5. I have spoken of those maladies of the body in which the regulation of the diet is most helpful: now I pass on to that part of medicine which combats rather by medicaments. These were held of high value by ancient writers, both by Erasistratus and those who styled themselves Empirics, especially how by Herophilus and his school, insomuch that they treated no kind of disease without them. A great deal has also been recorded concerning the powers of medicaments, as in the works of Zeno or of Andreas or of Apollonius, surnamed Mys. On the other hand, Asclepiades dispense with the use of these for the most part, not without reason; and since nearly all medicaments harm the stomach and content bad juices, he transferred all his treatment rather to the management of the actual diet. But while in most diseases that is the more useful method, yet very many illnesses attack our bodies which cannot be cured without medicaments. This before all things it is well to recognize, together, that it is impossible to separate off any one part completely, but each gets its name from the treatment which it uses most. Therefore, both that which treats by dieting has recourse at times to medicaments, and that which combats disease mainly by medicaments ought also to regulate diet, which produces a good deal of effect in all maladies of the body. But since all medicaments have special powers, and afford relief, often when simple, often when mixed, it does not seem amiss beforehand to state both their names and their virtues and how to compound them, that there may be less delay when we are describing the treatment itself.
5. Dixi de is malis corporis, quibus uictus ratio maxime subuenit: nunc transeundum est ad eam medicinae partem, quae magis MEDICAMENTIS pugnat. His multum antiqui auctores tribuerunt, et Erasistratus et ii, qui se empiricos nominarunt, praecipue tamen Herophilus deductique ab illo uiro, adeo ut nullum morbi genus sine his curarent. Multaque etiam de facultatibus medicamentorum memoriae ⟨prodiderunt⟩, qualia sunt uel Zenonis uel Andriae uel Apolloni, qui Mys cognominatus est. Horum autem usum ex magna parte Asclepiades non sine causa sustulit; et cum omnia fere medicamenta stomachum laedant malique suci sint, ad ipsius uictus rationem potius omnem curam suam transtulit. Verum ut illud in plerisque morbis utilius est, sic multa admodum corporibus nostris incidere consuerunt, quae sine medicamentis ad sanitatem peruenire non possunt. Illud ante omnia scire conuenit, quod omnes medicinae partes ita innexae sunt, ut ex toto separari non possint sed ab eo nomen trahant, a quo plurimum petunt. Ergo et illa, quae uictu curat, aliquando medicamentum adhibet, et illa, quae praecipue medicamentis pugnat, adhibere etiam rationem uictus debet, quae multum admodum in omnibus corporis malis proficit. Sed cum omnia medicamenta proprias facultates habeant, ac simplicia saepe opitulentur, saepe mixta, non alienum uidetur ante proponere et nomina et uires et mixturas eorum, qui minor ips⟨as nobis⟩ curationes exsequentibus mora sit.
1. 1 The following suppress bleeding: Blacking with the Greeks call chalcanthon, copper ore, acacia, and lycium with water, frankincense, lign-aloe, gums, lead sulphide, leek, polygonum; Cimolian chalk or potter's clay, antimony sulphide; cold water, wine, vinegar; alum from Melos, iron and copper scales and of this last there are two kinds, one from ordinary copper, the other from red copper.
1. Sanguinem supprimunt atramentum sutorium, quod Graeci chalcanthon appellant, chalcitis, acacia, et ex aqua Lycium, tus, aloe, cummi, plumbum combustum, porrum, herba sanguinalis; creta uel Cimolia uel figularis, misy; frigida aqua, uinum, acetum; alumen Melinum, squama et ferri et aeris [atque huius quoque duae species sunt, alia tantum aeris, alia rubri aeris].
2. 2 The following agglutinate a wound: myrrh, frankincense, gums, especially gum arabic; fleawort, tragacanth, cardamon, bulbs, linseed, nasturtium; white of egg, glue, isinglass; white vine, snails pounded with their shells, cooked honey, a sponge squeezed out of cold water or out of wine or out of vinegar; unscoured wool squeezed out of the same; if the wound is slight, even cobwebs. The following subdue inflammation: alum, both split alum called schiston, and alum brine; quince oil, orpiment, verdigris, copper ore, blacking.
2. Glutinant uulnus murra, tus, cummi, praecipueque acanthinum; psylleum, tragacantha, cardamomon, bulbi, lini semen, nasturcium; oui album, gluten, icthyocolla; uitis alba, contusae cum testis suis cocleae, mel coctum; spongia uel ex aqua frigida uel ex uino uel ex aceto expressa; ex isdem lana sucida; si leuis plaga est, etiam aranea. Reprimunt alumen et scissile, quod ΣΧΙΣΤΟΝ uocatur, et liquidum; Melinum, auripigmentum, aerugo, chalcitis, atramentum sutorium.
3. 3 The following mature abscessions and promote suppuration: nard, myrrh, costmary, balsam, galbanum, propolis, storax, frankincense, both the soot and the bark, bitumen, pitch, sulphur, resin, suet, fat, oil.
3. Concoqunt et mouent pus nardum, murra, costus, balsamum, galbanum, propolis, st⟨u⟩rax, turis et fuligo et cortex, bitumen, pix, sulpur, resina, sebum, adeps, oleum.
4. 4 The following open, as it were, mouths in our bodies, called in Greek stomou=n: cinnamon, balsam, all-heal; rush-root, pennyroyal, white violet flowers, bdellium, galbanum, turpentine and pine-resin, propolis, old olive-oil; pepper, pyrethrum, ground pine thistle, black bryony berries, sulphur, alum, rue seed.
4. Aperiunt tamquam ora in corporibus, quod stom⟨un⟩ Graece dicitur, cinnamomum, balsamum, panaces; iuncus quadratus, puleium et flos albae uiolae, bdella, galbanum, resina terebenthina et pinea, propolis, oleum uetus; piper, pyrethrum, chamaepitys, uua t⟨a⟩minia; sulpur, alumen, rutae semen.
