Chapter VI: Book I: , 68.) Of course it would consist of nothing but animal sweat, (2)

COMMENTARY. It comprehends several species of the Cicer. The κριὸς is undoubtedly the _Cicer arietanum_. The two other species cannot be so readily determined. Probably they are but varieties produced by cultivation. We have treated of them among the articles of food, in the 79th section of the First Book. As a medicine, Dioscorides recommends them especially in a cataplasm for inflammations of the testicles, scabies, achor, lichen, cancerous and ill-conditioned ulcers. All kinds of vetches, he says, are diuretic, and prove useful when given with rosemary, for jaundice and dropsy. (ii, 126.) Galen gives the chiches the same character, and further holds them to be lithontriptic. (De Simpl. v.) Aëtius follows him closely. (i.) The Arabians in addition say that chiches are anthelminthic, diuretic, and purgative, and that they are useful in arthritic diseases. See Serapion (80); Avicenna (ii, 2, 128); and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 209.) Avicenna, in particular, gives a long list of their medicinal virtues. In addition to those already stated, he joins Hippocrates in holding chiches to be aphrodisiacal; and hence he says procreating animals, such as camels, are fed with them. He joins the others in holding them to be deobstruent, lithontriptic, cathartic, and diuretic. Chiches long held a place in our Dispensatory with the characters given to them by Dioscorides and Avicenna. See Quincy (111) and Rutty (122.) Three sorts were used in modern as in ancient times, namely, the white, the red, and the black, but, as Quincy remarks, their medicinal virtues are all pretty much the same.

Ἔρια,

Lana, _Wool_; that which is unscoured is useful for embrocations, for the Œsypum is digestive, like butter. That which is scoured is simply the vehicle for other applications. That which is burnt has acrid, hot, and desiccative powers, with some tenuity of parts so as to melt down the flaccid flesh of ulcers.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, and the other authorities give nearly the same account of the medicinal properties of wool.

Ἐρίκη,

Erica, _Heath_, is possessed of discutient powers without pungency. Its flower and leaves are principally to be used.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Sprengel and Schneider agree that it is the _Erica arborea_, but the description of it given by Dioscorides, namely, that “it is like the tamarisk but much smaller,” would rather seem to apply to one of the lesser species. Dioscorides commends it as an application to the bites of reptiles. (i, 116.) Our author copies from Galen. The Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, would appear not to have treated of it, and it has not held a place in our Dispensatory for a long time past. The old herbalists, copying from the ancient authorities, ascribe to the heath the virtues which Dioscorides and Galen held it to be possessed of.

Ἔρινος,

Erinos, _Water-basil_, is an aquatic herb, two drachms of the fruit of which with four drachms of honey, when rubbed in stops defluxions of the eyes. Its juice is also a remedy for earache.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. That it is a species of _Campanula_ has been long agreed upon. Columna held it to be the _C. Rapunculus_ or _Rampions_, but Sprengel names it _C. Erinus_. It is the _echinos_ of Galen, as is obvious from the similarity of the descriptions of the two articles. Few of the other authorities notice it. Our author merely abridges Dioscorides (iv, 29.) The rapunculus or rampion is still cultivated as a salad. See Loudon (Encycl. of Garden. 734.)

Ἑρμοδάκτυλος,

Hermodactylus, _Hermodactyl_; the root of it is possessed of purgative properties, and also the decoction. It is given for affections of the joints in rheumatism, but it is bad for the stomach.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. We cannot afford room here to discuss fully the much agitated question respecting the ancient hermodactylus, and beg to refer to what we have said on the subject in the Appendix to Dunbar’s Lexicon. See also particularly the commentators on Mesue and Dioscorides. It is to be remarked that our author has entirely omitted to notice the Κολχικὸν of Dioscorides by name, and that the only article which he has in place of it is the Ἑρμ. This is a presumptive proof of the identity of these two medicines. Serapion moreover, in his chapter on Hermodactylus, gives the words of our author in this place along with Dioscorides’s account of the colchicum. Accordingly, Bergius, Tournefort, Humelbergius, and Geoffroy are decidedly of opinion that they were identical. Prosper Alpinus, in like manner, says of it “hermodactylus qui est radix colchici Græcorum.” (De Med. Meth. iii, 9.) See also Hill’s Mat. Med. On this side of the question we further beg to quote the authority of Dr. Paris: “The active ingredient of the _Eau médicinale_ has been discovered to be the _Colchicum Autumnale_ or meadow-saffron; upon investigating the properties of this medicine, it was observed that similar effects in the cure of the gout were ascribed to a certain plant called hermodactylus by Oribasius and Aëtius (Paulus _Æg._?), but more particularly by Alexander of Tralles, a physician of Asia Minor, in the fourth century; an inquiry was accordingly instituted after this unknown plant, and upon procuring a specimen of it from Constantinople it was actually found to be a species of colchicum.” (Pharmacologia, 58.) We have already given a full account of the administration of hermodactylus in gout. (Book III, 78.) Alexander of Tralles, as far as we know, is the earliest authority that treats of the hermodactylus by name, and he recommends it for the cure of arthritic diseases. (xi.) Our author is the only one of the Greek writers who admits it into the Materia Medica. The Arabians treat of it fully, but some of them confusedly, by mixing up the ancient descriptions of the _ephemeron_ and _colchicum_ with it. Thus Serapion, after quoting, as already stated, Dioscorides’s account of the _colchicum_, gives the opinions of various Arabian authorities, all of whom concur in representing it to be a calefacient herb, and most of them in recommending it in diseases of the joints. (De Simpl. 194.) Mesue recommends it as a phlegmagogue in diseases of the joints, when given internally with cumin, ginger, pepper, myrobalans, &c.; and externally in the form of a cataplasm. He also states it to be a good application to foul ulcers. (De Simpl. vii.) Avicenna quotes no Greek authority in his chapter on Hermodactylus but Paulus, from which it may be inferred that he did not identify it with the colchicum of Dioscorides, like Serapion. He recommends it especially in gout, both internally and in the form of plaster. (ii, 2, 343.) Rhases refers to no other Greek authorities on this head except Paulus and Alexander, but quotes the opinions of several Arabians, all of whom agree in recommending hermodactylus in gout and foul ulcers. An anonymous authority makes it to be aphrodisiac. (Cont. l. ult. 362.) See also Haly Abbas (Pract. ii, 43.) It is particularly to be remarked that the Arabian authorities all notice three varieties of the hermodactyl root, the white, the red, and the black; and restrict the medicinal use of the H. to the first of these, and condemn the two others as being deleterious. Nicholaus Myrepsus (i, 1) and Actuarius (De Compos. Med. i), however, prescribe also the red, which the learned Fuchsius, in his annotations on the former, sets down as being the _behen rubrum_. We know not what are his grounds for this opinion. It is the white variety which has been always used medicinally. See Boerhaave, Quincy, and Pereira. We would beg particularly to refer our readers who wish to obtain the modern literature of this subject, to the Materia Medica of Pereira (p. 949.)

