De Medicina |
Translator: Walter George Spencer
|
|
| 125 |
Pastilli quoque facultates diuersas habent . Sunt enim ad recentia uulnera glutinanda sanandaque apti ; qualis est qui habet chalcitis , misy , spumae nitri , floris aeris , gallae , aluminis scissilis modice cocti , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aeris combusti , capitulorum mali Punici , singulorum P . #1108 III . Hunc oportet diluere aceto , ac sic , ubi uulnus glutinandum est , inlin ere . At si neruosus aut muscolosus is locus est , commodius est cerato miscere , sic ut illius VIII partes , nona huius sit . Alius ad idem constat ex his : bituminis , aluminis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aeris combusti P . #1108 IIII ; spumae argenti P . #1108 XI ; olei sextari o . Sed longe Poly idi celeberrimus est , sphragis autem nominatur ; qui habet aluminis scissilis P . #1108 I #1109; atramenti sutorii P . #1108 II ; murrae P . #1108 V ; aloes tantundem ; capitulorum Punici mali , fellis taurini , singulorum P . #1108 VI ; quae contrita uino austero excipiuntur . Ad ulcera sordida et nigritiem in auribus , naribus , obscenis partibus , inflammationesque eorum : chrysocollae P . #1108 I ; atramenti sutori , aluminis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; halicaccabi corticis P . #1108 IIII ; mini P . #1108 VI ; spumae argenti P . #1108 XII ; cerussae P . #1108 XVI ; quae ex aceto et coguntur et , ubi utendum est , diluuntur . Andronis uero est ad uuam inflammatam , ad naturalia sordida , etiam cancro laborantia : gallae , atramenti sutorii , murrae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aristolochiae , aluminis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; capitul orum Punici mali P . #1108 XXV ; ex passo coacta , et cum usus exigit , aceto uel uino diluta , prout ualentius aut lenius uitium est , cui medendum est . Proprie autem ad ani fissa , uel ora uenarum fundentia sanguinem , uel cancrum : aeruginis P . #1108 II ; murrae P . #1108 IIII ; cummis P . #1108 VIII ; turis P . #1108 XII ; stibis , lacrimae papaveris , acaciae , singulorum P . #1108 XVI . Quae ex uino et teruntur et in ipso usu deliquantur . Expellere autem ex uesica cum urina calculum uidetur haec compositio : ca siae, croci , murrae , costi , nardi , cinnamomi , dulcis radicis , balsami , hyperici pares portiones conteruntur , deinde uinum lene instillatur , et pastilli fiunt , qui singuli habeant P . #1108 #1109, hique singuli cotidie mane ieiuno dantur .
|
20 Pastils have also dives faculties. For some are suitable for agglutinating and making the scar upon recent wounds: such as that containing copper ore, antimony sulphide, soda-scum, flowers of copper, oak-galls, split alum moderately boiled, each 4 grams, calcined copper and pomegranate-heads, each 12 grams. It should be dissolved with vinegar, and so smeared on for agglutinating a would. But if the part wounded involves sinews or muscles, it is better to mix the pastil with a cerate, eight parts of the former to nine of the latter. Another for the same purpose is composed of bitumen and split alum, each 4 grams, calcined copper 16 grams, litharge 44 grams, oil half a litre. But the pastil of Polyides called the "seal" is by far the most celebrated. It contains split alum 4·66 grams, blacking 8 grams, myrrh 20 grams, ling aloes the same, pomegranate heads and ox-bile, 24 grams each; these are rubbed together and taken up in dry wine. For foul ulcerations and gangrene in the ears, nostrils and genitals, and their inflammatory complications, take chrysocolla 4 grams, blacking and split alum 8 grams each, winter cherry bark 16 grams, minium 24 grams, litharge 48 grams, white lead 64 grams; these are both compounded with vinegar and dissolved for use with the same. The pastil of Andron is for inflammation of the uvula, and for the genitals when foul, and even when affected by canker. It contains oak-galls, blacking, and myrrh, 4 grams each, aristolochia and split alum, 8 grams