is abridged from Galen. As we have no wish to see this article restored
to the Materia Medica, we shall not enlarge upon the subject. Those who
wish to improve their knowledge of the medicinal articles mentioned under
this head by our author, may find them treated of _usque ad nauseam_ by
Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, and Avicenna. Many of them were retained in
the Dispensatory down to a comparatively recent date. For example, the
white dung of dogs, usually called _Album Græcum_, was long used in the
cure of quinsies. See Quincy (140, 206.)
Κοράλλιον,
Corallium, _Coral_, is a sort of petrified arboret, not growing on dry
land, but among the mud of the sea, being of a red colour, and like
stone. Its powers are decidedly desiccant and moderately astringent. It
answers, therefore, with cases of hæmoptysis and dysentery.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The Coral of the ancients is the _Isis nobilis_, Pall.; the
name Isis being borrowed from Pliny. (H. N. xiii, 52.) Pliny mentions,
in another place, that corals, burnt and pulverised, and drunk in water,
are useful in some pains of the bowels and bladder, and in calculus.
He adds that they are also soporific. Corals were much used as amulets
or phylacteries. (H. N. xxxii, 5.) See also Solinus (ii), and Geopon.
(xv, 1.) Celsus ranks the corallium with those substances which burn:
“Veratrum, album et nigrum, corallium, cantharides, pyrethrum, adurunt.”
(v, 208.) This article does not occur in the Hippocratic treatises, nor
in Galen’s work ‘On the Faculties of Simples.’ The latter, however,
prescribes it for spitting of blood in another place. (De Comp. Med.
sec. loc. vii.) Dioscorides and Serapion, likewise, recommend it as an
astringent in hæmoptysis and in dysentery. It appears from the Royal
Pharmacopœia of Moses Charras, that it was used for the cure of these
complaints in his time. He prefers the red coral, and directs us to
give it in the form of an impalpable powder. The red coral held a place
in our English Dispensatory until a recent date. See Quincy (101.) It
was much used in infantile convulsions. It is still admitted to be a
good antacid. See Gray (Pharmacol. 146.) According to Dr. Ainslie, the
Tamool practitioners prescribe it, when calcined, in cases of diabetes
and bleeding piles. The Arabians place it among their astringents and
cordials. (Mat. Ind. 52.) The sea-coralline is retained in the modern
Greek Pharmacopœia, under the title of _Helminthochortos_, which,
however, as is there stated, comprehends several species of the _Ceramium
helminthochortum_, mixed up with ulvæ, confervæ, but especially red
corallines. (77.) On the use of it by the Arabians, see the commentators
on Mesue. (De Electariis, 89.) The Electarium de Gemmis, in which
it occurs as an ingredient, is said to be most efficacious in cold
affections of the brain, heart, stomach, liver, and womb; an excellent
exhilarant and cordial; and restorative in palpitation of the heart, and
in syncope.
Κόρεις,
Cimices, _Bugs_; these animals are of an acrid nature. Some write that
when drunk with vinegar they eject leeches.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides recommends _Bugs_ in quartan intermittents,
uterine suffocation, and as an antidote to the bite of the asp. (ii, 36.)
Galen properly recommends garlic as a substitute for them in the case
of leeches which have been swallowed. Pliny, apparently deriving his
information from Dioscorides, ascribes to bugs alexipharmic properties of
the most general nature; and more especially commends them as being a
remedy against the bite of asps. (H. N. xxix, 17.) The Arabians copy all
that the Greeks had recorded respecting the medicinal virtues of bugs,
without making any addition. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 270.)
Κορὶς,
Coris, the herb; some call it Hypericum (_St. John’s Wort_). It is acrid
and fragrant; but the fruit of it, in a draught, promotes the urinary
and menstrual discharges. It is also a remedy for the bites of venomous
spiders; and in cases of opisthotonos it is rubbed in with oil.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is _Hypericum Coris_. This name is taken from Pliny,
who recommends it in strangury and pleurisy. (xxvi, 54.) Our author’s
statement of its medicinal powers is abridged from Dioscorides. (iii,
164.) Galen does not treat of it by name, but ascribes nearly similar
powers to hypericum. We cannot find it described in the works of the
Arabians.