Ἕρπυλλος,

Serpyllum, _Wild Thyme_, is heating, so as to promote the urinary and menstrual discharge.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. All agree that the _Thymus Serpyllum_ is possessed of diuretic and emmenagogue powers. Dioscorides recommends it in tormina, convulsions, &c., and as an alexipharmic. The others, like our author, treat more briefly of it in general terms. Serapion and Avicenna borrow freely from Dioscorides. The _Serpyllum_ held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient characters down to a very recent date. See Quincy and Rutty (Mat. Med.) The latter, however, questions its identity with the ancient _Serpyllum_.

Ἐρυθρόδανον,

Erythrodanum, _Madder_, is the Rubia Tinctorum. Being sour and bitter, it purges the spleen, liver, and kidneys, so as to occasion a discharge of bloody urine. It acts as an emmenagogue, and cleanses the sordes of the skin.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. There seems scarcely any reason to hesitate in admitting it to be the _Rubia Tinctorum_, madder and dyer’s madder. Dioscorides holds it to be powerfully diuretic, insomuch as sometimes to occasion a discharge of blood in the urine. He recommends it in sciatica and paralysis; as an alexipharmic medicine, and as producing abortion, menstruation, and the lochial discharge when applied as a pessary. He adds, that it cures alphos (mild leprosy) in a cataplasm with vinegar. (iii, 150.) Our author borrows from Galen, who sets it down as being deobstruent, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Aëtius uses nearly the same words as our author in treating of it. All the Arabians follow the Greeks in giving madder the character of being diuretic and deobstruent when given internally, and emmenagogue and alexipharmic when applied externally. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 573), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 590.) The Arabian writers mention that a bread was sometimes prepared from madder in times of famine. (Casiri, Bibl. Arab. Hisp., 336.) It is still sometimes given as an emmenagogue, notwithstanding that Dodonæus questioned the truth of Dioscorides’s opinion as to its possessing the powers of occasioning bloody urine and a discharge of the menses. (De Purgant. 97.) Our old herbalists, Parkinson and Gerard, dispute whether Dioscorides or Dodonæus is to be followed in this instance. The _Rubia Tinctorum_ holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.

Ἐρύσιμον,

Erysimum, _Hedge-mustard_; its seed is fiery and heating, equally as cresses. Wherefore, when boiled in leaven and added to linctuses, it purges the chest. It also softens indurations, and in the form of a cataplasm is of use for latent cancers.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. We may pretty confidently set it down as the _Erysimum officinale_, Hedge-mustard. Our author abridges Galen, who, in the present case, borrows almost everything from Dioscorides. Aëtius copies from Galen even more closely than our author. The Arabians, in like manner, borrow everything from Dioscorides and Galen under this head. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 357.) It is worthy of remark that Dr. Hill gives the same medicinal character to the hedge-mustard which Dioscorides gives to the _Erysimon_, which it will be admitted forms a strong presumption of their identity; at all events, they were evidently congeners, a fact which is not disputed by those who question their identity. See Rutty (Mat. Med.) and Sprengel (ad Dioscor.)

Εὔζωμον,

Eruca, _Rocket_, being also like it in temperament, is flatulent. It therefore produces venereal incitement, and the seed of it is diuretic. The wild is stronger than the cultivated.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it is the _Brassica Eruca_, L. Dioscorides agrees with our author in setting it down as being aphrodisiacal and diuretic, and Aëtius does the same. The latter proposes to correct its tendency to induce headache by giving it with lettuce. (ii, 169.) Celsus ranks the “eruca” among the things “quæ contrahere semen videntur.” (iv, 21.) The Arabians agreed with the Greeks as to its aphrodisiacal properties. (Casiri, Bibl. Arab. Hisp. i, 336.) See also Serapion (224), Avicenna (ii, 2, 227.) Even down to a late date rocket retained this character. See Rutty (183), and Quincy (109.) It is still cultivated in gardens. See Loudon (Encycl. &c. 744.)

Ἐυπατώριον,

Eupatorium, _Hemp-agrimony_, consists of subtile particles, and is possessed of incisive powers without manifest heat. Hence it clears away obstructions of the liver, and has also some astringency.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. That the _Eupatorium_ of Dioscorides and the other Greek authorities is the _Agrimonia Eupatorium_, will hardly be questioned now by any competent judge who has investigated the question. Dioscorides recommends its leaves in ill-conditioned ulcers, and its seed and stalk in wine, for dysentery and the stings of reptiles. (iv, 41.) Galen makes it to be deobstruent and tonic. Serapion copies from Dioscorides and Galen, and merely adds, in the end, from Rhases, that southernwood is more suitable in complaints of the liver; and from Mesue, that it is good in protracted fevers. (De Simpl. 77.) Avicenna’s chapter on Eupatorium is entirely compiled from Dioscorides, Galen, and Serapion, without the slightest change or addition. (ii, 2, 239.) No one who has examined into the matter can therefore doubt that the Eu. of these two Arabians, was the same as that of the Greeks. The Eupatorium of Mesue, however, has been generally held to be a very different plant, namely, the _Eupatorium Cannabinum_, according to some, from his comparing the leaves to those of the lesser centaury. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the Latin translations of the Arabians are not to be trusted in small matters, and therefore this comparison may be all a mistake. And that the Eu. of Mesue was the same as that of the others, seems highly probable from his recommending it in the same complaints, namely, in obstructions of the liver, and chronic fevers. (De Simpl. 15.) Such is the conclusion to which an impartial examination of the question has brought us. It is but fair to mention, however, that all the old herbalists and writers on the Mat. Med. down to Rutty and Quincy, are against us, and hold that the Eupatorium of Mesue was different from that of the Greeks. See Matthiolus (in Dioscor.); Parkinson (Theatre of Plants); and the commentators on Mesue.