each, pomegranate-heads 100 grams, compounded with raisin wine, and when required for use dissolved in vinegar or wine, according as the disease to be treated is more severe or milder. But the following is appropriate for anal fissures, for bleeding piles, or for canker, verdigris 8 grams, myrrh 16 grams, gum 32 grams, frankincense 48 grams, antimony sulphide, poppy tears and acacia, 64 grams each. These are both pounded up in wine and for actual use are dissolved in the same. The following present is efficacious to expel stones from the bladder along with the urine; casia, crocus, myrrh, costmary, nard, cinnamon, liquorice root, balsamum and hypericum juice, equal parts; these are rubbed together, then mild wine is poured on, and pastils are made, each weighing 0·66 gram; one of them is given every morning on an empty stomach. |
| 126 |
Haec tria compositionum genera [ id est , quae in malagmatibus , pastillis emplastrisque sunt ] maximum praecipueque uarium usum praestant . Sed alia quoque utilia sunt , ut ea , quae feminis subiciuntur : PESSOS Graeci uocant . Eorum haec proprietas est : medicamenta composita molli lana excipiuntur , eaque lana naturalibus conditur . Ad sanguinem autem euocandum Cauneis duabus adicitur nitri P . #1108 S #1109; aut alii semen conteritur , adicitur murrae paululum , et unguento susino miscetur ; aut cucumeris siluestris pars interior ex lacte muliebri diluitur . Ad uuluam molliendam oui uitellus et foenum Graecum et rosa et crocum temperantur . Aut elateri P . #1108 #1109; salis tantundem ; uuae t aminiae P . #1108 VI melle excipiuntur . Aut Boetho auctore croci , resinae terebenthinae , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; murrae P . #1108 #1109 #1109; rosae P . #1108 I ; sebi uitulini P . #1108 I #1109; cerae P . #1108 II miscentur . Optuma autem aduersus inflammationes uuluae Numenii compositio est , quae habet : croci P . #1108 #1109 #1110; cerae P . #1108 I ; buturi P . #1108 VIII ; adipis anserini P . #1108 XII ; uitellos coctos duos , rosae minus cyatho . Si uero infans intus decessit , quo facilius eiciatur , mal icorium ex aqua terendum eoque utendum est . Si concidere uitio locorum mulier solet , cocleae cum testis suis comburendae conterendaeque , deinde his mel adiciendum est . Si non comprehendit , adeps leonina ex rosa mollienda est .
|
21 These three classes of compositions —emollients, pastils and plasters — have very wide and varied uses. But there are other useful compositions, such as those which are introduced into women from below: the Greeks call them pessoi. Their characteristic is that the component medicaments are taken up in soft wool, and this wool is inserted into the genitals. A pessary for inducing menstruation contains soda 2·65 grams, added to two Caunean figs; or garlic seeds are pounded, a little myrrh added, and these are mixed with Susine lily ointment; or the pulp of a wild cucumber is diluted in woman's milk. To mollify the womb a yolk of egg, fenugreek, rose-oil and saffron are mixed together. Or elaterium 0·66 gram, the same quantity of salt, and black bryony berries 24 grams are taken up with honey. The pessary invented by Boethus consists of saffron and turpentine resin, 16 grams each, myrrh 1·33 grams, rose-oil 4 grams, calf's suet 4·66 grams, wax 8 grams, mixed together. But against inflammations of the womb, the composition of Numenius is the best; it consists of saffron 1 gram, wax 4 grams, butter 32 grams, goose-fat 48 grams, 2 yolks of egg boiled, and of rose-oil less than 40 cc. If the foetus is dead, to render its expulsion more easy, pomegranate rind should be rubbed up in water and so used. If a woman is liable to fits owing to genital disease, snails are to be burnt with their shells, and pounded up together; then honey added to them. If a woman does not conceive, lion's fat is to be softened by rose-oil. |
| 127 |