Κορριαννὸν ἢ κόριον,
Coriandrum, _Coriander_, is composed of opposite powers. For it consists
of a terrene part formed of subtile particles, which is bitter, and of
a watery juice, which is tepid (mild?). It has also a small degree of
astringency, so as to accord with inflammations and cases of erysipelas,
which are not of too hot a nature; and it also discusses the softer
tumours with some of the other subtile remedies. The seed, when drunk in
small quantity with sweet wine, expels worms; but when taken in larger
doses it disturbs the understanding.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It certainly is the _Coriandrum sativum_. Dioscorides says
that its action is refrigerant, but Galen insists that it is calefacient.
Symeon Seth, Mesue, as quoted by Serapion, and most of the ancient
authorities adopt the opinion of Dioscorides. Our modern views would
seem to correspond better with those of Galen; coriander-seed being now
generally looked upon as an aromatic stimulant, and as being carminative
and stomachic. Galen’s remarks under this head are highly interesting.
The coriander was used in the age of Hippocrates. (359, etc. ed. Föes.)
Celsus, like Dioscorides, holds it to be refrigerant. (84, ed. Milligan.)
He also calls it diuretic. (Ibid.) The Arabians say that when the juice
is taken to the extent of four ounces, it proves destructive of life.
Avicenna (ii, 2, 143); Serapion (c. 44); and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i,
229.) They also hold that it is possessed of soporific powers. They
prescribe it for the cure of epilepsy, in which case they say it checks
the aura which ascends from the stomach to the brain. The _Coriandrum
sativum_ holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia. (58.) It is also
still retained in our Materia Medica. See Pereira (1073.)
Κόρυδος ἢ Κορύδαλλος,
Alauda, _the Lark_; this bird when boiled with plain broth is of use in
colic affections. But one must eat it perseveringly and frequently with
the broth.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. No one can doubt, from the ancient descriptions of it,
that it was the _Alauda cristata_. Galen remarks, that it is correctly
described by Aristophanes, in his ‘Birds;’ and that it is noticed by
Theocritus. (Idyll. vii.) It is also mentioned by Aristotle and Ælian
in their works on Natural History. Pliny calls it _Galerita_. Galen
says there is a herb of the same name. Like our author, he praises it
when given in broth, for the cure of colic. Both, however, copy from
Dioscorides. (ii, 59.) It is not noticed in the works of Hippocrates and
Celsus. It would appear that it is the _hanabroch_ of Serapion, who, in
describing it, merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. (436.)
It is also briefly noticed by Ebn Baithar in nearly the same terms as
Serapion. (ii, 329.)
Κορωνόπους,
Coronopus, _Buck’s-horn Plantain_; the root of it is believed to be
useful in colic affections when eaten.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Plantago Coronopus_, called in English Buckshorn
Plantain. See Parkinson, Gerard, and Quincy. Dioscorides says it is used
as a potherb, and that it is given as a medicine in colic. (ii, 157.)
None of the others supply any additional information regarding it worth
quoting.
Κόστος,
Costos, is possessed of a small degree of a bitter, but a greater
degree of an acrid and hot quality. Wherefore, when a part requires
to be heated, or a deep-seated humour attracted to the surface, one
has recourse to the costus. It is therefore diuretic, emmenagogue, and
anthelminthic. It has also some flatulent powers, so that it excites
to venery when drunk with wine and honey. It suits with ischiatic and
paralytic affections, and with periodical rigors when rubbed in with oil.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We should occupy more space than we can afford to devote to
it if we were to enter into a disquisition on the general literature
of this article. Those who feel curious to know our opinions on this
subject, are referred to the Appendix to Dunbar’s Lexicon, already
frequently quoted by us. Much interesting information respecting the
costus has been supplied by very recent writers. See Royle (Ant. of
Hindoo Medicine, 88), Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 152), and Pereira (Mat. Med.
699.) Dr. Lindley says of it, “Dr. Falconer has ascertained that the
costus of the ancients is the root of his Auklandia Costus, a plant
inhabiting the moist open slopes surrounding the vale of Cashmere. In
Cashmere the plant is not held in repute as a medicine, but is chiefly
employed for protecting bales of shawls from the attacks of moths.”
