SECT. I.—ON THE PRESERVATIVES FROM VENOMOUS ANIMALS IN GENERAL.
In giving an account of animals which emit poisons we shall begin with
some general remarks upon them, treating of the preservatives from them
in the first place. If therefore a person be compelled to sleep in
places infested by venomous animals, especially in such as salamanders,
phalangia, or reptiles abound, it will be proper to shut up their holes
under ground with garlic pounded in water, or some of the herbs about
to be mentioned; and to fumigate with hartshorn, the hoofs or hairs
of goats, gagate stone, bitumen, bdellium, galbanum, the shavings of
the cypress or cedar, gith, hog’s fennel, the leaves of the chaste
tree, calamint, sagapene, castor, the root of rosemary, fleabane, or
some of the strong-scented things. Gnats in particular are driven away
by fumigations with copperas, the seed of wild gith, and of cumin in
equal proportions, and by cows’ dung. In addition to these, frequent
fires should be lighted, for reptiles commonly flee from the light. A
couch should be prepared by strewing asphodel, calamint, chaste tree,
pennyroyal, poley, fleabane, and southernwood; or if it is not possible
to make a couch entirely of these, they should at least be laid around
the bed. Attention should be paid to such things as are to be boiled, to
the water, and wine vessels that they be properly covered up. Fires for
the purpose of cooking should not be lighted under particular trees, more
especially pitch trees or pines, for salamanders and deadly caterpillars
abound on them, which being warmed by the heat of the fire fall upon the
victuals, or any other vessels which happen to be uncovered. Those who
wish to be particularly guarded, anoint their bodies with a liquid cerate
composed of wax, rose-oil, and a little galbanum, and with a little of
the shavings of hart’s horn, or Ethiopian cumin. The leaves of mallows
triturated with oil when rubbed on the skin protect in an especial manner
from bees and wasps.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The following is a list of the ancient authorities on
Toxicology:
Nicander (Theriaca et Alexipharmaca); Dioscorides (Liber de Venenis);
Celsus (v); Scribonius Largus (47, et seq.); Galen (Ther. ad Pison.;
Meth. Med., De Antid.); Aëtius (xiii); Pliny (Hist. Nat. pluries);
Oribasius (de Morb. Curat. iii); Solinus (Polyhist. 40); Serenus
Samonicus; Nonnus; Simeon Seth (de Alimentis pluries); Actuarius (Meth.
Med. v); Vegetius (de Mulo-medicina, iii, 77); Avicenna (iv, 6); Rhases
(ad Mansor. viii, and Cont. xxxv); Haly Abbas (Pract. iv, Theor. viii);
Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx); Serapion (pluries); Anonymi (Fragmentum apud
Bernardi Reliq.) The work of Ælius Promotus on Venomous Animals and
Poisonous substances, which exists in MS. in the Bibliotheca Vaticana,
has never been published as far as we know. It is quoted by Hieronymus
Mercurialis (Var. lect), and is noticed by Albertus Fabricius (Bibl.
Græc. xiii, 780.) Fabricius supposes it to be the production of Æschrion
Empiricus. It is proper to state that whenever we quote the work, it is
from the extracts given in Schneider’s Annotations on Nicander.
It is to be borne in mind that the work on Poisons, usually published as
the production of Dioscorides, is not held to be genuine by his latest
editor, Sprengel; still, however, it is acknowledged by all to be a
work of considerable antiquity and of great authority on the subject of
ancient Toxicology. The work ‘Euporistôn,’ which is also published with
the works of Dioscorides, is generally admitted not to be genuine. It
contains, however, some valuable matter on Toxicology and other medical
subjects.
These directions of our author for driving away reptiles are mostly taken
from Nicander, who recommends fumigations with hartshorn, gagate-stones,
sulphur, bitumen, galbanum, juniper, and other such articles. (Ther. 35.)
See also Dioscorides (M. M.); Orpheus (de Lapidibus); Geopon. (xiii, 8);
and Nonnus (Epit. 261); also Aristot. (H. N. iv, 8); and Pliny (H. N. x,
90).
Virgil makes mention of this practice:
“Disce et odoratam stabulis accendere cedrum,
Galbaneoque agitare graves nidore chelydros.”
_Georg._ iii, 314.
See a long list of substances used in fumigations for driving away
serpents in Lucan. (Pharsal. ix, 916.) It is different from that of
Nicander and our author. For example: it contains tamarix, costus,
thapsos, &c. Arsenic occurs among the articles mentioned by Rhases.
(Cont. xxxv.) It is also mentioned in the Geoponics (l. c.)
Nicander affirms, and it has been generally believed, that human saliva
proves destructive to serpents. Galen says that it will kill the
scorpion. Aristotle states, that it is destructive to most venomous
reptiles. (H. A. viii, 28.) Redi maintains that this is an ancient error;
but Andreas Laurentius declares that he knew from experience that the
human saliva is destructive to serpents.
Nicander recommends a composition containing cedar-berries, fleabane,
sage, and other such articles for preserving the body from venomous
reptiles. Paxamus directs us to smear the face with a composition made of
the roasted flour of fenugreek, with the juice of the wild mallows and
oil. (Geopon. xv, 6.) He says it preserves the face from the stings of
bees in particular.
The κώνωψ, here translated _gnat_, as it is in the English version of
the scriptures, (Matt. xxiii, 24,) is proved by Bochart (Hierozoon. iii,
442); and by Harris (Nat. Hist. of the Bible), from Aristotle, Plutarch,
and others, to mean properly a kind of insect that is bred in the lees of
wine.
SECT. II.—THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF ALL PERSONS BITTEN OR STUNG BY ANY
VENOMOUS ANIMAL.
If a person happen to be bitten or stung by any venomous animal he ought
immediately to get the part sucked. The person who sucks it should not be
fasting, and he ought first to rinse his mouth with wine and retain oil
in it; and then, if the part admits, it should be cupped with much heat,
scarifying also the surrounding parts; for the poison is forced back out
of the body along with the spirits and blood which are drawn out. The
part in which the wound is situated ought also to be burnt and eschars
formed on it, and amputation of the extremities may then be seasonably
practised if the animal that inflicted the bite be of a deadly nature,
such as the asp, the cerastes, the viper, and the like: as Galen relates
that a certain vine-dresser being bitten by a viper, and knowing the
animal, immediately cut off the finger that was bitten with his pruning
hook, and was entirely freed from the danger. But if the poison be
already distributed over the body, venesection ought to be had recourse
to immediately, especially if the person bitten be plethoric; and pepper
and garlic given to eat with the food, and strong wine to drink, whereby
the system will be filled with fresh vapours and a suitable heat.
Afterwards cataplasms are to be applied that can warm and stimulate the
bite, such as a mixture of the ashes of cabbage or of fig with vinegar,
or with the strained lye, or with the sauce of pickle. Likewise onions
may be mixed with polenta or bread, and strong leeks with salts, or warm
liquid pitch with salts, or cedar-rosin, or goat’s dung. It will also
be proper to pour upon the parts hot vinegar in which calamint has been
boiled, or with vinegar and sea water, or with brine. We are to apply to
the part fowls, more especially hens, cut up and still warm, or other
such animals, for they absorb the poison and soothe the pains. And we
must have recourse to plasters, such as that formed from salts, that from
rosemary and adarce, and on the whole such things as are of an acrid
nature. And in general all persons bitten or stung by any venomous animal
ought, unless the deep-seated parts are wholly unhurt, to take in the
first place potions containing endive, heath, or astragalus with vinegar,
or bitumen and Christ’s thorn in like manner, or a decoction of Christ’s
thorn; or two drachms of dried weasel with wine, which is a cried-up
remedy; or the blood of the sea-tortoise, or a drachm of castor with
diluted wine, or a drachm of frankincense, or of Sicyonian root, or the
juice of leeks, or ground pine, or alsander, or cinnamon, or birthwort,
or the seed of the chaste tree, or cypress balls, or seseli, or pepper,
or the seed of trefoil, or bay berries, or river crabs roasted or boiled.
Use the following compound theriac.
_A theriac for venomous animals, and deleterious substances, and for
persons bitten by vipers and scorpions._ Of bryony, of opoponax, of
Illyrian iris, of the root of rosemary, of ginger, of each, dr. iv; of
birthwort, dr. v; of frankincense, of wild rue, of each, dr. iij; of the
flour of tares, dr. ij; form trochisks with wine, and give three oboli
with wine. Purging will also be proper for them, with sudorifics, and
taking the theriac of vipers.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. These general directions are mostly taken from Dioscorides,
who is greatly indebted to Nicander. Neither of them, however, makes
mention of venesection among his remedies.
The remedial means recommended by Dioscorides are scarification, cupping,
sucking, excision; and in extreme cases, amputation; clysters, and acrid
applications to the part in order to clear out the venom; pure wine,
must, or acrid substances to extinguish it and counteract its effects;
and finally as adjuvants of these means, purging of the bowels, sweating,
and some other particular remedies as stated under their proper heads.
The general remedies mentioned by Nicander are, sucking the wound,
applying cupping instruments to it, and afterwards strong stimulants,
hot irons, and leeches. He directs that the person who sucks it should
not be fasting; from which it may be inferred that he had a correct
idea that the vessels absorb most readily when in an empty state.
This physiological doctrine was lately announced as a new discovery;
but frequent allusions to it are to be met with in the works of
Galen, our author, Avicenna, Avenzoar, Averrhoes, and Haly Abbas.
The dangers resulting from an empty state of the vessels, whether
produced by fasting or venesection, is well expressed by Gorræus in
his Preliminary Dissertation on the Alexipharmics of Nicander: “Nec
vero id tantum incommodi habet fames, sed in multo majus periculum
adducit hominem, quando et venæ plurimum exinanitæ et cibum vehementer
appetentes, venenum avidius ad se pertrahunt et in intima viscera,
cordisque arcem immittunt.” “Quod si quis etiam abundare videatur, et
nihil eorum repugnet quæ sunt in venæsectione observanda, sanguinem
audacter mittamus, non quidem per initia (sic enim in venas deleteria
traherentur, a quibus omni studio atque industriâ excludi debent) sed
post vomitus alvique dejectiones,” &c.
Serapion, contrary to most of the authorities, recommends that the person
who sucks a poisoned wound, should be in a fasting state; but as he is
a servile copyist from his predecessors, it might be suspected that the
text is in fault, if the same directions were not given by Rabbi Moyses,
with this explanation: that a fasting person will perform this office
with more risk to himself, but with greater advantage to the patient,
than one who had taken food immediately beforehand. (De Venenis, i, 1.)
All this shows how well the ancient savans were acquainted with the
physiological fact, that the absorbent powers of the vessels is in the
inverse ratio of their state of repletion.
Celsus recommends nearly the same general remedies as Nicander. Thus he
directs us in the first place to apply a ligature round the limb, but
not too tightly, for fear of occasioning torpor; and then to extract the
poison by sucking, or by a cupping instrument along with scarifications.
His local applications are of a hot stimulant nature. As internal
remedies he recommends emetics, which may be supposed to expel the
poison from the system by the concussion which they produce, and various
articles of a calefacient nature, such as wine and pepper; because, says
he, “maxima pars venenorum frigore interimit.”