5. 5 The following have a cleaning effect: verdigris, orpiment, called by the Greeks arsenicon now this has the same property as sandarach, but copper scales are stronger, pumice; orris root, balsam, storax, frankincense, frankincense bark, pine-resin and liquid turpentine, vine-flowers; lizard dung, blood of pigeon and wood pigeon and swallow; ammoniacum, bdellium which has the same virtue as ammoniacum, but southernwood is more powerful, dry fig, Cnidian berry, powdered ivory, omphacium, radish; rennet, especially of the hare which has the same faculty as other rennet but is far more active, ox-bile, uncooked yolk of e.g., burnt stagshorn, ox-glue, raw honey, antimony sulphide, copper ore; saffron, black bryony berries, southernwood, litharge, oak-gall, haematite, minium, costmary, sulphur, crude pitch, suet, fat, oil, rue, leek, lentil, bitter vetch.
5. Purgant aerugo, auripigmentum, quod arsenicon a Graecis nominatur [huic autem et sandaracae in omnia eadem uis, sed ualidior est squama aeris], pumex; iris, balsamum, st⟨u⟩rax, tus, turis cortex, resina et pinea et terebenthina liquida, oenanthe; lacerti stercus, sanguis columbae et palumbi et hirundinis; Hammoniacum, bdellium [quod in omnia idem quod Hammoniacum potest, sed ualentius est habrot⟨o⟩num], ficus arida, coccum Cnidium, scobis eboris, omphacium, radicula; coagulum, sed maxime leporinum [cui eadem quae ceteris coagulis facultas, sed ubique ualidior est], fel, uitellus crudus, cornu ceruinum, gluten taurinum, mel crudum; misy, chalcitis; crocum, uua t⟨a⟩minia; habrotonum, spuma argenti, galla, squama aeris, lapis haematites, minium, costum, sulpur, pix cruda; sebum, adeps, oleum; ruta, porrum, lenticula, eruum.
6. 6 The following are erodents: alum brine, especially when made from round alum, verdigris, copper ore, antimony sulphide, copper scales, especially from red copper, calcined copper, sandarach, minium from Sinope; oak-galls, balsam, myrrh, frankincense, frankincense bark, galbanum, liquid turpentine, pepper of both kinds but especially the round, cardamon; orpiment, lime, soda and its scum; parsley seed, narcissus root, omphacium, coral, oil of bitter almonds, garlic, uncooked honey, wine, mastich, iron scales, ox-bile, scammony, black bryony berries, cinnamon, storax, hemlock seed, omphacium, parsley seed, resin, narcissus seed, bitter almonds and their oil, blacking, chrysocolla, hellebore, ash.
6. Rodunt alumen liquidum, sed magis rotundum, aerugo, chalcitis, misy, squama aeris, sed magis rubri, aes combustum, sandaraca, minium Sinopicum; galla, balsamum, murra, tus, turis cortex, galbanum, resina terebenthina umida, piper utrumque, sed rotundum magis, cardamomum; auripigmentum, calx, nitrum et spuma eius; [apii semen], narcissi radix, [omphacium], alcyonium, [oleum ex amaris nucibus], alium, mel crudum, uinum, lentiscus, squama ferri, fel taurinum, scamonia, uua t⟨a⟩minia, cinnamomum, styrax, cicutae semen, omphacium, apii semen, resina, narcissi semen, fel, nuces amarae oleumque earum, atramentum sutorium, chrysocolla, ueratrum, cinis.
7. 7 The following are exedents: acacia juice, ebony, verdigris, copper scales, chrysocolla, ash, cyprus ash, soda, cadmia, litharge, hypocistis, slag, salt, orpiment, sulphur, hemlock, sandarach, salamander-ash, coral, flowers of copper, copper ore, blacking, ochre, lime, vinegar, oak-gall, alum, milk of the wild fig, or of sea spurge which the Greeks call tithymallos, coral, bile, frankincense, spode, lentil, honey, olive leaves, horehound, haematite stone, Phrygian, Assian and ironschist, antimony sulphide, wine, vinegar.
7. Exedunt corpus acaciae sucus, hebenus, aerugo, squama aeris, chrysocolla, cinis, cinis Cyprius, nitrum, cadmia, spuma argenti, hypocistis, diphryges, sal, auripigmentum, sulpur, cicuta, sandaraca, salamandra, [alcyoneum], aeris flos, chalcitis, atramentum sutorium, ochra, calx, [acetum], galla, alumen, lac caprifici uel lactucae marinae, quae tithymallos a Graecis appellatur, alcyoneum, fel, turis fuligo, spodium, lenticula, mel, oleae folia, marrubium, lapis haematites et Phrygius et As⟨s⟩ius et scissilis, misy, uinum, acetum.
8. 8 The following are caustics: orpiment, blacking, copper ore, antimony sulphide, verdigris, lime, burnt papyrus-ash, salt, copper scales, burnt wine-lees, myrrh, dung of lizard and pigeon and wood pigeon and swallow, pepper, Cnidian berry, garlic, slag, both the milks mentioned in the previous chapter, hellebore both white and black, cantharides, coral, pyrethrum, frankincense, salamander-ash, rocket, sandarach, black bryony berries, chrysocolla, ochre, split alum, sheep's dung, vine-flower buds.
8. Adurunt auripigmentum, atramentum sutorium, chalcitis, misy, aerugo, calx, charta combusta, sal, squama aeris, faex combusta, murra, stercus et lacerti et columbae et palumbi et hirundinis, piper, coccum ⟨C⟩nidium, alium, diphryges, lac utrumque, quod proxime [capite supra] comprehensum est, ueratrum et album et nigrum, cantharides, corallium, pyrethrum, ⟨tus,⟩ salamandra, eruca, sandaraca, uua t⟨a⟩minia, chrysocolla, ochra, alumen scissile, ouillum stercus, oenanthe.
