garden mint, and Pliny states that it degenerates into calamintha or
wild mint. It would appear, then, to be a species of mint. Stackhouse
inclines to this opinion. (Index to Theophrastus.) The other, called also
cardamine and sium, can be no other than the _Nasturtium officinale_.
Dioscorides says of the former species, that it is useful in strangury,
calculus, tormina, and singultus; and that in a cataplasm it relieves
headache, is useful in the stings of wasps and bees, and stops vomiting.
His other species he recommends as an application to certain diseases of
the skin. (ii, 155.) Galen, in like manner, treats of the two species
in nearly the same terms as our author, whose description of the former
species, by the carelessness of transcribers, is given under the head of
the preceding article, Sisarum. The Arabians treat both of the sisymbrium
and the nasturtium, but it is not clear that they apply these terms to
the same substances as Dioscorides does.
Σκαμμωνία,
Scammonia, _Scammony_, has the properties of heating, discussing, and
clearing away bilious matters, more especially the juice of it, which
discusses phymata, kills the fœtus when applied in a pessary, and removes
leprosy. As an embrocation with vinegar and rose-oil, it cures chronic
headaches; and the root, when drunk, acts as a purgative both by itself
and in decoction. Boiled with vinegar and barley-flour, it is applied to
diseased hip-joints.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt it is the _Convolvulus Scammonia_. Dioscorides
likewise describes another species, which Sprengel supposes to be the
_C. farinosus_, L. The scammony is called δάκρυ κάμωνος by Nicander,
and δακρύδιον by Alexander. (i, 10.) All the Greek, Latin, and Arabian
authorities who make mention of it, state that it is a powerful
purgative, which evacuates phlegm and bile. Marcellus Empiricus correctly
remarks, that it does not answer when the stomach is weak. Celsus
prescribes it for the broad intestinal worm, and in other cases. (iv,
17.) It also occurs in the Hippocratic collection. This is an article
which the Arabians treat of very fully. See Serapion (De Simpl. 303);
Avicenna (ii, 2, 628); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 612); Haly Abbas (Pract.
ii, 54, 554); Mesne (De Simpl. i); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar
(ii, 27.) The last of these writes of it at very great length. Haly Abbas
says scammony purges bile, attracts humours from the distant parts of the
body, but is injurious to the stomach and liver. Avicenna and Serapion
agree that it hurts the stomach, liver, and heart. They also state that
it is a purgative, but one not in general to be depended upon, as
different preparations of it act with different degrees of activity. They
recommend it as an external application in cases of leprosy, scabies,
and other cutaneous diseases. One of Serapion’s Arabian authorities
gives a very minute description of the different varieties of it. He
says the dose of it is from 6 to 20 grs. In large doses, one of Rhases’s
authorities states that it brings off bilious and bloody discharges, but
in small doses, it is said to be diuretic without acting upon the bowels
at all. An overdose, Avicenna remarks, may prove fatal. Mesue treats of
it at great length and with much judgment, giving very minute directions
about the choice of the different kinds of it, and the correction of any
bad qualities they may possess.
Σκάνδιξ,
Scandix, _Shepherd’s-needle_, is a wild potherb, heating and desiccative
in the second order. It is diuretic, and removes visceral obstructions.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of this potherb in Book I. It is the
_Scandix australis_. Our author takes his character of this plant from
Dioscorides. (ii, 167.) Galen infers from its being slightly acrid and
bitter, that it is diuretic and deobstruent. None of the Arabians, we
believe, treat of it, with the exception of Ebn Baithar. (ii, 23.)
Σκίγκος,
Scincus, _Skink_; the parts about the kidneys are drunk to occasion
erection of the privy member. The seed of lettuce, when drunk with water,
is supposed to counteract them; and likewise the decoction of lentils
with honey.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The Skink is a small animal, like a lizard, of the shape of
a crocodile, and from ten to twelve inches in length. It was described
by Ray and Gesner under the name of _Crocodilus terrestris_. Its Linnæan
name is _Scincus officinalis_ or _algeriensis_. Dioscorides calls it a
land crocodile, and recommends it in the same complaints as our author.
He concludes by saying of it that it is an ingredient in antidotes;
and, in fact, its principal use was in the composition of the famous
Theriaca. Such of the Arabians as notice it give it the same medicinal
character as the Greeks, that is to say, they represent it to be
strongly aphrodisiac. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 596) and Ebn
Baithar (ii, 32.) The latter gives a lengthy and interesting account of
it. Rhases briefly notices it without saying anything of its medicinal
uses. (Contin. l. ult. ii, 681.) In the East the skink is still eaten as
a restorative and aphrodisiac. See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 278.)