Isidorus states in still more general terms that the poisons act by
oppressing the vital heat. He says, “Omne autem venenum frigidum est, et
ideo anima quæ ignea est, fugit venenum frigidum.” He states, likewise,
that poisons do not act upon the system unless mixed with the blood:
“Venenum autem dictum eo quod per venas vadit. Infusa enim pestis ejus
per venas vegetatione aucta discurrit et animam extinguit. Unde non
potest venenum nocere nisi hominis tetigerit sanguinem.” Lucanus: “Noxia
serpentum est admixto sanguine pestis.”
This, however, is an imperfect account of the action of poisons, whether
such as act by being introduced into the stomach, or those that prove
deleterious when applied to a wound. Perhaps the classification given by
Avicenna may be mentioned as the most complete of any proposed by the
ancient authorities. He states that poisons act either by some certain
quality, or by their whole substance. Of the former class some are
corrosive and putrefactive, like the lepus marinus; some inflammatory
and calefacient, like euphorbium; some frigorific and stupefying, like
opium; some prove obstruent of the respiratory passages, like litharge;
some act with their whole substance, as the wolf’s bane, and these
are the most deleterious of all. Of these some act upon one member in
particular, as cantharides upon the bladder, or the lepus marinus upon
the lungs, and some upon the whole body as opium. (iv, 6, 1.) Schulze, in
his ‘Toxicologia Veterum,’ has stated the ancient arrangement somewhat
differently, and we are at a loss to think what authors he has followed.
He says, the ancients arranged poisons according to their properties
into the frigorific (ψυκτικὰ), corrosive (διαβιβρώσκυντα), and septic
(σηπεδονώδη). The frigorific, he properly remarks, are those substances
now called narcotics; to which class, as Galen mentions, the conium,
poppy, henbane, and mandrake belong. On the action of narcotics, see
section xliii. Galen remarks that the human frame becomes habituated to
bear the action of these medicines without injury. He mentions the case
of an old Attic woman, who by little and little had accustomed herself to
take hemlock in any quantity. (De Simpl. iii.)
Avicenna states that the great indications of cure in all cases of
poisoning are to comfort and rouse the vital heat, and to resolve
(neutralize?) or expel the poison. When the poison is distributed over
the system, his remedies are venesection, purging, and the like. He
states decidedly that the proper time for venesection is either when
the poison is distributed over the body, more especially when it is in
a plethoric state, or when the poison is a substance not likely to be
absorbed. His other remedies are such as expel the poison from the body,
namely, emetics and sudorifics, or such as prevent it from entering the
system, namely, ligatures to the extremities, prohibiting sleep, applying
cupping instruments, or leeches, sucking the wound, amputation of the
limb, using actual and potential cauteries, and keeping the wound long
open. Upon the whole the general remedies recommended by him and the
other Arabians are little different from those of the Greeks, especially
of Dioscorides, who is the great authority upon theriacs.
Haly Abbas allows bleeding when the poison is distributed over the body,
and like the others also, makes mention of cupping with heat and of
amputation. He also joins in the general praise of the theriac.
Alsaharavius recommends strong ligatures, cupping, and, in urgent cases,
amputation. He also approves of applying the bodies of hens still warm.
Serapion approves of bleeding under the same circumstances as the others,
and of the same general treatment that they recommend. Rhases recommends
sucking and cupping the wound, and the application of stimulant
dressings, such as a plaster consisting of mustard, lime, and pitch.
He, and most of the ancient authorities on toxicology, recommend salt
as an application to the wound. Most of them also join Dioscorides in
recommending the application of caustic leys. They also in general direct
us to prevent sleep. The ligature to prevent absorption is recommended
by Rhases, as it is in fact by most of the ancient authorities. As a
matter of course all of them speak highly of the theriac, and acquiesce
in Galen’s celebrated eulogy upon its virtues. (Ad Pison. ii, 457, ed.
Basil.)
The Arabian authorities notice cursorily the treatment of poisoned
weapons of war, more especially of the Armenian arrows. Galbanum and
assafœtida administered internally, and applied to the wounds in various
forms, are the two articles which are most generally approved of by them.
They also recommend sucking the wound, as in other cases of poisoning by
a wound. (See further, B. vi, 88.)
SECT. III.—ON PERSONS BITTEN BY MAD DOGS, AND ON HYDROPHOBIA.
We have placed the account of persons bitten by mad dogs before all
the others because these animals are numerous and domestic, and are
frequently seized with madness; because the complaint is difficult to
guard against, and the danger inevitable, unless one have recourse to
many and suitable remedies. Dogs for the most part become mad during
violent heat, but also, as Lycus says, sometimes in extreme cold. When
mad they shun drink and food, for they are thirsty but do not drink,
and for the most part they pant, hang their ears, and emit much frothy
saliva. Generally they utter no sounds, and are as it were delirious, so
that they do not recognize persons with whom they are familiar. Wherefore
they attack equally without barking all animals, whether wild beasts or
men, and bite them. Their bite at first occasions nothing disagreeable
except the pain of the wound; but afterwards it brings on the affection
called hydrophobia, which makes its attack with convulsions, redness of
the whole body, but especially of the countenance, sweating, and anxiety;
and those affected shun water when they see it, and some every fluid that
is presented to them. Some bark like dogs and bite those who approach
them, and so doing they occasion the same affection. The cause of the
other symptoms is obvious, being occasioned by the poison affecting
all the parts, but as to the dread of water some have said that it is
occasioned by inordinate dryness, as if the whole fluids of the body
had undergone a change. But Ruffus has pronounced it to be a species of
melancholy which affects them, the poison putting on the nature of that
humour in like manner as we know other melancholic persons dreading some
one thing and some another; which reason accords also with those who say
that they think they see the image of the dog that bit them in the water.
Of persons falling into this affection we know none who has been saved,
except that we have learned the histories of one or two cases, and these
were of persons who had been bitten, not by a mad dog, but by some person
who had been bitten and imparted the disease to them. But before the
affection has made its attack many, even of those who have been bitten
by a dog, have been saved. Wherefore we must begin the treatment from
thence. And since often from the attack of hydrophobia having not yet
come on (for most commonly it comes on about the fortieth day, and in
some cases after six months, nay, instances are related of its coming on
after seven years,) some supposing that the dog who inflicted the bite
was not mad, and making haste to heal up the wound have thereby given
rise to the complaint. By the following experiment you may ascertain
whether the bite was inflicted by a mad dog or not: Pound walnuts
carefully and apply them to the wound, and next day take and present
them for food to a cock or hen. At first indeed he will not touch them,
but if he is compelled by hunger to eat of them, observe, for if the dog
that inflicted the bite was not mad, then the fowl will live, but if mad
he will die next day; and then you must hasten to open the wound, and
after a few days repeat the same experiment; and when the fowl does not
die you may bring the wound to cicatrization, inasmuch as the patient is
then freed from danger. Oribasius recommends this experiment: If from
the symptoms which we have mentioned we know for certain that the dog is
mad, we must have recourse to medicines for laying open the sore, the
principal of which is that from pitch, very acrid vinegar, and opoponax,
which is described accurately in the section on the wounds of nervous
parts. But if the person who has been bitten has a tender skin, it is
to be diluted with oil of iris, of balsam, or the like; or having first
fomented the sores, apply a cataplasm of garlic. This also forms eschars.
A dry escharotic for persons bitten by mad dogs: Of fossile salts, dr.
viij; of chalcitis, dr. xvj; of squills, dr. xvj; of green rue, dr. iv;
of scraped verdigris, dr. iv; of the seed of horehound, dr. j; use it
at first dry that it may form an eschar, and then with rose-oil that
the eschars may fall off. Keep the parts from cicatrizing for forty-two
days at least. A cataplasm for persons bitten by mad dogs, which keeps
the mouth of the wound open: Apply a cataplasm of onions with salts and
rue, or of laserwort with salts, or of old pickle, or of the cinders
of burnt wood with oil, or of garlic, or apply the leaves of the elder
tree, or mint, or baum, each with salts, or walnuts with onions, salts
and honey, or the ashes of figs mixed with cerate. Wash the sore with a
decoction of camomile in water, and the root of the wild dock. But some
burn the sore with heated irons. They ought in the first place to get
draughts of simple things, such as buckthorn, wormwood, the juice of
laserwort, germander, the water germander, and poley. These are compound
applications: Of river crabs, of the shoots of the white vine burnt in a
vessel of copper or bronze two spoonfuls, of gentian root triturated one
spoonful, give to drink for forty days, with two cyathi of old undiluted
wine. Some add two spoonfuls of the blood of the partridge. The crabs
are to be taken when the moon is on the increase before sun-rising. But
to those who do not drink it every day give a double doze, and sometimes
a triple. And the theriac from vipers may be given with advantage. The
patient is to be purged with the preparation from the wild cucumber,
which is to be given every day with the decoction of sage, or with the
Heraclean ironwort, which is also called alysson. Some also give the
liver of the dog that inflicted the bite to eat. Such a diet is to be
given as blunts and extinguishes the power of the poison, and at the
same time prevents it from being carried deeper into the system. Both
these ends may be accomplished by drinking old sweet wine that is both
undiluted and strong, or milk, and in like manner by eating garlic,
onions, and leeks. But if from some hinderance at the commencement the
remedies which we have described have been neglected, scarification,
cupping, or burning the wound, must not be had recourse to, because the
poison has already been carried to the deep-seated parts; but we must
use the remedies called metasyncritica, that is to say, when the attack
of hydrophobia has not come on. Purging with hiera and divided milk is
also to be had recourse to, with sudorifics; and calefacient plasters,
and sinapisms are to be applied to every part of the body. But the most
effectual of all remedies is a course of hellebore frequently repeated.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Aristotle is the first author who mentions hydrophobia, but
his account of it is remarkably incorrect, if the text be not corrupted.
He says, all animals that are bitten by a rabid dog are affected with the
disease _except man_; and that the disease proves fatal to all animals
_but man_. (H. A. viii, 22.) But see the Annotations of Schneider. (l.
c.) Ovid ranks inveterate gout and hydrophobia among the incurable
diseases:
“Tollere nodosam nescit medicina podagram,
Nec formidatis auxiliatur aquis.”
_Ex Ponto_, i, 3, 24.
Celsus, also, was well aware of the fatal nature of the disease, for
which he says the only remedy is to plunge the patient unexpectedly into
the cold bath, after which, to prevent convulsions, he is to be put into
warm oil. He also approves of giving undiluted wine. As a preventive of
the disease he directs the wound to be cauterized. (v, 27.)
Pliny in like manner reckons the disease dangerous, and mentions
hellebore as a remedy for it. (H. N. viii, 63; xxix, 32.)