9. 9 The foregoing generally induce scabs on ulcerations almost as when burnt by a cautery, but most of all copper ore — especially after being heated — copper flowers, verdigris, orpiment, antimony sulphide, and that also more after being heated.
9. Eadem fere crustas ulceribus tamquam igne adustis inducunt, sed praecipue chalcitis, utique si cocta est, flos aeris, aerugo, auripigmentum, misy, et id quo⟨que⟩ magis coctum.
10. 10 But such scabs are loosened by wheat flour with rue or leek or lentils, to which some honey has been added.
10. Crustas uero has resoluit farina triticea cum ruta uel porro, aut lenticula, cui mellis aliquid adiectum est.
11. 11 The following, again, are most powerful to disperse whatever has collected in any part of the cody: southernwood, elecampane, marjoram, white violet, honey, lily, Cyprian marjoram, milk, melilot, thyme, oil of cypress, cedar-oil, iris, purple violet, narcissus, rose, saffron, raisin wine, angular rush, nard, cinnamon, casia, ammoniacum, wax, resin, black bryony berries, litharge, storax, dry fig, goat's marjoram, linseed, narcissus seed, bitumen, sordes from the gymnasium, pyrites or millstone, raw yolk of egg, bitter almonds, sulphur.
11. Ad discutienda uero ea, quae in corporis parte aliqua coierunt, maxime possunt habrot⟨o⟩num, helenium, amaracus, alba uiola, mel, lirium, sampsychus Cyprius, lac, sertula Campana, serpullum, cupressus, cedrus, iris, uiola purpurea, narcissus, rosa, crocum, passum, iuncus quadratus, nardum, cinnamomum, casia, Hammoniacum, cera, resina, uua t⟨a⟩minia, spuma argenti, styrax, ficus arida, tragoriganus, lini et narcissi semen, bitumen, sordes ex gymnasio, pyrites lapis aut molaris, crudus uitellus, amarae nuces, sulpur.
12. 12 The following are epispastics: ladanum, round alum, ebony, linseed, omphacium, ox-bile, copper ore, bdellium, turpentine and pine resin, propolis, dried fig cooked, pigeons' dung, pumice, darnel meal, unripe figs cooked in water, elaterium, laurel berries, soda, salt.
12. Euocat et educit ladanum, alumen rotundum, hebenus, lini semen, omphacium, fel, chalcitis, bdellium, resina terebenthina et pinea, propolis, ficus arida decocta, stercus columbae, pumex, farina lolii, grossi in aqua cocti, elaterium, lauri bacae, nitrum, sal.
13. 13 The following relieve any irritated part: oxide of zinc, ebony, gum, white of egg, milk, tragacanth.
13. Leuat id, quod exasperatum est, spodium, hebenus, cummi, oui album, lac, tragacanthum.
14. 14 The following make the flesh grow, and fill in ulcerations: pine-resin, ochre from Attica or Scyros, wax, butter.
14. Carnem alit et ulcus implet resina pinea, ochra Attice uel ⟨Sc⟩yrice, cera, buturum.
15. 15 The following are emollients: calcined copper, Eretrian earth, soda, poppy-tears, ammoniacum, bdellium, wax, suet, soft fat, oil, dried fig, sesamum, melilot, narcissus root and seed, rose-leaves, curd, raw yolk of egg, bitter almonds, marrow of any kind, antimony sulphide, pitch, snails boiled, hemlock seed, lead-slag which the Greeks call skwri/a molu/bdou, all-heal, cardamon, galbanum, resin, black bryony berries, storax, iris, balsam, gymnasium sordes, sulphur, butter, rue.
15. Molliunt aes combustum, terra Eretria, nitrum, papaueris lacrima, Hammoniacum, bdellion, cera, sebum, adeps, oleum, ficus arida, sesamum, sertula Campana, narcissi et radix et semen, rosae folia, coagulum, uitellus crudus, amarae nuces, medullae omnes, sti⟨b⟩i, ⟨pi⟩x, ⟨coclea⟩ cocta, cicutae semen, plumbi recrementum (ΣΚΩΡΙΑΝ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ Graeci uocant), panaces, cardamomum, galbanum, resina, uua t⟨a⟩minia, styrax, iris, balsamum, sordes ex gymnasio, sulpur, buturum, ruta.
16. 16 The following cleanses the skin: honey, but better if mixed with galls or bitter vetch or lentil or horehound or iris or rue or soda or verdigris.
16. Cutem purgat mel, sed magis si est cum galla uel eruo uel lenticula uel marrubio uel iride uel ruta uel nitro uel aerugine.