Ἐυφόρβιον,

Euphorbium, is possessed of caustic powers, and consists of subtile particles like the other juices.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. A gum-resin produced from some species of _Euphorbia_ still holds its place in the Materia Medica. Alston remarks, “neither Dioscorides nor Galen take any notice of the cathartic quality of the Euphorbium, but Pliny does, as do also Aëtius, Paulus, and the Arabians; but all make it excessively acrid, upon account of which its internal use is now generally condemned.” Mesue particularly commends it in diseases of the joints. It was formerly supposed that Euphorbium is procured from a species called the _E. antiquorum_, but it is now admitted that the species is still undetermined. See Pereira (1127.) Probably, as stated in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, it is procured from several species of the Euphorbia. (66.)

Ἐφήμερον,

Ephemerum (or Colchicum Autumnale?), not the poisonous species but that which is called the Wild Iris. It is possessed of mixed powers, repellent, and discutient.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. See Ἑρμοδάκτυλος, and Book V (48.) The E., here said to be the same as the wild iris, is the _Convallaria verticillata_. Dioscorides recommends its root in toothache, and its leaves as possessing discutient powers when applied to swellings and tumours. (iv, 75.) Galen is at great pains to explain its _modus operandi_ agreeably to his theory of the action of medicines.

Ἐχίδνα,

Vipera, _the Viper_; its flesh is decidedly hot and dry in temperament, so that it cleanses the whole body by the skin. Wherefore many persons affected with elephantiasis, by eating or drinking of it have been cured. Those which live by the sea-side, or in other dry situations, rather occasion thirst.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. As stated by us in the Fifth Book, the Echidna Asiatica of Nicander is the _Coluber Ægyptius_, and the E. Europæa the _C. Berus_. The ἔχις, probably is the _C. Amodytes_. Dioscorides recommends vipers, having their head and tail cut off, and the entrails taken out, boiled with oil, wine, a little salts and dill, for nervous affections and scrofula. He gives no credit, however, to the vulgar belief of his time, that living upon vipers prolonged life, or that they prevented lice from forming on the body. He describes distinctly the process of preparing salts from vipers, but says they have not the same efficacy as the flesh. (ii, 18.) The Arabians display much more credulity than Dioscorides, in describing the medicinal virtues of vipers, ascribing to them wonderful powers, not only of preserving life, but even of restoring youth. See in particular, Avicenna (ii, 2, 608), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 731.) Galen gives a very lengthened disquisition on the medicinal virtues of vipers. (De Simpl. xi.) Aëtius abridges the same. (ii, 160.) See Oribasius (Med. Collect. xv, 2.) We shall have occasion, however, to treat further of the medicinal properties of the viper when describing the composition of the theriac; and, instead of collecting the sentiments of the ancient authorities on this head, we shall in this place merely subjoin the opinion of a modern author, who appears to have been familiar with the use of it: “The powder of vipers is very much enlivened with the volatile salt wherewith the vipers abound, which enables it to force its virtues through the pores, though never so close shut, to the more remote parts of the body. It is a singular medicine to cure scabs, itches, and erysipelas, and particularly the leprosy. It restores plumpness of body to persons wasted with long agues and tedious diseases. It is to be taken fasting, in broths, wine, or any other cordial liquor, or else incorporated with some syrup, or in some confection like a bolus.” (Moses Charras.) In Scotland the adder (which is a variety of the _Coluber Berus_) is a popular remedy for malignant diseases of the skin. It is taken in the form of soup, as described by Dioscorides. The viper broth is described in Quince’s Dispensatory (400) in nearly the same terms as by Dioscorides, and recommended “as doing good service in leprous and other obstinate cutaneous complaints.”

Ἐχίνος,

Echinus; the herb is austere, repellent, and desiccant. Of the Land Echinus, or _Hedgehog_, the flesh when strongly dried is discutient and desiccant; when taken in a draught, therefore, it is beneficial in elephantiasis, cachexia, and many other complaints. Its skin, when burnt, becomes more desiccant and discutient. It therefore cures alopecia when rubbed in with liquid pitch. Of the Sea Echinus, the edible part is diuretic, and agrees with the bowels. Its shell, when burnt, resembles that of the land echinus.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. The herb is not described by Dioscorides, Theophrastus, or Pliny. It would appear to be the same as the _Erinus_, which see. The Ἐ. χερσᾶιος is undoubtedly the _Hystrix Cristata_, and the Ἐ. θαλάττιος the _Echinus Esculentus_. Dioscorides and Galen give the same account of their medicinal properties as our author. Serapion, after giving the description by Dioscorides and Galen, adds, from an Arabian authority, that the flesh of the land echinus is beneficial in protracted fevers. (De Simpl. 435.) Avicenna (ii, 2, 234,) treats of the two echini at greater length than any other ancient author, recommending the flesh of the land, in phthisis, dropsy, elephantia, scabies, scrofula, and other complaints of a formidable nature. Upon the whole, however, his account of it is mostly made up of extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. See in like manner Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 273.) He recommends the land echinus in the irretention of urine to which children are subject, adding that when frequently administered, it brings on dysuria. He and Avicenna quote Serapion as an authority for its use in protracted fevers. Both the echini disappeared from our Dispensatory a considerable time ago.