But without doubt the best account of hydrophobia contained in any
ancient author is that given by Cælius Aurelianus. We shall now give a
short abstract of it. He says the disease may be produced not only by the
bite, but likewise by the breath of a rabid dog. This fact is mentioned
by other authorities, such as Aretæus (Morb. Acut. vii), and Vegetius
(Mulo. Med. iii, 84); and it is confirmed by modern writers, as Gokel,
Lister, Rhazouz, and others. He also relates the case of a sempstress
who fell into the disease from having sewed a robe which had been torn
by a mad dog. Similar cases are related by Hildanus and Heister. He
likewise states, what is confirmed by the Arabian authorities, and also
by modern experience, that the disease may be brought on by the bite of
wolves, bears, leopards, horses, and asses. He mentions the case of a
person in whom it was occasioned by a wound inflicted with the spurs of
a cock while fighting. Sometimes, too, he adds, it arises in the human
subject without any manifest cause, which also is confirmed by modern
experience. We once saw _the horror of water_ in a case of Phrenitis. He
mentions a singular case of hydrophobia in a child which was affected
with a horror of its mother’s breast. His description of the symptoms, if
compared with modern descriptions (for example that given by Dr. Goden in
Hufeland’s ‘Journal,’ Jan. 1816), will be found in every respect complete
and accurate. Thus Cælius says that the pulse is _densus_, _parvus_,
_inordinatus_, and Goden found it intermittent and irregular. Cælius
says there is a frequent desire of making water, which Goden found to
be a constant attendant of the disease. Cælius thought that the stomach
is more deranged than any other part, and Goden is of opinion that the
splanchnic nerves are particularly affected. In short, Cælius maintained
that it is an _incendium nervorum_; and it appears from him that some
of the ancient authorities believed it an inflammatory affection, and
treated it by bleeding. He treats it upon much the same principles as
Tetanus, that is to say, his great object seems to have been to remove
constriction, and with this view he recommends friction with tepid oil,
venesection, and all remedies of a relaxant nature. He also directs us
to administer clysters of tepid water and oil; and proposes to quench
the thirst by forcing a cooling injection up to the stomach; for which
purpose pressure with the hands is to be applied externally. He makes
mention of the internal administration of hellebore, but disapproves of
it. The use of white hellebore, however, is favorably mentioned by Aëtius
(vi, 24), by Actuarius (Meth. Med. vi, 11), by Theomnestus (Geopon.
xix, 3), by Dioscorides (ii, 3), by Alexander Trallian (i, 15), and by
Avicenna (iv, 6, 9.)
Galen, in his work on ‘Antidotes,’ gives prescriptions for several
compositions of this sort for the prevention and cure of hydrophobia;
and mentions the disease incidentally in several parts of his works, but
has nowhere given any description of it. Dioscorides’ account of the
symptoms, and his plan of treatment are nearly the same as our author’s.
He strongly recommends the cautery.
The external application of the cautery is also commended by Celsus,
Galen, Pliny, Scribonius Largus, Aëtius, Actuarius, Nonnus, Avicenna,
Rhases, and Alsaharavius.
See a good account of hydrophobia in Haly Abbas (Theor. viii, 20); and in
Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 30.) None of the ancient authorities insists
with so much earnestness as Haly Abbas on the necessity of applying
strong stimulants to the wound, namely, the most acrid vinegar, copperas,
and the like, so as to keep up a discharge from it for a considerable
time. Rhases is a strong advocate for bleeding when the poison is
distributed over the system. (Cont. xxxv.)
Perhaps Alexander Aphrodisiensis is correct in stating that the disease
in the dog is a species of fever. (Problem.)
There is a sensible account of hydrophobia in a ‘Fragment’ of an
anonymous Greek author, published in Bernard’s ‘Reliquiæ.’ The complaint
is said to arise either from the bite of a dog, or from humours
engendered in the body. It is correctly stated that persons affected with
it dread all liquids, so that at the bare mention of them they start
up with a scream, trembling, cold sweats, and chattering of the teeth.
Among other things cold applications over the stomach and chest are
recommended.
SECT. IV.—FOR THE BITES OF DOGS THAT ARE NOT MAD.
On the bites of dogs that are not rabid, as even in this case they
possess some poisonous quality, immediately sprinkle some vinegar, and
strike the bite with your hand spread out, and then having rubbed nitre
with vinegar, pour it from above upon the part. Afterwards, having soaked
a new piece of sponge in vinegar or in the vinegar and nitre, apply it
for three days, and moisten it; for it will effect a complete cure. Or
apply the flour of tares mixed with oil, or new sponge, or unwashed
wool soaked in vinegar and oil may be applied; or triturate the leaves
of bramble with vinegar, and apply; or onions triturated with honey, or
equal parts of the hair of marjoram, of salt, and of onions with honey;
or black horehound, which they also call ballotes, with salts. When the
bites have already suppurated, apply the flour of tares mixed with honey,
for it is particularly applicable. When they are inflamed anoint with
litharge triturated with water.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Rhases (ad Mansor. viii, 9; Cont. xxxv); Haly Abbas
(Pract. iv, 28); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 31). Haly adopts the
treatment laid down by our author. Alsaharavius recommends a composition
of fat, wax, pitch, and galbanum.
SECT. V.—ON WASPS AND BEES.
Those who have been stung by bees experience pain, redness, and swelling
in the wound, the surrounding parts become tumefied, and the sting
remains in the wound; and those stung by wasps experience all the other
symptoms, and that in an aggravated degree, only the sting does not
remain. Both cases are remedied by rubbing the parts with clay, or
cow’s dung, or with the juice of figs, or with the triturated leaves of
sycamore, or of mallows; or by applying a cataplasm of barley flour mixed
with vinegar. Foment also with brine or sea-water.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See a similar plan of treatment recommended by Aëtius,
Dioscorides, Nonnus, and Rhases. Simeon Seth recommends the decoction
of mallows, which appears to have been a domestic remedy generally used
in such cases. See also Geopon. (xii, 12); and Pliny (H. N. xx). Virgil
alludes to this practice in a passage which has been often misunderstood.
(Georg. iv, 230.) Haly Abbas recommends cold water or snow, also Armenian
earth with vinegar, and other applications of the same nature. (Pract.
iv, 34.) Alsaharavius mentions the same remedies as Haly, but expresses
himself sceptical as to their efficacy. (Pract. xxx, 2, 29.) Rhases,
among other applications, mentions a composition of camphor and vinegar;
and another containing opium, henbane, and camphor, to be used along with
a cloth moistened in snow-water. The Arabian writers on husbandry also
recommend the composition from mallows and oil, as a preservative of the
face and hands from the stings of bees and wasps. (Casiri, Bibl. Arab.
Hisp. 335.)
SECT. VI.—ON THE PHALANGIA, OR VENOMOUS SPIDERS.
When a person has been bitten by a phalangion the part itself appears
red, and as if pricked by a sharp-pointed instrument, but it does not
swell, nor is it very warm, but it is moderately red, cold, and itchy.
Those who have been stung experience a great sense of cold, trembling,
heaviness of the body, a cold sweat, constant pain, paleness, and a
perpetual desire to make water; in some cases there are dysuria, erection
of the genital member, humid eyes, and spasmodic distension about the
groins and thighs, a violent gnawing pain of the stomach, loss of taste
in the tongue, vomiting of water, or of substances resembling webs, and
sometimes these substances are discharged by the urine or bowels. By
going into hot water they are freed from pain, but the pain returns again
with violence. They are relieved by the application of the ashes of figs
mixed with salts triturated in wine, or of the pounded root of the wild
pomegranate, or of birthwort with barley flour mixed with vinegar. Bathe
the ulcers with hot sea-water, or with the decoction of baum, the leaves
of which may also be applied. Recourse must also be had frequently to
baths, and potions composed of these things, the seed of southernwood,
dill, birthwort, wild chick-peas, Ethiopian cumin, pounded cedar-berries,
the bark of the plane tree, the seed of the herb trefoil, the fruit of
tamarisk; give two drachms of each of these with one hemina of wine, or a
decoction of the green parts of cypress, or of its balls mixed with wine.
Some say that the river crab when reduced to juice, with milk, and the
seed of parsley, and given, removes the mischief.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander describes several species of phalangia, whose bites
occasion a variety of symptoms, such as a cold horror, tremblings of
the limbs, and in some instances tension of the genital members. On the
phalangia, see Aristotle (Hist. Anim. ix, 39); Xenophon (Memorab. i,
3); Pliny (H. N. xix, 9, and xxix, 27); Ælian (H. A. xvii, 11); Solinus
(Polyhist. xvii); Phile. (66). The distinction between the phalangia and
common spiders is thus stated by Humelbergius: “Araneorum primâ divisione
duo genera sunt, unum eorum qui innoxii sunt quos Græci arachnas, Latini
araneos dicunt, quorum etiam a Dioscoride duo genera recensentur, unum
quod holcon et lycon vocat, alterum vero dicit esse quod candidas, tenues
et densas telas operetur. Alterum genus est eorum qui noxii sunt, quos et
Græci et Latini phalangia vocant.” (Apud Apuleium.)
Similar modes of treatment to that of our author are recommended by
Dioscorides (vi, 42); Celsus (v, 27); Nonnus (270); Aëtius (xiii,
16); Actuarius (Meth. Med. vi, 10); Haly Abbas (Theor. viii, 22); and
Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 26).
Sprengel allows that there is considerable difficulty in determining
the nature of the ancient phalangia. He attempts, however, to refer the
different species described by Nicander to their proper names in the
Linnæan classification. (Comment. in Dioscoridem.)
Many modern authorities, for example, Gesner, Baglivi, and Andreas
Laurentius, have held that the Tarantula, so famous in the annals of the
Dancing Mania, was a species of the phalangium. See further Hecker’s
Epidem. 113. This seems to be confirmed by Rhases calling a species of
the phalangium by the name of tarantula (Contin. xx and xxii); and,
indeed, Ardyen seems to settle the question that the tarantula is a
species of the phalangia. (De Venen. viii, 5.)
SECT. VII.—ON THE BITE OF THE SPIDER.
There is also a kind of spider, the sting of which occasions intense
pains about the middle of the hypochondrium, difficulty of making water,
erythema, and sometimes convulsions. Those who are stung by such animals,
are relieved by the Theban wild cumin, the seed of the chaste-tree, and
by draughts from the leaves of the white poplar, or by applying garlic
alone, and taking full draughts of undiluted wine.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. For the sting of the spider, Celsus recommends garlic mixed
with rue and pounded in oil. (vi, 27.) See also Pliny (H. N. xxix, 27);
Haly Abbas (Pract. iv, 35); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 24).
SECT. VIII.—ON THE STING OF THE SCORPION.
When one has been stung by a scorpion, the part immediately begins
to inflame, becoming hard, red, tense, and painful, being seized at
one time with heat, and at another with cold; and when pain is an
attendant symptom, it has remissions and exacerbations. These symptoms
are followed by sweating, a sense of shivering, trembling, coldness
of the extremities, tumour of the groins, and erection of the genital
member: sometimes there is a discharge of flatus by the anus with a
loud noise, and horripilation, and a painful discoloration on the
skin, the pain resembling the prick of a needle. These are immediately
relieved by having the juice of the fig poured into the wounds, and the
scorpion which stung the person may be pounded and applied to the bite;
afterwards salts triturated with linseed and the seed of marshmallows
may be applied. Native sulphur, mixed with rosin or turpentine, is also
of service; and in like manner, galbanum, spread out into the shape of
an oblong pledget and applied, or calamint pounded and applied; and
crude barley-flour prepared in wine and the decoction of rue; and in
like manner the pounded seed of the herb trefoil may be applied with
advantage. They may also take propomata containing two drachms of
birthwort, more particularly of its bark with wine; or gentian pounded,
or pennyroyal properly boiled, and ten bay-berries bruised, and calamint
long boiled with oxycrate, and cyperus with wine; and in like manner,
rue, the juice of the fig, and laserwort, if at hand; but otherwise
we must use the Parthian juice. The fruit of trefoil and the seed of
basil-royal may be taken in a draught with advantage. Silver immediately
applied to the wound has a wonderful effect. The benefit of all these may
be increased by the frequent use of the bath, copious perspirations, and
drinking strong or diluted wine. The following compound propomata may
be taken: Of sulphur vivum to the size of an Egyptian bean, with eight
grains of pepper in half a hemina of wine, or the juice of laserwort
triturated with crabs in wine, or equal parts of gith, Ethiopian cumin,
and the seeds of the chaste-tree in wine.