(Vegetable Kingdom, 708.) We may add, that although the zeduary be not
the same as the costus, as has been supposed, there can be no doubt that
it was often used in place of the costus. (See M. Charras’ Pharm.) More
recently, we have reason to think, our costmary, _Balsamita vulgaris_,
was used as a succedaneum for the ancient costus. Compare Parkinson
(80) with Hill (M. M. 624.) The three kinds of costus described by
Dioscorides, namely, the Arabian, the Indian, and the Syrian, would
appear to have been only varieties of the same substance. He says it is
possessed of calefacient, diuretic, and emmenagogue powers, and is useful
in uterine affections, in pessaries, fomentations, and fumigations.
He recommends it as being alexipharmic, expectorant, aphrodisiacal,
vermifuge, a good application externally in paralytic cases; and,
in short, he gives it nearly the same characters as our author, who
evidently copies from him and Galen. Aëtius and Oribasius do the same.
The Arabian authorities on the Mat. Med. in like manner, do little more
than quote what Dioscorides, Galen, and our author have written on
the subject. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 236); Avicenna (ii, 2, 161);
Serapion (c. 318.) Avicenna and Rhases agree that it dries up humid
ulcers when sprinkled over them. One of Rhases’s authorities states that
the oil of costus is useful in relaxation and coldness of the nerves,
and in sciatica; and that a fumigation made with it by means of an
instrument for the purpose (per embotum), kills the fœtus, and promotes
menstruation. All join in giving it the character of being alexipharmic.
The costus, as far as we have been able to discover, does not occur in
the works of Hippocrates. Celsus mentions it along with other aromatics
(iv, 14, et alibi). It is often noticed as a precious ointment and
aromatic by the classic authors. See Pliny (H. N. xii, 24); Columella
(xii, 20); Propertius (iv, 6, 5); Lucan (ix, 917); Horace (Carm. iii, 1,
44); Ovid (Met. x, 308.)
Κοτυληδὼν,
Cotyledon, _Navel-wort_, is cooling, repellent, detergent, and
discutient. It is believed that when the leaves of it are eaten along
with the root, they prove lithontriptic and diuretic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species, which are the _Cotyledon
umbilicus_, and the _C. serrata_. Our author’s description applies to the
former of these, and is abridged from Galen. Galen further recommends it
strongly as an application to inflammatory erysipelas and erysipelatous
inflammation, the nice distinction between which he has stated under
coriander, and in his work Therap. ad Glauc. (ii.) See Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. i, 138.)
Κοχλίαι,
Cochleæ, _Snails_, when burnt are of a moderately desiccative nature,
and somewhat heating. They are useful in dysenteries when mortification
has not yet taken place, if to four parts of them, one part of white
pepper, and two parts of galls be added. Unburnt, they are triturated and
applied whole to the belly in dropsical complaints, and to the joints in
arthritic, with advantage, being allowed to remain until they drop off
spontaneously; and upon the whole they dry strongly deep-seated humours.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The κ. χἔρσᾶιος is the _Helix Pomatia_, _Escargot_,
or _Vinegar Snail_. The snail was esteemed a delicacy by the Roman
gourmands. See Varro (de R. R. iii, 14) and Pliny (H. N. ix, 25.) The
use of it, however, was forbidden by the Mosaic law. In one of the
Hippocratic treatises, the cochleæ are recommended for procidentia
ani. (De fistul.) Pliny, in like manner, recommends them in dysentery.
(H. N. vii, 30.) Dioscorides and Galen give nearly the same account of
their medicinal properties as our author. The latter says that they are
difficult to digest, but very nutritious when digested. Celsus, on the
other hand, ranks them among the weak articles of food. Horace seems to
say that they whet the appetite.
Tostis marcentem squillis recreabis et Afrâ
Potorem cochleâ.—_Satir._
Κρανέα,
Cornus, _the Cornel_; the fruit of the tree being sour, proves strongly
astringent of the belly when eaten. The leaves and shoots, by their
sourness, are strongly desiccative, so as to agglutinate the largest
wounds of hard bodies.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Cornus Mas_. Dioscorides recommends it as an
application to lichen. (ii, 72.) Our author abridges Galen’s account of
it. The Arabians speak favorably of it in the same cases as the Greeks,
and also recommend it for cholera, diabetes, and vomiting. See Avicenna
(ii, 2, 315), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 357.)
