an interesting account of the different varieties of it which were used
in his time. Suffice it to say, that the best decidedly was the Cicilian,
from Mount Corycus, which is often alluded to by classical authors. See
Pliny (xxi, 6); Celsus (v, 22); Statius (Silv. v, 3, 41); Galen (De
Antid. i.) With regard to its action on the animal economy, he mentions
that Thessalus held that it is merely fragrant, while some, on the other
hand, maintained that it is a deadly poison in doses of dr. iij, but that
in truth it is diuretic and sub-astringent, and therefore applicable to
erysipelas and defluxions of the eyes, as a cure for surfeit, and for
producing a discharge of urine (i, 25.) See, in like manner, Pliny (l.
c.) It occurs in the Hippocratic treatises, and in the works of Celsus,
who calls it purgative, emollient, and discutient. (196.) By the way,
we may mention that by purgative, Celsus evidently means cleansing in
external applications, as is evident from the substances with which it is
enumerated, namely, verdigris, orpiment, &c. His editor, Dr. Milligan,
therefore evidently mistakes the meaning of his author. (l. c.) Galen
and his followers call it heating in the second degree, and drying in
the first, with some astringency. The Arabians adopt the views of the
Greeks as to its virtues, but prescribe it in a great many more cases
than their predecessors. See Serapion (c. 173); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i,
241); Avicenna (ii, 2, 126.) Thus they held that it is both aphrodisiacal
and cordial, and recommend it accordingly. They also used it in cases
of difficult labour, and as a deobstruent in obstructions of the liver
and spleen. One of Rhases’s authorities says that in doses of three
drachms it proves fatal. Another of them says of it, that it improves
the breathing and appetite. Symeon Seth says that it is stomachic and
improves the colour. He, Serapion, and other of the ancient authorities,
affirm that in large doses it occasions involuntary laughter, immoderate
mirth, and the other effects which result from intoxicating liquors. From
late experiments, it would appear that its powers had been overrated.
See Pereira (Mat. Med. 696.) It was much used by the ancients as a
perfume. See Beckmann’s ‘Hist. of Inventions,’ Joh. Bodæus a Stapel (Ad
Theophrast. H. P. vi, 6), and Hertodt’s ‘Crocologia,’ as quoted by him.
Its medical use, he adds, has always continued among the Orientals.
Κρόμμυον,
Cepa, _Onion_, is of the fourth order of heating medicines, its substance
consisting of thick matter, and hence when applied to hemorrhoids it
opens them. It is also sufficiently detergent, and removes alphos with
vinegar; and in alopecia it occasions a more rapid growth of hair than
alcyonium. Its juice is useful in suffusion and dimness of vision from
thick humours.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Allium Cepa_, or onion. Galen, Dioscorides, and
Serapion recommend it as an application in cases of alopecia or _Porrigo
decalvans_. Dioscorides says that some applied it as a suppository
to promote the discharge of blind piles, and he mentions its being
introduced into the nose to promote the discharge from it. As a cataplasm
with salt, rue, and honey, he recommends it for the bites of rabid
dogs. He says it concocts and breaks hard tumours. Upon the whole,
Galen, Aëtius, Oribasius, and our author, do little more under this head
than abridge the more ample account of it given by Dioscorides. Celsus
calls it an aperient of the bowels (ii, 29) and a diuretic (ii, 31.)
He recommends it to be chewed in paralysis of the tongue. (iv, 2.) The
Arabians treat of it at great length. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 119); Rhases
(Cont. l. ult. iii, 18); Serapion (c. 354.) They speak favorably of it as
a rubefacient, and all ascribe great powers to it as an alexipharmical
medicine.
Κύαμος,
Faba, _the Bean_, is not far removed from a middle temperament as to
cooling and drying. Its flesh is also somewhat detergent. It agrees,
therefore, with expectorations from the chest and lungs. Its outer skin
having also some astringency renders the whole bean, when boiled in
oxycrate, a suitable remedy for cæliac and dysenteric affections. In a
cataplasm it cures inflammations and swellings, and dispels the milk in
the breasts.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have stated in the First Book the difficulty of
determining exactly the nature of the ancient faba. See Parkinson
(Theatre of Plants, 1054) and Dickson (Husbandry of the Ancients.)
