in the works of Hippocrates. (De Mulieb. i, 617.) It is, unquestionably,
the “Fœnum Græcum” of Celsus, who enumerates it as an ingredient in an
emollient pessary (v, 21), and in a soothing cataplasm. (ii, 33.) It
is prescribed repeatedly by Aretæus, both internally and externally.
Dioscorides recommends the powder of it in the form of a cataplasm to
various inflammations, both internal and external; as an ingredient in
a medicated bath for diseases of the female organs, and as a pessary in
the same, an injection of its decoction for tenesmus and fetid discharges
from the bowels, and for other purposes. (ii, 125.) Pliny gives a full
account of its medicinal virtues, in which a considerable portion but
not the whole is derived from Dioscorides. He says that Damon gave its
seeds in a draught to promote menstruation. He also mentions its being
taken in ulceration of the chest and chronic coughs. (xxiv, 120.) Galen,
Aëtius, and Oribasius give its characters in nearly the same terms as
our author. For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 246); Serapion (De
Simpl.); Rhases (Cont l. ult. i, 294); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn
Baithar (i, 333.) Though these authors, and especially Avicenna, treat
at great length of this article, it does not appear that they applied
it in many more cases than as they had been taught by the Greeks. They
recommend it, however, with oil of roses, as an application to burns,
and as an ingredient in collyria. They say the oil of it cures fetor of
the breath and the perspiration, and of the alvine discharges. They all
commend it as being diuretic, emmenagogue, and promoting impregnation.
They further represent it as being an excellent expectorant in diseases
of the chest. Upon reference to Quincy (i, 4, 219), it will be seen that
in his time the fenugreek still maintained the characters assigned to it
by the ancient authorities. It has now disappeared from our Dispensatory,
but is still retained in the Greek Pharmacopœia. (Athens, 1837.)
Τιθύμαλλοι,
Tithymalli, _Spurges_; all the species of it are of the fourth order of
calefacients, with acrimony and strong bitterness; but the root being
weaker, when boiled with vinegar, allays the pains of carious teeth.
The juices being stronger are applied to the hollow of teeth; but if
they touch the rest of the body they burn it; and therefore they remove
the hairs if rubbed in for a short time. They also remove myrmecia,
acrochordones, and the like, and clear away affections of the skin, and
cure ill-conditioned and phagedænic ulcers. There being seven species
of this plant, the strongest are the Characias (_Wood Spurge_), and
the Myrsinitis (_Myrtle-leaved Spurge_), and that growing upon rocks,
Arboreus (_Tree Spurge_); but next in order are, that species which
resembles Pettymullein (_Broad-leaved Spurge_), and the Cyparissias
(_Cypress Spurge_), and then the Maritimus (_Sea Spurge_), and the
Helioscopius (_Sun Spurge_ or _Wartwort_.)
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the Tithymalli of the ancients are all referable to the
genus _Euphorbia_ or _Spurge_, cannot admit of any doubt. Dioscorides,
Pliny, Apuleius, and, in a word, most of the ancient authorities, like
our Paulus, describe seven medicinal species, to which we may venture to
give the following names in the botanical nomenclature of the present
time. 1. _Euphorbia characias._ 2. _E. myrsinites._ 3. _E. paralias._
4. _E. helioscopia._ 5. _E. cyparissias._ 6. _E. dendroides._ 7. _E.
