it, that it is the _Euphorbia Lathyris_, L. Dioscorides says of it that
it evacuates phlegm, bile, and water. He mentions that its leaves were
boiled along with a fowl or pot-herbs to loosen the bowels. Galen and
the other Greek authorities treat of it in brief terms, like our author.
The Arabians treat of it at greater length, recommending it strongly in
diseases of the joints, gout, and sciatica. They also mention its being a
remedy for dropsy. They say it acts as an emetic. They direct its seeds
to be boiled in the broth of an old cock, and taken. See in particular
Avicenna (ii, 2, 473); Serapion (c. 354.) It is not met with in the works
either of Hippocrates or of Celsus. It does not occur in the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia, but is briefly noticed in Dr. Pereira’s Materia Medica
(777.)
Λαμψάνη,
Lampsana, _Nipplewort_, when eaten supplies bad juices to the body. In a
cataplasm it is detergent and discutient.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears pretty certain that it is the Charlock, that is
to say, either the _Raphanus Raphanistrum_ or _Sinapi Arvense_. Both are
known by the English name of _Charlock_. It is rather a potherb than a
medicine.
Λάπαθον,
Lapathum, _Dock_, is possessed of moderately discutient powers; but the
oxylapathum is also somewhat repellent. The seed, particularly of the
oxylapathum, being astringent, cures diarrhœas and dysenteries. The
leaves, in so far, have opposite qualities to the seed; for they, when
eaten, loosen the belly, whereas it, when drunk, proves astringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Of the _Rumices_, the Oxylapathum, or _Rumex acutus_, was
the species most used in medicine, and is the only one particularized by
our author, with the exception of the hippolopathum already described.
Of the four other species described by Dioscorides, the ὀξαλὶς is
pretty generally acknowledged as the _Rumex acetosa_. The others cannot
be determined with any degree of accuracy. See Sprengel, Sibthorp,
Matthiolus, Parkinson, Gerard, and Rutty. Dioscorides gives the first
of his species much the same characters as our author, recommending it
most especially as a discutient application to leprosies and scrofulous
tumours. He also speaks favorably of it as applied on a pessary in the
fluor albus. The roots, he adds, boiled in wine, cure jaundice, and act
as lithontriptics, emmenagogues, and alexipharmics. He further speaks
of the dock as being appended in the form of an amulet for scrofulous
swellings. (ii, 140, 141.) Galen and the other Greek authorities treat
cursorily of the lapatha, like our author. They occur in the works of
Hippocrates and of Celsus; the latter ranks the _lapathum_ among the
articles of food which contain bad juices (ii, 21), are bad for the
stomach (ii, 25), and are laxative of the bowels (ii, 29.) Pliny’s
account of the lapatha is mostly taken from Dioscorides. (H. N. xx,
85.) The term rumex, now generally applied to the genus dock, is taken
from Pliny (xix, 60.) The dock is recommended by Africanus in jaundice,
dropsy, and for the cure of leprosy, lichen, and alphos. (Geopon.
xii, 38.) Macer, in the tenth century, describes it under the name
of _paratella_, and, like the more ancient authorities, commends it
externally for the cure of cutaneous diseases, and internally as an
astringent. The Arabians, in like manner, prescribe it in these cases,
and in general copy from Dioscorides in treating of the different species
of dock. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 53); Serapion (c. 3); Ebn
Baithar (i, 324.) The last of these treats fully of the rumices, but does
not seem to describe any species not noticed by the Greeks.
Λειμώνιον,
Limonium, _Sea Lavender_; its fruit being austere, is given to the amount
of an acetabulum, with wine, in cæliac and dysenteric affections, in
hæmoptysis, and for the uterine discharge.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the limonium is borrowed from
Dioscorides, who describes the plant as having leaves like beet, but
more slender and longer, a slender straight stem, like that of the
lily, filled with red fruit of an astringent taste. Like our author, he
recommends it in cases requiring astringents. As far as we can judge,
the characters here given it by Dioscorides apply very well to the plant
called sea lavender or red behen, namely, the _Statice Limonium_, L.