Dioscorides describes two species, the Egyptian and the Greek, of which
the former, there can be little doubt, is the _Nelumbium speciosum_.
See Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. ii, 128), and Lindley (Veget. King. 414.) The
other, as we formerly stated, was probably a variety of our small bean.
The characters of both are fully stated by Dioscorides, from whom Galen
and our author borrow largely under this head. They treat, however,
only of the Greek bean. Dioscorides says the Egyptian is astringent
and stomachic; that the flour of it made into a poultice, answers in
dysenteric and colic affections, and in earache. The Arabians give a very
full account of the two species of bean, both as articles of food and as
medicines. See in particular, Avicenna (ii, 2, 241); Serapion (c. 97);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 279.) Avicenna and Rhases agree in commending
beans for spitting of blood, and other affections of the chest.
Κύανος,
Cyanus, is possessed of acrid, purgative, and discutient powers, greater
than those of the cinnabar. It has also some astringency.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Matthiolus determines it to be the _Lapis Lazuli_, and
Sprengel agrees with him that it was a mineral containing copper and some
impurities, and nearly allied to the _L. Laz._ Serapion describes the
ἀρμένιον by the name of _Lapis Lazuli_, and, in fact, the ἀρμένιον and
κύανος seem to have been nearly the same thing. He recommends it as a
purgative which evacuates black bile. Rhases, in his chapter on the Lapis
Lazuli, gives the observations of Dioscorides and Galen on the ἀρμένιον,
and in his chapter on the _Lapis Armenus_, he compares it to the _Lapis
Lazuli_ (Cont. l. ult. i, 393, 404.) The following is Sprengel’s account
of the armenium and cyanus: “Armenium est cuprum carbonicum terreum,
lapidi Lazuli simile. Id in australibus petris arenosis, has ipsas
penetrans mineram æris arenosam format. Ea vocatur κύανος.” (Ad Dioscor.
v, 105.) From what has been stated, any person acquainted with mineralogy
can have no difficulty in deciding that the _cyanus_ and _armenium_
were varieties of the mineral called “blue copper” by Jameson, that is
to say, the “blue carbonate of copper” of Cleaveland (566.) For further
information regarding it, we would refer to Matthiolus and Sprengel (Ad
Dioscor. l. c.), Beckmann (Hist. of Invent.), and our article under this
head in the Appendix to Dunbar’s Greek Lexicon. Our author copies his
account of it from Galen. Dioscorides recommends it only as an external
application, possessed of repressing, moderately septic, escharotic, and
ulcerative powers. (v, 106.) The Arabians, who, however, evidently do not
distinguish properly this mineral from the lapis lazuli, recommend it as
an emmenagogue and purgative. When boiled with lentils, Avicenna says, it
acts as an emetic in the case of a person who has swallowed any poison.
He also prescribes it in asthma and pain of the kidneys. See Avicenna
(ii, 2, 56); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 692); Serapion (c. 389.) The later
Greek writers on medicine, like the Arabians, confound this substance
with the lapis lazuli. See Theophanes Nonnus (c. 125, 143); Myrepsus (i,
30.) The former of these prescribes it as a specific in the plague. In
modern times also the cyanus or blue copper has been confounded with the
lapis lazuli. See Lewis (M. M. ii, 50.)