_For severe stings of scorpions and phalangia._ Of the lees of wine, dr.
xvi; of pellitory, dr. iv; of the seed of wild rue, dr. iij; of castor,
of the seeds of rocket, of each, dr. ij; let them be mixed with the blood
of the sea-tortoise. The dose is four oboli with wine, or three cyathi of
unmixed vinegar.—_Another_: Of pellitory, of birthwort, of each, oz. iv;
of pepper, dr. ij; of the juice of the laserwort, dr. j. The dose is the
size of an Egyptian bean.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander describes several species of the scorpion. The
white, he says, is innoxious. The red occasions a fiery heat with
restlessness and great thirst. The black brings on inquietude, delirium,
and laughter. The green occasions chilliness with horror. The symptoms
superinduced by the other species are also detailed. (See Theriac. 775.)
Ælius Promotus gives a very circumstantial description of the effects
produced by the sting of the different species of scorpions, but it would
appear to be mostly taken from Galen and other Greek authorities. On the
nature of the scorpion, see further, Pliny (H. N. xi, 25); and Ælian (vi,
20.)
On the medical treatment, see in particular Dioscorides (vi, 44); Aëtius
(xiii, 19); Nonnus (269); Actuarius (Meth. Med. vi, 10); Celsus (v, 27);
Rhases (ad Mansor. viii, 3); Haly Abbas (Theor. viii, 22, and Pract. iv,
33); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 20); Avicenna (iv, vi, 5.)
Galen gives a variety of prescriptions for the composition of antidotes
for the cure of persons stung by scorpions. The following one may be
taken as a specimen of them: Of birthwort, dr. iv; of pepper, dr. ij; of
opium, dr. j; of pellitory, dr. iv; form into trochisks of the size of
an Egyptian bean, and give to swallow along with two cyathi of undiluted
wine. (De Antidot. ii.) Rhases gives another receipt of Galen’s for the
sting of the scorpion, viz. equal parts of opium and of the seed of
henbane given with honey. (Contin. xx, 24.)
On the use of venesection for the cure of the sting of the scorpion,
Celsus says, “Cognovi tamen medicos qui ab scorpione ictis nihil aliud
quam ex brachis sanguinem miserunt.” Rhases has pointed out the proper
time and circumstances which require venesection: “When you have
administered the theriac, and the pain has subsided, if fever supervene,
bleed the patient on the following day in the morning, and give him
barley-water and diluent food.” The symptoms as detailed by Haly Abbas
are pain, swelling, hardness, and inflammation, which occasionally
superinduce asphyxy and epilepsy. He directs a ligature to be put
immediately around the member, and a bruised scorpion to be applied to
the wound. He also mentions cataplasms with olive oil, and recommends
the internal use of wine either alone or with garlic. The treatment as
given by Alsaharavius is very similar. Dioscorides, Aëtius, Haly Abbas,
Alsaharavius, Actuarius, and Nonnus, omit to mention venesection.
The veterinary surgeons recommend bleeding, scarifications, and burning
with red-hot irons. See Vegetius (Mulom. iii, 77, and Geopon. xvi, 20.)
Sprengel remarks that Nicander’s division of scorpions is adopted by
modern naturalists. (Hist. de la Méd.) Conrad Gesner gives a very
elaborate dissertation on them. The _scorpio Europæus, L._, is not
venomous. The African, however, is a very dangerous reptile. The
inhabitants of Morocco, at the present day, treat its bite with the
ligature, the cautery, and by applying the body of a dead scorpion to
the wound. See Jackson’s Morocco (108). The Arabian authorities describe
a highly venomous species of scorpion, which they call _scorpius
rastellans_, _carrareti_, and _algreta_. See in particular Rhases, Haly
Abbas, and Alsaharavius.
SECT. IX.—ON THE LAND AND SEA SCOLOPENDRA.
When one is bitten by a scolopendra the general symptoms are lividity
of the parts around the bite, and swelling; sometimes it is of a
feculent appearance, and sometimes, though rarely, red; and a painful
and ill-conditioned ulcer takes place, beginning with the part that is
bitten; and in addition to these, there is a sensation of pruritus over
the whole body. Those bitten by the sea scolopendra in particular have
a watery and transparent swelling, whereas that occasioned by the land
scolopendra is red. It is proper therefore to apply to the wound pounded
salts, or levigated rue, or ashes mixed with vinegar, or squills. Bathe
the part with vinegar and brine; but Archigenes directs it to be done
with much hot oil, and thus to apply the things formerly mentioned; and
to administer potions containing birthwort with wine, or wild thyme, or
calamint, or wild rue, or trefoil, or the juice of the root of asphodel
to the amount of half a hemina with wine.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander says, that the scolopendra has two heads, and walks
in both directions upon its many feet. Avicenna admits that he was wholly
unacquainted with it. See in particular Ælian (H. A. iv, 22; and vii,
35.) Our author and Actuarius copy almost every word from Dioscorides.
See also Aëtius (xiii, 15); Nonnus (272); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2,
23); Avicenna (iv, vi, 3.) Avicenna calls them, _saculufudurni_; and
Alsaharavius, _alhatrabay_. Alsaharavius approves of wine with birthwort,
rue, mint, &c., internally; and of salt, with honey, vinegar, &c.,
externally. The Pseudo-Dioscorides recommends salt with vernix, pitch,
and honey. (Euporist. ii, 121.) We need have no hesitation in deciding
with Sprengel and the other authorities on this subject, that the land
scolopendra is the _scolopendra morsitans_, and the sea, the _aphrodite
oculeata, L._
SECT. X.—ON THE STELLIO OR SPOTTED LIZARD.
Those bitten by the spotted lizard experience intense pain and lividity
of the part, but are relieved by the immediate application of cataplasms
consisting of onions and garlic to the wound; and some by eating these
things and drinking undiluted wine have been cured.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the galeotes and ascalabotes are but different names
for the same animal is evident from Aristophanes (Nubes, 170, et seq.);
and from the Scholiast’s note on Nicander (Ther. 484.) Pliny says of the
stellio: “Hunc Græci coloten vocant et ascalaboten.” (H. N. xxix, 28.) On
the stellio, see further Bochart (Hieroz. ii, 510); Harris (Nat. Hist.
of the Bible, in the word spider); and Dr. Martyn on Virgil (Georg. iv,
244.) All agree that it was a kind of lizard. In short it is the _lacerta
stellio, L._ A learned modern authority says it is venomous in Greece,
but innocuous in Sicily. He describes it as resembling the lizard in
shape, and the chamæleon in nature. (Agricola de Anim. Subterran.)
Dioscorides does not treat of the stellio. Aëtius recommends very nearly
the same treatment as our author. (xiii, 12.) Avicenna and Rhases direct
us to get the wound sucked, to put the patient into a warm bath and
administer the theriac. The harbæ of Avicenna is probably only a species
of the stellio.
Alsahaya and alvesghe of Alsaharavius seem to have been two species of
stellio. (Pract. xxx, 2, 27.) He approves of the same treatment as that
recommended by Avicenna and Rhases.
SECT. XI.—ON THE MUS ARANEUS OR SHREW-MOUSE.
When persons are bitten by the shrew-mouse, throbbing pains supervene,
erythema of every part pierced by a tooth, blisters along the skin
filled with an ichorous fluid, and all the surrounding parts are livid;
and if the skin be stripped off from the blister, the ulcer appears
white, owing to the skin being torn into nervous membranes. In addition
to these symptoms, the mortified parts drop off, the disease extending
like a spreading ulcer; and besides tormina supervene, with dysuria and
the discharge of a cold fluid. They are relieved by the application of
galbanum in the form of an oblong pledget, by itself, or triturated with
vinegar, or of barley-flour mixed up with oxymel. And the shrew-mouse
itself which inflicted the bite may be torn in pieces and applied, and
pellitory may be applied, or the boiled rind of the sweet pomegranate,
or wild mallows, or pounded garlic, or mustard triturated with vinegar;
and the parts may be bathed with warm brine, and then a cataplasm of
burnt barley with vinegar may be applied. They may take propomata of
southernwood boiled in wine, or sisymbrium, or wild thyme, or rocket,
or galbanum, or sage, or the tender balls of cypress with oxymel, or
pellitory with wine, or the root of chameleon, or the rennet of a kid
or of a lamb, or gentian root, or vervain. These things may also be
administered in the form of a cataplasm. But some give in a potion the
shrew-mouse itself that inflicted the bite, having triturated it with
wine. This one also is effectual: Of myrrh, dr. vj; of the bark of
birthwort, dr. iv. To the bites of the shrew-mouse and of the scolopendra
apply salts with liquid pitch, or cedar-rosin with honey, or garlic with
the leaves of the fig-tree and cumin, or the leaves of calamint, or
barley with vinegar.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander says that the bite of the blind Mus araneus is
mortal. Our author’s plan of treatment is taken from Dioscorides.
Oribasius recommends garlic and cumin, mixed with oil. (De Morb. Curat.
iii, 70.) Aëtius says that the Mus araneus is an animal resembling the
weasel. His plan of treatment is similar to our author’s. (xiii, 14.)
Isodorus says of it: “Mus araneus, cujus morsu aranea moritur, est in
Sardiniâ animal perexiguum, araneæ formâ, quæ solifuga dicitur, eo quod
diem fugiat.” (Orig. xii, 3.)
Vegetius, the veterinary surgeon, recommends garlic pounded with nitre,
or with salt and cumin. (Mulom. iii, 82.) See also Columella (vi, 17);
and Ælian (H. A. ii, 37.)
Most of the Arabians treat of this case in the same terms as the Greeks.
Without doubt it is the _sorix araneus, L._ The accounts which the
ancients give of its venomous qualities are said by Buffon and Sprengel
to be exaggerated. Probably Agricola states the matter correctly when he
says, that the mus araneus is venomous in warm climates, but innocent in
cold. In size, he says, it is nearly equal to a small weasel. (De Anim.
Subter.)
SECT. XII.—ON VIPERS AND ECHIDNÆ.