Quaedam autem mixturae medicamentorum sunt , quibus ARIDIS neque coactis utimur , sic ut inspergamus , aut cum aliquo liquido mixta inlinamus . Quale est ad carnem supercrescentem exedendam , quod habet : squamae aeris , fuliginis turis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aeruginis P . #1108 II . Haec autem eadem cum melle purgant ulcera , cum cera inplent . Misy quoque et galla , si paribus portionibus misceantur , corpus consumunt ; eaque uel arida inspergere licet uel excepta cadmia inlin ere . Putrem uero carnem continet neque ultra serpere patitur et leniter exest mel uel cum lenticula uel cum marrubio uel cum oleae foliis ante ex uino decoctis . Item sertula Campana in mulso cocta , deinde contrita ; aut calx cum cerato ; aut amarae nuces cum alio , sic ut huius pars tertia sit , paulumque his croci adiciatur . Aut quod habet spumae argenti P . #1108 VI ; cornu bubuli combusti P . #1108 XII ; olei murtei et uini cyathos ternos . Aut quod ex his constat : floris Punici mali , atramenti sutorii , aloes , singulorum P . #1108 II ; aluminis scissilis , turis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; gallae P . #1108 VIII ; aristolochiae P . #1108 X . Vehementius idem facit etiam adurendo auripigmentum cum chalcitide et aut nitro aut calce aut charta combusta : item sal cum aceto . Vel ea compositio , quae habet : chalcitidis , capitulorum Punici mali , aloes , singulorum P . #1108 II ; aluminis scissilis , turis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; gallae P . #1108 VIII ; aristolochiae P . #1108 X ; mellis quantum satis sit ad ea cogenda . Vel cantharid um P . #1108 I ; sulpuris P . #1108 I ; lolii P . #1108 III ; quibus adicitur picis liquidae quantum satis est ad iungendum . Vel chalcitis quoque cum resina et ruta mixta ; aut cum eadem resina diphryges ; aut uua t aminia cum pice liquida . Idem uero possunt et faec is uini combustae et calcis et nitri pares portiones ; uel aluminis scissilis P . #1108 #1109 #1109; turis , sandaracae , nitri , singulorum P . #1108 I ; gallae P . #1108 VIII ; aristolochiae P . #1108 X ; mellis quantum satis sit . Est etiam H erae compositio , quae habet murrae , chalcitidis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; aloe s, turis , aluminis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; aristolochiae , gallae inmaturae , singulorum P . #1108 VIII ; malicori contriti P . #1108 X . Est Iudaei , in qua sunt calcis partes duae ; nitri quam ruberrumi pars tertia , quae urina inpuberis pueri coguntur , donec strigmenti crassitudo sit . Sed subinde is locus , cui id inlinitur , madefaciendus est . At Iollas chartae combustae , sandaracae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; calcis P . #1108 II ; auripigmenti tantundem miscebat . Si uero ex membrana , quae super cerebrum est , profluit sanguis , uitellus combustus et contritus inspergi debet : si alio loco sanguinis profluuium est , auripigmenti , squamae aeris , singulorum P . #1108 I ; sandaracae P . #1108 II ; marmoris cocti P . #1108 IIII inspergi debet . Eadem cancro quoque obsistunt . Ad inducendam cicatricem : squamae aeris , turis fuliginis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; calcis P . #1108 IIII . Eadem increscentem quoque carnem coercent . Timaeus autem ad ignem sacrum , ad cancrum his utebatur : murrae P . #1108 II ; turis , atramenti sutori , singulorum P . #1108 III ; sandaracae , auripigmenti , squamae aeris , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; gallae P . #1108 VI ; cerussae combustae P . #1108 VIII . Ea uel arida inspersa uel melle excepta idem praestant . Sternumenta uero uel albo ueratro uel struthio coiecto in nares excitantur , uel his mixtis : piperis , ueratri albi , singulorum P . #1108 #1109; castorei P . #1108 #1112; spumae nitri P . #1108 I ; struthi P . #1108 IIII . Gargarizationes autem aut leuandi causa fiunt aut reprimendi aut euocandi . Leuant lac , cremor uel tisanae uel furfurum : reprimit aqua , in qua uel lenticula uel rosa uel rubus uel Cotoneum malum uel palmulae decoctae sunt . Euocant sinapi , piper .