platyphyllos._ See Sprengel (Ad Dioscor.); Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 277);
German Translation of Ebn Baithar (ii, 525); Miller (Gard. Dict.) Besides
these, the medical authors treat of several other species of spurge by
particular names, as lathyris, peplis, thymelæa, &c. The tithymallus was
called “lactuca marina” by the Romans (Celsus v, 7), and also “lactaria”
and “lactuca caprina.” See Pliny, who gives a full account of the
spurges. (H. N. xxvi, 39, 46.) These plants are treated of at so great a
length by Dioscorides and the other authorities, that we cannot possibly
find space for an exposition of their particular views. All, however,
agree in giving them nearly the same characters as our author, who, in
the present instance, is indebted in part to Dioscorides, and in part to
Galen. Several of them are noticed by Hippocrates. For the Arabians, see
Serapion (De Simpl. 360); Avicenna (ii, 2, 421); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i,
718); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Ebn Baithar (l. c.) They recommend them
in the same cases as the Greeks, without supplying any new views of much
importance. They prescribe a few drops of the juice of spurge poured upon
a fig as a phlegmagogue. They further recommend them in malignant ulcers
and those attended with caries of the bones. And here, by the way, we may
be allowed to mention that a modern authority confirms what the ancients
say of the efficacy of the spurges in this case. Sec Hildanus (x, c. ii,
2.) In the present age, we have discarded such purgatives as the spurges,
whether wisely or not we will not take upon ourselves to say.
Τίτανος,
Calx, Lime; the Calx viva (_Quicklime_) burns strongly so as to form
eschars; when slacked, it forms eschars at first, but not so after some
days. It contracts, however, and wastes the flesh. When washed it loses
it pungency, if this is often done with water; but if in sea-water, it
becomes decidedly detergent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It appears from Dioscorides that the _Lime_ used by the
ancient physicians, was prepared by calcination from shells, pebbles, or
marble, which last is the best of all. Pliny, Vitruvius, and Palladius
say, that the best lime is got from hard, white stone. Lime was much used
as a caustic and stimulant application. The Ἄσβεστος of the Greek Mat.
Med. invariably, we believe, signifies quicklime, and is never applied
to the mineral which now bears that name. Dioscorides says, all kinds
of quicklime have a fiery, biting, caustic, and escharotic power; when
mixed with other things as suet or oil, it becomes digestive, emollient,
depilatory, and epulotic; and that which is recent and free from water
is more efficacious. (v, 132.) Pliny recommends it in the same cases,
and also as an application to luxations and strumæ. (H. N. xxxvi, 57.)
See also Plinius Valerianus (iii, 20.) Celsus places it in his list of
corrosive and caustic substances. (v, 6, 8.) Our author’s account of
this article is condensed from Galen. Aëtius and Oribasius give nearly
the same account of it as Dioscorides and Galen. Quicklime was used as
a medicine in the Hippocratic age. (See Erotianus.) For the Arabians,
consult Avicenna (ii, 2, 144); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. iii, 20, i, 445);
Serapion (De Simpl. 412); Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 44); Averrhoes (Collig.
v, 43); Ebn Baithar (ii, 387.) All these authorities, including even the
last, who is by far the most original of their writers on the Mat. Med.,
borrow under this head almost all their information from Dioscorides and
Galen. Avicenna praises it as an application to burns.
Τραγακάνθα,
Tragacantha, _Tragacanth_, has similar powers to gum.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The ancient Tragacanth was identical with the modern, which
is yielded by _Astragalus verus_, and similar spiny species. See Lindley
(Veg. King. 548.) According to Sibthorp, the _Astragalus aristatus_ is
the one which most commonly grows in the Peleponnesus, and he holds that
it produces the T. of Dioscorides. (Prod. Fl. Græc. ii, 90.) Dioscorides,
like our author, states, that in virtue it resembles gum, and recommends
it in ophthalmic remedies, for roughness of the windpipe, loss of speech,
and epistaxis, in a linctus with honey. He also recommends it when
allowed to melt below the tongue, for pain of the kidneys and bladder,
when mixed with hartshorn burnt and washed, and a little fissile alum.
(iii, 20.) Galen and the other Greek authorities state its virtues in
very general terms. It is an ingredient in more than one of the collyria
of Celsus (vi, 6), and is prescribed by him for various other purposes.
Of the Arabians, Ebn Baithar is the one who gives the fullest account
of it. (ii, 350.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 220.) In the modern Greek
Pharmacopœia the _Astragalus aristatus_ is described as producing the
tragacanth. It is there said to be common in the Peleponnesus.