Σκίλλα,
Squilla, _the Squill_, is possessed of incisive powers, and is
calefacient and desiccative in the second order. It is better to take it
roasted or boiled.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Scilla maritima_. It is mentioned by Hippocrates,
and was a favorite medicine of the ancient physicians. Dioscorides’s
chapter on the Squill contains much valuable matter. His description
of the process of baking squills is so like that given in Pemberton’s
edition of the ‘London Dispensatory,’ that one may take the latter as a
translation of it: “_Scillæ coctio_, the baking of squills. Inclose the
squill in paste of wheat flour, having first separated the outer skin and
the hard part, from which the fibrous roots grow; then bake the squill in
an oven till the paste is dry, and the squill is rendered soft and tender
throughout.” He recommends it in cases requiring a copious evacuation of
urine, such as dropsies, diseases of the stomach, those cases in which
the food floats on the stomach, in jaundice, chronic coughs, asthma,
&c. He also says of it that it is alexipharmic. (ii, 202.) Celsus
frequently prescribes “scilla cocta,” as in tympanites and in anasarca.
(iii.) It is frequently recommended and described, in a word, by all the
authorities, Greek, Roman, and Arabian, in the same class of cases. See
Galen (De Simpl. viii); Aëtius (i); Oribasius (Med. Coll. 12); Apuleius
(De Herbis); Columella (De R. Rust. xii, 33); Serapion (De Simpl. 304);
Avicenna (ii, 2, 590); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 680); Mesue (De Simpl.
vi); Ebn Baithar (ii, 216, 309); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Haly Abbas
(Pract. ii, 43). Serapion’s account of its medicinal properties is
particularly full. It is given, he says, as a laxative in fevers, and
in dropsy as a diuretic; as a remedy for indigestion, for jaundice and
tormina of the bowels; for an old cough, asthma, and spitting of blood;
and for cleansing the breast of gross humours. It is to be avoided, he
says, when there is an ulcer in any internal part. Apuleius recommends
it along with vinegar and honey in dropsy. He adds, that it evacuates
by urine. Columella gives a receipt for making a vinum scilliticum,
which is useful, he says, “ad concoquendum, ad corpus reficiendum,
itemque ad veterem tussim et ad stomachum.” (l. c.) Mesue particularly
commends it as an expectorant, and recommends the vinegar, the oxymel,
and the syrup for this and other medicinal purposes. Avicenna treats of
it with his wonted accuracy, recommending it in complaints of the gums,
teeth, and mouth; for asthma, and all inveterate coughs; in epilepsy,
and in melancholy. He moreover particularly commends it in diseases of
the spleen, and in dropsy and jaundice. He forbids it to be used in
ulceration of the viscera. Ebn Baithar gives very copious extracts from
preceding authorities, both Greek and Arabian. He treats separately of
the scilla and pancratium. See under the latter.
Σκολοπένδρα,
Scolopendra; the sea scolopendra, when boiled in oil and rubbed upon a
part, acts as a depilatory. When burnt it occasions pruritus.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Book V. The sea scolopendra is the _Aphrodite aculeata_.
All the authorities who notice it recommend it for the same purposes as
our author. See Dioscorides (ii, 16.)
Σκολοπένδριον,
Scolopendrium, the same as asplenium.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Asplenium Ceterach_. See under Asplenium.
Σκόλυμος,
Scolymus, _Golden Thistle_, is a calefacient and desiccative medicine of
the second order. The root of it, when boiled with wine, brings off a
quantity of fetid urine, and cures the fetid smell of the armpits and of
the whole body.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. From the descriptions of it given by Theophrastus (H. P.
vi, 4), and Dioscorides (iii, 14), one can scarcely entertain a doubt
that it was the _Scolymus Hispanicus_, or Spanish Cardoons, an esculent
root, well known in the southern parts of Europe. Compare Sprengel (Ad
Dioscor. iii, 14) with Lindley (Veg. King. 709), and see Beckmann (Hist.
of Invent. under Artichoke). Dioscorides gives exactly the same account
of its medicinal virtues as our author. (l. c.) Galen writes elaborately
of it, but his conclusions, as to its properties, are the same as those
of Dioscorides. We have not been able to trace it out in the works of
the Arabians, unless it be their _harsef_. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 332);
Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 168). The truth is, that the term _scolymus_ was
a puzzle to the ancient authorities and to their modern commentators,
being sometimes, as is supposed, applied also to the _Cynara Scolymus_,
or artichoke. See Parkinson (pluries). We have treated of the scolymus
as a potherb in the First Volume, p. 114. We have hinted our belief that
the _harsef_ or _harxaf_ of the Arabians was identical with the Σ. of the
Greeks. We are confirmed in this opinion by a comparison of Dioscorides
with Avicenna (l. c.), although we find that Salmasius referred it to the
artichoke.