Compare Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 1234) and Gray (Suppl. to the
Pharmac.) with Dioscorides (iv, 16.) There seems no necessity, therefore,
for following Gesner in transferring it to the _Polygonum Bistorta_. The
other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, follow Dioscorides closely in
treating of the limonium. See Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 423); Avicenna
(ii, 2, 433); Ebn Baithar (ii, 452.) The German editor of the last of
these, we are glad to find, agrees with us in referring this article to
the _Statice Limonium_.
Λειχὴν,
Lichen; that upon rocks, which is like moss, being possessed of detergent
and, at the same time, moderately refrigerant and desiccative powers,
cures lichen, and is anti-inflammatory; and, as Dioscorides says, also
stops hemorrhages. The lichens of horses, when triturated with vinegar,
are said to cure epilepsy and the bite of every venomous animal.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the vegetable is abridged from
Dioscorides, who, as stated by him, recommends it for stopping
hemorrhages, and also for dispelling phlegmons and curing lichens: he
adds, that it cures jaundice and removes defluxions of the mouth when
rubbed in with honey. (iv, 53.) To which of the Lichenales of modern
botanists it is applicable is somewhat doubtful: whether to the _Sticta
pulmonacea_, as Matthiolus held; to the _Peltidea aphthosa_; or to the
_Peltigera canina_. Compare Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. l. c.) with Lindley
(Veg. King. 48), and Parkinson (1315.) This is also evidently identical
with the second species of lichen described by Pliny. (H. N. xxvi, 10.)
His former species is the _Marchantia conica_, L. (Ibid.) See Harduin
(apud l. c.)
The λέιχηνες ἱππῶν are the well-known callosities forming at the knees
of horses, called _spavins_ in English. See further, Harduin ad Plin.
H. N. xxviii, 49. They are thus described by Cælius Aurelianus: “Sunt
autem squamulæ anteriorum crurum sub armorum partibus in ipsis animalibus
(equis) nata; has Græci lichenas vocant, sive chelidonas, nos vero
impetigines vel hirundines.” (Tard. Pass. i, 4.) The Empirics gave them
for the cure of epilepsy. (Ibid.) See Avicenna (ii, 233) and Rhases
(Cont. l. ult. 271.)
Λεοντοπέταλον,
Leontopetalum, _Lion’s-leaf_; its root is heating and desiccative in the
third degree, and is possessed of discutient powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Although Dioscorides has described this plant with more than
his wonted accuracy, there is still some uncertainty regarding it, some
holding it to be the _Leontice Leontopetalon_, and others the _Corydalis
bulbosa_. The latter would appear to agree better in character with the
description of Dioscorides than the other. See Lindley (Veg. King. 436.)
The other authorities treat of it in very general terms, like our author,
except Oribasius, who gives a pretty minute description of it, like
Dioscorides. It is noticed by Ebn Baithar (ii, 186), who, however, does
not supply much additional information. Dr. Sontheimer sets it down for
the _Leontice Leontopetalon_.
Λεπίδιον,
Lepidium, _Pepperwort_ (by some called Iberis), belongs to the fourth
order of calefacients, being like the cress in powers, but less
desiccative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of this plant (which is _Lepidium
latifolium_, Pepperwort) is mostly taken from Galen. Dioscorides says
it is made into a pickle with milk, and that the power of its leaves is
acrid and ulcerative, and hence it is used in a cataplasm for sciatica.
He says further of it, that it is also applicable in diseases of the
spleen, removes leprosy, and that its root _would seem_ to soothe pains
of the teeth when appended to the neck as an amulet. (ii, 205.) It is
to be remarked that Dioscorides always speaks of the virtues of amulets
in ambiguous terms. It is described by the Arabians under the name
of _Sitarig_ or _Scitaragi_. See Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 655) and
Avicenna (ii, 2, 657.) Avicenna’s description of it is somewhat confused,
and cannot be easily reconciled with that of Dioscorides, but with regard
to its medicinal virtues, they are quite agreed. Bimasuy, one of Rhases’s
authorities, says of it, that its seed is like the seed of nasturtium,
but not so heating. Beckmann mentions that the _Lepidium latifolium_ was
at one time used as a kitchen vegetable, and was called, in England,
_poor man’s pepper_. (Hist. of Invent.)