Κύκλάμινος,
Cyclaminus, _Sow-bread_, is possessed of various powers; for it cleanses,
incides, opens the mouths of vessels, and discusses; the juice of it,
therefore, when applied to hemorrhoids opens them, and it discusses
hardness along with other things. Along with honey it agrees with
suffusions and purges by the nose. When rubbed into the epigastrium, it
loosens the belly and kills the fœtus. The whole root, though weaker than
the juice, is also strong, so that when drunk with honeyed water to the
amount of three drachms, it purges the internal parts. To the skin it
also proves detergent. The root of the other species of sow-bread (called
Cissanthemon) is of no medicinal use, but its fruit is drastic, so that
when drunk it acts like the former.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides treats at considerable length of the medicinal
virtues of the former species, which was the _Cyclamen Europæum_,
recommending it as being phlegmagogue, hydragogue, emmenagogue, and
alexipharmic; as an errhine in diseases of the head, and a suppository
per vaginam. His other species, which he describes as having leaves
like the ivy, and which some of the commentators set down as being
the _Lonicera Periclymenum_, and others as the _Solanum Dulcamara_ he
recommends in splenic affections, in orthopnœa, and retention of the
lochial discharge. (ii, 193, 194.) Pliny recommends also the second
species as a remedy for coughs (H. N. xxv, 68.) Harduin agrees with
Dodonæus in holding it to be the _Dulcamara_. The scholiast on Theocritus
recommends the cyclaminus as an application to chilblains. (Ad Idyll, v.)
Galen writes of it in such terms as shows that he looked upon it as a
very important article. He says it promotes menstruation, both when taken
internally and when applied per vaginam; and that it cures jaundice,
not only by purging the viscus, but by evacuating the whole body with
sweats; he also recommends it as an external application in hardness
of the spleen. The other species he praises in asthma. The other Greek
authorities supply nothing of much interest under this head. The Arabians
treat of it largely, but somewhat confusedly. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 6,
61, 271); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 281); Mesue (De Simpl. 26); Serapion (c.
259.) Avicenna directs it to be given to the extent of three drachms with
wine or mulse in cases of jaundice, and the patient is to be then covered
up with many clothes, when he will sweat out the bile from his body.
He says it purges the body, not only when given by the mouth, but in a
suppository, and when rubbed into the skin. Rhases (l. c.) describes it
under the names of _Falamios_, or Panis porcinus, whence the English name
Sow-bread. His extracts from Dioscorides, Galen, Oribasius, and Bimasay
comprise all the information on the subject possessed by his Grecian
masters and his countrymen. Mesue gives a very elaborate article on the
Sow-bread, which, like Avicenna, he praises as a general purger of bile,
when taken by the mouth, in a suppository, and as a liniment rubbed into
the belly; he also praises it as an emmenagogue, both when taken by the
mouth and when applied as a pessary, and as a tried remedy in jaundice
and induration of the spleen. Even as late as the days of Quincy, the
cyclaminus held a place in the Dispensatory, and retained all its ancient
characters. (i, 4, 293.) Orfila ranks it with the acrid poisons (iii, 3.)
See further (ii, 242.)
Κύμινον,
Cuminum, _Cumin_, belongs to the third order of heating medicines, and is
diuretic and carminative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The C. of our author is no doubt the Cyminum sativum of
Dioscorides, i. e. _Cuminum Cyminum_ L. The two varieties of the wild
cumin of Dioscorides have never been satisfactorily determined. See
Parkinson, Matthiolus, and Sprengel. Dioscorides represents it as
being calefacient, astringent, desiccative, and relieving tormina and
flatulence, and describes a variety of cases in which he calls it
applicable. (iii, 61.) Galen says it is diuretic and carminative, being
calefacient in the third degree. Aëtius and Oribasius give it much the
same character. Celsus assigns to it diuretic powers. (iv, 9.) The
Arabians treat of it at so great length, that we can scarcely do justice
to their views on this head. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 212); Serapion
(c. 287); Avicenna (ii, 2, 136); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar
(ii, 394.) Avicenna says the immoderate use of it renders the face pale.
This property of cumin is alluded to by the poets as well as the medical
authors. See Horace (Epist. i, 19, 18); Persius (Sat. v.) This character
of it is confirmed by modern authority. See Matthiolus (Ad Dioscor. l.
c.); Bodæus a Stapel (in Theophrast.) Cumin now barely holds a very
undistinguished place in our Mat. Med. (See Pereira, 1057.)