When persons have been bitten by the viper or echidna, or some such
venomous animal, pain supervenes, at first of the part which has been
bitten, but afterwards of the whole body. In the bite there appear two
perforations at a little distance from one another, from which there is
a discharge of blood and ichorous fluid, and afterwards of an oily one,
but in all cases of a poisonous fluid, which they affirm to be the poison
of the reptiles. Swelling comes on around the wound, which is reddish
and livid; there is paleness of the whole body, vertigo, and resolution
of the stomach, deliquium animi, and in some cases bilious vomitings
and dysuria. Around the bite blisters arise, as from burning with fire,
the disease spreads by extending to the surrounding parts, and the gums
discharge blood. Trembling, heavy sleep, and a cold perspiration succeed
these symptoms. Those bitten by the echidna appear to escape with less
danger than those by the viper; and of these they run the least risk who
have previously taken food. In treating them the most effectual remedy is
eating garlic and drinking wine, so that if one can endure this course
he will not stand in need of any other remedy. And let them eat also
leeks, onions, and acrid pickle. Some likewise give frogs prepared with
sauce to eat. The following things are effectual, each of which may be
taken with wine: the dried blood of the sea tortoise with wild cumin, the
rennet of a hare or a hind to the amount of three oboli, a drachm of the
dried testicle of a stag, a whole alkanet with the slender leaves, which
also some apply as an amulet. In like manner the juice of leeks, to the
amount of half a hemina, in honied water, the juice of baum leaves, wild
rue, the brains of domestic fowls, the root of panacea boiled in wine,
one drachm of agaric, juniper berries, the root of asphodel, pounded
pistachia, the seed of the chaste tree, two drachms of dried weasel, the
root and juice of vipers’ bugloss, river and sea crabs alone or with
stavesacre, salts and poley, the root of birthwort with equal parts of
myrrh, gentian, and bay-berries mixed with honey. The following is an
admirable remedy of Oribasius for persons bitten by vipers: Of anise,
an acetabulum; of pepper, dr. iv; of the bark of birthwort, of opium,
of castor, and of myrrh, of each, dr. j; triturate with must, and form
to the size of a Grecian bean, and give according to the patient’s
strength in three cyathi of diluted wine.—_Another_, from the works
of Lycus, a medicine for the bites of vipers: Of myrrh, of castor, of
pepper, of purslain, of each, dr. j; of the seed of dill, an acetabulum;
triturate in must, and give.—_Another_, from the works of Archigenes:
Pound carefully twenty crabs with a sufficient quantity of wheaten flour
in a mortar, and having mixed some calamint and salt with it, form
trochisks of it, and dry. Use in a cataplasm with milk, and give one in
a draught with honied water. But, says he, if you have not river-crabs,
use sea-crabs. Goat’s dung applied externally to the wound with wine is
a powerful remedy; or bay-leaves boiled with oil, or bay-berries, or
calamint, heath, rue, parsley, southernwood, galbanum on a pledget, green
marjoram pounded; also young fowls torn in pieces, and applied warm and
frequently changed, the flour of tares mixed with wine, the pounded bark
of radish, boiled squills, raw barley-flour in oxymel, the leaves of the
wild cucumber with fine polenta, the lees of wine in like manner with
fine polenta, rue with salts and honey, bran boiled in vinegar, ashes
with vinegar, cedar-pitch with salts, liquid pitch with salts. Bathe also
with the decoction of trefoil, or of pennyroyal, or with vinegar and
brine. When the blisters become bloody let out their contents without
taking off the skin, then bathe with much water, and apply a cataplasm
of boiled lentils with honey till the cure is completed. The antidote
of vipers is particularly efficacious, both when taken in a draught and
applied externally.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Most of the ancient authorities appear to have considered the
echidna the female viper; but, as will be seen below, there is reason to
suppose that it was a different species altogether. It is the colubra of
Celsus. (v, 27, 3.)
Our author’s description of the symptoms is closely copied from Nicander,
who also recommends similar treatment. Dioscorides in like manner directs
us to give wine, and various articles of an acrid and calefacient
nature, such as garlic, onions, pepper, squills, &c. Archigenes (ap.
Aëtium, xiii, 21) affirms that eating garlic and drinking undiluted wine,
constitute the most effectual part of the treatment. Of course these
things were given upon general principles with the view of supporting
the strength and vital heat. Hence it may be understood why the ancients
reposed so much confidence in the theriac of Andromachus, most of the
ingredients of which were stimulant, acrid, and calefacient substances.
The body of the viper, which entered into this famous composition, is
said by a modern authority on the Materia Medica, Moses Charras, to
contain a certain volatile oil. (See Book VII, sec. ii, of this work.)
Avicenna delivers his plan of treatment at great length, enumerating many
Arabic substances, the nature of which cannot now be easily determined.
His general principles, however, seem to have been much the same as
those of our author. He recommends in the first place the ligature,
and cupping with scarifications. Wine and the theriac are to be given
unless inflammatory symptoms come on, in which case the patient is to be
bled. (iv, 6.) In another place he praises the juice of the citron as a
remedy against the sting of the viper. Haly Abbas recommends immediate
amputation of the part when this is practicable, and otherwise directs
us to apply a ligature around it, to make scarifications, and use
stimulant applications, such as onions, leeks, &c. Like most of the other
authorities, he recommends the theriac, and wine, with other stimulants,
such as pepper, birthwort, bay-berries, &c. In certain cases he also
approves of bleeding. (Pract. iv, 32.) Alsaharavius recommends cupping,
the ligature, and in short nearly the same plan of treatment as Haly.
(Pract. xxx, 2, 18.)
Garlic was used in common cases as a substitute for the theriac, both
internally and in cataplasms. (See, in particular, Geopon. xii, 30.)
On the viper, see Ælian (H. A. x, 9); Phile (70); Galen (Ther. ad Pison.)
The ancient stories of the fatal copulation of the male viper with the
female, and of the loves of the muræna and viper, are probably fabulous.
(See De Pauw, apud Phile.) The latter story is told by Aristotle (H. A.
v, 10); Ælian (i, 50); Oppian (Hal. i, 554); Pliny (ix, 23); Athenæus
(vii); Achilles Tatius (i.) One of Athenæus’s authorities, however,
questions the truth of it. (Deipn. l. c.)
According to Sprengel, the Asiatic ἐχίδνα is the _coluber Ægyptius_;
the ἔχις, probably the _C. ammodytes_; and the European ἐχίδνα, the _C.
berus_. (Comment. in Dioscor.)
It is clear, however, from Nicander’s description of the viper, that the
term ἔχις was applied to a considerable variety of venomous snakes. It
must not then be supposed to apply in all cases to the coluber ammodytes.
It is also certain, as will be seen under their proper heads, that other
serpents, to which specific names were given, such as the cerastes, the
hæmorrhus, and the asp, were merely varieties of the _vipera_.
The seps is not treated of by the Greek authorities on Toxicology,
except Nicander, but is briefly noticed by the Arabian under the name of
_famusus_. Avicenna states that the treatment of the viper applies to it.
(iv. 6, 3, 48.) From the description of it given by Nicander, it would
appear to have been a variety of the hæmorrhus. (See Theriac, 320, with
the Commentary of Eutecnius.)
SECT. XIII.—ON THE AMPHISBÆNA AND SCYTALA.
The same symptoms follow their bites, and the same remedies are
applicable to them; therefore it is unnecessary to treat of them
particularly.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander says that the amphisbæna is a small serpent with
two heads, and small eyes. The scytala, he says, is like the amphisbæna,
but thicker and larger towards the tail. Avicenna doubts whether the
amphisbæna moves both ways. He says it is a serpent of equal thickness at
both extremities, which probably gave rise to the supposition that it had
two heads. He calls it a snake of the fragile nature, which description
evidently points to the blind-worm. (See further, Matthiolus, Comment.
in Dioscor.) We suppose the altahban and alhuidia of Alsaharavius are
the amphisbæna and scytala. (Pract. xxx, 2, 19.) He recommends general
treatment, namely, the ligature, cupping, scarifications, with cold water
to drink.
Sprengel inclines to think that the scytala was the _anguis eryx_. He
makes the amphisbæna to be the _anguis fragilis_, L.; he questions,
however, the accuracy of the ancient accounts respecting its venomous
qualities. (Notæ in Dioscor.) But, indeed, Aëtius states distinctly that
these serpents are not venomous, and that their sting merely occasions
inflammation like that of wasps and bees. (l. c.) Nicander also merely
describes these serpents, and says nothing about their being venomous.
SECT. XIV.—ON THE DRYINUS. THE INTRODUCTION FROM GALEN.
The dryinus, that lives at the roots of oaks, is so pernicious and
destructive an animal, that if one tread on him he will excoriate one’s
foot, and great swelling will seize upon the whole limbs; and, what is
more wonderful, they say that if one attempt to dress the wound, one’s
hands will be excoriated; and that if any person attempts in defence to
kill the animal, he emits such a stench as overpowers all other smells.
When one has been stung by the dryinus, tumefaction of the part takes
place with redness, and blisters on the surrounding parts, along with a
discharge of a watery ichor. These symptoms are followed by cardialgia
and tormina. Birthwort given as a draught with wine is serviceable in
these cases, and the herb trefoil, and the root of asphodel, taken in
like manner, and the fruit of all kinds of oak triturated and taken in a
draught. In like manner the roots of the ilex pounded and applied to the
part are of use.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander says it is also called chelydros and hydros. He
makes a distinction between the chelydros and the chersydros, but
subsequent authorities confound them together. (See below.) He says it
inhabits lakes and marshy grounds, feeding upon locusts and frogs. Its
back is black, and its smell fetid. The symptoms occasioned by its sting
are livid swelling, delirium, cutaneous pustules, dimness of vision,
suppression of urine, coma, singultus, and vomiting of blood or bile.
Haly Abbas calls it adresa, and says that it emits a fetid smell, and
brings on inflammatory redness with an aqueous discharge from the wound.
(Theor. viii, 21.) Avicenna calls it _kedusu duras_. (iv, 6, 3.)
Isidorus says, “Chelydros serpens qui et chersydros dicitur quia et in
terris et in aquis moratur.” (Origines.)
Virgil translates Nicander’s account of this serpent into verses of
inimitable spirit and elegance. It will be remarked by the curious
reader that he mixes up together circumstances collected from Nicander’s
separate descriptions of the chelydros and dryinus. (Georg, iii, 425.)
Though critical emendation of the text of ancient authors be foreign
to the design of this work, we cannot omit the present opportunity of
stating that, from a comparison of the descriptions given by the Greek
and Latin poets, we are inclined to think that the 434th line of Virgil
should run thus:
Sævit agris asperque siti atque exterritus œstro.
This is founded upon the 417th line of Nicander’s Theriacs.
It seems to be the chersydros which Dante alludes to in the following
verses:
“Come le rane innanzi alla nemica
Biscia per l’acqua si dileguan tutte,
Finch’ alla terra ciascuna s’ abbica.”
_Inferno_, canto ix.
For an account of the hydrus, see the sixteenth section.
According to Sprengel, the dryinus is the _coluber lebetinus_. (Notæ in
Dios.)
Agricola finds fault with Lucan for distinguishing the chersydros from
the hydrus or natrix. He remarks that the boa is a species of hydrus. (De
Anim. sub.) They are now generally held to be different. See, however,
our commentary on the sixteenth section.
SECT. XV.—ON THE HÆMORRHUS, PRESTER, OR DIPSAS.
Those bitten by the hæmorrhus experience violent pains, and both
longitudinal and lateral contractions of the porous parts of the body,
occasioned by the persistence of the pains. From the bite there is a
copious discharge of blood, and if there happen to be a sore on any part
of the body it bursts out and discharges blood. The alvine evacuations
likewise are bloody, and the blood which is evacuated is thrombous.
When they cough they bring up blood from the lungs, and they die at
last vomiting blood irremediably. Those bitten by the dipsas experience
intolerable heat and intense thirst which is insatiable and unceasing,
so that they swallow copious draughts, and yet they feel as if they
had never drunk; and the whole system is affected, as in dropsy, owing
to constant ingestion of drink. Hence the animal has been called
prester, causon, and dipsas. By most of the ancients those bitten by
the hæmorrhus and dipsas were given over as incurable. But if we have
no particular remedies for this reptile we ought to make trial of the
general applications, and immediately have recourse to scarifications
and burning, and, if the part permit, to amputation of the extremities.
