enumerates its medicinal virtues at considerable length, recommending it
as being good for the bowels, and diuretic, but in large doses inducing
bloody discharges from the belly and bladder; as being a cleansing
application in obstinate diseases of the skin, and in carcinoma and
gangrene; as being alexipharmic and forming a good fomentation for
chilblains and pruritus. (ii, 131.) Our author copies word for word from
Galen. The Arabians treat of it at much greater length, but add little to
what Dioscorides had delivered under this head. When drunk with vinegar,
they say it relieves difficulty of urine, tenesmus, and acute pain of
the bowels; promotes expectoration, and softens indurated mammæ. See in
particular Avicenna. (ii, 342.) Though this plant has long been omitted
from our Dispensatory, it is still not wholly unknown in the shops. See
Gray (Pharmacop. 96.)
Ὃρμινον,
Horminum, _Clary_, is like horehound in appearance, and hot, moderately
desiccative, and detergent. It therefore is a provocative to venery; and
along with honey clears any thickness of the coats of the eyes, dispels
œdema, and extracts sharp instruments. The wild is stronger than the
cultivated.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author borrows his account of this article (_Salvia
Horminum_) from Dioscorides. (ii, 135.) It is not treated of by Galen,
Aëtius, nor Celsus. It is fully treated of by the Arabians, who recommend
it as an application to cancerous and other sores, as a collyrium in
ulceration of the eyes, and as a plaster in cases of gout. They further
hold it to be aphrodisiac. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 692); Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. i, 727.) Even of late years, it has been reported as possessing the
virtues ascribed to it by the ancients. See Rutty (Mat. Med. 238.)
Ὄρυζα,
Oryza, _Rice_, is somewhat astringent, and therefore it binds the belly
in a moderate degree.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Oryza sativa_. Dioscorides, Galen, and the other
authorities state its virtues in the same brief terms. For the views
of the Arabians, see Serapion (c. 13); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 583);
Avicenna (ii, 2, 567.) The Arabians recommend it boiled in milk, which,
they say, takes away its astringency, and it becomes more nutritious and
forms semen.
Ὄρχις,
Orchis; the herb is also called _Dog’s Orchis_, or _Testicle_, having a
double bulbous-shaped root. The powers of the greater orchis are humid
and heating, and therefore it is a provocative to venery. But those of
the lesser are heating and desiccative, and therefore, on the contrary,
it restrains venery. That species which is called _Sarapias_, and
otherwise _Triorchis_, is more desiccative than the former. It therefore
discusses œdematous swellings, cleanses foul and putrid ulcers, and cures
herpes. When dried it is more desiccative. Owing to its sub-astringency,
it binds the belly when drunk with wine.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The modern botanists have described many species of it, and
it is difficult to determine from among them those which are applicable
to the two species described by Dioscorides and our author. Sprengel
is pretty confident that the former is the _Orchis papilionacea_. He
is undecided respecting the _Sarapias_, but we may venture to refer it
to the _Orchis Morio_. Regarding the medicinal virtues of the former
of these, Dioscorides merely relates the vulgar belief, namely, that
one of its bulbous roots had the virtue of rousing to venery, and the
other of blunting the venereal appetite, and that the one promoted the
generation of male children, and the other of female. However nonsensical
all this may appear, the same properties are ascribed to the orchis by
our herbalist Culpeper. (130.) The other orchis he represents as being
an ingredient in applications to fistulæ, mortifications, ulcers of the
mouth, and so forth. (iii, 31, 32.) Galen attempts to explain the reputed
aphrodisiacal virtues of the orchis upon its sensible qualities. Our
author copies from him. The Arabians describe these two plants under
the names of Testiculus Vulpis and Testiculus Canis, or _Chasi altaleb_
and _Chasi alchelb_. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 706); Rhases (Cont. l. ult.
i, 714); Serapion (De Simpl. 90, 91.) They ascribe the same real and
imaginary powers to the two species as the Greeks had done.
Ὄσιρις,
Osiris, _Toad-flax_, from which besoms are made, is bitter and removes
obstructions in the liver.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides briefly notices this plant (_Osyris alba?_), and
recommends it in jaundice. Our author copies literally from Galen, as
does also Aëtius. Oribasius borrows from Dioscorides. It does not appear
to be treated of by the Arabian authorities at all.