|
22 Now, some mixtures of medicaments are used dry, without being combined, so that they are dusted or smeared on after some liquid has been mixed with them. Such is the present to eat away fungous flesh, which contains copper scales and frankincense soot, 4 grams each, verdigris 8 grams. But when combined with honey this compound cleans ulcers, when with wax it fills them up. Also antimony sulphide and oak-galls, if they are mixed in equal proportions, corrode flesh. We may either sprinkle this mixture on dry or take it up in cadmian ointment and smear it on. Honey mixed with lentils or with horehound or with olive leaves previously boiled in wine holds in check putrid flesh, prevents its further spread, and is a mild corrosive. The same is the action of melilot, boiled in honey wine, then pounded up; or lime with cerate; or bitter almonds with garlic in the proportion of three to one, with the addition of a little saffron. Or the composition containing litharge 24 grams, burnt ox-horn 48 grams, myrtle-oil and wine, 125 cc. of each. Or that mixture which consists of pomegranate flowers, blacking and lign-aloes, 8 grams each, split alum and frankincense 16 grams, oak-galls 32 grams, aristolochia 40 grams. Stronger as a corrosive is that compounded by calcining orpiment with copper ore, and with either soda or lime or burnt papyrus; salt with vinegar is similar. Or that composition which contains copper ore, pomegranate heads, lign-aloes, 8 grams each, split alum and frankincense, 16 grams each, oak-galls 32 grams, aristolochia 40 grams, with sufficient honey to combine them. An alternative is the composition containing cantharides 4 grams, sulphur 4 grams, darnel 12 grams, to which is added enough liquid pitch to combine them. Or also that composed of copper ore mixed with resin and rue; or slag similarly with resin; or black bryony berries with liquid pitch. The same property too belongs both to burnt wine-lees and lime and soda, equal parts, or to split alum, 1·33 grams, frankincense, sandarach and soda, 4 grams each, oak-galls 32 grams, aristolochia 40 grams, and as much honey as is required. There is also the compound of Heras which contains myrrh and copper ore, 8 grams each, lign-aloes, frankincense, split alum, 16 grams, aristolochia and immature oak-galls, 32 grams each, pomegranate rind pounded 40 grams. The compound of Iudaeus contains lime two parts; the reddest soda one part, mixed with the urine of a young boy to the consistency of strigil scrapings. But the place on which it is smeared should from time to time be moistened. Then the compound of Iollas consists of burnt papyrus and of sandarach, 4 grams each, lime 8 grams, mixed with the same quantity of orpiment. But if there is haemorrhage from the membrane covering the brain, a yolk of egg which has been charred and then pounded should be scattered on; for haemorrhage elsewhere orpiment and copper scales, 4 grams each, sandarach 8 grams, calcined marble 16 grams, should be dusted on. The same also checks canker. To induce scarifying, copper scales and frankincense soot, 8 grams each, lime 16 grams. The same also counters fungous flesh. Also Timaeus used the following for ignis sacer and for canker: myrrh 8 grams, frankincense and blacking, 12 grams each, sandarach, orpiment, copper scales, 16 grams each, oak-galls 24 grams, burnt white-lead 32 grams. This is either scattered on dry or has the same effect when taken up in honey. Sneezing too is excited by putting up the nose either white veratrum or soapwort; or the following mixture: pepper and white veratrum, 0·66 gram each, castoreum 1 gram, soda-scum 4 grams, soapwort 16 grams. Now gargles are used as emollients or as repres- sives or to draw out humour. As emollients, milk, pearl-barley or bran gruel; as repressants, a decoction of lentils or rose-leaves or blackberries or quinces or of dates. Mustard and pepper draw out humour. |
| 128 |
ANTIDOTA raro sed praecipue interdum necessaria sunt , quia grauissimis casibus opitulantur . Ea recte quidem dantur conlisis corporibus , uel per ictus , uel ubi ex alto deciderunt , uel in uiscerum , laterum , faucium , interiorumque partium doloribus . Maxime autem desideranda sunt aduersus uenena , uel per morsus uel per cibos aut potiones nostris corporibus inserta . Unum est , quod habet lacrimae papaueris P . #1108 #1109; acori , malobathri P . #1108 V ; iridis Illyricae , cummi , singulorum P . #1108 II ; anesi P . #1108 III ; nardi Gallici , foliorum rosae aridorum , cardamomi , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; petroselini P . #1108 IIII #1109 ( uel folii P . #1108 V ) ; casiae nigrae , silis , bdelli , balsami seminis , piperis albi , singulorum P . #1108 V #1109; styracis P . #1108 