Ἔχιον,

Echium, _Viper’s Bugloss_, (some call it also _Dorias_, and others _Alcibiadium_,) is a prickly herb, which not only relieves those who have been bitten by reptiles when drunk in wine, but, if taken beforehand, it preserves them from being injured.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. It appears to us quite clear that this article is the _Echium vulgare_ or Viper’s Bugloss, which we have no doubt was introduced into Britain with other medicinal herbs by the Romans, for it is never found remote from cultivated places, and therefore we believe it not to be truly indigenous. Some have taken it for the _Echium rubrum_, from Dioscorides having described the flowers as being _purplish_, whereas, purplish signifies a bright blue, and not red as is supposed. Parkinson thus describes the colour of the flowers of the _Echium vulgare_: “The flowers are of a purplish violet colour, in them that are fully blown, but more reddish while they are in bud; but in some places of a paler purple colour,” &c. (p. 413.) We, then, have no hesitation in acknowledging it as the _Echium vulgare_. Our author borrows his account of its medicinal powers from Dioscorides. (iv, 27.) The Arabians would seem to confound it with the Anchusæ, to which it is closely allied. Our old herbalists, in treating of the viper’s bugloss, follow Dioscorides; but it has long ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory. It still, however, is known in the shops, where its root retains the character of being aperient and slightly astringent. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. p. 54.)

Ἕψημα ἢ σίραιον,

Defrutum, _Boiled Must_; it is moderately heating and digestive, and is also emplastic and free from pungency.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Pliny gives the following account of it: “Siræum quod alii hepsema, nostri sapam appellant, ingenii, non naturæ opus est, musto usque ad tertiam partem mensuræ decocto: quod ubi factum ad dimidiam est, defrutum vocamus.” (H. N. xiv, 11.) Harduin states that the Hepsema is called _Rob_ or _Sapa semplex_. (l. c.) Moses Charras gives the following directions for preparing it: “℞. Of the new juice of white grapes perfectly ripe, lb. xxx; boil it over a gentle fire in an earthen glazed vessel, or a copper vessel tinned within, until a third part of the juice only remains. But if you desire a _defrutum_, boil it only to the consumption of the third part.” (Roy. Phar. p. 70.) The following prescription, taken from a still later writer, will further be useful in illustrating the meaning of a term which often occurs in the course of this work, but which has now fallen into disuse. “The Simple Rob or Sapa. Take of juice newly expressed from generous and white grapes any quantity, and boil it over a slow fire, until one pint of it only remains out of three, or it becomes of a honey consistence.” Quincy’s Dispensatory (432.) Few of the other authorities treat of this article at all, and those that do, despatch their notice of it in few words. Thus, for example, Avicenna says of rob, that it is expectorant, and hence it is made an ingredient in the syrup of poppies; and that it is useful in pain of the kidneys and bladder. (ii, 2, 570.)

Ζέια,

Far, _Spelt_, has powers like the kinds of wheat, holding an intermediate place as to heating and cooling; it is also gently desiccative and emplastic.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. This, as we have explained elsewhere (Vol. I, 123), is the _Triticum Spelta_, to which our older herbalists give the names Greek Wheat, Spelt Wheat, or Spelt Corn. That the _Zeia_ of the Greeks was identical with the _Far_ of the Romans, is proved beyond all dispute from a passage of Asclepiades preserved by Galen. (De Locis Affectis, ix.) The term _spelta_ is derived from the latino-barbarous translations of the Arabians. See Serapion (122), who quotes under this head the chapter of Dioscorides on _tragus_, which was spelt deprived of its hull. The other authorities say little of spelt as a medicine; but commend it highly as an article of food. (See Vol. I, l. c.) Avicenna describes it by the name of _harcoman_ (ii, 2, 323); and Rhases by that of _haratinam_ (Cont. l. ult. i, 352.)

Ζιγγιβὲρ,

Zingiber, _Ginger_; its root is powerfully heating, but not on its first application, as it contains some crude and thick juice, on which account it readily becomes carious, but it preserves the heat.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Without doubt the _Amomum Zingiber_. Dioscorides after describing the country of the ginger, and the characters of the best kinds of it, states its medicinal powers to be heating, digestive, mildly aperient of the bowels, and stomachic; and recommends it in nebulæ of the cornea, and adds of it, that as an ingredient in antidotes and otherwise it resembles pepper (ii, 189.) Galen writes very elaborately in explanation of the action of ginger on the animal frame; and, in accounting for the difference between it and pepper and other articles of the same class practically, his conclusions regarding it are the same as our author’s. Aëtius and Oribasius copy from him. Serapion, after quoting the opinions of Dioscorides and Galen, gives a very sensible account of the virtues of ginger from Mesue and another unknown authority. Mesue says it is beneficial in obstructions of the liver, arising from coldness and humidity; that it softens the belly, heats the stomach and the whole body; promotes digestion; is alexipharmic and aphrodisiacal; removes phlegm (water brash?) and is beneficial in obscurity of vision. The unknown authority says it improves the memory, and removes the humidity in the stomach, arising from the eating of fruit, such as melons and the like (De Simpl. 336.) In the works of Mesue, now extant, ginger is not treated of. Rhases gives very interesting extracts from Dioscorides, Galen, and various Arabian authors. Of the latter, one says of ginger, that it softens the belly, and another that it binds it. (Cont. l. ult. i, 762.) Avicenna quotes Dioscorides as stating that it is aperient, and Alcanzi as holding that it is astringent. He agrees with the latter, that ginger binds the bowels, when their loose state arises from indigestion and viscid humours. He agrees also with the other authorities, that it is stomachic and aphrodisiac. (ii, 2, 735.)