Σκόρδιον,
Scordium, _Water Germander_, is composed of varied powers, being bitter,
sour, and acrid. It therefore at the same time purges and heats the
viscera; promotes the urinary and menstrual discharges, warms parts which
had been affected with cold, agglutinates and cleanses wounds, and proves
incarnative when sprinkled dry.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is clearly the _Teucrium Scordium_, or Water Germander.
Dioscorides commends it for its diuretic, emmenagogue, and expectorant
powers, when given internally; and for cleansing foul ulcers. Compare
his account of it with its characters as stated by Dr. Hill. Our author
condenses Galen’s statement of its medicinal properties. Galen remarks
that it would appear to have got its name from its resemblance in
qualities to the scorodon or garlic. The Arabians would seem to have
confounded the scordium with the scorodon. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 622), and
Serapion (De Simpl. 331).
Σκόρδον,
Allium, _Garlic_, is healing and desiccative in the fourth degree. But
the ophioscordon, or wild garlic, is stronger than the cultivated.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We are inclined to set down the two varieties of this
substance as being _Allium sativum_ and _arenarium_. See Parkinson (vii,
29), and Sprengel (Ad Dioscor. ii, 181). Dioscorides gives a lengthy
statement of the medicinal virtues of the garlic, which, as Galen
somewhere says, was the great theriac of rustics. Dioscorides says it
is the best of all medicines in the bites of vipers when taken along
with wine, and that it forms an excellent cataplasm for the bites of
mad dogs. He also recommends it as an application to various cutaneous
complaints, such as leprosy and furfures; as an emmenagogue, both in the
form of a hip-bath and fumigation; as a diuretic and remedy in dropsical
diseases. (ii, 81.) Galen, like our author, merely states the general
characters of the two species. It is frequently mentioned in the works
of Hippocrates and in those of Celsus. The latter ranks it among the
things “mali succi,” and calls it acrid, flatulent, heating, laxative
of the bowels, &c. (ii, 21, 26, et alibi.) The Arabians treat of it at
great length. See Serapion (De Simpl. 331); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42);
Avicenna (ii, 2, 72); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i. 36.) They recommend it in
eructations, in dropsy as a laxative and diuretic, and as an emmenagogue.
They say a clyster of it relieves sciatica, and a gargle of it is useful
in toothache, and clears the voice. Avicenna affirms, from personal
experience, that it is an excellent medicine in the case of persons stung
by venomous reptiles. Ruffus, as quoted by Serapion, says it is hurtful
to the ears, the liver, the lungs, and the kidneys. Fresh garlic, he
says, is diuretic, loosens the bowels, and is vermifuge. Another of his
authorities says, raw garlic is vermifuge, and useful in strangury.
Σκορδόπρασον,
Scordoprason, _Garlic-leek_, in taste and powers is compounded of the
garlic and leek.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We are disposed to set it down as being _Allium
Scorodoprason_. None of the authorities supply any interesting
information under this head.
Σκορπιοειδὲς,
Scorpioides, _Caterpillar_, is heating in the third order, and
desiccative in the second.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We suppose it to be the _Scorpiurus sulcatus_, L., which
is synonymous with the _Scorpioides_, Tournefort. Dioscorides merely
recommends it as an application to the bites of scorpions. (iv, 192.)
Σκόρπιος,
Scorpius, _the Scorpion_; the land one, when applied raw, is a remedy for
its own bite, and in like manner, when eaten roasted. The sea scorpion’s
bile is useful in suffusions.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Book V. Avicenna recommends the oil of _scorpions_
in diseases of the ear. (ii, 2, 64.) The sea-scorpion is the _Cottus
scorpius_. Dioscorides recommends its gall in cataracts, albugo, and
dimness of sight. (ii, 14.)