Κυνόσβατος,
Rubus caninus, Hip-tree or Dog-rose; the fruit is no bad astringent; the
leaves are moderately astringent; but we must guard against the woolly
part of the fruit, as it is injurious to the trachea.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides’s description is not so precise as to enable us
to pronounce decidedly what it was; but we incline with several of the
best authorities to refer it to the _Rosa canina_, or Hip-tree. Galen,
our author, and the other Greek authorities, follow Dioscorides.
Κυπάρισσος,
Cupressus, _Cypress_; the spherical fruit and shoots of it are possessed
of desiccative powers, having no sensible heat, so that they agglutinate
large wounds in hard bodies. In moist gangrene it consumes deep-seated
humours without trouble, and is useful in intestinal hernia.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears unquestionably to be the _Cupressus sempervirens_.
See Stackhouse (Tab. Syst. in Theophrast.) Its fruit, being of a globular
shape, was called σφάιρια by the Greeks and _Pilulæ_ by the Latins. Pliny
(H. N. xvii, 14.) Pliny recommends this as a cure for the stings of
serpents, and in cases of hæmoptysis. (H. N. xxiv, 10.) Dioscorides and
Serapion recommend it in these and various other cases. The cypress-nut
is powerfully astringent and balsamic: hence it proves an excellent
remedy in diarrhœas and dysenteries, and, as such, it is celebrated by
many authors ancient and modern. Dioscorides in particular recommends it
for stopping bleeding, for agglutinating wounds, and as an application
to erysipelas and anthrax. Galen writes fully of it, but borrows largely
from Dioscorides. Serapion does little more than give the notices of it
by Dioscorides and Galen. (c. 55.) Avicenna recommends the cypress, and
more especially the nut, in various cases requiring astringents, and
among others as an application to polypus of the nose; he also speaks
favorably of it in cases of hæmoptysis and dysuria. Like the others, he
says it is a good application in ruptures. (ii, 2, 146.) See further
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 216.) The cypress is found in the ‘Flora
Hippocratica,’ and in that of Celsus. The cypress-nuts are commended
as astringents by all our older herbalists, and held a place in our
Dispensatory as late as the time of Quincy. (93.)
Κύπερος,
Cyperus, is heating and desiccative, without pungency. Hence it promotes
the cicatrization of the more humid ulcers in a wonderful manner, and
relieves those in the mouth. It has also some incisive quality, and is
lithontriptic, diuretic, and emmenagogue.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is undoubtedly the _Cyperus rotundus_. Our author’s
account of its medicinal uses is taken from Galen, and is confirmed
by Serapion, Avicenna, and Rhases. All of them, however, are indebted
to Dioscorides, who gives it the character of being calefacient,
anastomotic, and diuretic, recommends it in uterine complaints as an
emmenagogue, in ulcers of the mouth, and as an ingredient in emollient
plasters. (i, 4.) A modern author, Dr. Hill, gives it nearly the
same character as the ancients; he calls it stomachic, deobstruent,
emmenagogue, and diuretic. It likewise occurs in the Materia Medica of
Tournefort, who also calls it deobstruent and emmenagogue. Quincy gives a
confused account of it under the name of _Cyprus_ (Engl. Dispens. i, l,
69); see also Lewis. Dioscorides describes also an Indian species having
a root resembling ginger. Both Matthiolus and Sprengel are inclined to
refer to the _Curcuma_. We shall have occasion to notice it afterwards,
when describing the substances introduced into the Mat. Med. by the
Arabians.
Κύπρος,
Ligustrum, _Privet_; its leaves and tops are possessed of mixed powers,
being discutient and astringent, and desiccative without pain or
pungency. Hence the decoction of it, when poured on a part, is useful for
burns, and agrees with inflammations of a hot nature. When chewed it also
relieves aphthæ, and is mixed up with splenic remedies.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We must decline entering upon the general literature of this
subject, which has created a good deal of discussion. Suffice it to
say, that we have now no hesitation in deciding it to be the _Lawsonia
inermis_, namely, the plant from which the henna of Egypt is obtained.