Then acrid cataplasms may be applied. All kinds of acrid food are also
useful, especially that from pickles, drinking undiluted wine, and using
baths. These things are to be applied perseveringly, and repeated at
short intervals, before the complaints make their attacks; for after they
make their appearance no advantage can be derived from medical aid. We
find these topical remedies described for their bites, namely, for those
of the dipsas, the powdered leaves of purslain with vinegar, polenta,
and bramble leaves powdered with honey, plantain, hyssop, white garlic,
leeks, rue, and nettle; and for those of the hæmorrhus the same things,
and, in addition, boiled vine leaves triturated with honey. By the mouth
the burnt head of the animal itself may be taken in a draught, or garlic
with oil of iris. They may likewise eat dried grapes.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Nicander, the hæmorrhus is about a foot in
length, of a black or fiery colour, with two horns on its head, and eyes
like those of locusts. The symptoms brought on by its bite, as described
by Nicander, appear to have been very similar to those of the disease
called purpura hæmorrhagica, namely, a discharge of blood from the gums,
nose, ears, bladder, bowels, or any open sore. Ælian gives exactly the
same account of it. (H. A. xv, 13.)
It appears from Dioscorides that the dipsas was also sometimes called
prester and causon. (vi.) See also Ælian (H. A. vi, 51.) Lucian and
Isidorus, however, make a distinction between the dipsas and prester.
Lucian says that it resembles the viper _de dipsadibus_. In fact the
dipsas seems to have belonged to the viper kind. (See Bochart, Hieroz.
ii, 367.) Galen states that he was informed by the Marsi, who made
a living in Rome by dealing in serpents, that the dipsades were not
a peculiar species of serpents, but a variety of the viper found on
the sea-shores of Africa. (De Simpl. x.) Isidorus thus defines them:
“_Hæmorrhois_ aspis nuncupatur, eo quod sanguinem sudet qui ab eo morsus
fuerit: ita ut dissolutis venis, quicquid vitæ est per sanguinem evocat.”
“_Dipsas_ genus est aspidis quæ Latine _situla_ quia quem memorderit
siti perit.” (Orig. xii, 4.) The effects produced upon the system by the
sting of the dipsas seem to have been of a highly inflammatory nature.
According to Nicander, it kindles a flame in the heart, the lips become
parched, and the person is seized with an unquenchable thirst. These
symptoms are strongly portrayed by Lucan:
“Ecce subit virus tacitum, carpitque medullas
Ignis edax, calidâque accendit viscera tabe.
Ebibit humorem circum vitalia fusum
Pestis, et in sicco linguam torrere palato
Cæpit....
Ille vel in Tanaim missus, Rhodanumque, Padumque,
Arderet, Nilumque bibens per rura vagantem.
Accessit morti Libye, _factique_[1] minorem
Famam Dipsas habet terris adjuta perastis.”
_Pharsal._ ix, 754.
[1] Sic lege non _factiq_.
The Arabians give a similar description of its effects. Haly Abbas
says, that it occasions great heat and burning. Dioscorides treats the
wounds of the dipsas and hæmorrhus upon general principles, namely, by
the external application of cauteries and cataplasms; and the internal
administration of wine and acrid food. Actuarius, in like manner,
recommends undiluted wine and acrid food, and also directs us to amputate
the part, or apply acrid cataplasms according to the degree of danger.
Most of the ancient authorities concur in recommending the theriac; for
an account of the modus operandi of which in this case, see Alexander
Aphrodisiensis (Prob. i, 152.)
We may mention that, after considering the descriptions given by
Nicander, his commentator Eutecnius, Galen, Actuarius, and Avicenna, we
are disposed to think that the text of our author at the beginning of
this section must be corrupt; but we have not ventured to deviate from
it, as we could not hit upon a conjectural emendation to satisfy us. None
of the others mention contractions of the interstices or porous parts of
the body, and all state that there is a discharge of blood from the pores
of the skin. Now it is not probable that our author should have omitted
a symptom so striking as this cutaneous hemorrhage, and substituted one
which the others take no notice of.
Sprengel makes the dipsas to be the _coluber prester_, and the hæmorrhus
the _C. cerastes_. That they were both vipers is quite obvious from the
ancient descriptions of them, and more especially from the account of
them given by Galen. (l. c.)
SECT. XVI.—ON THE HYDRUS, OR WATER SERPENT.
When a person has been bitten by a water serpent, the wound becomes
broad, large, and pale, and a black, copious, and fetid discharge, as
from a spreading ulcer, takes place, and the cure of the mischief is
accomplished only after a length of time, and with difficulty. Wherefore
powdered marjoram mixed with water is to be applied to their bites, or
oak ashes mixed with oil, or barley-flour with melted honey is given to
drink, and birthwort to the amount of two drachms in diluted wine, or
two cyathi of oxycrate; and afterwards the juice of horehound, or its
decoction with wine, or wild cresses, or the fruit of asphodel, or the
flour or the seed of hog’s fennel, with wine. A fresh honeycomb may also
be eaten with vinegar.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This section is taken almost word for word from Dioscorides.
The chersydros, says Nicander, is like the asp, and its bite is followed
by malignant symptoms. The skin about the wound becomes parched and
putrid, along with heat and pains all over the body. Isidorus says of it:
“Hydros aquatilis serpens a quo icti obturgescunt.” (Orig. xii, 4.) See
also Pliny. (H. N. xxix, 22.) Haly Abbas says, it occasions lividity of
the part, from which a black fetid discharge takes place. (Theor. viii,
21.)
Bochart makes this to have been the serpent which so annoyed the
children of Israel in the wilderness. (Hier. ii, 421.)
According to Sprengel, it is the _coluber natrix_. (Notæ in Dioscor.)
Gesner and Dr. Milligan make it to have been the _coluber lutrix vel
chersea_, L. It is now generally held not to be venomous. We have alluded
in our commentary on the fourteenth section to the confusion of the
hydrus with the dryinus. Schneider has a learned annotation on this
subject in his ‘Curæ posteriores’ to Nicander’s Theriacs, (l. 432.)
SECT. XVII.—ON THE CENCHRINUS.
When a person is bitten by the cenchrinus, the bite is like that of the
echidna, mortification supervenes, and the flesh melts away, having been
previously swelled as in dropsy, and he becomes lethargic and comatose.
Erasistratus says that the liver, bladder, and colon are affected; for
upon dissection these parts were found corrupted. Wherefore they are
remedied by a cataplasm composed of the fruit of lettuce with linseed,
and by pounded savory, and by wild rue, and by wild thyme triturated with
asphodel; and two drachms of the root of centaury should be immediately
given in a draught with three cyathi of nine, or the root of birthwort in
like manner, and so also cresses and gentian.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Nicander, the cenchrinus, called also the lion,
has a body of varied size, and marked with punctated squamæ.
Dioscorides and Actuarius give exactly the same account of this serpent
as our author. Haly Abbas in like manner describes it as occasioning
mortification and putridity of the part. (Theor. viii, 21.) Isidorus says
of it, “Cenchris serpens in flexuosis qui semper iter rectum efficit. De
quo Lucanus: Et semper recto lapsurus limite cenchris.”
Sprengel conjectures that it is a variety of the coluber berus, or viper,
which is highly probable. According to Belon, it is three palms long, of
the thickness of the little finger; of a cinereous colour, with black
spots. Aëtius makes it to be the same as the acontias, which there can be
no doubt was the same as the jaculus of Lucan. Yet Lucan treats of the
jaculus and cenchris separately. (Phars. ix.)
SECT. XVIII.—ON THE CERASTES AND ASP.
According to Galen, there are three kinds of asps: that called the
land asp, the chelidonian, and the third the ptyas, which is the most
pernicious of all; for, stretching its neck, and measuring a convenient
distance, with great sagacity, it disgorges the poison into the body.
This is said to be the kind of asp which Queen Cleopatra, when Augustus,
having vanquished Antony, wished to seize on her, took and applied to her
left breast, and being bitten by it she died very quickly. When a person
is bitten by the cerastes the part becomes tumefied, with hardness and
blisters, and from the bite there flows an ichor which is sometimes black
and sometimes pale, and like leeks; the whole system becomes of a dark
pale colour, with erection of the privy member, and mental alienation;
then dimness of sight comes on, and they die at last convulsed, as in
tetanus. When a person is bitten by an asp, the bite resembles the prick
of a needle, being very small in appearance, and without tumefaction,
and it discharges blood not copiously but in small quantity, and of a
black colour. Straightway dimness of the eyes seizes them, and various
pains all over the body, which are altogether slight, and not without
enjoyment, supervene; wherefore Nicander has properly said, “and without
suffering dies the man.” The colour is changed and becomes as green
as grass, there is a gnawing pain at the orifice of the stomach, the
forehead is constantly drawn upwards, the eyelids are moved insensibly
as in sleep, and with these symptoms death cuts off the man before
the third part of a day has passed over. In both these cases speedy
amputation of the extremities averts the evil. Wherefore the bitten
part is to be amputated without delay, if possible, or the flesh is to
be cut off immediately down to the bone, in order that the poison may
not pass through the parts which are bitten and the adjacent ones. Then
what remains is to be seared by cauteries. For the poison of these, like
that of the basilisk and bull’s blood, quickly coagulates the blood and
spirits in the arteries.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Nicander, the most pestiferous asp is about an
ell in length, its colour squalid, its eyes of a drowsy appearance, and
when it bites a person it leaves a very small wound; neither swelling
nor inflammation is perceived, “and the man without pain sinks into a
profound sleep.” This is the serpent which Cleopatra despatched herself
with. See some curious remarks upon this event, and the nature of the
serpent in Galen (Ther. ad Pison.), from which our author borrows his
account of it.
Nicander says of the cerastes that it resembles the male viper, only
that the latter has no horns, whereas the former has either two or four.
Isidorus says of them, “_Aspis_ vocata quod morsu venena immittat et
aspergat: ἱὸς enim Græci venenum dicunt, et inde _aspis_ quod morsu
venenato interimat” (Orig. xii, iv); and of the cerastes, “_Cerastes_
serpens dictus eo quod in capite cornua habeat similia arietum: sunt
autem quadrigemina cornicula, quorum ostentatione, veluti escâ illiciens
sollicitata animalia perimit.” (Ibid.) Harris says, “The shephephon (Gen.
xlix. 17) is probably the cerastes, a serpent of the viper kind.” (Nat.
Hist. of the Bible.) Bochart, however, has proved that the shephephon
signifies both the cerastes and the hæmorrhus, which are very much
alike, being both vipers. (Hier. ii, 416.) Sprengel, in fact, makes the
hæmorrhus to be the same as the cerastes.
Our author’s treatment is principally taken from Dioscorides. Aëtius,
however, gives the fullest account of them. He says the sting of the
most fatal species of asp proves fatal in three hours; and that those
wounded by the cerastes generally live nine days. He represents the asp
as occasioning great coldness, torpor, and at last convulsions. Besides
the local remedies applicable in all such cases, he recommends in an
especial manner vinegar, which is to be administered in great quantities.
Celsus thus explains the way in which vinegar proves efficacious for
counteracting the effect of a frigorific poison: “Credo quoniam id
(acetum) quamvis refrigerandi vim habet, tamen habet etiam dissipandi.
Quo fit ut terra respersa eo spumat. Eadem ergo vi verisimile est
spissescentem quoque intus humorem hominis ab eo discuti, et sic dari
sanitatem.”
The author of the work ‘Euporistôn,’ usually published with those of
Dioscorides, recommends, in the case of a person stung by the asp,
constant shaking, beating, and movement of the whole body, with the
affusion of hot salt water. (Euporist. ii, 120.)