17. 17 The powers of medicaments when unmixed having been set out, we have to say how how they may be mixed together, and what are the compositions so made. Now they are mixed in various ways and there is no limit to this, since some simples may be omitted, others added, and when the same ingredients are used the proportion of their weights may be changed. Hence though there are not so very many substances having medicinal powers, there are innumerable kinds of mixtures; and, even if all of them could be included, yet this would be needless. For the same effects are produced by but a few compositions, and to vary these is easy to anyone who knows their powers. Therefore I shall content myself with those I have heard of as the best known. Now in this book I will set forth those compositions which may have been required in the previous treatments or which pertain to those treatment with which I am going shortly to mention here, so that I may bring together at the same time compositions which are more generally used: those that are applicable to a particular disease, or even to a few, I shall mention in their appropriate places. But I wish to make clear in advance that our uncia has the weight of seven denarii, next that I divide one denarius by weight into six parts, namely, sextantes; so that I have in the sextans of a denarius the same weight as the Greeks have in what they call an obolus. That being reduced to our weight, takes the obolus a little more than half a scripulus. Now emollients and plasters and pastils which the Greeks call trochiscoi, whilst they have much in common, differ in this, that emollients are made chiefly from essences of flowers and even from their shoots, plasters and pastils rather from certain metallic materials: again, the emollients if crushed become quite soft enough; for they are applied over intact skin; the materials out of which plasters and pastils are made are rubbed together laboriously in order that they may not irritate wounds when they are applied to them. But between a plaster and a pastil there is this difference: a plaster must contain some liquefied ingredient, in a pastil only dry materials are used, combined together by a little fluid. Then a plaster is made in this way: dry medicaments are rubbed down separately, then when they have been mixed, either vinegar is dropped in or any other liquid free from fat that is at hand, and these ingredients are rubbed together again. The materials capable of being liquefied are melted all together over the fire, and if there is to be any admixing of oil, it is then poured in. A dry ingredient is even sometimes boiled in oil beforehand: when what should be done separately has been accomplished, all are mixed together. But the making of pastils, on the other hand, is this: dry medicaments which have been rubbed together are mixed by the aid of a liquid free from fat, such as wine or vinegar and the mixture is dried again, and when required for use, dissolved in a liquid of the same kind. Further, a plaster is laid on, a pastil is smeared on, or is mixed with something softer such as a cerate.
17. Expositis simplicibus facultatibus dicendum est, quemadmodum misceantur, quaeque ex his fiant. Miscentur autem uarie, neque huius ullus modus est, cum ex simplicibus alia demantur, alia adiciantur, isdemque servatis ponderum ratio mutetur. Itaque cum facultatium materia non ita multiplex sit, innumerabilia mixturarum genera sunt: quae conprehendi si possent, tamen esset superuacuum. Nam et idem effectus intra paucas compositiones sunt, et mutare eas cuilibet cognitis facultatibus facile est. Itaque contentus is ero, quas accepi uelut nobilissimas. In hoc autem uolumine eas explicabo, quae uel desiderari in prioribus potuerunt, uel ad eas curationes pertinent, quas protinus hic comprehendam, sic ut tamen quae magis communia sunt, simul iungam: si qua singulis uel etiam paruis adcommodata sunt, in ipsorum locum differam. Sed et ante sciri uolo, in uncia pondus denarium septem esse, unius deinde denarii pondus diuidi a me in sex partes, id est sex⟨tantes⟩, ut idem in ⟨sextante⟩ denarii habeam, quod Graeci habent in eo, quem obolon appellant. Id ad nostra pondera relatum paulo plus dimidio scripulo facit. Malagmata uero atque emplastra pastil⟨l⟩ique, quos trochiscos Graeci uocant, cum plurima eadem habeant, differunt eo, quod malagmata maxime ex odoribus eorumque etiam surculis, emplastra pastillique magis ex quibusdam metallicis fiunt; deinde malagmata contusa abunde mollescunt: nam super integram cutem iniciuntur: laboriose uero conteruntur ea, ex quibus emplastra pastillique fiunt, ne laedant uulnera, cum inposita sunt. Inter emplastrum autem et pastillum hoc interest, quod emplastrum utique liquati aliquid accipit, in pastillo tantum arida medicamenta aliquo umore iunguntur. Tum emplastrum hoc modo fit: arida medicamenta per se teruntur, deinde mixtis ⟨i⟩is instillatur aut acetum aut si quis alius ⟨non⟩ pinguis umor accessurus est, et ea rursus ex eo teruntur. Ea uero, quae liquari possunt, ad ignem simul liquantur, et si quid olei misceri debet, tum infunditur. Interdum etiam aridum aliquod ex oleo prius coquitur: ubi facta sunt, quae separatim fieri debuerunt, in unum omnia miscentur. At pastilli haec ratio est: arida medicamenta contrita umore non pingui, ut uino uel aceto, co⟨g⟩untur, et rursus coacta inarescunt, atque ubi utendum est, eiusdem generis umore diluuntur. Tum emplastrum imponitur, pastillus inlinitur, aut alicui molliori, ut cerato, miscetur.
18. 18 Premising the above, I will speak first of emollients, almost all of which were invented, not for the purpose of cooling but for heating. There is, however, one kind which can cool, being suitable for hot podagras. It is a cupful of oak-galls, unripe or otherwise, coriander seed, hemlock, dried poppy-tears, and gum, of each 63 cc.; of washed cerate called by the Greeks πεπλυμένον, 168 grams.
18. His cognitis, primum MALAGMATA subiciam, quae fere non sunt refrigerandi sed calfaciendi causa reperta. Est tamen, quod refrigerare possit, ad calidas podagras aptum. Habet gallae et immaturae et alterius, coriandri seminis, cicutae, lacrimae aridae, cummis, singulorum plenum acetabulum; cerati eloti, quod ΠΕΠΛΥΜΕΝΟΝ Graeci uocant, selibram. Reliqua fere calefaciunt.
Almost all the rest are heating. But some disperse the diseased matter, some extract it and are called epispastic; most are designed rather for particular parts of the body.
Sed quaedam digerunt materiam, quaedam extrahunt, quae ΕΠΙΣΠΑΣΤΙΚΑ uocantur; pleraque certis magis partibus membrorum adcommodata sunt.
If diseased matter has to be extracted, as in the case of a dropsy, pleurisy, incipient abscession, also in cases of moderate suppuration, the following emollient is suitable which contains: dried resin, soda, ammoniacum, galbanum, 336 grams, each, wax 336 grams. Or that one which contains: scrapings of verdigris and frankincense, each 8 grams, ammoniac salt 24 grams, copper scales, wax, each 32 grams, dried resin 48 grams, 42 cc of vinegar. Cumin meal with soap-wort and honey serves the same purpose.