See Lindley’s Veg. King. (575.) It is used by females for staining
their hands and feet of an orange colour. Dioscorides mentions that an
infusion of its leaves in the juice of saponaria, or soapwort, was used
for painting the hairs yellow. He says of the ointment prepared from it
(unguentum cyprinum), that it is calefacient, emollient, and fragrant.
(i, 124.) Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius give it the same characters as
our author. The Arabians describe it under the name of _alcanna_, which
seems to be _henna_ with an Arabic prefix. See in particular Serapion (De
Simpl. 110), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 50.) Both copy freely from Dioscorides
and Galen. They say its virtues in female complaints are similar to
those of the Sanguis Draconis. All praise it as a vulnerary herb, and a
good application in cases of burning. They further commend it in pleurisy
and quinsy as a plaster. Ebn Baithar treats of it at very great length.
(i, 338.) It would appear that the privet is still used as a medicine and
dye by the native physicians of Hindostan. See a very interesting account
of it in Ainslie’s Mat. Indica (ii, 190.)
Κύτισος,
Cytisus; its leaves are of a gently discutient and tepid nature, like
those of melons.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. After maturely weighing the opinions which have been held
respecting this classical herb, we have no hesitation in agreeing
with those who refer it to the _Tree-medick_ (_Medicago arborea_ L.)
Dioscorides says its leaves are cooling and discutient when applied
externally, and diuretic when taken in decoction. (iv, iii.) Galen and
the other Greek authorities treat of it very succinctly, like our author.
Avicenna briefly recommends it as a diuretic medicine, and one which is
applicable in diseases of the spleen. (ii, 2, 24.)
Κώνειον,
Cicuta, _Hemlock_; that it is possessed of extremely cold powers is
obvious.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears unquestionably to be the _Conium maculatum_.
Stoerck and Bergius, contrary to the opinions of the ancient physicians,
affirm that it is aphrodisiacal. This, however, seems doubtful. We have
treated of its effects as a poison in the Fifth Book. As a medicine it
does not appear to have been much used latterly, although Dioscorides
says that its inspissated juice is of great use in the healing art,
being mixed with wine in anodyne collyria, and used as a cataplasm for
the cure of erysipelas and herpes. He also speaks of its being applied
as a cataplasm to the testicles for the removal of the pollutio nocturni
somni, and with the view of inducing impotence; and to the breasts, in
order to dispel milk and render them atrophied. (iv, 79.) Galen, Aëtius,
and Oribasius, like our author, merely state of it, in their works in
the Mat. Med., that it is possessed of intensely refrigerant powers.
It would appear that Galen was in the practice of administering it
internally. (T. ii, 451, ed. Basil.) Of the Arabians, Avicenna gives
the fullest exposition of its remedial powers, but he copies closely
from Dioscorides, recommending it as a cold and narcotic application in
the same cases as Dioscorides. He says it stops bleeding, congeals the
blood, and induces torpor. (ii, 2, 662.) See also Serapion (c. 347.) It
is, most probably, the cicuta of Celsus, who places it in his list of
emollients. (v, 15.) It occurs also in the Hippocratic Collection, where
both its leaves and seeds are recommended in fomentations. (De Steril.;
de Fistulis, &c.)
Κῶνος,
Strobilus, _the Wild Pine_; the bark and leaves have powers like the
pine, but more acrid and drastic. As to the fruit, which is called
strobilus, the green has some bitterness and acrimony, with humidity, and
hence it is applicable for promoting expectoration from the chest. The
esculent kind, when soaked in water, so as to lay aside its acrimony,
becomes of a good temperament, being free from pungency and emplastic,
and hence it smooths asperities.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It here signifies the _Pinus sylvestris_, or Wild-pine;
but it is commonly put for the _Nux Pinea_, or the cones of the _Pinus
Pinea_, called in the shops _Pignoli pines_, and the seeds _pine-nuts_.