Ζύθος,

Zythus, _Ale_, is of a compound nature; for it is acrid, as being formed by a putrefaction (“fermentation?”), and cold, as being possessed of an acid quality. It therefore produces bad chyle.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. The plan of our present work prohibits us from entering into an exposition of the general literature of this subject, but we think this the less necessary as in another work, to which we have often referred in this part of our Commentary, we have given an elaborate disquisition on the ancient Ales, into which we have condensed all the information which we could procure respecting them. We would also beg leave to refer to Gruner’s learned annotations on Zozimus Panopolita (De Zythorum Compositione); to Ludovicus Nonnius (De re Cibaria, iv, 15); Eustathius (Comment. in Iliad. xiii, 640); and Athenæus (Deipnos. x, 67, ed. Schweigh.) Our proper business now is to state the opinions of the medical authorities with regard to their medicinal powers. Dioscorides mentions two kinds of ale or beer, in his Mat. Med., both of them prepared from barley, but does not state wherein the difference between them consisted. The Zythus, he says, is diuretic, apt to affect the kidneys and nerves; peculiarly calculated to prove prejudicial to the membranes of the brain; is flatulent; engenders depraved humours, and occasions elephantiasis. Of the Courmi, he also says, that it occasions headache, forms bad humours, and is hurtful to the nerves; he adds, that drinks of this nature are also formed from wheat, in Spain and Britain (ii, 109, 110.) See further, Pliny (H. N. xxii, 82.) Aëtius, Oribasius, and our author, copy almost verbatim from Galen. Rhases treats of the Zythus, by the name of _foca_, first quoting the chapter of Dioscorides on the Zythus, and then adding, upon the authority of an Arabian writer, Bimasuy (Mesue the elder?), that ale prepared from barley, cloves, and rue, is prejudicial to the head; but that prepared from fine bread (similago?) mint, and parsley, forms good chyle, and is good for the stomach (Cont. l. ult. i, 306.) Avicenna’s account of Zythus, which he also describes by the name of _foca_, is entirely made up of extracts from Dioscorides and Rhases. (ii, 2, 272.) Serapion, as far as we can discover, does not treat of this article. A liquor is treated of pretty copiously by Symeon Seth, under the head of _Fucas_, which, as his editors remark, is probably a corruption of Posca. In his account of it, he introduces a short sentence from Dioscorides’s chapter on Zythus, to the effect that “ivory steeped in it becomes as ductile as wax.” It was not, strictly speaking, an ale or beer, being merely a mixture of vinegar and water, rendered more agreeable to the palate by some aromatics. See Harduin ad Plinii (H. N. xix, 29.) Respecting this beverage Seth states, as his own opinion, that it is wholesome, especially when used by persons of a hot temperature of stomach; that it quenches thirst; whets the appetite; increases the alvine and frequently the renal discharge.

Ζύμη,

Fermentum, _Leaven_; it also is composed of opposite ingredients; for it is possessed of a cold acidity and putrefactive (“fermentative?”) heat, and moreover of salts and flour. It is, therefore, heating and discutient in no ordinary degree.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. On the ancient modes of preparing Fermentum or Leaven, see ‘Geopon.’ (ii, 31); and Pliny (H. N. xviii, 26.) The kind in most common use was prepared from millet and must, or the fresh juice of the grape. Our author’s description of its medicinal powers is taken from Galen. Aëtius treats of it in nearly the same words. Dioscorides praises the leaven of wheat as being heating and epispastic, and suiting with complaints of the heels, phymata, and furunculi. (ii, 107.) Serapion under this head gives two extracts from Dioscorides and Galen, followed by one from Abenmesuai (the elder Mesue?), who recommends it in the fevers of children for quenching thirst. (De Simpl. 29.) Rhases gives a formula for a draught to be prepared from leaven, which he in like manner praises as being wonderfully efficacious in the fevers of children. (Cont. l. ult. i, 306.)

Ζωμὸς,

Jusculum, _Broth_, loosens the belly if drunk by itself or with wine, when made from fresh fish; but particularly that which is simply prepared from hakes, scorpion-fishes, rainbows, perches, and other tender fishes which dwell among rocks, with water, oil, dill, and salts. In like manner, also, the broth of the Crustacea, especially of the Tellinæ (limpets), the Chamæ (cockles), and Conchylæ (oysters). The broth of an old cock, boiled with salt to a great degree, is laxative; but that of a hen, on the other hand, is astringent.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. The account here given of the broth of fishes is taken from Dioscorides (ii, 35.) Galen directs the broth of fish to be prepared in the following manner: first pour in plenty of water, then add of oil _q. s._ with a little dill and leek; then, when the fish are half boiled, sprinkle a little salt. (De Alim. Facult. iii); (Meth. Med. ix.) Apicius in the tenth chapter of his work, gives fourteen different receipts for preparing soups from fishes. Most of them contain wine, honey, vinegar, and oil, with pepper, lovage, cumin, rue, &c., among the ingredients which enter into their composition. On the fishes mentioned under this head, see Book I (90.) The Arabians generally condense the substance of Dioscorides’s two chapters on Garum and Jus into one, under the title of _Muria_. See Serapion (184), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 486.) Serapion’s Arabian authorities recommend it as a gentle purgative and phlegmagogue in sciatica, both when given by the mouth and in clysters. One of them says of it, that it makes the pustules of smallpox come out, when the eruption is slow in taking place.

Ἡδύσμον,

Mentha, _Mint_, is hot, consists of subtile particles; its powers are acrid in the third order, with some half-concocted fluids; it therefore provokes to venery. It has, likewise, some bitterness, by which means it kills intestinal worms; and by its sourness its restrains recent discharges of blood.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. We need have no hesitation in referring it with all the best commentators to the _Mentha sativa_, L. Dioscorides says it has calefacient, astringent, and desiccative powers; and hence, he adds, it stops the discharge of blood when drunk with vinegar, and kills the round worms. (iii, 36.) According to him, it stimulates the male to venery, but prevents conception in the female when applied on a pessary before coition. He further says of it, that it stops hiccup, vomiting, and cholera, when taken in a draught along with the juice of an acid pomegranate. He also recommends it, in the form of an external application, for headache, complaints of the breast, and other cases. Galen pronounces mint to be one of the most attenuate articles in the Mat. Med. He agrees with Dioscorides that it is useful in hæmoptysis; and that it is anthelminthic and aphrodisiac. The author of the Hippocratic treatise ‘_De Diætâ_,’ while, like Dioscorides, he gives mint the credit of promoting the urinary discharge and stopping vomiting, says, that taken in great quantity it weakens the semen and stops erections. Aristotle likewise holds the opinion that mint is anaphrodisiac. (Bibl. ii, 20.) Aëtius, seemingly with the desire of reconciling these great authorities, maintains that mint indeed generates much semen, but of a feeble nature. (Tetr. iv, 4, 26.) Ludovicus Nonnius, by the way, also attempts to account for the difference among the professional authorities on this point. (De re Cib. i, 15.) See also Rutty, (Mat. Med. 323), and Parkinson (35.) The Arabians in treating of it follow Dioscorides and Galen closely, and add little or nothing of their own. They all agree with Dioscorides, that it is aphrodisiac and stops vomiting. See in particular Serapion (290), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 188.) We need scarcely mention that this species of _Mentha_ is now rejected from our Mat. Med., but that three other species of it are still retained.