Λεπὶς,
Squama, _Flake_; all kinds are strongly desiccative and astringent, and
pungent in no inconsiderable degree. But the squama æris (_Flakes of
copper_) is more desiccative, consists of more subtile particles, and has
also some verdigris, more especially that from Cyprian nails, which is
hence called clavaris. The squama ferri is possessed of more astringency,
and still more that which is formed from the edge of sharp instruments,
called stomoma, hence it is better for ill-conditioned ulcers. But the
squama æris cleanses and melts down flesh more.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The squama æris was a black per-oxyd of copper. The squama
ferri, a black oxyd of iron. The stomoma was the chalybs or steel. See
Dioscorides (v, 89), with the Commentaries of Matthiolus and Sprengel,
and also the Appendix to Dunbar’s Lexicon. Geoffroy says of the squama
æris, that it is little different from the æs astum being only the
particles of burnt copper that fly off when hammered. Dioscorides calls
it astringent and epulotic: when drunk with honeyed water, he says, it
is phlegmagogue; some give it in flour as a pill; it is mixed, he adds,
with ophthalmic remedies, drying defluxions, and removing asperities
of the eyelids. The stomoma, he says, is inferior to the squama æris
as a purgative. (v, 89, 90.) Our author’s account of these substances
is borrowed from Galen. Aëtius also copies from Galen. Oribasius
gives a fuller description of them, differing very little from that
of Dioscorides. The Arabians treat of all these substances, as usual,
borrowing freely from Dioscorides, and not adding much of their own. See
in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 231); Serapion (c. 404); Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. vi, 48); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 43.) They prescribe the squama æris
internally as a purge, and say of it that when the palate is smeared
with it vomiting is excited. These substances occur in the Hippocratic
treatises and in the works of Celsus. They have not been used medicinally
in this country for some time past. The Hindoos use the preparations of
copper both internally and externally, according to Dr. Royle. (Hindoo
Med. 90.)
Λευκάκανθον,
Leucacanthon, _White Acanthus_ (called also Polygonaton and Ischias); its
root is of a cutting nature and desiccative in the third degree, and it
is heating in the first.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We can only determine for certain that it belonged to the
_Carduineæ_, but can scarcely venture to fix the genus, so loose is the
description which the ancient authors have given of it, and so various
the conjectures of modern commentators and herbalists respecting it.
Upon the whole, the preponderance of the authorities is in favour of
the _Cirsium tuberosum_. Dioscorides says of it, that its root is
intensely bitter, and that the decoction of it with wine relieves
chronic pleurisy and sciatica, ruptures and sprains, and further, that
it relieves toothache. (iii, 19.) Galen recommends it in cæliac and
stomach affections and hemoptysis; as a cataplasm to swellings, and a
cure to toothache when used as a gargle. Aëtius gives the same character
of it. The Arabians ascribe the same virtues to it, and also hold it to
he alexipharmic. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 80, 671) and Rhases
(Cont. l. ult. i, 118.) The use of it in medicine is as old as the
Hippocratic age. See Dierbach’s Materia Medica Hippocr.
Λευκὰς,
Leucas, is heating and desiccative in the third degree, but its
prevailing property is acrimony.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears certainly to be a species of _Lamium_, either
the _album_ or the _maculatum_. See Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 672)
and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor.) Dioscorides commends it as an application to
venomous animals, especially those of the sea. (iii, 103.) The other
authorities treat of it in general terms, like our author, who copies
almost word for word from Galen.
Λευκοΐον,
Viola alba, _Stock Gillyflower_; the whole plant is detergent and
attenuating, especially its flowers, and those in particular which are
drier, so that it promotes menstruation, kills and ejects the fœtus; and
if their powers are blunted by a mixture with water, they will answer
with inflammations, particularly those of the uterus. The roots being
possessed of similar powers, are composed of more gross matter, and are
more terrene. But with vinegar they relieve indurated phlegmons.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the plant here described was stock, i. e. _Cheiranthus
Cheiri_, is unquestionable. Dioscorides evidently included also another
plant of the same order under this head, which, as stated by Sprengel,
may probably be a variety of the _Matthiola incana_. He gives nearly the
same account of its medicinal virtues as our author. Dioscorides says
it kills the fœtus _in utero_ when applied on a pessary; and Galen and
Aëtius ascribe the same powers to it when taken in a draught. By the
Arabians it is obscurely treated of, their authorities in general seeming
to confound it with the violet. See Rhases (Ad Mansor. iii, 21); Haly
Abbas (Pract. ii, 37, 226); Ebn Baithar (i, 403.) The last of these does
little more than copy from Galen and Dioscorides. It is not contained in
the modern Greek Pharmacopœia. It is the _Viola lutea_ of our herbalist
Gerard, and held a place in our Dispensatory as late as Quincy.