Pliny says the poison of an asp proves immediately fatal when introduced
into a fresh wound, more slowly when the sore is old, and that it is
perfectly innoxious when swallowed by the mouth. (N. H. xxix, 18.)
The account which Avicenna gives of these serpents is mostly taken from
Aëtius and our author.
Agricola describes the asp to be four feet long, and of the thickness
of a spear. The cerastes, he says, in other respects resembles a viper,
except that it has two or four substances on its head like horns.
Madden, a late traveller in the East, gives a different account of the
horned serpent (coluber cerastes); he says that of two which he purchased
from the Psylli one was a foot long, and the other a foot and a half. A
lancet smeared with the venom of one of them killed a dog in three hours.
The French naturalists who attended the expedition to Egypt found a
viper, called _hage_ by the inhabitants, which they held to be identical
with the asp of the ancients. We need have no hesitation then in deciding
that the coluber Ægyptiacus is the celebrated asp of antiquity. That
the cerastes was a variety of the asp seems highly probable from the
description which Nicander gives of both. (Theriac 177 and 259.) See also
Wilkinson’s ‘Thebes,’ p. 378. In fine, the asp and cerastes were merely
varieties of the common viper of Egypt.
SECT. XIX.—ON THE BASILISK.
This reptile seldom comes under the sight of men; but Erasistratus says,
when the basilisk bites one the wound becomes of a faint golden colour,
and he also says that three drachms of castor taken in a draught proves a
remedy in such cases, and in like manner the juice of poppy; but we have
had no trial of these things.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The basilisk, according to Nicander, has a sharp body about
three palms in length, of a bright yellow colour, and is called the king
of reptiles, because all the others flee from his hiss. Pliny, Solinus,
and most of the ancient authorities seem to copy Nicander’s description
of the basilisk. The symptoms produced by his sting are said to be
inflammation of the whole body, lividity and putrefaction of the flesh.
(Theriac. l. c.) See also Galen (Ther. ad Pison.)
Avicenna states that the basilisk stupefies birds and other animals which
approach him. He relates the case of a soldier who transfixed a basilisk
with his spear, and the poison proved fatal both to him and his horse,
whose lip was accidentally wounded with the spear. Lucan relates the case
of a soldier in the army of Cato, who having wounded a basilisk with a
spear, and having felt his hand affected with the poison, saved his life
by immediately cutting it off with his sword. (Phars. ix, 830.) Similar
histories are given by Pliny, Dioscorides, Actuarius, and Isidorus.
Solinus affirms that it proves fatal to all beasts, birds, and vegetables.
For an explanation of the passages of scripture wherein mention is made
of the basilisk, see Bochart (Hier. ii, 339.)
Sprengel says: “Linnæus omnem fabulam (de Basilisco) ad Lacertæ genus,
capite cristato, _Iguanæ_ proximum, reduxit.” (Comment. in Dioscor.)
M. l’Abbé Bonneterre also affirms that the basilisk is not poisonous.
(Encyc. Méthod.) It may be doubted, however, if we be now acquainted with
the basilisk of the ancients. It would appear to us almost certain that
the ancient basilisk must have been either the _cobra di capello_, or one
of the serpents described by an intelligent traveller under the names
of _buskah_ and _el effah_ as being still found in Morocco. (Jackson’s
Account of Morocco, 109.) The former of these, indeed, judging of it from
the drawing which he gives must be a variety of the _cobra_ or _coluber
naja_, L. We may add that a very intelligent modern authority on the
toxicology of the ancients, Ardoyn, gives such a description of the
basilisk as applies very well to the _cobra_. The crown (corona) on the
head can refer to no other serpent than the hooded snake. (De venenis,
vi.) It is now well ascertained that the _cobra_ is indigenous in Africa.
SECT. XX.—ON THE SEA PASTINACA AND MURÆNA.
In the case of sea animals, such as the fire-flaire and murene, the
diagnosis is obvious, for these fishes are well known. Those who are
bitten by them are remedied by four drops of the juice of figs, or
a little more, with three or four small branches of wild thyme in a
draught, and those things used for echidna.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander says that the sting of the pastinaca occasions
putridity in the flesh of a man who is wounded by it, and that it proves
fatal to a tree in like manner. The same thing is asserted by Aëtius,
Oppian, Phile, and Ælian. Our author and Actuarius copy from Dioscorides.
Avicenna recommends an embrocation of hot vinegar, and ointments composed
of bay-leaves, oil of pellitory, and so forth; and in like manner
recommends various calefacient medicines internally.
The murene of the ancients was that elegant species of eel to which the
scientific name of _muræna helena_ is now applied. It is rarely found
on the British coasts but is common in the Mediterranean. The pastinaca
marina of the ancients, was the _raia pastinaca_, L., i. q., _trygon
pastinaca_, Cuvier, namely, the sting-ray or fire-flaire. Sprengel
affirms that its sting is not venomous, as the ancients represent; but
there can be no doubt that it is capable of producing inflammation. See
Yarrel (British Fishes, ii, 588.) We may mention in this place that the
account of the copulation between the viper and the murene which is given
by Nicander, Oppian and other ancient authors, is held to be fabulous
by Andreas, the physician, as quoted by the scholiast on Nicander. (Ad
Theriac, 822.)
SECT. XXI.—ON THE SEA-DRAGON.
Rub the wound inflicted by the sea-dragon with lead, or apply a cataplasm
of pounded wild thyme, or of boiled lentil, or of sulphur with vinegar,
or the dragon itself may be torn in pieces and applied. Wash the part
with human urine, and give potions of wormwood with diluted wine, or of
sage, or of fig branches steeped in sweet wine, or of the brains of the
fish itself.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. A great variety of remedies for the wound of the sea-dragon
are described by Nicander. For an account of the draco, see Dioscorides
(vi, 45); Aristotle (H. A. viii, 13); Ælian (H. A. xiv, 12); Nonnus
(276); Pliny (H. N. xxix, 20); Aëtius (xiii, 39); Phile (80); Avicenna
(iv, 6, 3.)
We need have no hesitation in referring the sea-dragon of the ancients to
the _trachinus draco_, L., Angl., the great weever or sting-ball. This is
agreed upon by all the best commentators, as Rondelet, Artedi, Coray, and
Sprengel. Fishermen are still very apprehensive of its sting. See Yarrel
(Brit. Fishes, i, 25.)
SECT. XXII.—ON THE SEA-SCORPION.
The wound of the sea-scorpion is cured by a surmullet torn in pieces and
applied, by sulphur vivum rubbed with vinegar, or by three bay-berries
pounded and drunk.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Dioscor. (vi, 45); Nonnus (277); Aëtius (xiii, 40);
Athenæus (353, ed. Casaubon.); Avicenna (iv, 6, 3, 23.)
Bochart says of the sea scorpion: “Is cum terrestri nihil habet commune
præter venenatos aculeos, non in caudâ sed in capite et toto corpore
sparsos.” (Hierob. ii, 635.)
According to Sprengel, it is either the _scorpæna scrofa_ or the _cottus
scorpius_ Bloch. (Comment. in Dios.) It is a fish still very much dreaded
on account of its sharp spines. See Yarrel (Br. Fishes, i, 76.)
SECT. XXIII.—THE PREPARATION OF THE BLOOD OF THE SEA-TORTOISE.
The blood of the sea-tortoise is to be prepared for keeping in this
way. Having stretched the tortoise with its belly upwards on a wooden
or earthen vessel, cut off its head quickly, and when its blood is
coagulated, divide it into many parts with a reed, put a sieve upon the
vessel in place of a lid and lay it up in the sun. When dried take it and
use for bites of vipers, as aforesaid; two drachms with one cyathus of
vinegar, on the second day four drachms with two cyathi of vinegar, and
on the third eight drachms with three cyathi of vinegar.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This section is copied from Aëtius (xiii, 24.) In our
translation we have followed the text of Aëtius, that of our author being
manifestly corrupt.
SECT. XXIV.—ON PERSONS BITTEN BY CROCODILES.
For the bites of the crocodile apply levigated natron until the ulcer be
cleansed, then fill it with honey, butter, stag’s marrow, or the fat of
geese. But Galen says, that he has known persons bitten by crocodiles
manifestly relieved by the application of the fat of the crocodiles
themselves to the wounds.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This case is more fully treated of by Aëtius (xiii, 6.) His
remedies are mostly of an acrid stimulant nature such as misy, pickle,
salts, myrrh, verdigris, &c. The application recommended by our author
upon the authority of Galen is ascribed by Aëtius to Apollonius.
SECT. XXV.—ON PERSONS BITTEN BY A MAN.
It will not be foreign to my subject along with venomous animals also to
treat of persons bitten by men, since the bites inflicted by men are much
more malignant than other ulcers, more especially if the person who bit
happens to be fasting, or had previously eaten some pulse, particularly
dried lentil. Wherefore, the general remedies for poisonous animals may
be applied externally to the bite with advantage at the commencement,
with the exception of such as are very acrid and caustic; in particular
having first rubbed the bite with oil, apply a cataplasm of the roots
of hog’s fennel with honey, or apply the flour of beans with oxycrate,
and vinegar and rose oil, sponging it frequently. And use the following
plaster: Of squama æris, of galbanum, of verdigris, of each, oz. j; of
wax, lb. j; of molybdæna, lb. ij; of oil, one sextarius. The molybdæna
being first boiled in the oil receives the verdigris and squama æris,
and when it thickens it receives the soluble substances. When the
inflammation subsides treat it as a common ulcer.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Similar treatment is recommended by Aëtius (xiii, 1);
Apuleius (9, 2); Serenus (45); Pliny (H. N. xxviii, 4); Oribasius (de
Morb. Curat. iii, 71); Avicenna (iv, 6, 4); and Haly Abbas (Pract. iv,
28.)
It may be proper to mention in this place that instances have not
been wanting in modern times to confirm the accounts given by ancient
authorities, of fatal effects being occasioned by the bite of a man. See
Hildanus (Chirurg. i); Forestus (xxx, 12); Hoffman (Diss. de saliv. et
op. morb. 5); Zacutus Lusitanus (Prax. adm. iii, 84, 89.)
SECT. XXVI.—ON POISONS.
Having given a compendious account of venomous animals, we shall next
treat of deleterious substances, giving an exposition of the simple ones,
and detailing the symptoms of them with their general and particular
remedies. As to the compound ones we leave them to be treated of by any
person who chooses; for some have described the compositions of certain
deadly medicines which are more likely to prove injurious than beneficial
to the reader. For neither are the exact symptoms which occurred in
those who took them described, by which a suitable remedy might be found
out; for the symptoms varying according to the nature of the prevailing
ingredient, one might, from conjecture, vary the remedies accordingly.
Wherefore here again we must begin with the prophylactics.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We now enter upon the consideration of the second and most
important division of toxicology; namely, alexipharmics, which treats of
poisonous substances taken inwardly. All the writers on theriacs treat
also of alexipharmics, and of these the most ancient, and one of the
most interesting, is the Colophonian poet Nicander. Of the subsequent
authors, Dioscorides and Aëtius among the Greeks, and Avicenna and
Alsaharavius among the Arabians, are most particularly deserving of
notice.
SECT. XXVII.—ON THE PRESERVATIVES FROM POISONS.