Ἡδύσαρον ἢ Πελέκινος,

Hedysarum, _French Honeysuckle_, is bitter and subastringent. It is therefore stomachic, when taken in a liquid form, and clears away visceral obstructions.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. There has been great difference of opinion among the commentators and herbalists respecting this herb; but we are inclined to decide, with considerable confidence, that it was the Hatchet Vetch, or _Coronilla securidaca_. Dioscorides says of it that it is stomachic and alexipharmic, and that, in a pessary, it prevents conception. Our author abridges Galen, and Aëtius does the same; and so likewise Oribasius. We have been unable to find it in the Mat. Med. of the Arabians, with the exception of Ebn Baithar, who merely copies from Dioscorides (i, 80.)

Ἡλιοτρόπιον,

Heliotropium, _Sunflower_; the large one (called also Scorpiurus) is possessed of calefacient, desiccant, and detergent powers. Its decoction when drunk brings away phlegm and bile. Its fruit in a cataplasm dries myrmecia and such like cutaneous complaints. The small Sunflower also removes these complaints and kills worms if drunk with the fruit along with natron, hyssop, and cardamom.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Dioscorides calls the great Sunflower (_Heliotropium Europæum_) phlegmagogue and cholagogue, and says it is useful in the bites of scorpions, both internally and externally. He adds, that it was used as an amulet to produce sterility. He also recommends it in intermittent fevers, and as a cataplasm and fomentation to various tumours, sprains, &c. He adds, that it is emmenagogue, and procures abortion when powdered and applied on a pessary. (iv, 190.) None of the other Greek authorities, as far as we have been able to discover, have treated of either of the heliotropes; and if the Arabians describe them, we have not been able to discover under what name it is. The lesser heliotrope is probably the _Croton tinctorius_.

Ἤλεκτρον,

Electrum, _Amber_; they say that it is the tears of the poplar, which are discharged into the river Po, and get concreted into a golden-coloured substance. This, being pulverized and drunk, stops defluxions of the stomach and bowels and discharges of blood.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. It is well known that the ancient authors in general represent amber as an exudation from the poplar tree, commonly found on the banks of the Po. Some of them, however, such as Lucian (De Electro), held that it is a bituminous substance. See also Theophrastus (De Lapidibus, with the annotations of Hill.) Serapion says of it, that it is formed in the sea as mushrooms are formed on land; and when the sea is troubled it casts forth large stones, and with them are cast out crusts of amber. He also gives an account, which is not very intelligible in the Latin translation, of its being swallowed up by a fish, from which, when killed, amber was procured. What is of a citrine colour, he says, is good; but what is white, like an ostrich’s egg, is bad. Upon the authority of Aben Mesuai (Mesue the elder?), he calls it a hot and dry medicine, and says it strengthens the brain, all the senses, and the heart, and is useful to old persons and men of a cold temperament. (De Simpl. 196.) Avicenna’s account of it is mostly made up from Serapion. Amber, he says, in my opinion, is an emanation from a fountain in the sea. He also repeats the account from Serapion, of its being procured from the belly of a fish which has swallowed it and dies. He must allude to the ambergris which is procured from the sperm-whale. He determines it to be hot in the second and dry in the first degree. He recommends it in exactly the same cases as Serapion. He makes mention of a species used for dyeing the hair black. (ii, 2, 62, and 364.) Rhases merely gives its medicinal character, which is the same as that quoted above from Serapion. (Cont. l. ult. 44.) But no ancient writer has given so full and correct an account of amber as Symeon Seth. He says it abounds in various places, and that there are fountains of it as of pitch, bitumen, and the like; that the best kind is of a grayish colour (grisea ambra?) and fat, which is sold in a certain city of India, called Silachetum. The ambergris or ambra-grisea, is found in a city of Arabia Felix, called Syachria. The worst kind, he says, is black, and is collected from fishes that have swallowed amber at its fountains. It has, he adds, calefacient and incisive powers, and therefore some add it to stomachic remedies. It strengthens the head and heart; and when smelled to in drinking accelerates intoxication, and still more so if added to the wine. (De Alimentis, xiii.) Psellus says, it cures dysury when appended as an amulet, removes fever, stops defluxions of the stomach, and sharpens the sight. (De Lapidibus.) Having been led along in the present instance by the ancient authorities who have given the most correct description of amber, we omitted to mention at the commencement, that Dioscorides describes the electrum under the head of populus, as being said to be the tears of poplars which have dropped into the Po, and become coagulated. He adds, it is of a fragrant smell when rubbed, and of a golden colour; and when triturated and drunk, it stops defluxions of the stomach and belly. (i, 110.) See also Pliny (H. N. xxxvii, 11), who supposes amber an exudation from pines, and gives otherwise a very authentic and interesting account of its origin. He makes mention of amber being used as an amulet in diseases of children, a practice which, like other superstitions of the like kind, has been transmitted to modern times. We need scarcely remark that the ancient opinions regarding the origin of amber, are now looked upon as being not far removed from the truth. Amber, although now in a fossil state, is supposed to have been an exudation from some tree of the genus Pinus. See Pereira (Mat. Med. 223); and the Appendix to this section.