V #1109; murrae , opopanacis , nardi Syri , turis masculi , hypocistidis suci , singulorum P . #1108 VI ; castorei P . #1108 VI ; costi , piperis albi , galbani , resinae terebenthinae , croci , floris iunci rotundi , singulorum P . #1108 VI #1109 #1110; dulcis radicis P . #1108 VIII #1109 #1110; quae uel melle uel passo excipiuntur . Alterum , quod Zopyrus regi Ptolemaeo dicitur composuisse atque ambrosian nominasse , ex his constat : costi , turis masculi , singulorum P . #1108 #1109 #1109; piperis albi P . #1108 #1109 #1110; floris iunci rotundi P . #1108 II ; cinnamomi P . #1108 III ; casiae nigrae P . #1108 IIII ; croci Cilici P . #1108 IIII #1109 #1110; murrae , quam stacten nomina nt, P . #1108 V ; nardi Indici P . #1108 V #1109 #1110. Quae singula contrita melle cocto excipiuntur ; deinde ubi utendum est , id quod Aegyptiae fabae magnitudinem impleat , in potione uini diluitur . Nobilissimum autem est Mithridatis , quod cottidie sumendo rex ille dicitur aduersus uenenorum pericula tutum corpus suum reddidisse . In quo haec sunt : costi P . #1108 #1109 #1109 #1110; acori P . #1108 V ; hyperici , cummi , sagapeni , acaciae suci , iridis Illyricae , cardamomi , singulorum P . #1108 II ; anesi P . #1108 III ; nardi Gallici , gentianae radicis , aridorum rosae foliorum , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; papaueris lacrimae , petroselini , singulorum P . #1108 IIII #1109 #1110; casiae , silis , lolii , piperis longi , singulorum P . #1108 V #1109; styracis P . #1108 V #1109 #1110; castorei , turis , hypocistidis suci , murrae , opopanacis , singulorum P . #1108 VI ; malobathri folii P . #1108 VI ; floris iunci rotundi , resinae terebenthinae , galbani , dauci Cretici seminis , singulorum P . #1108 VI #1109; nardi , opobalsami , singulorum P . #1108 VI #1109 #1110; th laspis P . #1108 VI #1109 #1110; radicis Ponticae P . #1108 VII ; croci , zingiberis , cinnamomi , singulorum P . #1108 VII #1109 #1110. Haec contrita melle excipiuntur , et aduersus uenenum , quod magnitudinem nucis Graecae impleat , ex uino datur . In ceteris autem adfectibus corporis pro modo eorum uel quod Aegyptiae fabae uel quod erui magnitudinem impleat , satis est .
|
23 Antidotes are seldom needed, but are at times important because they bring aid to the gravest cases. They are appropriately administered for bodily contusions, either from blows or in cases of a fall from a height, or for pain in the viscera, sides, fauces, or internal parts. But they are chiefly necessary against poisons introduced into our bodies through bites or food or drink. One consists of poppy-tears 0·66 gram, sweet flag and malabathrum, 20 grams each, Illyrian iris and gum, 8 grams each, anise 12 grams, Gallic nard, dried rose-leaves and cardamons, 16 grams each, parsley 16·66 grams (or trifolium 20 grams), black casia, seseli, bdellium, balsam seed, white pepper, 20·66 grams each, storax 20·66 grams, myrrh, opopanax, Syrian nard, male frankincense and hypocistis juice, 24 grams each, castoreum 24 grams, costmary, white pepper, galbanum, turpentine resin, crocus, flowers of round rush 25 grams, liquorice root 33 grams, which are taken up in honey or in raisin wine. Alternatively there is that which Zopyrus is said to have compose for a King Ptolemy, and to have called it ambrosia, consisting of the following: costmary and male frankincense, 1·33 grams each, white pepper 1 gram, flowers of round rush 8 grams, cinnamon 12 grams, black casia 16 grams, Cilician saffron 17 grams, myrrh called stacte 20 grams, Indian nard 21 grams. Each ingredient is ground up separately, and they are taken up in boiled honey; then at the time of using, a quantity the size of an Egyptian bean is dissolved in a draught of wine. But the most famous antidote is that of Mithridates, which that king is said to have taken daily and by it to have rendered his body safe against danger from poison. It contains costmary 1·66 grams, sweet flag 20 grams, hypericum, gum, sagapenum, acacia juice, Illyrian iris, cardamon, 8 grams each, anise 12 grams, Gallic nard, gentian root and dried rose-leaves, 16 grams each, poppy-tears and parsley, 17 grams each, casia, saxifrage, darnel, long pepper, 20·66 grams each, storax 21 grams, castoreum, frankincense, hypocistis juice, myrrh and opopanax, 24 grams each, malabathrum leaves 24 grams, flower of round rush, turpentine-resin, galbanum, Cretan carrot seeds, 24·66 grams each, nard and opobalsam, 25 grams each, shepherd's purse 25 grams, rhubarb root 28 grams, saffron, ginger, cinnamon, 29 grams each. These are pounded and taken up in honey. Against poisoning, a piece the size of an almond is given in wine. In other affections an amount corresponding in size to an Egyptian bean is sufficient. |