Of the doctrine of poisonous substances, the most difficult part is
the prophylactic; because those who administer poisons in a concealed
manner, prepare them so as to deceive the most skilful. Thus they take
away the bitterness of deleterious substances by mixing them with sweet
things, and the fetid smell by a mixture with aromatics. Sometimes
in diseases, while appearing to administer such things as wormwood,
southernwood, opoponax, and castor, for a beneficial purpose, they mix
poisons with them; or they give them in the food, namely, in the harder
and more complex articles, mixing the poisons with them. Wherefore a
person who entertains suspicions, ought to avoid all prepared dishes and
every intense quality, such as sweetness, saltness, and acidity; and in
particular to take plenty of water, for when the appetite is satiated,
the particular qualities are afterwards easily detected. There is
likewise another efficacious mode of prophylaxis: for they who suspect
anything of this kind should take such things as will blunt and take away
the effect of the poisons, as dried grapes with walnuts, rue, a lump
of salt, and citrons. Let them also take rape-seed to the amount of a
drachm in wine, or the leaves of calamint, or Lemnian earth, and twenty
leaves of rue, and they will not be hurt by any poison. And certain
antidotes taken with wine every day to the amount of an Egyptian bean
will protect completely, such as the one from skink, that from blood, and
the Mithridate, which king Mithridates took every day as a preservative
from deadly poison; and being captured by the Romans, he drank twice
of a deadly poison, and not being able to despatch himself thereby, he
killed himself with his sword. And since people are sometimes exposed to
deleterious things accidentally in desert places without design, if they
happen to take up their abode under certain trees, such as pines or firs,
they ought to be on their guard against deadly animals, which fall from
them and the roofs of houses, and keep the vessels in which their wine is
contained, and in which they boil victuals, well covered up, as has been
stated when treating of the preservatives from venomous animals.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nearly the whole contents of this section are taken from
Dioscorides. (Præf.)
The account of the treatment given by Aëtius is somewhat fuller than our
author’s, but not materially different.
Avicenna makes mention of the same medicines as Dioscorides, and says
nothing of any other remedies.
Of the substances mentioned by our author, and the others as
preservatives from poisons, some are demulcents, and may be supposed to
act by obtunding the acrimony of poisons, such as figs, walnuts, and
rape-seed; some are simple absorbents, such as Lemnian earth, which
probably resembled red ochre, and was also emetic: some are stimulants,
such as rue, calamint, and wine; and some are refrigerant acids, such as
citrons, which may be supposed to act as analeptics and restoratives.
Virgil mentions this property of the citron:
“Media fert tristes succos tardumque saporem
Felicis mali: quo non præsentius ullum,
Pocula si quando sævæ infecere novercæ
Miscueruntque herbas, et non innoxia verba,
Auxilium venit, ac membris agit atra venena.”
_Georg._ ii.
See in particular Simeon Seth (in voce Κιτρὰ); and Athen. (Deip. ii.)
Dr. Paris states that when a narcotic poison has been ejected from the
stomach, citrons or any fruit containing a vegetable acid will produce
the best effects. (See Pharmacologia i, 254.)
SECT. XXVIII.—THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN ANY SORT OF
DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCE.
If any persons have already taken some deadly poison with the intention
of despatching themselves, such as often happens in life, or from the
wicked design of others, if it be obvious to us what substance has
been taken, we can straightway apply the suitable remedy, as will be
described in the account of them. But if the medicine is unknown to
us, we must have recourse immediately to such things as are generally
applicable to those who have taken any poison whatever; for to wait until
the consequent symptoms have come on, is to render the case hopeless,
since owing to the remedies being too long of being applied such symptoms
can hardly be removed: wherefore, without delay, we must give warm oil
by itself or with water, and force them to vomit, or if oil is not at
hand, butter with hot water may be given, or a decoction of mallows, or
of linseed, or of spelt, or of fenugreek, or of nettle seed. For these
things will not only evacuate by vomiting, but will loosen the belly and
counteract the bad effects of the poisons, by blunting their acrimony;
and more especially oil will do this, as you may ascertain clearly from
the following consideration. For if you wish to produce ulceration
of the skin by means of cantharides, quicklime, or some such acrid
substance, and the body has been previously rubbed with oil, no ulcers
will take place, and neither also can you astringe the body if previously
rubbed with oil. Besides, vomiting is not only useful by evacuating the
offending matter, but by showing the poison which had been taken from its
smell, particles, or colour. For by its smell and bitterness poppy-juice
is known; by their colour, ceruse and gypsum; by their coagula, milk and
fresh blood; by their heavy smell and quality, the sea-hare and toad: so
that by these means we are enabled to have recourse to the remedies which
are suitable to each. With the oil may be mixed the decoction of mallows,
or the grease of geese, or broth prepared from fat flesh or fowls, or the
cinders of wood. Natron also triturated with hydromel, much old wine,
and those things which are prepared from fat or butter are efficacious.
Having evacuated the contents of the stomach by emetics, we must bring
away whatever had passed into the intestines by a stimulant clyster.
After these things, we are to give milk to drink, for whatever is noxious
and deleterious will be readily changed by it. We must also give those
medicines which are generally applicable to all such cases, among which
are the Lemnian vermilion, southernwood, agaric, hedge-mustard, the root
of eryngo, the seed of parsnip or of calamint, the Celtic nard, castor,
the inner part of green fennel-giant, the flowers of nerium (called also
rhododendron and rhododaphon), the juice of leeks, laserwort or the juice
thereof, sagapene, opoponax, the juice and root of hog’s fennel, the long
birthwort, the seed of wild rue, the leaves of that species of cestrum,
called betony; of each of these a drachm may be taken in wine. The
decoction of poley and liquid pitch in a linctus is also efficacious, and
the aforesaid antidotes are excellent remedies, especially the theriac
from vipers. But they have not the same power when taken after as before
the poisonous substances, for a dose which would have been sufficient, if
administered beforehand, to prevent any bad consequences, must be given
in a fourfold or fivefold quantity, in order to prove effectual when
administered afterwards, and that too not once, but twice a day. For such
is the opinion of the celebrated Galen.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Except the last two sentences the whole of this section
is copied from Dioscorides. Celsus’ directions, so far as they go,
are excellent: “Commodissimum est tamen, ubi primum sensit aliquis,
protinus oleo multo epoto vomere: deinde, ubi præcordia exhausit, bibere
antidotum; si id non est, vel merum vinum.” The directions given by
Aëtius are to the same purpose as our author’s, but somewhat fuller. He
is particularly to be commended for the precision with which he lays
down the rules of treatment, when any organ happens to be affected in an
especial manner. Thus, if the poison attack the bladder, he directs us
to put the patient into a hip-bath of oil or water, in which fenugreek,
linseed, mallows, or some such emollient herbs have been, boiled and
to give him to drink the decoction of some vegetable diuretic, such as
parsley, fennel, or spikenard. If the bladder be corroded he directs
us to give the seed of cucumber in diluted sweet wine. In the same
manner when the intestines are corroded the same seed is to be given,
and all heating articles are to be abstained from. When the poison is
determined to the skin, he recommends the hip-bath of oil or water,
friction with warm oil, and the like, evidently with the intention
of evacuating it from the pores of the skin. Food of easy digestion,
soups with honey, tender fishes, and the like are to be given. When
the head is particularly affected he directs us to evacuate the bowels
with a clyster of linseed, marshmallows, and a decoction of the root of
the wild cucumber, after which sternutatories and odoriferous things
are to be applied to the nose. Like our author, he strongly commends
Lemnian earth with wine as an excellent and speedy emetic. This remedy
is also mentioned by Avicenna. Galen assures us that he found it an
excellent emetic in various cases of poisoning. (Simpl. ix.) It consists
principally of silica, alumina, and oxyde of iron.
Avicenna directs us to give immediately as an emetic, oil of sesame
or olive oil, impregnated if possible with the virtues of dill, and
afterwards to use demulcents, such as the decoction of linseed, melted
butter and milk. These emetics are to be followed by clysters, provided
the mischief has spread downwards. If the disorder continue, another
emetic is to be given, and draughts of milk repeated. When, after the
emetic, inflammation supervenes, he directs us to give snow-water, or
oil of roses, and to promote vomiting with them. When the poison is
ascertained to be of an inflammatory nature the parts affected are to be
cooled with camphor, rose-water, or that of coriander; or these things
are to be congealed in snow and applied over the vital organs. If the
poison is ascertained to be of a sharp penetrating nature, medicines
are to be given to blunt its acrimony, such as milk, almond oil, melted
butter, &c. Bloodletting, if indicated, is to be performed. When the
poison is known to be of a stupefying nature, garlic is to be given, or
the theriac and assafœtida in undiluted wine. When it is particularly
deleterious, the cure is to be effected by means of the mithridate,
theriac, musk, and other aromatics. He inculcates the necessity of
preventing sleep and of rousing by every possible means. The patient
is to be covered with aromatic cloths, the pit of his stomach is to
be rubbed, his face is to be fanned, his hair pulled, and in short,
everything is to be done to prevent him from sinking into a state of
stupor.
Haly Abbas recommends the same plan of treatment. When the poison is
discharged he recommends citrons, plums, and the like, as restoratives.
Rhases gives the following directions: First, he says, produce vomiting
with oil and water; then give food of a nauseating nature to continue
this operation; if the bowels are inflamed give snow-water and rose-oil,
and afterwards provoke vomiting once more: administer the theriac, rub
the hands and feet, and when the poison appears to have descended to the
intestines give clysters. (Contin. l. c.) Rhases and other of the Arabian
authorities recommend the bezoar stone as an antidote for poisons.
SECT. XXIX.—A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLE DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES.
Of deleterious substances, the following animals are destructive:
cantharis, buprestis, salamander, pine-caterpillar, the sea-hare, the
toad, the mute marsh frog, and leeches when swallowed; and, of seeds, the
henbane, coriander, fleawort, hemlock, and gith; of juices, meconium,
opocarpasum, thapsia, elaterium, and mandragora; of roots, chamæleon,
wolfsbane, thapsia, ixia, hellebore, black agaric, ephemeron, which some
call colchicum, because it grows in Colchis; of trees and potherbs,
smilax, which some call thymium, but the Romans called taxus, the
strychnus furiosa, which is called dorycnium, the Sardoan herb, which is
a species of ranunculus, horned poppy, pharicum, toxicum, wild rue, and
mushrooms; of animal productions, fresh bull’s blood, coagulated milk,
Heraclean honey; of metals, gypsum, ceruse, lime, arsenic, sandarach,
litharge, adarce, lead, and that which is called mercury; and of domestic
articles, much wine taken at a draught after the bath, or must, or cold
water in like manner.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Nicander, in his Alexipharmics, treats of the following
deleterious substances:—1, Aconitum, or wolfsbane; 2, Argenti spuma,
or litharge; 3, Buprestis; 4, Cantharides; 5, Ceruse, or whitelead; 6,
Conium, or hemlock; 7, Coriander; 8, Dorycnium (see below); 9, Ephemeron,
or meadow saffron; 10, Fungi, or poisonous mushrooms; 11, Hirudines, or
leeches; 12, Hyoscyamus, or henbane; 13, Ixias, probably a species of
chamæleon; 14, Coagulated milk; 15, The sea-hare; 16, Papaver, or poppy;
17, Pharicum, probably a composition from agaric (see Schneider’s note);
18, the red toad and marsh frog; 19, the salamander; 20, Bulls’ blood;
21, Taxus, or the yew-tree; 22, Toxicum, not ascertained. See Avicenna.