Si materia extrahenda est, ut in hydropico, in lateris dolore, in incipiente abscessu, in suppuratione quoque mediocri, aptum est id, quod habet resinae aridae, nitri, Hammoniaci, galbani, singulorum pondo; cerae pondo. Aut in quo haec sunt: aeruginis rasae, turis, singulorum P. #1108 II; Hammoniaci salis P. #1108 VI; squamae aeris, cerae, singulorum P. #1108 VIII; resinae aridae P. #1108 XII; aceti cyathus. Idem praestat cumini farina cum struthio et melle. Si iecur dolet, id in quo est balsami lacrimae P.
If there is pain in the liver apply the emollient which consists of balsam tears 48 grams, costmary, cinnamon, casia bark, myrrh, saffron, round rush, balsam seeds, Illyrian iris, cardamon, amomum, nard, each 64 grams. To these is added nard ointment until the consistency is that of a cerate. And this is for use whilst fresh; but if it is to be kept, turpentine resin 64 grams, and wax 40 grams, are pounded up together in mild wine, and then mixed with the above.
#1108 XII; costi, cinnamomi, casiae corticis, murrae, croci, iunci rotundi, balsami seminis, iridis Illyricae, cardamomi, amomi, nardi, singulorum P. #1108 XVI. Quibus adicitur nardum [unguentum], donec cerati crassitudo sit. Et huius quidem recentis usus est: si uero seruandum est, resinae terebenthinae P. #1108 XVI, cerae P. #1108 X ex uino leni contunduntur, tum eo miscentur.
But if there is acute pain of the spleen the rind of the nut, called by the Greeks βάλανοσ μυρεψικήν, and soda are pounded together in equal proportions and sprinkled with sharpest vinegar; when of the consistency of a cerate this is spread on lint previously moistened in cold water, and so applied, with barley-meal dusted over it; but it should not be kept on longer than six hours, lest it consume the spleen; it is better to apply it two or three times.
At si lienis torquet, glandis, quam balanon ΜΥΡΕΨΙΚΗΝ Graeci uocant, cortex et nitrum paribus portionibus contunduntur, respergunturque aceto quam acerrimo. Vbi cerati crassitudinem habet, linteo ante in aqua frigida madefacto inlinitur et sic inponitur, supraque farina hordeacea inicitur: sed manere ibi non amplius sex horis debet, ne lienem consumat; satiusque est id bis aut ter fieri.
Lysias compounded an emollient equally useful the liver and spleen and for abscesses and scrofulous tumours, for parotid swellings and joints, for heels suppurating or otherwise painful, even for promoting digestion, from the following: opopanax, storax, galbanum, resin, each 8 grams, ammoniacum, bdellium, wax, beef suet, dried iris, each 16 grams, cachry, 63 cc, and 40 peppercorns, all pounded with iris ointment to the right consistency.
Commune autem et iocineri et lieni et abscessibus et strumae, parotidibus, articulis, calcibus quoque suppurantibus aut aliter dolentibus, etiam concoctioni uentris Lysias composuit ex his: opopanacis, styracis, galbani, resinae, singulorum P. #1108 II; Hammoniaci, bdelli, cerae, sebi taurini, iridis aridae P. #1108 IIII; cac⟨h⟩ryos acetabulo, piperis granis XL; quae contrita irino unguento temperantur. Ad laterum autem dolores compositio est Apollophanis, in qua sunt resinae terebenthinae, turis fuliginis, singulorum P.
Again, for pains in the sides there is the composition of Apollophanes: turpentine-resin and frankincense root, each 16 grams, bdellium, ammoniacum, iris, calf's or goat's kidney-suet, mistletoe juice, each 16 grams. This composition relieves pain of all kinds, softens indurations, and is moderately heating.
#1108 IIII; bdelli, Hammoniaci, iridis, sebi uitulini aut caprini a renibus, ⟨uis⟩ci, singulorum P. #1108 IIII. Haec autem eadem omnem dolorem leuant, dura emolliunt, mediocriter calfaciunt.
The emollient of Andreas is for like use; and it also relaxes, draws out humour, matures pus, and when it is matured ruptures the skin, and brings a scar over. It is applied with advantage to abscesses, both small and large, likewise to joints and so both to the hips and feet when painful; further, it repairs any part of the body that is contused; also softens the praecordia when hard and swollen; draws outwards splinters of bone — in short, is of service in all cases which heat can benefit. It is composed of wax 4 grams, mistletoe juice, and tears of sycaminus, also called sycomorus, 4 grams each, round and long pepper, ammoniacum for fumigation, bdellium, Illyrian iris, cardamon, amomum balsam wood, male frankincense, myrrh, dried resin, 0 grams each, pyrethrum, Cnidian berries, scum of soda, ammoniac salt, Cretan aristolochia, wild cucumber root, liquid turpentine and resin, 80 grams each, to which is added a sufficiency of iris ointment to give it proper consistency.
Ad idem [latus] Andreae quoque malagma est, quod etiam resoluit, educit umorem, pus maturat, ubi id maturum est, cutem rumpit, ad cicatricem perducit. Prodest impositum minutis maioribusque abscessibus, item articulis ideoque et coxis et pedibus dolentibus: item, si quid in corpore conlisum est, reficit; praecordia quoque dura et inflata emollit, ossa extrahit, ad omnia denique ualet, quae adiuuare calor potest. Id habet cerae P. #1108 I; uisci, sycamini, quam alias sycomorum uocant, lacrimae, singulorum P. #1108 I; piperis et rotundi et longi, Hammoniaci thymiamatis, bdelli, iridis Illyricae, cardamomi, amomi, xylobalsami, turis masculi, murrae, resinae aridae, singulorum P. #1108 X; pyrethri, cocci Cnidi, spumae nitri, salis Hammoniaci, aristolo⟨c⟩iae Creticae, radicis ex cucumere agresti, resinae terebenthinae liquidae, singulorum P. #1108 XX. Quibus adicitur unguenti irini, quantum satis est ad ea mollienda atque cogenda.