Τράγιον,
Tragium, _Stinking St. John’s Wort_, is a plant in Crete resembling the
lentisk, being hot in the third degree, and possessed of attractive,
discutient, and attenuant powers. It extracts sharp-pointed weapons of
wood, and proves lithontriptic and emmenagogue when drunk to the amount
of a drachm. Another species, which is bitterer than this, resembling the
ceterach, grows everywhere. It is sufficiently astringent so as to agree
with fluxes.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. From the description which Dioscorides gives of the former
species, we need have little hesitation in setting it down for the
_Hypericum hircinum_. In the other, the name _Tragium Columnæ_ has been
assigned from the name of a celebrated botanist. Dioscorides and Galen
ascribe to it very nearly the same virtues as our author. Neither of
these plants occurs in the works of Hippocrates or Celsus. Neither have
we been successful in searching for it in the works of the Arabians, with
the exception of those of Ebn Baithar, who merely gives extracts from
Dioscorides and Galen under this head. (ii, 155.)
Τραγορίγανος,
Tragoriganon, has powers resembling marjoram, with the addition of some
astringency.
COMMENTARY. The two species described by Dioscorides probably are the
_Thymus Tragoriganum_ L., and the _Stachys glutinosa_. According to him,
they are heating, diuretic, and wholesome when the decoction is drunk;
they occasion bilious dejections; are useful in diseases of the spleen
when taken with vinegar, and also to persons who have swallowed ixia.
They are emmenagogue, and are given in coughs and pneumonia in a linctus
with honey. It makes an agreeable potion, and hence is given to persons
affected with nausea, indigestion, and acid eructations, and who are
subject to anxiety, nausea, and heat of the hypochondria. In a cataplasm
with polenta they also discuss tumours. (iii, 32.) Galen and the other
Greek authorities treat of it very briefly. Celsus calls it diuretic and
discutient. (iii, 21, &c.) We have not been able to find these plants in
the works of the Arabians.
Τρίβολος,
Tribolus, _the Caltrop_, is moderately refrigerant; the land species is
strongly desiccative, but the water slightly so, and it is moistening.
Both are befitting remedies in incipient inflammations and other
influxes. The fruit of the land caltrop, consisting of subtile parts,
breaks renal calculi.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It seems to be clearly made out that the one is the _Tribulus
terrestris_, and the other the _Trapa natans_. According to Pliny,
their juices are anti-inflammatory, and form a proper application to
phlegmons and ulcers; an ingredient in collyria; discuss strumæ, and
prove lithontriptic. (H. N. xxii, 12.) He borrows this account of them,
however, mostly from Dioscorides. (iv, 15.) Our author manifestly copies
from Galen, and both Aëtius and Oribasius do the same. We have not found
them in the works of Hippocrates and Celsus. The Arabians treat of
them at more length than the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 382); Rhases
(Cont. l. ult. i, 721); Serapion (c. 112); Ebn Baithar (i, 307.) They
recommend both species as being aphrodisiac, lithontriptic, and diuretic.
Both the species here described, that is to say, the _Trapa natans_ and
_Tribulus terrestris_, although they have been long excluded from our
Dispensatories, are still not wholly unknown in the shops. See Gray
(Suppl. to Pharm. 81, 117.)
Τράγος,
Tragus, a species of Frumentacea, is like far (spelt), but more
indigestible and laxative.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The method of preparing it is thus described in the
Geoponica. Spelt is to be steeped and stripped of its hull, and dried
in the warm sun; then the same thing is to be done until the skin and
fibrous part of the grain drop off. (Geop. iii, 8.) Pliny, however,
seems to make it a peculiar species of grain. “Far sine arista est:
item siligo. Adjiciuntur his genera, bromos, siligo excepta, et tragos,
externa omnia ab Oriente invecta, oryzæ similia.” (H. N. xviii, 20.)