Σκωρία,
Recrementum, _Dross_; all kinds are considerably desiccative, but that of
iron more than the others. This, when pulverized and boiled in vinegar,
cures purulent discharges from the ears in a wonderful manner; and when
taken with oxymel, proves a remedy to those who have drunk aconite. That
of lead is similar to lead itself, but more astringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is called recrementum by Celsus. (v, 15.) It is the dross
of a metal which is collected on the outside of the furnace while the
metal is purified by heat. See Pliny (H. N. xxxiv, 27) and Matthiolus
(Ad Dioscor. v, 54.) Dioscorides says of the recrementum plumbi that it
has the same powers as burnt lead (v, 97), and of the recrementum ferri,
that it is a remedy in cases of poisoning with aconite. (v, 94.) Celsus
ranks the recrementum plumbi among the emollients. (Ibid.) Avicenna
recommends the recrementum ferri as an astringent in cases of hemorrhoids
and other fluxes. Like Dioscorides and our author, he says that it is an
antidote to aconitum. One of Serapion’s authorities, Adamasti, says of
the recrementum argenti, that it is cooling and desiccative, and useful
in cardiac disease, and another, Alcanzi, says it is good for scabies and
prurigo. His other extracts are from Dioscorides, Galen, and Paulus. Ebn
Baithar gives an interesting exposition of this subject, but it is mostly
made up from the authorities already quoted by us. (i, 348.) Rhases
treats of it in like manner. (Cont. l. ult. i, 234.)
Σμίλαξ,
Smilax or Taxus, _the Yew_, is a tree of deleterious properties.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Taxus baccata_, L. See Book V. (48.) It appears
remarkable that Dioscorides should have allowed this article a place
in the Materia Medica, seeing that he himself says that he had noticed
it merely to guard against it. He says that in Narbonia (Languedoc or
Savoy), the yew-tree was possessed of such a power as to prove fatal
to persons sitting or sleeping in its shade. (ii, 80.) We have stated,
however, elsewhere (v, 48) that great difference of opinion has prevailed
regarding this reputed noxious power of the yew.
Σμύρνα,
Myrrha, _Myrrh_, is of the second order of calefacients and desiccants.
It, therefore, agglutinates wounds of the head when sprinkled upon them.
It has also some bitterness; and hence it kills worms and the fœtus; and
it is detergent, and, therefore, is mixed with ophthalmic remedies. It is
likewise expectorant without roughening the trachea. Bœotian myrrh has
calefacient, emollient, and solvent powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That this is the same as our myrrh is indisputable, and
the best botanical authorities are now pretty well agreed that it is
the product of a dwarf shrub, to which they have given the name of
_Balsamodendron Myrrha_. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 460); Pereira (Mat.
Med. 1187.) It is mentioned in what is perhaps the oldest literary
production in existence (Genesis xxxvii, 25), and is frequently noticed
as a medicine in the works which bear the name of Hippocrates. (De
Superfœt.; de Muliebr.) See further ‘Œconom. Hippocrat.’ (347) and
Dierbach (Arsn. des Hipp. 224.) In short, this gum-resin was much used
in the ancient practice of medicine. According to Dioscorides it is
calefacient, soporific, agglutinative, desiccative, and astringent. He
recommends it in chronic coughs and asperities of the trachea. He also
states that it was used in ulcers of the eye and other complaints of a
like nature. He further says of it that it is anthelminthic; that it
cures fetor of the mouth, and likewise of the armpits when used as an
ointment with liquid alum; that in a gargle with oil it strengthens
the gums and teeth. He describes two kinds of liquid myrrh, which he
calls _Stacte_; the finest was that which runs fluid from the tree
without cutting. The other was a fluid myrrh, taken out of the midst of
the larger pieces of the solid kind. See Hill (Mat. Med.) The account
which Pliny gives of myrrh is highly interesting, but does not contain
much that would answer our present purpose. (See H. N. xii, 33-6.)
Celsus makes mention of the _stacte_ (v, 23), and prescribes the myrrh
frequently as a concocting and agglutinating substance. Galen describes
it in two of his works. (De Simpl. 109, and De Antidot. T. ii, 433,
ed. Basil.) Our author’s account of this substance is condensed from
the former of these works. Aëtius in like manner borrows from him, as
Oribasius does from Dioscorides. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2,
468); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 474); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion
(De Simpl. 292); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 41); Ebn Baithar (ii, 496.) Our
limits prevent us from venturing upon an exposition of what these authors
have written upon this subject, but this is the less to be regretted,
as we do not find that they add anything of much practical importance
to the information supplied by their Grecian masters. They confirm,
however, by their authority, all that the Greeks had stated regarding the
virtues of myrrh as an emmenagogue and a medicine capable of accelerating
delivery. They are also agreed that it is diuretic and expectorant. One
of Serapion’s authorities says it evacuates fluids from the belly when
applied as a plaster. Another of them says that in a masticatory it
evacuates the brain.