Ὀστὰ,
Ossa, _Bones_, when burnt are possessed of discutient and considerably
desiccative powers, especially, they say, those of men. The ankle-bone
of a sow when burnt, is said to cure flatulence and tormina. And some
cure epilepsy and arthritis by giving burnt bones to drink. The burnt
ankle-bone of an ox is said to fasten loose teeth; but if drunk with
honey, it removes round worms, and with oxymel it reduces the spleen,
and when rubbed in relieves leuce. It is also an aphrodisiac. The burnt
thigh-bones of an ox if taken in a draught, stop hemorrhages and fluxes
of the bowels.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The other authorities give nearly the same account of their
medicinal properties. See Galen (De Simpl. 11); Serapion (c. 464);
Avicenna (ii, 2, 528.) The Arabians borrow from Galen and our author.
Ὄστρακα,
Testæ, _Shells_, from furnaces, when triturated, are possessed of
desiccative and detergent powers. Hence they are used as a dentifrice,
and when rubbed in with vinegar cure itch, exanthemata, and gouty
complaints, and with cerate dispel enlarged scrofulous glands.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is now well ascertained that _burnt shells_ consist
principally of lime. They, may, therefore, be supposed to form a good
stimulant application to certain cutaneous diseases and tumours of an
indolent nature, as recommended by our author and Dioscorides. (v, 177.)
Oribasius says, that they are very efficacious in repressing fungous
flesh when sprinkled in the form of a fine powder.
Ὂστρεα,
Ostrea, _Oysters_; the burnt shell is possessed of similar powers to the
buccina, but is not of so gross a consistence. It is used, therefore, as
a detergent to the face, and whitens the teeth. When washed it is freed
from pungency, and is useful for incarnating and cicatrizing ulcers
attended with a copious discharge.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Galen gives the same account of the burnt shells of oysters
or snails. He says, that if a shell be washed and burnt it imparts an
empyreuma to the water, which renders it heating and attenuant; whereas,
what remains is devoid of pungency and terrene, and it is useful for
the filling up and cicatrization of ulcers. He recommends the ashes of
all burnt shells as a dentifrice, in which case they do not require to
be finely levigated as they should be when applied to sores. (De Simpl.
11.) This article is not treated of by Dioscorides, the reason of which
probably is, that in his time the word ὄστρεα was a term applied to the
whole class of the ὀστρακόδερμα. See Commentary (i, 91.) They are treated
of in the same terms by the Arabians as by the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii,
2, 529); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 224); Serapion (c. 443.)
Ὀῦρον,
Urina, _Urine_; all kinds of it are hot and acrid, but that of man is
weaker than the urine of other animals, with the exception of castrated
boars, but it is considerably detergent; and it is said that some who
have drunk it in the plague have recovered. It also cures leprosy, putrid
ulcers, achores, and furfures; and likewise sprains of the feet when not
inflamed. That of boys not come to puberty is stronger, and from it the
chrysocolla is formed. The urine of mules suits with arthritic remedies.
That of goats and of camels is laxative of the belly, and hence is given
in dropsical complaints.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The account given by our author of the medicinal properties
of _Urine_ is abridged from Dioscorides and Galen. Galen rejects, with
disgust, the internal use of it. Some, he says, have given the urine
of a boy for the cure of orthopnœa; but he justly remarks that there
is no want of other remedies for this affection, and that in fact the
article in question has no peculiar virtue in the complaint. Most of the
other authorities, however, sanction the use of it in this case, as for
example, Dioscorides, Avicenna, and Rhases. They also recommend urine to
be drunk for the cure of the bite of the viper, for deadly poisons, and
incipient dropsies. Dioscorides recommends the sediment of urine as an
application to erysipelas; upon which practice Galen remarks that when
the affection is still hot such an application must be quite unsuitable;
but that when cooled, it or any other discutient is indicated. Those who
desire to know more fully the views of the ancients on this subject,
are referred to Dioscorides (ii, 99); Galen (De Simpl. 10); Serapion
(c. 448); Avicenna (ii, 2, 716); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 749); Haly
Abbas (Pract. ii, 517); Ebn Baithar (i, 191.) The last of these is
particularly full under this head.
