Apuleius, it is styptic, agglutinative, and abstergent. He recommends
it as an application to the bites of serpents, phalangia, and mad dogs.
Dioscorides, and most of the succeeding authorities down to Macer,
recommend it internally for the cure of jaundice, and externally for foul
ulcers. He describes two species, of which the second is the _Verbena
supina_. (iv, 60, 61.) Galen describes only one variety, and merely
recommends it as being a vulnerary herb. Ebn Baithar’s description of
this plant is entirely made up from Dioscorides and Galen. (i, 498.) We
are inclined to think that it is the plant described in the translation
of Avicenna under the names of _Pastus columbarum_, s. _palea_. He
recommends it as an application to erysipelas. (ii, 2, 551.) See also
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 530.) On its use by the Hindoos, see Ainslie
(Mat. Ind. ii, 314.)
Περσαία,
Persica (_the Peach?_), is an Egyptian tree, the leaves of which are
desiccative and astringent, and therefore stop hemorrhage.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It has been generally acknowledged as the _peach tree_, but,
as Alston and Woodville state, this supposition is attended with many
difficulties. Sprengel is by no means decided; but, upon the whole,
inclines to the _Cordia Myxa_. With this opinion we are not disposed
to agree, as we have stated in another place. See under _Myxa_. We
would hesitatingly, then, admit it as the _Persica vulgaris_, Miller.
Dioscorides merely recommends the dried powder of the leaves as a good
styptic in cases of hemorrhage. Galen and the other Greek authorities
give the same character of it. The Arabians, in like manner, follow
Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 22.)
Πετασίτης,
Petasites, _Butter-burr_, is of the third order of desiccants; hence it
is used for ill-conditioned and phagedænic ulcers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides’s description of this plant with its petasiform
leaf, leaves no doubt of its being the _Tussilago petasites_. He
recommends it only for malignant and phagedænic ulcers (iv, 106.) Galen
and the other Greek authorities say the same of it. We have not been able
to find it in the works of any of the Arabians except Ebn Baithar, who,
under this head, merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. It is
still used by the country people as an application to foul ulcers. It was
retained in the Dispensatory as late as the time of Quincy.
Πετροσέλινον,
Petroselinum, _Stone Parsley_; the seed is hot and desiccative in the
third degree, being incisive; and hence it occasions copious urinary and
menstrual discharges. It is also carminative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the species of Parsley called the Macedonian, and
known by the different botanical names of _Petroselinum Macedonicum_,
_Bubon Macedonicum_, and _Athomanta Macedonicum_. As Miller remarks,
“the Macedonian parsley is a stranger to our country, and not to be
found except in curious botanical gardens.” (Gardener’s Dictionary.) It
is cultivated, however, on the continent, and its seeds are still to be
found in the shops of our apothecaries. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop.
79.) It had not wholly disappeared from our English Dispensatory in
the time of Quincy (145.) Our author borrows his characters of it from
Galen. Dioscorides says its seeds are fragrant, aromatic, diuretic, and
emmenagogue; that it is beneficial in flatulence of the stomach and
colon, and in tormina, for pains of the side, of the kidneys, and of the
bladder when taken in a drink; and that it is an ingredient in diuretic
antidotes. (iii, 70.) It occurs in the works of Celsus, who mentions it
as an ingredient in a confection for colic, and in other cases. (iv,
14, &c.) Galen has a curious passage on the places where this plant was
cultivated for the market in his time. (De Antidot. i.) The Arabians in
general treat of it along with other species of parsley under the head
of _Apium_. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 55); Serapion (c. 290); Rhases (Cont.
l. ult. i, 69); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 388.) The
Arabians do little more than repeat the characters of it given by their
Grecian masters.
Πευκεδανὸν,
Peucedanum, _Hog’s-fennel_; we use the concrete juice and sap as being
considerably heating, discutient, and attenuant, both when smelled to and
in a potion for affections in the lungs and chest occasioned by thick
humours, and also for scirrhous spleen. When put into a tooth eaten
with caries it straightway allays the pain; and it agrees with nervous
affections. The root promotes the exfoliation of scales of bones, and
cures ill-conditioned ulcers, proving calefacient and desiccative in the
third degree.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears to be the _Peucedanum officinale_, Angl.