Λέυκη,
Populus alba, _the White Poplar_; the tree being composed of a watery,
tepid, and terrene substance, has detergent properties.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt of its being the _Populus alba_, L.
Dioscorides says of it, that its bark, when taken in a draught, cures
sciatica and strangury; that it is said to prevent conception; and that
it is a remedy for earache and other complaints. (i, 109.) Our author
copies from Galen. The Arabians, under this head, are servile copyists
from the Greeks. See Serapion (c. 30); Avicenna (ii, 2, 333); and Ebn
Baithar (i, 340.)
Λιβανωτὶς,
Rosmarinus, _Rosemary_; there are three varieties of it, one of which is
sterile, and the other two bear fruit. They are possessed of detergent,
incisive, discutient, and emollient powers. The juice of them, with
honey, cures dimness of sight occasioned by thick humours. A decoction of
that variety, which is used for garlands, proves serviceable in jaundice.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides, like our author, describes three species, of
which the first bears a fruit called _cachrys_, a term previously used
by Theophrastus and Nicander, and from which the plant has now got the
scientific appellation of _Cachrys Libanotis_. The root of this plant
is still kept by our apothecaries, although it has long ceased to hold
a place in our Dispensatory. See Gray’s Suppl. to the Pharmacop. (80.)
The second species is probably the _Ferula nodiflora_. The third cannot
be satisfactorily determined. Our old English herbalists give the
libanotis the name of “herb frankincense.” (See Parkinson and Gerard.)
These libanotides, however, must be distinguished from “the libanotis,
called rosmarinus by the Romans,” which was the well-known _Rosmarinus
officinalis_, and of which the flower, known by the name of _anthos_, was
in frequent use as a medicine in the age of Sydenham, and still retains
a place in our Dispensatory. We have been obliged to enter with more
length than usual into the general literature of this subject, to prevent
the mistake of confounding the _cachrys_ with the _rosmarinus_, which
might be readily done, if the distinction now adverted to had not been
clearly pointed out. Dioscorides recommends the libanotides for various
medicinal purposes, as being emmenagogue, diuretic, and discutient. Our
author’s character of them is mostly taken from Galen. The Arabians treat
obscurely and confusedly of this subject. See particularly Avicenna (ii,
2, 67); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 71); Serapion (c. 327.) Rhases says of
the rosemary, that it is calefacient and attenuant, and hence proves
carminative, diuretic, and emmenagogue. In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia
the _Rosmarinus officinalis_ stands as the representative of the
λιβανωτὶς. (Athens, 1837.)
Λιβανωτὸς,
Thus, _Frankincense_ is heating in the second order, and desiccative
in the first. It has also a slight sub-astringency. The bark of it is
perceptibly astringent. It is, therefore, desiccative in the second
degree complete. Consisting of thicker matter than the frankincense, and
being less acrid, it cures hæmoptysis, dysentery, cæliac and stomachic
affections, both externally and when taken internally. The green shoot of
it is heating and desiccative in the third degree. It is also somewhat
detergent, by which property it cleanses and fills ulcers in the eyes.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is still by no means satisfactorily determined what tree
it is which produces the frankincense; but the best authorities are
now inclined to think that it is the _Boswellia turifera_. See Pereira
(Mat. Med., 1185); Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 78); and Lindley (Veg. Kingd.
459.) Dioscorides says the best kind of incense is “the male,” by which
the ancients meant the purest kind of it, or that consisting of the
larger grains. See Gray (Pharmacop. 200.) The Indian is of an inferior
quality. He calls it heating, astringent, and cleansing; and recommends
it in hemorrhages, recent wounds, burns, chilblains, and other diseases
of a like nature. He gives minute directions for the use of it in
fumigations. The bark of the frankincense tree he recommends in fluxes
and hemorrhages, and in ulcers of the eyes. The _manna_ of frankincense
will be explained by us under that head. (Mat. Med. i, 81-3.) Oribasius
gives a perfectly similar account of the frankincense; indeed, he
avowedly copies from Dioscorides. (Med. Collect. xi.) Our author’s
account is mostly taken from Galen. On the _Thus_ see further Pliny (H.
