Chapter 541

1593Until recently, the bark was employed in the Materia Medica, as a diuretic: it is now no longer used.

1594Or Lovage. See B. xix. c.50.

1595In B. xix. c. 50, where he states that Crateuas has given to the wild Ligusticum the name of Cunila bubula, or “ox cunila.”

1596See B. xix. c.50.

1597See B. viii. cc. 41 and 44.

1598Universal remedy, or “all-heal.”

1599Or “Poultry cunila:” the Origanum Heracleoticum of Linnæus.

1600See B. xxv. c. 12.

1601An Umbellifera, Fée says, of the modern genus Conyza. See B. xxi. c.32.

1602Fée is of opinion that Pliny has here confounded “cunila” with “conyza,” and that he means theκόνυζα μικράof Dioscorides, B. iii. c. 136, theκόνυζα θῆλυςof Theophrastus, Hist. Plant. B. vi. c. 2, supposed to be the Inula pulicaria of Linnæus. See B. xxi. c.32.

1603A variety of Conyza. See B. xxi. c.32.

1604Dioscorides, B. iii. c. 136, says the same of theκόνυζα μικρά, or “small conyza.”

1605The Satureia thymbra of Linnæus. See B. xix. c.50.

1606“Ictus,” possibly “stings.”

1607See thepreceding Chapter: also B. xix. c.62, and B. xxi. c.32.

1608Perhaps Indian pepper, the Capsicum annuum of Botany. See B. xix. c.62.

1609For some account of Castor, the botanist, see theend of this Book.

1610Or Wild Marjoram. See B. xix. c.50.

1611So called, Nicander says, from being sought with avidity by the ass,ὄνος. It is the Origanum onites of Linnæus.

1612The Prasion, or “green plant,” mentioned by Hippocrates and Theophrastus, isnotidentical, Fée says, with the Origanum onitis, it being the Marrubium Creticum, or peregrinum of modern botanists. To add to the confusion of these names, we find Pliny stating, in c. 69, that the name of “prasion” was given also by the Greeks to his second species of Heraclium, and that of “onitis” to the Heraclium Heracleoticum.

1613Or “Goat’s origanum:” the Thymus tragoriganum of Linnæus. Dioscorides mentions two kinds of tragoriganum, one of which has been supposed by Clusius to be the Thymus mastichina of Linnæus, and the other the Stachys glutinosa of Linnæus; Zanoni being the first author who promulgated this opinion; from which Fée, however, dissents.

1614Or Heracleotic origanum: see c.62of this Book. Pliny here confounds several distinct plants, and, as Fée observes, the whole account is in hopeless confusion.

1615Probably the Origanum Heracleoticum of Linnæus, mentioned in c. 62.

1616The Marrubium Creticum, or peregrinum, probably, a variety of horehound. See c.67.

1617See B. xiii. c. 2, and B. xv. c. 7.

1618The Origanum onites of Linnæus, probably. See c.67.

1619Fée says that a strong infusion of pepperwort has been used in France for the itch, with successful results.

1620Sulphate of lime, which, as Fée remarks, though insoluble, does not act as a poison, but causes a derangement of the digestive functions. The wines of the Romans were extensively treated with this substance, and we have seen in B. xviii. that it was used as an ingredient in their bread.

1621Dittander, or pepperwort: the Lepidium latifolium of Linnæus.

1622Or fennel-flower: the Nigella sativa of Linnæus. Fée suggests that its name, “gith,” is from the ancient Egyptian.

1623“Black flower.”

1624“Black seed.”

1625It is no longer used in medicine, but it is esteemed as a seasoning in the East. All that Pliny states as to its medicinal properties, Fée considers to be erroneous. The action of the seed is irritating, and reduced to powder, it causes sneezing.

1626See B. xxv. c. 17.

1627See B. xix. c.52.

1628The Pimpinella anisum of Linnæus.

1629It is still used in some countries as a seasoning with which bread and pastry are powdered.

1630See B. xiv. c. 28.

1631See B. xix. cc.48and62: also B. xxvii. c. 97.

1632This and the next statement are utterly fabulous.

1633“Unconquerable,” from the Greekἀ, “not,” andνικάω, “to conquer.” Fée thinks that the word is a diminutive of “anisum,” which, according to some persons, is a derivative from “anysun,” the Arabic name of the plant. Dioscorides gives the name “anicetum” to dill, and not to anise.

1634A mere fable, as Fée remarks.

1635A fiction, without any foundation in truth.

1636See B. viii. c. 47, and B. xxxii. cc. 13, 23, 24, and 28.

1637Fée evidently mistakes the meaning of this passage, and censures Pliny for speaking of anise as an emetic. On the contrary, he here prescribes it to counteract vomiting, and he has previously stated, in this Chapter, that itarrestsvomiting.

1638The Anethum graveolens of Linnæus: originally a native of the hot climates. Its properties are very similar to those of anise.