A special emollient for relaxing parts constricted, for softening parts indurated, and for dispersing any collection is ascribed to Polyarchus. It contains square rush, cardamon, frankincense soot, amomum, wax and liquid resin in equal quantities.
Praecipuum uero est ad resoluenda, quae astricta sunt, mollienda, quae dura sunt, digerenda, quae coeunt, id, quod ad Polyarchum auctorem refertur. Habet iunci quadrati, cardamomi, turis fuliginis, amomi, cerae, resinae liquidae pares portiones.
Another emollient for the same purpose is that of Nileus: crocomagma, which is as it were saffron-lees, 16 grams, ammoniacum for fumigating, and wax, 80 grams each. Of these the first two are rubbed up in vinegar, the wax is liquefied by melting in rose-oil, and then all are mixed together.
Aliud ad eadem Nilei: croci magmatis, quod quasi recrementum eius est, P. #1108 IIII; Hammoniaci thymiamatis, cerae, singulorum P. #1108 XX. Ex quibus duo priora ex aceto teruntur, cera cum rosa liquatur, et tum omnia iunguntur. Proprie etiam dura emollit id, quod Moschi esse dicitur.
Especially useful for softening induration is an emollient said to have been invented by Moschus. It contains galbanum 28 grams, frankincense soot 56 grams, wax and ammoniacum for fumigation, 112 grams each, dried pitch 672 grams, vinegar 750 cc.
Habet galbani unciam; turis fuliginis P. #1109; cerae, Hammoniaci thymiamatis trientes; picis aridae P. II; aceti heminas tres. Fertur etiam ad digerenda, quae coeunt, sub auctore Medio, quod habet cerae P. #1109; panacis P. S.;
We have also one ascribed to medius for dispersing collections of matter. It contains wax 56 grams, panax 168 grams, copper scales, round alum, split alum, 336 grams each, calcined lead 504 grams.
squama⟨e⟩ aeris, aluminis rotundi, item scissilis, singulorum P. I; plumbi combusti P. I S. Ad eadem Pantaenus utebatur calcis P. S.; sinapis contriti, item faeni Graeci, aluminis, singulorum P.
Pantaenus used for the same purpose, quicklime 168 grams, pounded mustard, also fenugreek and alum, 336 grams each, ox-suet 840 grams.
I; sebi bubuli P. II S. Ad strumam multa malagmata inuenio.
For scrofulous tumour I find many emollients. Now I think that the worse this disease, and the less easy its dispersal, the most have been the remedies tried, with results varying according to the several patients. Andrias invented the following: nettle-seed 4 grams, round pepper, bdellium, galbanum, ammoniacum for fumigation, dried resin, 16 grams each, with equal parts of liquid resin, wax, pyrethrum, long pepper, seed of sea spurge, unheated sulphur, which is called apyron. Nicon's emollient contains dried vinegar lees, soda-scum, ammoniac salt, mustard, cardamon, wild cucumber root, resin, 32 grams each. These are pounded up together in mild wine.
Credo autem, quo peius id malum est minusque facile discutitur, eo plura esse temptata, quae in personis uarie responderunt. —Andrias auctor est, ut haec misceantur: urticae seminis P. #1108 I; piperis rotundi, bdelli, galbani, Hammoniaci thymiamatis, resinae aridae, singulorum P. #1108 IIII; resinae liquidae, cerae, pyrethri, piperis longi, lactucae marinae seminis, sulpuris ignem non experti, quod apyron uocatur, pares portiones. Hoc autem quod Niconis est: faecis aridae aceti, spumae nitri, salis Hammoniaci, sinapis, cardamomi, radicis ex cucumere siluestri, resinae, singulorum P. #1108 VIII; quae ex leni uino contunduntur.
A more active emollient for the same purpose contains mistletoe juice, ape's dung, resin, untreated sulphur, equal parts; another emollient contains sulphur 4 grams, the stone called pyrites 16 grams, and 63 cc of cumin. In another are pyrites one part, sulphur two parts, turpentine resin three parts.
Expeditius ad idem fit, quod habet uisci, simini stercoris, resinae, sulpuris ignem non experti pares portiones; et in quo est sulpuris P. #1108 I, lapidis quem pyriten uocant P. #1108 IIII, cumini acetabulum. Item in quo est lapidis eiusdem pars una, sulpuris duae partes, resinae terebenthinae partes tres.
An emollient, the invention of a certain Arab, serves to disperse scrofulous swelling, and the sprouting small tumours which are called phymata. It contains myrrh, ammoniac salt, incense, resin both liquid and dried, crocomagma, was, 4 grams each, the stone called pyrites 16 grams, to which some add sulphur 672 grams.
Arabis autem cuiusdam est ad strumam et orientia tubercula, quae phymata uocantur, quod haec digerit. Habet murrae, salis Hammoniaci, turis, resinae et liquidae et aridae, croci magmatis, cerae, singulorum P. #1108 I; lapidis eius quem pyriten uocant P. #1108 IIII; quibus quidam adiciunt sulpuris P. II.
There is also an emollient efficacious for scrofulous swellings, and for those boils which are slow to come to a head, also for those which are called carcinoid. It contains sulphur 8 grams, soda 16 grams, myrrh 24 grams, frankincense soot 3.3 grams, ammoniac salt 56 grams, wax 336 grams.