Ἡμεροκαλλὶς,

Hemerocallis, _Lily of the Valley_; its root has powers like those of the lily, and, like it, is useful for burns.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. This is undoubtedly a plant of the lily tribe; probably the _Lilium bulbiferum_. Dioscorides, besides recommending it in burns, like our author, says of it that when drunk and applied in a pessary of wool it produces discharges of water and blood; and that its leaves form an excellent application to the inflammations of the breasts after parturition, and to those of the eyes. Our author follows Galen. Serapion treats of it under the head of Lilium. (189.)

Ἡμιονίτις,

Hemionitis, _Moon Fern_, is possessed at the same time of astringency and bitterness. It therefore relieves affections of the spleen when taken with vinegar.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Galen calls it also by the names of _Scolopendrium_ and _Asplenium_. (ii, 292, ed. Basil.) Dioscorides describes it so as to leave no doubt of its being a cryptogamous plant. It is a species of the _Scolopendrium_. The other authorities praise it in enlarged spleen.

Ἧπαρ,

Hepar, _the Liver_; if that of a mad dog be roasted and eaten, it is said to relieve those who have been bitten by him. The sanies of a boiled goat’s liver relieves nyctalopia when injected into the eye. They also direct the vapour of it when boiling to be received into the eyes, and also to be eaten. They say that it rests epileptics if eaten, and that the liver of the buck-goat does the same. The liver of a lizard when put into carious teeth relieves the pain. That of the wolf is added to the hepatic medicine prepared from eupatorium. The liver of an ass when roasted is of use to epileptics when eaten fasting. That of a bear when dried in its fresh state and triturated with wine is drunk for the bites of reptiles. The liver of the cormorant, when dried and taken in a draught, makes calculi be discharged.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. We have treated of the livers of animals in the dietetical part of the First Book. See also in particular Galen and Serapion. Our author copies from the former, who in his turn follows closely in the footsteps of Dioscorides.

Ἠριγέρων,

Senecio, _Groundsel_, has mixed powers, being refrigerant and moderately discutient.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Dioscorides recommends it (_Senecio vulgaris_) in inflammatory complaints, and also says of it that when drunk with must it relieves the pains of the stomach proceeding from bile. Galen and the other authorities, like Paulus, treat of it in general terms as an antiphlogistic application. Apuleius recommends it in sciatica (75, 5.) In modern times it had the character of being emetic, but the ancient authorities do not say that it has this property.

Ἠρύγγιον,

Eryngium, _Eryngo_, is calefacient in no imperceptible degree, and has no little heat and subtility of parts.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. That it is a species of _Eryngium_ or sea holly seems indisputable. It may either be the _maritimum_, the _planum_, or the _campestre_, all of which are brought into view and figured by our careful herbalist Parkinson. (Theatre of Plants, 986.) Dioscorides’s description of its localities would seem to agree best with the _campestre_; he calls it calefacient, and says it is diuretic and emmenagogue, removing tormina and flatulences, and proving serviceable in hepatic diseases, and as an alexipharmic. He adds, that it is related of it that it discusses hard tumours, both when appended as an amulet and in a cataplasm; and that the root of it cures opisthotonos and epilepsy when drunk with hydromel. (iii, 21.) Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it in general terms like Paulus. The _secacul_ of the Arabians has been taken for this article, but erroneously, as Matthiolus has well remarked. (Ad Dioscor. iii, 21.) But Serapion treats of it under the name of _Iringi_, as being a white variety of the Aster Atticus. He merely translates the words of Dioscorides and Galen. (De Simpl. 96.) We cannot find any mention of it in the works of the other Arabians, except Ebn Baithar, who also does little more than copy from Dioscorides and Galen. The eryngo long retained its place in our Dispensatory, indeed it can scarcely be said to be yet formally expelled from it. Pereira briefly notices the _Eryngium campestre_. It is the _Eryngium maritimum_, however, which is described in the Edinburgh Mat. Med. Quincy, by the way, in imitation of Serapion, confounds the Eryngo with the Aster Atticus. (Complete Engl. Disp. 113.) Boerhaave gave the candied root and decoction of eryngo as an attenuant and deobstruent in obstructions of the viscera, and for coughs; and Tournefort makes mention of the same as being in common use in his days. (Mat. Med. 98. Engl. edition.)

Θάλάσσιον ὕδωρ,

Aqua Marina, _Sea Water_, is acrid, moderately calefacient, and desiccant; it is bad for the stomach when taken in a draught, disorders the bowels, and proves phlegmagogue. If poured hot on a part it attracts and discusses.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. The ancient authorities who have written most learnedly on this important, although common-place article of the Mat. Med., are Dioscorides, Avicenna, and Rhases. Sea water, says Dioscorides, is heating, acrid, and bad for the stomach, for it disorders the belly, bringing away phlegm and bile. When poured hot on a part it attracts and discusses, suiting with affections of the nerves and chilblains before they become ulcerated. It is proper for mixing with raw barley-meal, and is suitable for plasters and discutient malagmata. For evacuating the bowels it is injected in a tepid state, and for tormina in a hot. It is a suitable fomentation in cases of scabies, pruritus, lichen, enlarged tonsils, and turgid mammæ. In hot fomentations it dispels lividities, and is useful in the bites of venomous animals, such at least as induce tremblings and rigors, but especially of scorpions, phalangia, and asps, and if, in such cases, one go into a hot bath, it proves useful; and in chronic cachexiæ of the body and nerves the bath of it is useful. Its hot vapours soothe dropsies, headaches, and dullness of hearing. It is given as a purge either alone or with oxycrate, wine, or honey; and after the purging takes place the broth of a hen or of fishes is exhibited to dilute its acrimony and pungency. (v, 19.) Avicenna borrows largely from Dioscorides, but supplies some additional remarks of his own by no means devoid of interest and importance. He recommends sea water for chilblains, for killing lice, and discussing extravasated blood. He also, copying from Dioscorides, praises it in pruritus, scabies, and impetigo. Epileptics, he says, are benefited by tepid salt water, but injured by hot. The vapour of salt water, he adds, is beneficial in vertigo and dropsies. (ii, 2, 58.) From Rhases’s very lengthened dissertation on this subject we can only find room for a few extracts. Upon the authority of Johannitius (Serapion?), he states that the use of salt water to one unaccustomed to it proves laxative and pinches the belly, but to one accustomed to it, it proves astringent. Another of his authorities, Judæus, says salt water proves beneficial in pain of the head and chest, in dropsy, and a watery stomach. He also states of salt water, that although at first it proves laxative, the continued use of it brings on constipation, because, he says, its salt dries, astringes, and strengthens the belly. (Cont. l. ult. i, 70.)