Πανγράτιον,
Pancratium, _Sea-daffodil_, in appearance and powers is like the squill,
but is weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There are two varieties of the _Scilla maritima_, or Squill,
namely, the white and the red. The _pancration_ would appear to be the
red variety. See Alston (Mat. Med.); Pereira (Mat. Med. 651); and Lindley
(Veg. King. 203.) Dioscorides, like our author, states of it, that it
has the same powers as the squill, but in a weaker degree; and that it
is prepared in the same manner, and used in the same affections; for
example, in diseases of the spleen and dropsies. (ii, 203.) Galen and
Aëtius treat of it in nearly the same words as our author. We are in
doubt whether the pancration be treated of by the Arabian authorities,
with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who, it would appear, describes it
under the name of _Kebal_. He, however, merely gives extracts from
Dioscorides and Galen. (ii, 309.)
Παλίουρος,
Paliurus, _Christ’s-thorn_; the leaves and root of it are astringent,
and hence they stop fluxes of the belly, and discuss phymata when they
are not of a very hot nature. The fruit is of so incisive a nature as to
break down stones, and relieve expectorations.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It would seem to be the _Paliurus australis_, Gaertn.
Dioscorides ascribes to it nearly the same medicinal properties as
our author. Thus, he says, it is expectorant, lithontriptic, and
alexipharmic, its leaves and root being astringent, so as to stop
looseness of the bowels, and that it is diuretic and discutient
externally. (i, 121.) Galen and Aëtius treat of it in nearly the same
terms as our author. We have not been able to detect it in the Mat. Med.
of the Arabians.
Πάνακες,
Panaces, _All-heal_; it is from that species called Heraclium, from
which the substance named opoponax is produced, being heating in the
third degree, desiccative in the second, emollient and discutient. The
bark of the root being weaker than the juice, is somewhat detergent and
incarnative, but the fruit of it is emmenagogue. The species of Panaces
which are called Asclepium and Chironium, are more heating than the
former, and hence their leaves and fruit are used for ill-conditioned
ulcers and phymata.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides decides that the Heraclium is the tree which
produces the famous _opoponax_. It has now got the scientific name of
_Opoponax Chironium_, Koch. See Pereira (Mat. Med. 1040), and Lindley
(Veg. King. 776.) Dioscorides gives a most excellent account of the
process by which the opoponax is collected, and describes the marks
by which that which is genuine may be recognized. He ascribes to it
calefacient, attenuant, and emollient powers, and recommends it in a
great variety of cases, such as periodical fevers, rigors, convulsions,
bruises, pains of the sides, tormina, strangury, scabies vesicæ; as an
emmenagogue, and a medicine which destroys the fœtus; as a liniment in
sciatica; a good application to the holes of carious teeth; as forming a
good plaster to bites of mad dogs; as an incarnant when applied to ulcers
connected with exposure of the bone; and as being alexipharmic, and
remedial in hysterical convulsions, and in many other cases. (iii, 48.)
Galen also gives an interesting account of opoponax, which he represents
as being hot in the third degree, and drying in the second. He recommends
it particularly in ill-conditioned ulcers complicated with exposure of
the bone. He says the fruit of the tree is emmenagogue. Aëtius treats of
it in similar terms. The Arabians treat of this article at considerable
length, as usual following in the footsteps of Dioscorides. See Avicenna
(ii, 2, 521); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 521); Serapion (De Simpl. 252);
Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) They recommend it in hardness of the spleen,
in pleuritic pains, and chronic coughs. They say it softens hardness of
the uterus, and is useful in stillicidium urinæ. Both when taken by the
mouth and in a suppository, they say it occasions abortion. Avicenna says
that galbanum is used as a succedaneum for it, and that gum ammoniac is
nearly allied to it.
The authorities are much divided whether the Asclepium be _Cachrys
Libanotis_, or _Echinophora tenuifolia_. The former of these would
appear to be the _Libanotis_ of the ancient Mat. Med., and therefore
the latter would seem to have preferable claims. Dioscorides recommends
it externally as a discutient application to ulcers and tumours, and
internally with wine as being an antidote to reptiles. (iii, 49.)
Sprengel inclines to think that the Chironium is the _Hypericum
origanifolium_, Willd. Why modern botanists have applied the specific
term _Chironium_ to the first of these plants, we are at a loss to
explain. Dioscorides recommends it both internally and externally for the
bites of reptiles. Galen and the other authorities treat of it in general
terms, like our author. The Arabians in like manner give its medicinal
properties under the head of _Panaces_.
Πάπυρος,
Papyrus, when unburnt is only simply the vehicle of other substances.