Hog’s-fennel, or Sulphur-wort. Dioscorides gives a very correct account
of this plant, and of the well-known gum, or rather resin, which
exudes from it. He says the gum is possessed of a strong smell, is of
a tawny colour, and heats the taste, and when rubbed in along with
vinegar and rose oil proves beneficial in cases of lethargy, phrenitis,
vertigo, epilepsy, chronic headaches, paralytic attacks, sciatica, and
convulsions, and in all nervous affections when rubbed in with oil and
vinegar; that when smelled to it rouses from hysteric convulsions, and
from catalepsy, &c. He speaks also of its being efficacious in coughs,
dyspnœa and tormina; says that it loosens the belly gently, reduces
swelling of the spleen, and greatly assists in cases of difficult labour;
that it is useful in pains of the kidneys and in those of the bladder,
and that its root is useful for the same purposes, but is less energetic.
(iii, 182.) Galen also has a very interesting section on this article in
his work ‘On Simples,’ explaining its action upon the principles of his
system. Aëtius, like our author, follows Galen. Celsus recommends it in
pains of the joints as an external application. (211, ed. Milligan.) The
Arabians give it the same characters as the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2,
86); Serapion (c. 286.) The root and gum resin of _peucedanum_, although
now rejected from our Dispensatory, are still to be found in the shops of
the apothecaries, where they retain their ancient characters. See Gray
(Suppl. to Pharmacop. 80.)
Πεύκη,
Picea, _the Pitch Tree_, has similar powers to the pine, but more
moderate.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We think there is no doubt that it is the _Pinus Cembro_, L.,
or Aphernousli pine. The fruit of it, namely, the Cembro nuts, are called
στρόβιλοι by the Greek authorities. Dioscorides says when drunk with must
or the seed of cucumber they are diuretic, and allay irritation of the
bladder, kidneys, and stomach. Taken fresh from the tree and bruised,
and boiled in must, he says, they suit old and consumptive coughs. (See
further under πίτυς.)
Πήγανον,
Ruta, _Rue_; the wild belongs to the fourth order of calefacients and
desiccants; but the cultivated to the third, dividing and discussing the
thick and viscid humours. It also promotes the urinary discharge, and is
composed of subtile parts and carminative; hence it restrains venereal
appetites.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The wild rue is the _Peganum Harmala_, L. The other species
is the _Ruta graveolens_. According to Florentinus, it kills the fœtus in
utero (Geopon. xii, 25.) Dioscorides’s two chapters on the Peganum are
so long that we can scarcely attempt an abstract of them. Both species,
he says, are caustic, calefacient, ulcerative, diuretic, emmenagogue,
astringent, and alexipharmical. (iii, 45, 46.) It occurs in the
Hippocratic treatises, and in the works of Celsus. Our author abridges
the interesting account of it given by Galen. The Arabians treat of the
two species very elaborately, but in the main follow Dioscorides. See
Avicenna (ii, 2, 571); Serapion (c. 300); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) We
may just mention that the _Ruta graveolens_ still retains its place in
our Mat. Med., and that the seeds of the other, _Peganum Harmala_, are
still kept in the shops. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 116.) The Turks
use its seeds as a spice, in like manner as they were used in the time of
Pliny. (H. N. xx, 51.)
Πίσσα,
Pix, _Pitch_; dry pitch is desiccative in the second degree, but less
calefacient, while the liquid is contrariwise. They have some detergent
and digestive powers, and also discutient and acrid. They therefore
remove leprous nails, cleanse lichen, and digest swellings. But the
liquid is more powerful, so as to be serviceable in a linctus for asthma
and empyema. The dry is more agglutinative of wounds.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Pliny says of pitch, “Phthisicis etiam cyathi mensura quidam
dederunt, et contra veterem tussim.” (H. N. xxiv, 24.) Averrhoes also
recommends it in such cases. (Collig. ii, 42.) See, however, more fully
on the virtues of pitch, Dioscorides (i, 94), who recommends the liquid
pitch in phthisis, empyema, coughs, asthma, and cases of difficult
expectoration; also as an external application to leprous nails, hard
tumours of the uterus, fissures of hands and feet, &c. The liquid pitch
of the ancients was evidently tar; the dry was the same boiled until it
became hard. The latter is often called παλιμπίσσα. See Dioscorides (i,
94, 97) and Pliny (xxiii, 1.)
Πισσέλαιον,
Oleum picatum, _Pitched Oil_, is formed from liquid pitch consisting of a
more attenuate substance than it.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Sprengel, the π. of Dioscorides is the same as
_Tar-water_, so celebrated as the grand panacea by Dr. Berkley in his
ingenious work called ‘Siris.’ It is called ὀροπίσση by our author in
another place. (iii, 74.) The _Pissasphaltum_ of the ancients, according
to Dr. Hill, was the _Pix Mineralis_, or Earth Pitch of the moderns.