Κράμβη,
Brassica, _Cabbage_; that sort which is esculent has desiccative powers
both when eaten and when applied externally, but it is not sensibly
acrid. It therefore agglutinates wounds and ill-conditioned ulcers,
and cures tumours which are difficult to discuss. It is also somewhat
detergent, by which property it cures leprosy. Its seed when drunk kills
worms, and especially the seed of the Egyptian cabbage does this. The
ashes of its stalks when burnt are possessed of caustic powers, and
with grease are applicable in chronic pains of the sides. The wild is
stronger than the garden cabbage in all respects; hence it cannot be
taken internally without inconvenience. The sea-cabbage being saltish and
bitterish loosens the belly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The Brassica sativa of the ancients no doubt comprehended
several species of cabbage. Dioscorides dwells largely on its medicinal
properties, but in nearly the same terms as our author. He calls it
laxative and alexipharmic, and recommends it as an application to
erysipelas, epinyctis, and leprosy; with salts, he says, it breaks
anthrax, and when boiled and mixed with milk, it is a good application
to spreading gangrene. The Brassica sylvestris (which Sprengel inclines
to set down as being the _Brassica incana_, Zenor.), he says, is
agglutinative of wounds, and discutient of swellings and inflammations.
Its cyme, he says, is not unpleasant to the taste. To the sea-cabbage
(_Convolvulus soldanella_) he assigns the same characters as our author.
(ii, 146, 147, 148.) Galen gives nearly the same account of the three
species of brassica. In the Hippocratic treatises, the decoction of
cabbage is recommended as an injection to the womb. (De Mulieb. ii.)
According to Celsus, the brassica when half raw is laxative, but when
twice boiled, astringent. (ii, 29, 30.) The Arabians treat of the
different kinds of brassica at great length; as usual, drawing largely
from the stores of the Greeks. One of the Arabian authorities quoted by
Rhases, says its seed, if applied per vaginam post coitum, will prevent
impregnation, and that the decoction of it expels the tape-worm. Another
of the same authorities recommends a decoction of it as an application
to the joints in gout, and to blistered surfaces after burning, more
especially when its ashes are mixed up with the white of an egg. (Contin.
l. ult. i, 198.) See in like manner, Serapion (c. 32) and Avicenna
(ii, 2, 139.) As we have stated in our commentary on the 95th section
of the First Book, all the ancient authorities held that the cabbage
counteracts the intoxicating powers of wine. The brassicæ held a place
in our Dispensatory, and retained their ancient character down to a
comparatively recent date. See Parkinson, Culpeper, and still more
recently Quincy. (116.) They are still much prized as medicines by the
Arabians and Persians. See Ainslie (M. Ind.)
Κραταιόγονον,
Cratæogonon; the fruit of this herb is acrid to the taste and cold like
millet.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides assigns it wonderful powers in promoting
procreation, and hence its name. He calls it intensely acrid. Galen and
the other Greek authorities, treat of it very succinctly like Paulus.
We have not been able to find any traces of it in the Mat. Med. of the
Arabians. What plant it was seems a puzzle. Both Parkinson (Theatre of
Plants, 858) and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. l. c.) incline to the _Polygonum
Persicaria_, but the medicinal virtues of it, as given by our older
herbalists, do by no means agree with the characters of the cratæogonon
as given by the ancients.
Κρῆθμον,
Crethmum, _Samphire_, is somewhat saltish with a little bitterness, and
therefore its powers are detergent and desiccative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the Crithmum maritimum, _Samphire_, or _Sea-fennel_.
Dioscorides recommends its fruit, root, and leaves, when boiled in
wine, for dysuria and jaundice. He further mentions it as a potherb
and pickle. (ii, 156.) Galen and the other Greek authorities state its
characters briefly like our author. Pliny, like Dioscorides, mentions it
as a potherb and pickle, but says nothing of it as a medicine. (H. N.
xxvi.) We do not find it noticed by Celsus nor by the Arabians, with the
exception of Ebn Baithar. (ii, 280.)
Κριθὴ,
Hordeum, _Barley_, is of the first order of cooling and desiccative
medicines, and is also somewhat detergent. It is more desiccative than
the flour of beans, and less flatulent. The polenta of barley is more
desiccative than barley itself. Its ptisan is not only more diluent, but
is also more detergent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Hordeum vulgare_, comprehending no doubt several
species. We have treated of it among the Cerealia in the First Book (Vol.
I, p. 123.) The ἄλφιτον, or polenta, was a sort of malt. See Pliny (H.