Est etiam proficiens in struma et in is tuberibus, quae difficiliter concocuntur, et in is, quae carcinode uocantur, quod ex his constat: sulpuris P. #1108 II; nitri P. #1108 IIII, murrae P. #1108 VI, fuliginis turis P. #1113., salis Hammoniaci P. #1109, cerae P. I.
Protarchus, for parotid swellings, and for those small tumours which are named melicerides favi or phymata, and bad ulcerations, mixed together: pumice, liquid pine-resin, frankincense soot, soda-scum, iris, each 32 grams, along with wax 36 grams, to which are added 63 cc. of oil.
Protarchus autem ad parotidas eaque tubercula, quae melicer⟨ides⟩ [favi] uel phymata nominantur, item mala ulcera pumicis, resinae pineae liquidae, turis fuliginis, spumae nitri, iridis, singulorum P. #1108 VIII cum cerae P. #1108 VIIII miscebat, hisque olei cyathum et dimidium adiciebat.
But against panus at any stage and when incipient, the condition called by the Greeks phygetron, and against any small tumour called phyma, the ochre named Attic is mixed with equal parts of wheat flour, and whilst these are being stirred together, honey is dropped in until the consistency is that of an emollient.
At aduersus panum, * * tum primum orientem, quod phygetron Graeci uocant, et omne tuberculum, quod phyma nominatur, miscetur ocra quae Attice nominatur cum duabus partibus similae, hisque cum tunduntur subinde mel instillatur, donec malagmatis crassitudo sit.
Also all the small tumours called phymata are dispersed by an emollient containing quicklime, soda-scum, round pepper, each 4 grams, galbanum 8 grams, salt 16 grams, which are taken up in a cerate made of rose oil.
Discutit etiam omne tuberculum, quod phyma uocatur, id quod habet calcis, nitri spumae, piperis rotundi, singulorum P. #1108 I; galbani P. #1108 II; salis P. #1108 IIII, quae excipiuntur cerato ex rosa facto.
Any abscession is suppressed by galbanum and crushed beans, each 4 grams, myrrh, frankincense, caper root bark, each 16 grams. And calcined murex well pounded, with vinegar gradually added, is sufficient to disperse an abscession when forming.
Supprimitque omne quod abscedit id, in quo est galbani, fabae fresae, singulorum P. #1108 I; murrae, turis, ex radice capparis corticis, singulorum P. #1108 IIII. Satisque omnia abscedentia digerit murex combustus et bene contritus, aceto subinde adiecto.
But if sufficient blood comes up, it is right to apply a remedy which is also useful against phymata. It consists of the following ingredients: bdellium, storax, ammoniacum, galbanum, pine-resin liquid and dried, also lentiscus-resin, frankincense, iris, 8 grams each.
At si satis sanguis subit, recte imponitur quod aduersus phymata quoque potest. Constat ex his: bdelli, styracis, Hammoniaci, galbani, resinae aridae et liquidae pineae, item ex lentisco, turis, iridis, singulorum P. #1108 II.
But the phymata called carcinoid are relieved by the following: galbanum, mistletoe juice, ammoniacum, turpentine-resin, 4 grams each, beef suet 168 grams, of burnt wine-lees as large an amount as can be added without making the mass too dry for an emollient.
Carcinode uero phymata commode his leniuntur: galbani, uisci, Hammoniaci, resinae terebenthinae, †in, singulorum P. #1108 I; sebi taurini P. S.; faecis combustae quam maxima portione, dum id siccius non faciat quam esse malagma oportet.
But after a blow on the face there is discolouration and bruising, the following prescription applied night and takes it away: aristolochia and thapsia, each 8 grams, bdellium, storax, ammoniacum for fumigation, galbanum, dried resin, liquid from lentiscus-resin, male frankincense, Illyrian iris wax, each 16 grams. The application of bean-meal also has the same effect.
Quod si facie contusa liuor subcruentus est, haec compositio nocte et die imposita tollit: aristolochiae, thapsiae, singulorum P. #1108 II; bdelli, styracis, Hammoniaci thymiamatis, galbani, resinae aridae et ex lentisco liquidae, turis masculi, iridis Illuricae, cerae, singulorum P. #1108 IIII. Idem faba quoque imposita proficit.
There are certain emollients called by the Greeks anastomotica, because they have the property of opening the pores. Of these one contains long pepper and soda-scum, each 8 grams, hedge mustard 16 grams, these are mixed together with honey. They are also suitable for scrofulous tumours. Of this class is... a yet more powerful one of this kind is that which consists of lime 16 grams, 6 peppercorns; soda and wax, each 48 grams, honey 56 grams, and 250 cc. of oil.
Sunt etiam quaedam malagmata, quae an⟨a⟩stom⟨o⟩tica Graeci uocant, quoniam aperiendi uim habent. Quale est, quod ex his constat: piperis longi, spumae nitri, singulorum P. #1108 II; erysimi P. #1108 IIII, quae cum melle miscentur. Idoneaque etiam strumae aperiendae sunt. Eius generis est * * uehementiusque ex his est id, quod habet calcis P. #1108 IIII; piperis grana VI; nitri, cerae, singulorum P. #1108 XII; mellis P. #1109; olei heminam.
There is also a prescription of Nicon which relaxes, opens and cleans. It contains coral, sulphur, soda, and pumice, equal parts, to which pitch and wax are added to the consistency of a cerate.
Niconis quoque est quod resoluit, aperit, purgat. Habet alcyoneum, sulpur, nitrum, pumicem paribus portionibus, quibus tantum picis et cerae adicitur, ut fiat cerati crassitudo.
Again, for the hard parts there is the emollient of Aristogenes made from the following: sulphur 4 grams, turpentine-resin, soda-scum, the inner part of a quill-bulb, washed lead, 8 grams each, frankincense soot 32 grams, the ripest figs and beef-suet, 32 grams each, wax 48 grams, Macedonian iris 24 grams, parched sesame 63 cc.