But when burnt it is desiccative like burnt paper, but the ashes of the
papyrus are weaker.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is marked _Cyperus Papyrus_ by Linnæus. From burnt
papyrus and burnt paper prepared from it, the ancients procured an
impure carbonate of kali, which they used as a caustic. It is frequently
mentioned by Celsus. Pliny says of it, “Charta quæ fit ex Papyro, cremata
inter caustica est.” (H. N. xxiv, 51.) See also Dioscorides and Galen.
The papyrus was much used by the ancients for dilating fistulæ in the
same manner that prepared sponge now is. Avicenna recommends it for this
purpose, and also as a styptic to stop the flow of blood. Its ashes, he
says, stop the spitting of blood. (ii, 2, 536.) See also Rhases (Cont. l.
ult. i, 132), and Ebn Baithar (ii, 244.)
Παρωνυχία,
Paronychia, _Mountain Knotgrass_, is so named because it cures paronychia
(whitlow). Its powers are those of an attenuate and desiccative substance
without pungency.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The commentators are divided between the _Paronychia
Hispanica_, Cand., and the _Draba verna_, or Whitlow-grass. See Sprengel
(Ad Dioscorid. iv, 54); Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 105.) Dioscorides and
Galen join in commending it for the cure of whitlow. Galen argues that
it acts in this case by being possessed of discutient powers. We have not
been able to detect it in the works of the Arabians. Neither Hippocrates
nor Celsus has noticed it.
Πεντάφυλλος,
Quinquefolium, _Cinquefoil_, is desiccative in the third order, but by no
means acrid. It is therefore greatly in use.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Although this article be minutely described by Dioscorides
(iv, 42), Theophrastus (H. P. ix, 13), and by Democritus (Ad Geopon. ii,
6), there has been considerable difference of opinion respecting it.
See Parkinson, Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. l. c.), and Rutty (Mat. Med. 382.)
We think that the well-known plant _Potentilla reptans_, Angl. common
creeping Cinquefoil, answers well to the descriptions above referred
to. Dioscorides recommends it for a great many purposes: its decoction
for the cure of toothache, and mortifications in the mouth as a wash;
for roughness of the windpipe as a gargle; for diarrhœa and dysentery;
as a discutient application to many tumours and cutaneous eruptions; in
intermittent fevers, epilepsy, and, in short, as our author remarks,
it would appear to have been much used in ancient times. Galen, like
our author, merely states its general properties as a medicine, without
defining the particular cases in which it is applicable. It is the
cinquefolium of Celsus, who places it in his list of things which are
gently repressing and emollient. (ii, 33.) It occurs in the Hippocratic
treatises. It is recommended by Apuleius for pains of the bowels,
epistaxis, angina, &c. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 545);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 544); Ebn Baithar (i, 174.) They do little
more under this head than repeat the cases in which it is recommended
by Dioscorides. The cinquefoil is highly commended by all our old
herbalists, Parkinson, Gerard, and Culpeper, and it held a place in our
English Dispensatory down to the time of Quincy, who, treating of it,
says, “Schröder runs through most chronical distempers in commendation
of it, says that it is astringent and vulnerary, that it cures coughs,
&c.” (137.) Quincy here does not seem to have been aware that Schröder
was merely confirming the character of it as given by Dioscorides and Ebn
Baithar.
Πέπλος.
Peplus, called by some Papaver spumosum. And this shrub has a juice and
purges like the spurges.
Πέπλιον,
Peplium; this too has a juice, and grows by the sea-side; for the most
part, it is of no use, but the seed of it purges flatus like that of the
peplus.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that they are two species of the
Euphorbia or _Spurge_; probably the _E. Peplus_ and _E. Peplis_, that is
to say, the petty spurge, and small purple sea spurge. These articles are
frequently mentioned as drastic purgatives in the Hippocratic collection.
(Epidem. vi., &c.) Ruffus Ephesius gives them the character of being safe
phlegmagogues and cholagogues. (De Med. Purgant.) Dioscorides gives them
the same characters. (iv, 65, 66.) They are also mentioned by Pliny (H.
N. xx, 20), but are not noticed by Celsus. Galen gives their seed the
character of purging, and at the same time of expelling flatulence. All
the Greek authorities on the Mat. Med. down to Actuarius (Mat. Med. v),
give them exactly the same character. The Arabians briefly say of them
that they purge like the Tithymallé. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 103, 104.) We
may be allowed to mention, that although the _E. Peplis_ and _Peplus_
be now excluded from our Dispensatory, they are still to be found in
the shops of the apothecaries. We concur in the opinion thus stated by
Boerhaave while treating of spurge root: “We have declined these rough
medicines too hastily.” (Mat. Med.) See further Rutty (Mat. Med. 520.)