Athenæus says that Theophrastus called the tree πέυκη and the fruit
κῶνος. Diphilus, as quoted by the same, calls the pine-nuts nutritious,
and says that they lubricate the trachea, and promote expectoration.
(Deip. ii.) Galen, Serapion, and the other authorities also commend
them in similar cases. Dioscorides treats of this subject in the 86th,
87th, and 88th chapters in the First Book, but not under the same head
as our author. He recommends the different articles in nearly the same
cases as Paulus and the other authorities. The fruit of the wild pine he
commends as a demulcent in affections of the bladder and kidneys, and as
a sedative in pains of the stomach. Celsus prescribes “nuclei ex pinu
silvestri duodecim,” among his remedies for ulcerated kidneys. (iv, 10.)
Avicenna treats of the subject under different heads, like Dioscorides,
whom he closely follows. (ii, 2, 280, 301, 555, 693.) He recommends
these articles in diseases of the chest and kidneys. He calls the fruit
aphrodisiacal. See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 3, 20); Serapion (c.
63); Averrhoes (Coll. v, 42.) All speak favorably of these medicines in
diseases of the kidneys and bladder.
Λαγώπους,
Lagopus, is possessed of desiccative powers and dries up fluxes of the
belly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This plant, the description of which is passed over by
Dioscorides as being well known, may be set down among the articles of
the ancient Materia Medica, which are least known to us. We may just
mention regarding it, that some take it for _Trifolium arvense_, and
others for _Lagurus ovatus_. Dioscorides calls it an astringent of the
bowels, and mentions that it was used as an amulet in buboes. (iv,
17.) Galen, Aëtius, and Oribasius briefly notice it as a desiccative
medicine. We have not been able to find this article in the Mat. Med. of
the Arabians, but are aware that it may be concealed under some of their
odd corruptions of the Greek terms. It seems probable that this is the
_lagopyrus_ of Hippocrates. (De Ulcer.)
Λάδανον,
Ladanum; it is formed from the Cistus called Ladanus; the goats feeding
upon it bring away upon their beard and thighs the fatter and more juicy
part of the herb. Ladanum, when collected, is an excellent medicine, hot
in about the second degree, and consisting of subtile particles. It is
moderately emollient, discutient, and digestive; it therefore agrees with
uterine affections in particular. It has also some astringency, and hence
it strengthens hairs which are falling out.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dierbach and Sprengel agree with the elder commentators in
calling it the _Cistus Creticus_. See also Royal Pharm. (i, c. 20.) Dr.
Lindley says of the ladanum, that it is a resinous balsamic substance
obtained from Cistus Creticus, and other species of the genus; he adds,
that it has been esteemed as a stimulant and emmenagogue, and recommended
in chronic catarrh. (Veg. King. 350.) Dioscorides mentions that it was
procured either from the beards of goats which had browsed upon it, or by
scraping the tree with thongs. Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen deliver its
medicinal characters in much the same terms as our author. Dioscorides
recommends it not only in uterine diseases, but also as a diuretic. He
also speaks favorably of it as an ingredient in anodyne and expectorant
plasters. (i, 128.) See Galen (ii, 160 ed. Basil.) The Arabians treat
fully of it, but borrow almost every word they say respecting it from
Dioscorides and Galen. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 422); Serapion (c. 43);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 361); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) The labdanum
was retained in the Dispensatory as late as the time of Quincy, who
has given an accurate account of it. (70.) It is also very correctly
described by Tournefort, both in his voyage to the Levant and in his Mat.
Med. (363.) Its use, however, is now obsolete. See Pereira (1263.) In
Pemberton’s edition of the Dispensatory, there is given a formula for the
composition of a “stomach plaster,” one of the ingredients of which is
labdanum. (359.) We would vote for its being restored to the Pharmacopœia.
Λαθυρὶς,
Lathyris, is a species of spurge, and some say that its juice purges in a
similar manner. Its seed in particular has purgative powers.
* * * * *