Ad spissa autem Aristogenis fit ex his: sulpuris P. #1108 I; resinae terebenthinae, nitri spumae, et ex scilla partis interioris, plumbi eloti, singulorum P. #1108 II; turis fuliginis P. #1108 VIII; ficus aridae quam pinguissimae, sebi taurini, singulorum P. #1108 VIII; cerae P. #1108 XII; iridis Macedonicae P. #1108 VI;
And most of all is an emollient suitable for sinews and joints. Thus still that of Euthycleus, suitable for joints and for any kind of pain, including that of the bladder, and for joints contracted by recent scarring which the Greeks call ancylae: it consists of frankincense soot 63 cc., of resin the same, galbanum without stalks 42 grams, ammoniacum and bdellium, of each 12 grams.... of each 56 grams, wax 168 grams. Another for similar pain in the fingers contains ammoniacum, galbanum, and soda, each 56 grams, liquid resin 24 grams, wax 64 grams.
sesami fricti acetabulum. Maximeque neruis et articulis malagma conuenit. Igitur Euthyclei est ad articulos, et ad omnem dolorem et ad uesicae, et ad recenti cicatrice contractos articulos, quas ancylas Graeci nominant, quod habet: fuliginis turis acetabulum; resinae tantundem; galbani sine surculis sescunciam; Hammoniaci, bdelli * P. #1108 III. * * * singulorum P. #1109; cerae P. S. Ad eosdem digitos iridis, Hammoniaci, galbani, nitri, singulorum P. #1108 XIIII; resinae liquidae P. #1108 VI; cerae P.
The emollient of Sosagoras for pain in joints contains calcined lead, poppy tears, hyoscyamus bark, storax, sulphurwort, suet, resin and wax, equal parts.
#1108 XVI. Ad dolores articulorum Sosagorae: plumbi combusti, papaueris lacrimae, corticis hyoscyami, styracis, peucedani, sebi, resinae, cerae pares portiones.
That of Chrysippus contains liquid resin, sandarach, 48 grams each, to which a little wax is added.
Chrysippi: resinae liquidae, sandaracae, piperis, singulorum P. #1108 XII;
That of Clesiphon consists of Cretan wax, turpentine resin, the reddest soda, 168 grams each, and 126 cc. of oil. But this soda is pounded up beforehand over a period of three days, water being added drop by drop, and then boiled in half a litre of water until all fluid has gone. This composition too can be applied to parotid swellings, phymata, scrofulous tumours, and to soften any collection of humour.
quibus cerae paululum adicitur. Clesip⟨h⟩ontis: cerae Creticae, resinae terebenthinae, nitri quam ruberrumi, singulorum P. S., olei cyathi tres. Sed id nitrum ante per triduum instillata aqua teritur, et cum sextario eius incoquitur, donec omnis umor consumatur. Potest uero ea compositio etiam ad parotidas, phymata, strumam omnemque coitum umoris emolliendum.
Some apply to joints with good effect part of a dried fig mixed with catmint; or black bryony berries without the seeds, with pennyroyal.
Ad articulos fici quoque aridi partem nepetae mixtam uel uuam t⟨a⟩miniam sine seminibus cum puleio recte aliquis imponit. Eadem podagrae praesidi⟨o⟩ sunt.
The same are good for podagra. But for this there is also Ariston's emollient which consists of nard, cinnamon, casia, chameleon, angular rush, 32 grams each, goat's suet in liquid iris oil 80 grams, iris which should have been steeped in the sharpest vinegar for 20 days, 4 grams: this emollient also disperses recent phymata and pain of all sorts.
Sed ad eam fit Aristonis quoque, quod habet: nardi, cinnamomi, casiae, chamaeleontis, iunci rotundi, singulorum P. #1108 VIII; sebi caprini ex irino liquati P. #1108 XX; iridis P. #1108 I, quae in aceto quam acerrimo iacere per XX dies debet. Idem autem etiam recentia phymata doloresque omnes discutit.
But Theoxenus for pain in the feet mixed one part of kidney-suet with two parts of salt and applied a thin membrane smeared with these, then poured over it ammoniacum for fumigation dissolved in vinegar.
At Theoxenus ad pedum dolores sebi a renibus partem tertiam, salis partes duas miscebat, hisque membranulam inlitam imponebat, tum superiniciebat Hammoniacum thymiama in aceto liquatum.
But Numenius used to soften podagra and all cases of indurated joints with an emollient consisting of southernwood, dried rose-leaves and poppy-tears, 12 grams each, turpentine-resin 16 grams, frankincense and soda-scum, 32 grams each, iris and aristolochia, 48 grams each, wax 1 kilogram, to which is added of cedar-oil 42 cc., of laurel-oil 126 cc., of bitter olive-oil 500 cc.
At Numenius podagram ceterosque articulos induratos hoc molliebat: habrotoni, rosae aridae, papaueris lacrimae, singulorum P. #1108 III; resinae terebenthinae P. #1108 IIII; turis, spumae nitri, singulorum P. #1108 VIII; iridis, aristolochiae, singulorum P. #1108 XII; cerae P. III; quibus adicitur cedri cyathus I, olei laurei cyathi III, olei acerbi sextarius.
If at any time callus has formed in joints, Dexius advised an application of lime 16 grams, white lead 32 grams, pine-resin 80 grams, 30 peppercorns, wax 56 grams. While these are being pounded together 250 cc. of mild wine is dropped in.
Si quando autem in articulis callus increuit, Dexius docuit inponere calcis P. #1108 IIII; cerussae P. #1108 VIII; resinae pineae P. #1108 XX; piperis grana XXX; cerae P. #1109; quibus, dum contunduntur, hemina uini lenis instillatur.