Πιστάκια,
Pistachia, _Pistachio Tree_; its fruit when eaten is moderately
stomachic, and removes obstructions of the liver, and more especially a
decoction of the light and aromatic parts of it in wine. It also relieves
those who have been bitten by reptiles.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of the _Pistachio nuts_ in the First Book.
They are the fruit of the _Pistachia vera_. It is hardly worth while to
give the opinions of the other authorities under this head, as none of
them supply any additional information to that given by our author. See
Dioscorides (i, 167.) We may just mention in this place, that the oil
of pistachio nuts was much used as an application to the cicatrices of
small-pox. See Rhases (Contin. xxxii, 2.)
Πιτυΐδεσ,
Pityides, _the Fruit of Pines_, being possessed of mixed powers, the
astringent and acrid, hence it assists expectoration from the chest.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Pliny restricts it to the fruit of the _Pinaster_ or Wild
Pine, but the Greeks apply it to the fruit of all the pine tribe. Pliny,
like our author, recommends it as a remedy for coughs. Here, however, as
is usual with him, he merely translates Dioscorides (i, 87.) Our author
is principally indebted to Galen. (De Simpl. viii.) Celsus places the
“nuclei pinei” in his list of things which are particularly good for
the stomach. (ii, 24.) The Arabians treat of these under the general
head of pinus. See in particular, Avicenna (ii, 2, 301) and Averrhoes
(Collig. v, 42.) The latter enlarges on the virtues of them beyond his
wont, ascribing to them powerful effects in disinfecting a pestilential
state of the air, in resisting putrefaction, preventing impregnation, and
procuring abortion. He also calls them vermifuge.
Πιτυοκάμπαι.
Erucæ pinorum, _the Canker-worms of Pines_, are possessed of the same
powers with cantharis and buprestis.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of the _Erucæ pinorum_ in the Fifth Book.
As they were seldom or never used in the practice of medicine, it is
difficult to see why they should have been allowed a place in the Mat.
Med.
Πίτυος φλοιὸς,
Pini cortex, _the Bark of Pine_; its prevailing power is astringency,
by which it proves a useful application for intertrigo and burns. In a
potion it restrains the belly. The leaves of it are also agglutinative of
wounds.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Pinus Pinea_, L., _Stone Pine_. Our author would
appear to have condensed and abridged the more lengthy account of this
article given by Dioscorides. He says it is a species of the same genus
as the _picea_, and that the bark of both being astringent, is a suitable
application to excoriations, to superficial ulcers and burns, with
litharge and the manna of frankincense; that it stops hepatic diseases
when pulverized with copperas; in a fumigation promotes the expulsion of
the fœtus and secundines, and in a draught binds the belly and proves
diuretic. The leaves he recommends externally as a soothing application
in cases of inflammation and toothache, and internally with hydromel in
diseases of the liver. (M. M. i, 86.) Of the fruit of pines, and of the
torch prepared from it (δᾴδιον), we have treated in their proper places.
Galen’s notice of this article is to the same effect as our author’s.
Frequent mention of the pine occurs in the works of Hippocrates and
Celsus. The latter recommends its flowers in diseases of the liver. (iv,
8.) The Arabians treat of the pine, and the virtues of the different
parts of it, at great length. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 280, 301, 555, 693);
Serapion (De Simpl. 63); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 341); Averrhoes
(Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (ii, 137.) They borrow freely from the
Greeks, and further recommend the different parts of the pine very much
in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, especially calculus and hæmaturia.
Πιτύουσα,
Pityusa; some say that this is a species of spurge, because it has a
juice and purges like them.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt of its being the _Euphorbia Pityusa_.
It is briefly noticed by all the other writers on the Mat. Med. as
possessing the same virtues as the spurges in general.
Πλάτανος,
Platanus, _the Plane Tree_, is possessed of a humectating and refrigerant
power. Hence the green leaves are of use in incipient inflammations. But
the bark and spherical balls are more desiccative, so that when one has
been boiled in vinegar it relieves toothache. They also cure burns by
fire along with fat. The burnt bark is more desiccative and detergent, so
as to cure leprosies and humid ulcers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Platanus orientalis_, L. The seed forms into
spherical balls, which are called _Pilulæ_ by Pliny. He recommends them
for the bites of serpents and for burns; also when pounded with acrid
vinegar, as a styptic for stopping bleeding. (H. N. xxiv, 29.) Pliny,
however, merely copies from Dioscorides, who further recommends the
leaves boiled in wine in defluxions of the eyes, and as an application to
swellings and inflammations; and its rind boiled in vinegar as a gargle
in toothache. (i, 107.) Our author is evidently much indebted to Galen,
who commends it for the same medicinal purposes, and warns his readers
to guard against the down which grows on its leaves, as it may prove
prejudicial to the windpipe, eye, or ear, if admitted into them. (De
Simpl. viii.) Aëtius, like our author, copies very closely from Galen.