1639Or Sagapenum. This is a fetid gum-resin, imported from Persia and Alexandria, and supposed, though without sufficient proof, Fée says, to be the produce of the Ferula Persica. It is occasionally used in medicine as a stimulating expectorant. In odour it somewhat resembles assafœtida, only it is much weaker. Galen speaks of it as the produce of a Ferula. It acts also as a purgative and a vermifuge.

1640See B. xii. c. 56, and B. xix. c.52. Some writers have supposed, but apparently without any sufficient authority, that this is the Ferula communis of Linnæus. Fée is of opinion that one of the Umbelliferæ is meant.

1641In B. xix. c. 53.

1642It is probable, Fée says, that Pliny does not intend here to speak of thecalyxas understood by modern botanists, but thecorollaof the plant. The calyx disappears immediately after the plant has blossomed; and is never employed by medical men at the present day, who confine themselves to the heads or capsules.

1643The variety Album of the Papaver somniferum. See B. xix. c.53.

1644The variety A. nigrum of the Papaver somniferum of Decandolle.

1645The incisions are made in the capsules, and towards the upper part of the peduncle. The account given by Pliny, Fée remarks, differs but little from that by Kæmpfer, in the early part of last century.

1646Nine in the morning.

1647This plan, Fée thinks, would not be attended with advantage.

1648A name, probably, of Eastern origin, and now universally employed.

1649“Bilbilis” has been suggested.

1650Syrop of white poppies was, till recently, known as sirop of diacodium. Opium is now universally regarded as one of the most important ingredients of the Materia Medica.

1651Poppy-seed, in reality, is not possessed of any soporific qualities whatever. This discovery, however, was only made in the latter part of the last century, by the French chemist, Rosier.

1652“Collyriis.”

1653“Lexipyretos,” “pepticas,” and “cœliacas”—Greek appellations.

1654The type of the cultivated poppy is the Papaver somniferum of Linnæus.

1655This, Fée says, is a matter of doubt.

1656Fromμήκων, a “poppy.” Tournefort has described this kind of opium obtained by decoction; it is held in little esteem.

1657Fée remarks, that this account of the tests of opium is correct in the extreme.

1658In B. xix. c. 53. The Papaver rhœas of Linnæus: the field poppy, corn poppy, or corn rose.

1659Theophrastus says that it has just the taste of wild endive. Fée remarks that the peasants of Treves eat the leaves of this poppy while young.

1660The Glaucium Corniculatum of Persoon; the horned poppy, or glaucium. This, Fée remarks, is not a poppy in reality, but a species of the genus Chelidonium. The juice is an irritating poison, and the seed is said to act as an emetic.

1661“Argema.”

1662“By the sea-shore.”

1663Not a poppy, but the Euphorbia esula of Linnæus, a spurge. The milky juice found in the stalk and leaves have caused it to be classed among the poppies, as other varieties of Euphorbiaceæ appear to have been, among the wild lettuces.

1664Theophrastus, Hist. Plant. B. ix. c. 31, compares this plant with the Struthium—(see B. xix. c.18). Pliny, or his scribes, have supposed him to be speaking of theστρούθος, or “sparrow”—hence the present mistake. The Struthium itself has received that name from the resemblance which its flower bears to a bird with the wings expanded.

1665Hence its name, “aphron.”

1666See B. xix. c.4. Pliny has here mistaken a passage of Theophrastus, Hist. Plant. B. ix. c. 31; where he attributes this quality to the Struthium, and not the Heraclium.

1667See c.76of this Book. It is difficult to conjecture how one of the Euphorbiaceæ, a powerful drastic, could enter into the composition of a soothing preparation, such as the diacodion is said to have been.

1668“Capitibus.” As Fée remarks, the capsules of Euphorbia bear no resemblance whatever to the heads of the poppy. Dioscorides, B. iv. c. 67, similarly confounds these two plants.

1669See B. xxvi. c. 31.

1670See B. xxvi. c. 41. Probably the Euphorbia paralias of Linnæus, or Sea euphorbia. Its medicinal properties are similar to those of the Euphorbia esula above mentioned.

1671The fructiferous heads of the Euphorbiaceæ, thus employed, would, as Fée remarks, be productive of most disastrous results.

1672The Euphorbia peplis of Linnæus.

1673See B. xiii. c. 40. By Dioscorides, B. iv. c. 165, all these virtues are attributed exclusively to the cultivated purslain. Indeed, there is no analogy between the properties of the two plants; though neither of them is possessed of the wonderful virtues as antidotes here mentioned, and they would only increase the sufferings of asthmatic patients.

1674As to this serpent, see Lucan’s Pharsalia, B. ix. l. 722,et seq.

1675A kind of spreading tumour, which, according to Scribonius Largus, would appear as if about to force the eye out of the socket. Fée remarks, that this malady is no longer known.

1676See B. xxxv. c. 57.