Θαλίκτρον,

Thalictrum, _Meadow Rue_, has desiccant powers, without pungency. It therefore heals chronic ulcers.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Sprengel confidently pronounces it to be the _Thalictrum minus_, L., that is to say, the lesser meadow rue of our herbalists. See Parkinson (265.) Dioscorides and Galen state its medicinal properties in the same terms as our author. It is the Thalitruum of Pliny, who likewise praises it as an application to ulcers. (H. N. xxvii, 112.) We have not been able to find it described by any of the Arabian authorities on the Mat. Med. except Ebn Baithar, and it has had no place in our English Dispensatory for many ages past.

Θαψία,

Thapsia, _Deadly Carrot_, is acrid and strongly calefacient, with some humidity. It therefore attracts strongly the deep-seated fluids, and dispels them when attracted.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. The authorities are divided between the _Thapsia Garganica_ and the _Thapsia Asclepium_. Old Gerard gives it the name of deadly carrot, but Parkinson that of scorching fennel. Theophrastus mentions that it purges upwards and downwards. (P. ix, 10, 24.) Pliny describes it as a very acrid poison. (H. N. xxiii, 43.) See Dioscorides (iv, 154.) Serapion states that it is a violent emetic and cathartic, and operates powerfully as an external application. The thapsia has long ceased to be employed in medicine; even old Culpeper calls it “a venomous foreign root, and therefore no more of it.”

Θεῖον,

_Sulphur_; it likewise is possessed of attractive powers, is hot, and consists of subtile particles, so as to be an antidote against many poisonous animals, more especially the sea-turtle and dragon, either sprinkled dry or mixed with saliva, or with the urine of a child, or oil, or honey. It is also a wonderful remedy for scabious complaints.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Sulphur was extensively used in medicine from the earliest times. Pliny gives a very full and interesting account of it. (H. N. xxxv, 50.) The sulphur vivum, of which mention is so often made in this work, was evidently native sulphur, that is to say, the prismatic sulphur of Jameson. The sulphur ignem expertum was clearly the factitious sulphur or brimstone, namely, that which is procured from pyrites by sublimation. We need scarcely mention that sulphur was extensively used as an application in cutaneous diseases, and more especially scabies. It was also given internally in catarrhs and other complaints of the chest. See Dioscorides and Pliny. The words of the latter are well worth quoting in the present instance. “Natura ejus calfacit, concoquit, sed et discutit collectiones corporum: ob hoc talibus emplastris malagmatisque miscetur. Renibus quoque et lumbis in dolore cum adipe mire prodest impositum. Aufert et lichenas a facie cum terebinthi resina et lepras. Harpacticon vocatur a celeritate avellendi, avelli enim subinde debet. Prodest et suspiriosis linctum. Purulenta quoque extussientibus, et contra scorpionum ictus. Vitiligines vivum nitro mixtum atque ex aceto tritum et illitum tollit, item lendes in palpebris, aceto sandarachato admixto.” We have not found the acetum sandarachatum mentioned by any other writer; from its name, it was no doubt composed of vinegar and arsenic, that is to say, realgar. Serapion, in treating of sulphur, confines himself entirely to Greek authorities (407); and so in like manner Avicenna (ii, 2, 612), and Rhases (Cont. ult. 694.)

Θέρμος,

Lupinus, _Lupine_; that which is edible is possessed of emplastic powers; but the bitter is detergent, discutient, and desiccative, without pungency. It kills worms, both when applied externally and when taken in infusion, and it cleanses the bowels when drunk with rue and pepper. It also cleanses the skin, and discusses tumours when applied with oxymel. The wild is more bitter and stronger than the cultivated in all respects.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. Two varieties of the lupine, the _sativus_ and _sylvestris_, were used in medicine from the days of Dioscorides down to our Quincy. Though the former of these, which was the one principally used, be well known, there is some doubt as to the species; whether it was the _pilosus_, or the _hirsutus_, or, what is more probable, whether it comprehended both. Dioscorides and Galen agree in enumerating a long list of cases to which the lupine is applicable, but as our author’s account embraces the sum of what they have written on it, we need not enter here into an exposition of their opinions. Suffice it to say, that as an emmenagogue and deobstruent it was much relied upon internally, and applied in a great variety of external complaints in fomentations. The same virtues are ascribed to it by the Arabians, who, however, supply no additional observations of any importance. Avicenna’s account of its medicinal powers is particularly full. (ii, 2, 440.) Rhases derives almost all his information from the Greeks. (Cont. l. ult. i, 435.) Serapion copies altogether from Dioscorides and Galen (De Simpl. 74.)

Θηλύπτερον,

Which some call Nymphæa or Filix, _Female Fern_, is like the fern in all its properties. When drunk with wine it kills the broad and round worms. It also destroys the fœtus in utero. Its leaves, when eaten, soften the belly.

* * * * *

COMMENTARY. There seems every reason to refer it to the _Asplenium Filix fœmina_, Bernh., or _Polypodium_, L. Theophrastus recommends it as a vermifuge medicine. (H. P. ix, 20.) Galen, Avicenna, and all the authorities that treat of it, concur in assigning to it this faculty. Dioscorides also sets it down as a medicine calculated to induce sterility and occasion abortion. The powder of it is recommended as an application to ill-conditioned sores. In the days of Quincy it still held an equivocal place in the Dispensatory.

Θλάσπι,