Not much additional information can be drawn from the Arabians, who,
under this head, do little more than copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See
Avicenna (ii, 2, 209); Serapion (c. 142); Ebn Baithar (ii, 422.)
Πνεύμων,
Pulmo, _Lungs_; those of lambs and swine are believed to cure the skin
which has been chafed by shoes. But the lungs of a fox when dried are
said to cure asthmatics. The Pulmo marinus, when fresh and pounded, cures
gout and chilblains.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides, Galen, and Serapion give nearly the same account
of the medicinal properties of _lungs_. The _Pulmo marinus_ is the
species of _Medusa_ which bears this scientific name. Our author and all
the others follow Dioscorides in defining its medicinal properties. (ii,
39.)
Πολεμώνιον,
Polemonium, _Greek Valerian_ (called by some Philetærium), is attenuate
and desiccative. Hence some give the root of it in wine for ischiatic
disease, dysentery, and scirrhus of the spleen.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Polemonium cæruleum_, Greek Valerian. It occurs in
the Hippocratic treatises (Hippiatr. 108, ed. Basil), but is not found in
the works of Celsus. Dioscorides recommends it to be given for the bites
of venomous reptiles, for dysentery, dysuria, sciatica, and diseases of
the spleen, and also as a masticatory for toothache. He further mentions
that it was used as an amulet for the sting of the scorpion. (iv, 8.) Our
author copies from Galen, as does also Aëtius. We have not been able to
trace it in the works of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar,
whose account of it is made up entirely of extracts from Dioscorides
and Galen. (i, 186.) Though it disappeared from our Dispensatory long
ago, its root is still to be found in the shops of our apothecaries,
where it retains the character of being astringent, vulnerary, and
anti-dysenteric. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharm. 55.)
Πόλιον,
Polium, _Poley_; the smaller, which we use for antidotes, belongs to
the third order of calefacients and desiccants. It therefore removes
obstructions of all the viscera, and proves diuretic and emmenagogue.
While green it agglutinates large wounds, and when dried it cures
ill-conditioned ulcers if sprinkled upon them.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The species indicated by our author is evidently the first
species of Dioscorides, namely, the _Teucrium Polium_. The other is
the _Teucrium Creticum_. Both these plants retained a place in our
Dispensatory down to the days of Quincy (118), and both of them are
still to be found in the shops of the apothecaries. Gray (Pharmacop.
49.) See further Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 23), and Rutty (Mat. Med.
402.) Dioscorides says of both, that their decoction taken internally
is beneficial to the bites of venomous reptiles, in cases of dropsy,
jaundice, and diseases of the spleen along with vinegar; that it loosens
the belly and is emmenagogue, but induces headache and is bad for the
stomach; that in fumigations and placed below a couch, that they drive
away reptiles; and in a cataplasm are vulnerary. Galen, Aëtius, and
Oribasius, give them nearly the same characters. Celsus barely notices it
once as one of the ingredients in the celebrated theriac of Mithridates.
(v, 23.) The Arabians treat of the two species at greater length than
the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 537); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 558);
Serapion (c. 165); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.) They agree with the Greeks
in considering it diuretic, emmenagogue, and a gentle purgative, and
recommend it further as being anthelminthic and a remedy in cases of
protracted fever. Serapion, by the way, quotes Dioscorides as calling the
polium aphrodisiacal, but there is nothing in the chapter of Dioscorides
on the poley to this effect.
Πολύγαλον,
Polygalon, _the Milkwort_, has leaves which are moderately austere. When
taken in a draught it seems to engender milk, being of a hot and humid
temperament.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That it is the _Polygala amara_ seems quite certain.
Dioscorides and Galen treat of it in nearly the same language as our
author. We have not been able to find it in the works of the Arabians
except Ebn Baithar, who merely copies Dioscorides and Galen. (i, 186.)