N. xii, 30) and Rhases (Contin. xxxvii, § 716.) Most of the ancient
authorities affirm that it acts beneficially in mental disease, that it
sharpens perception, and improves the memory. They also recommend it in
fumigations for removing the pestilential constitution of the atmosphere,
as we have stated in the Second Book. Symeon Seth, mostly borrowing from
Galen and our author, says, under the head of frankincense, that it is
of a drying nature, with a certain astringent quality; that it binds the
bowels; in fumigations helps coughs and defluxions; is emmenagogue both
when drunk and applied per vaginam; that in fumigations it is possessed
of powers for averting the pestilence; and hence in a pestilential season
that houses should be diligently fumigated with it, in order to correct
the pernicious quality of the air. The Arabians used it very freely as
an ingredient in their applications to ulcers, including those of the
eyes. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 525) and Serapion (c. 278.) Averrhoes, like
preceding authorities, recommends the bark in fluxes, hæmoptysis, and
ulceration of the intestines. (Collig. v. 42.) The frankincense occurs
frequently in the treatises contained in the Hippocratic collection, and
in the works of Celsus. The latter used all the kinds mentioned by the
Greeks, such as, “thus masculum,” “fuligo thuris,” and “cortex thuris.”
These he uses for the same purposes as the Greeks, that is to say, for
suppressing bleeding, concocting pus, cleansing sores, and so forth.
Λιγνὺς,
Fuligo, _the Soot_ arising from certain kinds of substances when they are
burnt, such as frankincense, myrrh, turpentine, storax, liquid pitch, and
cedar, is desiccative, terrene, and attenuate: but there are varieties
of it agreeably to the material that is burnt. It is used for ophthalmic
remedies and those for adorning the eyebrows. That which is most used
is the soot from frankincense, as being the mildest; and again, that
from the pine, wild pine and pitch tree, as being the strongest. It is
applied, therefore, for baldness of the eyebrows, and for watery and
ulcerated canthi of the eyelids, and weeping eyes.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Little need be said under this head. Pliny recommends it
along with vinegar as an application to erysipelas. Galen recommends it
in the same cases as our author. He defines the _soot_ to be the remains
of the fire which consumed the _materiel_. Serapion’s account of it
is entirely taken from Galen. Dioscorides (i, 84) and Oribasius (Med.
Collect. xi) describe more minutely than any of the others the process
for preparing the _Fuligo Thuris_. It was used principally in ulcers of
the eyes. The soot of storax and myrrh, as Serapion says, is prepared
agreeably to the same process as that of frankincense.
Λιγυστικὸν,
Ligusticum, _Lovage_; the root and seed of it are heating to such a
degree as to promote menstruation. It is also very carminative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have always thought that the _Ligusticum Levisticum_ had
been introduced into this country by the Romans, in order to supply them
with an article frequently used by them at home, as a condiment. See
the works of Apicius (pluries.) Dioscorides describes it minutely, and
recommends it in a great variety of complaints, as an emmenagogue and
diuretic, to promote digestion and dispel flatulence. He also mentions
that it was often used as a condiment in place of pepper. (iii, 51.)
Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it very succinctly. The
Arabians ascribe to it anthelminthic and alexipharmic powers. See in
particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 377); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. iii, 17.) It is
not met with in the works of Celsus, nor, as far as we can discover, in
those of Hippocrates. Lovage held a place in the Materia Medica with all
its ancient characters down to a late date. See the works of Parkinson,
Gerard, Culpeper, Rutty, and Quincy. It holds a place in the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia (97.)
Λιθάργυρος,
Spuma Argenti, _Litharge_, is of the middle order among metallic
substances; we therefore often use it as the vehicle for other remedial
powers. It is moderately desiccative, detergent, and astringent; hence it
is used for excoriations of the thighs from friction.
* * * * *