Galen and Oribasius call it spelt deprived of the hull. Dioscorides
also describes a shrub of this name, which there can be no doubt is the
_Ephedra distachya_. He describes it as being very styptic to the taste,
and recommends it in cæliac affections and in fluor albus. (iv, 51.) It
appears singular that none of the other authorities, as far as we can
discover, has noticed it, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely
gives a translation of the chapter of Dioscorides on it. (ii, 156.) The
Asiatic _Ephedras_ were formerly kept in the shops as styptics. See
Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 234.)
Τρίγλα,
Trigla, the fish _Surmullet_, when frequently eaten, occasions dimness
of vision. When cut in pieces and applied raw, it cures the bite of the
sea-dragon, of the scorpion, and of the spider.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. It is the _Mullus barbatus_ L. According to Coray (Ad
Xenocrat.), it is the _Surmullet_. R. Stephens likewise calls it by
this name. It is the “Barbatulus mullus” of Cicero. (Paradox, v,
2.) We have treated of it as an article of food in the First Book.
Dioscorides, Galen, and all the authorities that notice it, give it the
same characters in a medicine as our author. It does not appear that the
Arabians describe it.
Τριπόλιον,
Tripolium; the root is hot in the third degree and acrid.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We shall have an opportunity in our Appendix to discuss the
question, whether or not this be the Turpeth of the Arabians, as has
been often stated. We may just mention in this place, that Sprengel is
inclined to refer it to the _Plumbago Europæa_, a plant which seems to
agree very well with the characters of the present article, inasmuch as
its root is peculiarly acrid. See Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 641.) Dioscorides
says of it, that its root is hot to the taste, and that when drunk with
wine it discharges water and urine from the belly, and that it is used
as an alexipharmic. (iv, 133.) Galen and the other Greek authorities call
it acrid to the taste and hot in the third degree. For the reason already
stated we shall not enter upon an exposition of the views of the Arabians
in this place.
Τρίχες,
Pili, _Hairs_, when burnt have similar powers to burnt wool.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author follows Galen. The Arabians recommend burnt hairs
as an application to foul ulcers, and the bite of a mad dog. See Avicenna
(ii, 2, 191), and Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 52, 552.)
Τρυγων θαλασσίη,
Pastinaca marina; its sting when pressed upon a weak tooth breaks it, and
makes it fall out.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have treated of the _Pastinaca marina_ in Book V.
Scarifications of the gums with the sting of this fish in cases of
difficult dentition are recommended by Marcellus Sideta and Pliny (H. N.
xxxii, 26.)
Τρὺχ ὄινου,
Fæx Vini, _the Lees of Wine_, when unburnt is compounded, being decidedly
desiccative and discutient. But astringency is superadded according to
the species of wine from which it is formed. It is, therefore, to be
used in complaints of a humid nature and fluxes. It discusses phygethla,
and extinguishes the milk in over-distended breasts. The burnt lees
become caustic, so as often to be mixed with caustic applications. It,
therefore, removes leprous nails with rosin, and dyes the hair yellow,
when rubbed for a whole night with oil of lentisk. When washed it is used
as an ingredient in the detergent remedies of the eyes; that of vinegar
is stronger in every respect than the lees of wine, and more astringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The lees of wine and of vinegar are strong preparations of
potass, and were among the most powerful caustics with which the ancients
were acquainted. Hence Celsus ranks “fæx combusta” among the “adurentia.”
(v, 8.) Dioscorides is the ancient author who gives the fullest
description of this article. He says the best is that procured from old
Italian wine, or, failing it, from any similar wine; and that the fæx
aceti is possessed of intense powers. Some, he says, burn it upon fresh
shells, and some upon heated coals. He says it is possessed of strongly
caustic, detergent, escharotic, styptic, very septic and desiccative
powers. The fæx, must be used when recent, for it soon evaporates, and
hence it must not be left uncovered, nor without its vessel. It is washed
like pompholyx. The unburnt, he adds, discusses tumours by itself, and
with myrtle; when applied as a cataplasm it represses defluxions of the
belly and stomach; and when applied in like manner to the lower part of
the abdomen and genitals, it mitigates the female fluor; it dissipates
hard tumours which are not ulcerated; when rubbed in with vinegar, it
represses swelled breasts; the burnt with rosin, removes leprous nails;
rubbed in with oil of privet for a whole night, it makes the hairs
yellow; when washed, it is applicable in diseases of the eyes, like
spodos, and thus clears away cicatrices and clouds on the eye. (v, 131.)
