,
Hedera, _Ivy_, is composed of opposite powers, for it is astringent and
cooling, and acrid and hot; consisting of a watery and tepid ingredient
when green. Its leaves, when boiled with wine, are agglutinative of
wounds and relieve burns and splenic affections. Its juice is an errhine,
and cures chronic defluxions from the ear. Its tears, being more acrid,
kill lice and act as a depilatory.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We need have no hesitation in referring it with the best
authorities to the _Hedera Helix_, L. Dioscorides describes three
varieties of it, the white, the black, and the helix; but it is easy to
see that they are all varieties of the same species. His distinctions,
however, occasioned great trouble and confusion both to his Arabian
copyists and to the modern herbalists. See Serapion (De Simpl. 41), and
Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 680), and Gerard (History of Plants, 857.)
Our author’s account of its medicinal properties is taken from Galen.
The tears of it, mentioned by Dioscorides and our author, were evidently
its resin, now generally known by the name of gum ivy. All the ancient
writers recommend it for thinning the hair and killing lice.
Κίτριον,
Citrium, _Citron_, called also Malum Medicum; its middle part is acid
or devoid of qualities; but the part in which the seed is contained
belongs to the third rank of cooling and desiccative medicines. The bark
is desiccative in the second degree, but not cooling, for it is acrid.
Its flesh engenders thick chyme, is phlegmatic and cold. Its seed is
discutient and desiccative in the second degree; and the leaves of the
tree are possessed of desiccative and discutient powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt, as Sprengel states, it is the _Malus Medica_,
L., or Citron. Most of the commentators on Virgil agree that it is his
“felix malum” (Georg, ii, 127.) Dr. Paris remarks that it probably
deserves the praises bestowed on it by him as an antidote to poisons
(Pharmacol. 254); and on this head there is a very interesting dispute
between the celebrated Fr. Hoffmann and Moses Charras, the famous
French authority on the Pharmacopœia. See Pharm. (ii, 39.) According to
Macrobius, it is the θύον of Homer, who mentions it in the following line:
θύον ἄνα νῆσον ὀδώδει.—_Odyss._ v.