It would appear that the Bœotian myrrh mentioned by Dioscorides, Galen,
and our author, was the Alexanders or _Smyrnium Olusatrum_.
Σμύρνιον,
Smyrnium, _Alsander_ (called also Hipposelinum and Apium silvestre) is
heating and desiccative of the third order, being stronger than parsley,
but weaker than stone-parsley. It is, therefore, emmenagogue and diuretic.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This, it would appear, is not the _Smyrnium Olusatrum_, but
either the _Smyrnium Dioscoridis_, or, as supposed by Dodonæus, the
_perfoliatum_. In another place we have set it down as the latter, and
treated of it as an article of food. (Vol. I, 114.) All the authorities
give it nearly the same character as our author. See Dioscorides (iii,
72); Galen (De Simpl.); Avicenna (ii, 2, 55.) All agree that it is an
excellent diuretic and emmenagogue. It is the _olusatrum_ of Scribonius
Largus.
Σόγχος,
Sonchus, _Sow-thistle_, is astringent and sensibly cooling both
when applied externally and eaten. But when dried, it is moderately
calefacient.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It would appear to be the _Sonchus oleraceus_, but this
is not quite certain. Dioscorides describes three species, of which
the first two are, perhaps, but varieties of the _Sonchus oleraceus_,
although some of the authorities would refer the first to some distinct
species, not well determined. Galen and our author describe only one
species, which would certainly appear to have been the _S. oleraceus_, a
well-known plant, which held a place in our Dispensatories until a late
date. See Quincy (i, 11, 510.) Dioscorides calls it sub-astringent, and
recommends it in a cataplasm for heat of the stomach and inflammations,
and its juice for stomach-ache and to attract milk; when applied on wool,
he says it relieves inflammations of the anus and uterus; and that its
root and stem are useful to persons bitten by scorpions. (ii, 158.) Galen
merely states its temperament and qualities in general terms. We are not
aware that it is described by any of the Arabians, with the exception of
Ebn Baithar, who merely gives the descriptions of it from Dioscorides and
Galen. (i, 211.)
Σπαργάνιον,
Sparganium; this also is possessed of desiccative powers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Sparganium simplex_. Pliny recommends it as an
antidote to the sting of serpents. (H. N. xxv, 63.) He, as usual, borrows
from Dioscorides. (iv, 21.) Galen treats of it as briefly as our author.
Few, if any of the other authorities, notice it. Its congener, the _S.
ramosum_, is still kept in the shops with the reputation of curing the
bite of the viper. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 15.)
Σπαρτὸς,
Genista, _Broom_, by which they bind vines; the fruit and flower of
it, when drunk with honeyed water to the amount of five oboli, purge
upwards, like white hellebore, without danger. But the fruit also purges
downwards. The twigs remedy ischiatic diseases.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt it is the _Spartium junceum_. It is the genista
of the Latins, as Silvius states in his commentary on Mesue. He says that
it is a powerful diuretic, and its seeds are still sometimes used with
this intention. Mesue further commends it as an emetic in gout and other
arthritic diseases. Dioscorides and Pliny give nearly the same account
of its medicinal properties as our author. Dioscorides further commends
it in sciatica and cynanche, and when given as a clyster in the former
complaint. (iv, 155.) It is not easy to trace it in the works of the
other authorities, except Ebn Baithar, who copies principally from Galen
or Dioscorides. (i. 489.)
Σπεκλάριον ἢ σφεκλάριον,
Lapis specularis, which some use instead of specula in their windows, and
hence it has been called diaphanous. Being of the nature of gypsum, it
has powers like burnt shells or oysters.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the Gypsum speculare or Selenite, as is evident from
our author’s description of it. Seneca says that in his time it had come
to be used in windows from its transparency. (Ep. 60.) See further, Pliny
(H. N. xxxvi, 45.) See Book V, 58. The Arabians praise its virtues in
the cure of all fluxes; and Agricola mentions that in his time it was
frequently given for the cure of dysenteries.
Σπόγγος,
Spongia, _Sponge_; the recent, which still preserves the smell of the
sea, when applied with water, wine, or oxycrate, agglutinates wounds; but
if burnt, it has acrid and discutient powers. When burnt with asphaltos
or liquid pitch, and applied hot, it stops hemorrhages.
* * * * *