Πολυγόνατον,
Polygonaton, _Solomon’s Seal_, is a mixture of astringency, acrimony,
bitterness, and a certain indescribable nauseous principle, and therefore
it is not much used. Some sprinkle the root of it upon wounds, and clear
away spots on the face with it.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It has been usually taken for the _Convallaria Polygonatum_,
which has obtained the same character as a medicine in modern works on
the Mat. Med. See Rutty (M. M. 403) and Gray (Suppl. to the Pharmacop.
23.) Our author copies almost word for word from Galen, who, in his turn,
borrows from Dioscorides. None of the Arabians have noticed it, as far as
we can discover, except Ebn Baithar, who merely gives the descriptions of
it by Dioscorides and Galen. It is not to be found in the works either of
Hippocrates or Celsus.
Πολύγονον,
Polygonon, _Knot-grass_, has some astringency, but a cold watery
principle of the second order is what prevails in it. When applied cold
externally, it therefore relieves ardor of the stomach, erysipelas, and
hot inflammations. Being of such a nature it repels defluxions, and
thereby appears to be desiccative. The male is stronger than the female.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Of the two species described by Dioscorides, the mas is
undoubtedly the _Polygonum aviculare_, and the feminine probably the
_P. maritimum_. How the latter could be the _Hippuris vulgaris_, as
several of the older commentators on Dioscorides had supposed, we are
at a loss to comprehend. Two plants so dissimilar as the knot-grass
and the mare’s-tail, could never have been classed by the ancients as
male and female. Dioscorides gives a most interesting exposition of the
medicinal powers of the former species, but as our author borrows from
him, we need not dwell upon the other. It is possessed of an astringent
and refrigerant power, and its juice (decoction) is suited to cases
of hæmoptysis, fluxes of the belly, chorea, strangury, and so forth.
(iv, 4, 5.) Galen taxes Dioscorides with not stating precisely what the
particular cases of strangury are in which it is applicable. Otherwise
his characters of this article agree exactly with those of Dioscorides
and our author. Celsus ranks “herba sanguinalis, quam Græci πολύγονον
vocant,” among things which are at the same time gently repressing
(astringent?) and emollient. (ii, 33.) The Arabians who treat of the
polygonum follow Dioscorides. See in particular, Avicenna (ii, 2, 725)
and Ebn Baithar (ii, 195.) Our quaint old herbalist Culpeper, under the
head of knot-grass, assigns to it exactly the same medicinal virtues
as Dioscorides does to the Polygonum Mas and although the _Polygonum
aviculare_ was ejected from our Dispensatory more than a hundred years
ago, it is still to be found in the shops of our apothecaries, where
it has the reputation of being “a vulnerary and astringent herb.” Gray
(Suppl. to the Pharmacop. 42.)
Πολύκνημον,
Polycnemon, is heating and desiccative in the second degree, so as to
agglutinate wounds.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It has been supposed to be the _Mentha arvensis_, but nothing
is known of it for certain. Nicander notices it in two places. (Alex. 57,
and Theriac. 359.) Dioscorides calls it a vulnerary herb, and a remedy
for strangury and inward bruises. (iii, 98.) Galen gives the same account
of it as our author. The Arabians do not appear to have treated of it.
Πολυπόδιον,
Polypodium, _Polypody_, is possessed of considerably desiccative powers
without pungency. When drunk it purges downwards.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Dioscorides says of the root of the π. (_Polypodium
vulgare_), that it is purgative, and is given to evacuate phlegm and
bile; that it makes a good application to sprains and fissures in the
hands. (iv, 185.) Galen and the other Greek authorities merely state
its properties in general terms, like our author, with the exception of
Ruffus, who treats of it more elaborately. He says it evacuates phlegm,
bile, and water; that it should be taken in mulse or water before a
meal, when it will purge gently, and thus prove an excellent laxative,
especially to children; but that in disease it is not a purgative
possessed of much efficacy. (Opera, 14.) The Arabians, and especially
Mesue, seem to have attached more importance to it. See Mesue (De Simpl.
5); Serapion (c. 248); Avicenna (ii, 2, 535); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42);
Ebn Baithar (i, 227.) Mesue recommends it in joint diseases, colic,
hardness of the spleen, fevers connected with black bile, and fissures of
the hands. The polypody retained its place in the Dispensatory with its
ancient characters as late as the time of Quincy (137), and even in the
age of Lewis it had not been wholly rejected. (ii, 244.) There seems no
good ground for questioning its efficacy as a gentle laxative. See Gray
(Suppl. to Pharmacop. 13.)
Πομφόλυξ,
Pompholyx, is desiccative without pungency, so that it is useful for
carcinomatous and other ill-conditioned ulcers. It is also an ingredient
in ophthalmic remedies.
* * * * *