Pliny recommends it likewise as an application to various cutaneous
diseases, and complaints of the eyes. He commends it as an antidote
to mushrooms. The lees of vinegar, he says, are more escharotic. Its
strength, he says, is increased by being burnt. When applied on a tent
it cleans the genital organ of females. (H. N. xxiii, 32.) See in like
manner Plinius Valer. (iii, 51.) Avicenna directs us to keep the lees
in a close vessel, and not expose them to the air. He says that the fæx
aceti is a medicine of great powers, and stronger than any of the others.
In short, his account of the lees of wine and vinegar is almost entirely
borrowed from Dioscorides (ii, 2, 241.) Rhases, in like manner, copies
from Dioscorides and our author. (Cont. l. ult. i, 296.) See Serapion (De
Simpl. 36); Ebn Baithar (i, 419.)
Τρωγλοδυτης,
Troglodyta, is _a Sparrow_, the smallest of all birds, with the exception
of the one called regulus; and living principally in hedges. This animal
when pickled, and eaten either roasted or raw, breaks down stones in the
kidneys; and its ashes when burnt, if taken in a draught, do the same
thing.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have mentioned in Book III, that this small species
of sparrow was supposed to possess great powers as a lithontriptic.
Drelincurtius calls it the wren. (Mangeti Bibl. Chirurg. i, 254.) We,
however, are inclined to think that it was the _Accentor modularis_ or
hedge-sparrow. Our author, as far as we have been able to discover, is
the only one of the authorities who has included this animal in the
Materia Medica; but he borrows his description of it from Aëtius, (iii,
3, 11.)
Τυρος,
Caseus, _Cheese_; that which is new made, and soft, has repellent powers,
cooling gently, so as when applied to agglutinate wounds. That called
oxygalactinus acquires slightly discutient powers in addition, and is
more agglutinative of wounds. Old cheese, especially such as is fatty,
becomes discutient, so as to be a fit application to tophi in arthritic
complaints, particularly along with the decoction of swines’ flesh
pickled and fat.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the medicinal properties of _Cheese_
is mostly abridged from Galen. The kind called oxygalactinus is the same,
we suppose, as the “Caseus acidus cum oxymelite” of Pliny. (H. N. xxviii,
34.) Galen says that it was used about Pergamus; see also Dioscorides
(ii, 79.) According to Avicenna, fresh cheese is a good application to
recent ulcers, and old cheese to ill-conditioned ulcers. He recommends
cheese with the brine of bacon as a discutient application to arthritic
chalk-stones. He speaks favorably of fresh cheese as an application in
ophthalmia. (ii, 2, 123.) He treats more fully of this article than any
other writer on the Mat. Med., with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who
gives a long dissertation on the properties of cheese, both as an article
of food and as a medicine. (i, 239.) Serapion merely gives extracts from
Dioscorides and Galen. (De Simpl. 157.)
Ὑάκινθος,
Hyacinthus, _Hyacinth_; its root being bulbous-shaped belongs to the
first order of desiccants and the second of refrigerants. If applied in a
cataplasm with wine, it is believed to keep children long from coming to
puberty. The fruit is gently detergent and astringent. It is, therefore,
given in cases of jaundice with wine, being more desiccative but less
refrigerant.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Without doubt, as Sprengel and Matthiolus state, it is the
_Hyacinthus orientalis_ L. Pliny, Dioscorides, and Avicenna enumerate its
medicinal properties nearly in the same terms as our author. They further
recommend it as a theriac and alexipharmic. It has long been unknown to
British Pharmacy.
Ὕαλος,
Vitrum, _Glass_, when pounded and drunk with a thin white wine is said to
break down stones in the bladder.
* * * * *