1677“Acetariis.”

1678“Sapa.” Grape-juice, boiled down to one third.

1679Ἐπιτομὴν ῥιζοτουμένων.

1680The Coriandrum sativum of Linnæus. At the present day, wild coriander is commonly found in Italy, on uncultivated soils. It may have been naturalized, however, Fée thinks, since the time of Pliny.

1681Nicander says also, that it is a cure for the stings of serpents and scorpions, but there is no truth in the assertion.

1682See B. viii. c. 35.

1683The Atriplex hortensis of Linnæus. Fée thinks that the wild atriplex of Pliny is some kind of Chenopodium, which it is now impossible to identify. Orage is more of an aliment than a medicament. Applied externally, it is soothing and emollient.

1684De Morb. Mulier. B. ii. c. 57.

1685It would not have this effect. The statements here given relative to the virtues of orage are, in general, considered to be correct.

1686See B. xix. c.22.

1687The Malva silvestris of Linnæus, or wild mallow.

1688The Malva rotundifolia of Linnæus, or round-leaved mallow.

1689Fromμαλάσσω, to “soften,” or “relax.”

1690These wild varieties are the same in every respect as the cultivated kinds; their essential characteristics not being changed by cultivation. See further as to the Althæa or marsh mallow, at the latter end of this Chapter.

1691The meaning of this name appears to be unknown. “Pistolochia” is a not uncommon reading.

1692Mallows were commonly used as a vegetable by the ancients; and are so in China and the south of France, at the present day. The mucilaginous principle which they contain renders them emollient and pectoral; they are also slightly laxative.

1693The only benefit resulting from the application of mallows would be the reduction of the inflammation; the plant having no efficacy whatever in neutralizing the venom.

1694Sub-carbonate of lead. The mallow would have little or no effect in such a case.

1695See B. ix. c. 72, and B. xxxii. c. 3.

1696The same was said in the middle ages, of the virtues of sage, and in more recent times of the Panax quinquefolium, the Ginseng of the Chinese.

1697Q. Serenus Sammonicus speaks of the accumulation of dandriff in the hair to such a degree as to form a noxious malady. He also mentions the present remedy for it.

1698Some commentators have supposed this to be the Alcea rosa of Linnæus; but Fée considers this opinion to be quite unfounded.

1699It would be of no use whatever in such cases, Fée says.

1700Without any good results, Fée says.

1701“Permeatus suaves facit.” We can only make a vague guess at the meaning; as the passage is, most probably, corrupt.

1702The Althæa officinalis of Linnæus, or marsh-mallow. The medicinal properties are similar to those of the other varieties of the mallow.

1703It is the fact, that water, in which mallows are steeped, owing to the mucilage of the root, assumes the appearance of milk.

1704Fée says that this milky appearance of the water does not depend on the freshness of the root; as it is only the aqueous particles that are dried up, the mucilage preserving its chemical properties in their original integrity.

1705The Rumex acetosella of Linnæus, or small sorrel.

1706See B. xix. c.60.

1707“Horse Lapathum.”

1708Or “Lapathum with pointed leaves;” the Rumex acutus of Linnæus.

1709Or “water lapathum;” the Rumex aquaticus of Linnæus.

1710Or “horse lapathum;” the Rumex patientia of Linnæus: or dock, as Fée thinks: though, according to Sprengel, the cultivated lapathum was identical with that plant.

1711The medicinal properties of the lapathum vary according to the parts of the plant employed. The leaves and stalks of the acid kinds of Rumex are refreshing, and slightly diuretic and laxative. The action of those which are not acid is sudorific, antiherpetic, and depurative.

1712Fée says that it would be of no benefit whatever for tooth-ache.

1713It is not possessed of any stomachic properties, Fée remarks.

1714It would be of no utility in such a case, Fée says.

1715Supposed by Fée to be the same as the wild lapathum of the last Chapter, the Rumex acetosella of Linnæus; small sorrel.

1716Fée remarks that no part of lapathum is naturally astringent.

1717Or “ox lapathum.” Fée considers this to be identical with the “hippolapathon” of the last Chapter.

1718In B. xix. c. 54. Fée identifies these three varieties of mustard as follows; the slender-stemmed mustard of Pliny he identifies with the Sinapis alba of Linnæus, mustard with white seeds. The mustard mentioned as having the leaves of rape he considers to be the same as the Sinapis nigra of Linnæus, mustard with black seed; and that with the leaf of the rocket he identifies with the Sinapis erucoïdes of Linnæus, the Eruca silvestris of Gessner, or rocket-leaved mustard.

1719In reality, mustard is injurious for all affections of the chest and throat.

1720“Seseli.”

1721A sinapism applied to the head, Fée remarks, in cases of cerebral congestion, would very soon cause death.

1722Mustard poultices are used extensively at the present day for blisters on the chest.

1723“Rubrica.”

1724“Scabras genas.”

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