N. xviii, 14.) We have treated of it in the same place; and also of the
mode of preparing ptisan. It was a favorite remedy with Hippocrates (de
victu acut. et alibi.) Dioscorides calls it suitable to the acrimony,
roughness, and ulceration of the windpipe, and says it attracts milk
when taken boiled with the seed of fennel, and is diuretic, detergent,
flatulent, bad for the stomach, and digestive of swellings. He further
recommends the flour of barley for discussing boils and inflammations,
when boiled with figs and honeyed water. See further (ii, 108.) Galen,
Aëtius, and Oribasius, treat of it in nearly the same terms as our
author. The Arabians give nearly the same statement of its virtues as
a medicine. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 530.) He recommends barley-water very
much as a drink in fevers, being, as he says, diluent and cooling; in hot
fevers it is to be given pure, and in cold, with parsley and fennel. Ebn
Baithar treats of it at great length, (ii, 97.)
Κρίμνον,
Crimnon, _Bran_; the thick part of the flour of wheat and of spelt is so
named, being more nutritious than polenta, but more indigestible.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is, properly speaking, groats or coarse meal; it was
also applied to spelt and other species of grain coarsely ground. See
Dioscorides, from whom our author’s account of it is principally taken.
Both Dioscorides and Galen recommend the coarse meal of spelt which has
been toasted for binding the belly. From the coarse meal of wheat, pap or
porridge, they add, is prepared.
Κρίνον,
Lilium, _the Lily_; its flower is of a mixed temperament, being
composed of a subtile part, a terrene, and a certain water substance
of a moderate temperament. Hence the oil composed from it being of a
discutient and emollient nature agrees well with inflammations of the
uterus. The root of it and its leaves are desiccative, detergent, and
moderately discutient, and hence are useful for burns. The juice of it is
serviceable for wounded nerves, with oxymel.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt it is the _Lilium candidum_. Dioscorides
praises the seed of the lily, given in wine, as an antidote to
poisonous serpents; and, by the way, the same character is given of
it by Walafridus Strabo in the ninth century, and by Macer Floridus
in the tenth. Dioscorides further recommends it as an application to
burns, ulcers, erysipelas, and so forth. He further describes a species
of lilium with purple flowers, which grows in Syria and Pisidia of
Pamphylia, and was famous for the composition of unguents. This might
be the _Lilium Martagon_. Galen writes elaborately on this article, but
in the main agrees with Dioscorides as to the medicinal virtues of the
lily, of which he mentions only the former species. He recommends it
principally in external applications to wounds, ulcers, and diseases
of the skin, such as scabies, leprosy, and achores, and also very
particularly to diseases of the uterus. Aëtius and Oribasius briefly
give it the same characters. Celsus mentions a decoction of the leaves
of the lily boiled in old wine and oil, as an application to burns. (v,
17, 18.) For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 436); Serapion (c. 189);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 422); Ebn Baithar (ii, 68.) They commend it as a
general alexipharmic, both when applied to the bites of venomous animals,
and as an antidote to hyoscyamus, coriander, and mushrooms. They all
agree that it is one of the best applications to burning with hot water.
Avicenna says the oil of lilies given internally, is useful in ileos. Ebn
Baithar treats of the lily at very great length.
Κροκοδείλιον,
Crocodilium; the seed and juice of it are possessed of desiccative,
heating, and discutient powers, and are, therefore, diuretic and
emmenagogue; the root is of great use as an expectorant, and occasions a
discharge of blood by the nose.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes it immediately after the black
chamæleon to which he compares it. We therefore are inclined to join
the modern commentators and herbalists, who hold it to have been the
_Carlina vulgaris_, rather than those who refer it to the _Eryngium
maritimum_. See Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 971, 988) and Sprengel (Ad
Dioscor. iii, 10.) Galen calls its seed aromatic and acrid, and says
it is diuretic and emmenagogue. The juice of the seed and stalk being
possessed, he says, of similar powers, is useful in nephritic diseases.
The root is expectorant, and produces a discharge of blood from the
nostrils. (De Simpl. vii.) We have not been able to discover any traces
of it in the Mat. Med. of the Arabians, except in Ebn Baithar. (ii, 253.)
His German translator holds it to be the _Eryngium maritimum_.
Κρόκος,
Crocus, _Saffron_, is of the second order of heating and of the first of
desiccative medicines. It is also astringent and digestive.
* * * * *