Πέπερ,
Piper, _Pepper_; its root resembles the costus in power. But the fruit of
it, while yet germinating, forms the long pepper, being more humid and
hot. But that which is as it were the unripe fruit is the white pepper,
being more acrid than the black, because it is over-heated. Both are
heating and desiccative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Solinus gives the following account of it: “Quod incorruptum
est Piper album. Quorum cutem rugosam et torridam calor fecerit, Piper
nigrum. Qui demum caducus torretur fervido sole, vocamen trahit de
colore. At quod ex ipsa arbore stringitur, ut est, album Piper dicitur.”
(Polyhist. 65.). This is not quite a correct account of the matter.
Black pepper is the fruit gathered before it is ripe, and dried in the
sun. White pepper is the fruit of the same plant, gathered after it
is fully ripe and freed of its external coat by maceration in water.
Isidorus says further, “quod immaturum est piper longum vocatur.” (Orig.
xviii, 8.) It is now ascertained that the _Piper longum_ is a distinct
species. Frequent mention of the peppers is made in the Hippocratic
treatises. (De Morb. Mul., &c.) Dioscorides gives an excellent account
of the pepper, and on the whole a very correct one, except that he does
not recognize the _P. longum_ as a distinct kind from the black and
white varieties. He says of it in general terms, that it is calefacient,
diuretic, digestive, and detergent of obscurities of the cornea, and
recommends it in a great variety of cases, beginning with its use as a
remedy in intermittent fevers. (ii, 188.) The use of peppers for the cure
of intermittents is strongly recommended by Stephanus in his commentary
on Galen. (Therap. ad Glauc.) Celsus prescribes pepper for a great many
purposes, as being calefacient, diuretic, opening the pores, &c. (v, 4,
&c.) Galen, in treating of the pepper in his work on Simples, merely says
of its medicinal powers, that it is strongly calefacient and desiccative.
Aëtius and the other Greek authorities copy from Galen. Avicenna treats
separately of the _Piper_ and the _Piper longum_, and although in one
place he quotes Galen as saying that the latter is a variety of the
former, he speaks of them as if he held them to be distinct plants. He
says of the former, that it increases the appetite, promotes digestion;
and of the other, that it is aphrodisiac. He says the white kind is the
most stomachic; but the long the most laxative. On the whole, he agrees
with Dioscorides and Galen as to its medicinal uses. (ii, 2, 549, 550.)
See further Serapion (c. 357), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 556), Averrhoes
(Collig. v, 42.)
Πέπων,
Pepo, _Pompion_, is possessed of detergent powers. Hence that part which
is as it were the flesh of it, cleanses away freckles and the like. But
the seed of it removes obstructions of the kidneys.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears to be the _Cucurbita Pepo_, L. See Book First,
sect. 80. Alexander mentions that the seed of the pepo is possessed of an
emetic quality. (vii, 14.) Dioscorides and Avicenna agree in ascribing
the same property to its root. The Arabians treat of this article at
considerable length, recommending it externally as an application to
obstinate diseases of the skin; and internally as an excellent diuretic
and laxative medicine. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 89), Rhases (Cont. l. ult,
iii, 20), and Serapion (De Simpl. 251.) It is clear from Avicenna’s
section on the _Pepo_, that the term was also applied to the melon.
Indeed, as we have stated more than once before, it is difficult to
distinguish the summer fruits of the ancients from one another.
Περικλύμενον,
Periclymenon, _Woodbine_; the leaves and fruit are possessed at the same
time of incisive and heating powers, so as to occasion a discharge of
blood by urine when drunk for seven days. The seed is desiccative, and if
drunk for forty days, relieves affections of the spleen and dyspnœa.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is either the _Lonicera
periclymenum_, or the _L. caprifolium_, that is to say, either the
Woodbine or the Honeysuckle. Sprengel decides in favour of the latter.
Dioscorides recommends it in nearly the same cases as our author, and
also says of it, that it accelerates delivery in labour. (iv, 14.) Our
author’s account of it is condensed from Galen. It is not found in the
works of Celsus. The Arabians give rather a confused account along with
other climbing plants. See Serapion (c. 41.)
Περιστερεὼν,
Verbenaca, _Vervain_, is so desiccative and astringent that it
agglutinates wounds, and therefore stops hemorrhage.
* * * * *