Book I

. All the other authorities on the Materia Medica give it nearly the same characters as our author. The writer who is fullest on this head is Avicenna, who treats of it under the name of _Carob_, i. e. _Siliqua_. (ii, 2, 193.) See also Serapion (c. 135), and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 366.) Our modern herbalists treat of it in nearly the same terms as the ancients. See Parkinson (236.) It is still used on the Continent and in Asia as an inferior article of food, and holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.

Κεφαλαὶ,

Capita, _Heads_; those of pickled herrings, when burnt, acquire a desiccative power without being very acrid. They therefore relieve fissures about the anus, and chronic cases of indurated uvula. The entire head of the anchovy (_smaris_), when burnt, is useful in alopecia when applied with bear’s grease. The burnt head of a mouse when applied with honey does the same thing. The dried head of the kite without its feathers, when drunk in water to as great an amount as can be lifted with three fingers, relieves gouty affections. They say that the head of a lizard extracts sharp-pointed things, and removes myrmecia, acrochordon, and clavus.

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COMMENTARY. Our author’s account of the medicinal properties of _Heads_ is taken from Galen. See also Aëtius and Serapion. Dioscorides treats of the different articles separately, and not under a general head like Galen and his successors. (See ii, 31, 32, &c.) The Arabians merely copy from Dioscorides and Galen, especially the latter. See in particular Serapion (c. 571.)

Κηκὶς,

Galla, _Gall_; that sort called Omphacitis is a very sour medicine, and hence it proves desiccant, repels defluxions, contracts and astringes relaxed and debilitated parts. It agrees also with all cases of defluxion. It is to be placed in the third rank of desiccants, and the second of refrigerants. The other sort, which is yellow, porous, and large, is desiccant indeed, but less so than the other, inasmuch as it is deficient in astringency. In a decoction it relieves inflammations of the fundament and prolapsus ani when burnt. Extinguished in vinegar they become styptic.

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COMMENTARY. Dioscorides describes two species of galls, of which the better kind, called omphacitis, consisted of small, hard, and solid pieces without perforations, and is not to be confounded with the ὄμφακις, or cupula of the acorn, mentioned by Paulus. (iii, 62.) See also Theophrastus (Hist. Plant. iii, 9), Pliny (H. N. xvi, 9), and Serapion (De Simpl. c. 237.) Galls were much used by the ancient physicians in all cases requiring powerful astringents. According to Dr. Hill, the _Gallæ omphacitæ_ of the ancients were the same as the Aleppo galls now in use, and the other kind, sometimes called _Onocicæ_, the same as the European. Dioscorides describes the gall as the fruit of the oak, an error which is to be found, as Dr. Pereira remarks, in the works of comparatively recent writers. We need scarcely say that the excrescence is now well ascertained to be the production of a hymenopterous insect on the _Quercus infectoria_. Dioscorides treats largely of the cases in which galls are applicable, concluding with the remark that their use is indicated whenever it is wished to astringe, restrain, or dry. (ii, 146.) Our author’s description of their medicinal properties is mostly taken from Galen. Nearly the same may be said of Aëtius and Oribasius. The Arabians, in treating of them, borrow all the information which they give from the Greeks. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 308), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 234), Serapion (c. 98.)

Κηπέα,

Cepea, resembles the Purslain. The leaves of it in an infusion relieve scabious bladder when drunk; and the root of it, when taken in a draught with rock asparagus, relieves strangury from obstruction.

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COMMENTARY. Little is known for certain of this herb; but the most probable conjecture that has been made regarding it is, that it is the _Sedum Cepæa_, L. Our author’s account of it is taken literally from Dioscorides. Galen does not treat of it, nor have we been able to trace it out in the Materia Medica of the Arabians. Our old herbalists treat of it very hesitatingly under the head of brooklime. See Gerard and Parkinson.

Κηρὸς,

Cera, _Wax_, being of a moderate temperament, forms the basis of many other medicines. By itself it is slightly detergent, and has some discutient and calefacient powers.

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COMMENTARY. This article is so well known that it requires no illustration. Dioscorides describes very circumstantially the process for bleaching wax and making it white. It was done with salt water and natron in a manner quite different from the process now pursued for this purpose. (ii, 105.) The Arabians treat fully of it, but without making any addition of much importance. See in particular Serapion (c. 10) and Avicenna (ii, 2, 462.) Avicenna says that wax, when applied to the wound inflicted by a poisoned arrow, prevents it from being followed by any bad effects. He recommends it as an expectorant in diseases of the chest, both in a liniment and in a potion. One of Serapion’s authorities, Abugerig, in like manner, recommends it in diseases of the chest.

Κήρυκες,

Buccinæ (a species of shell-fish); their shell when burnt is possessed of sufficiently desiccative powers without pungency, they therefore agree with malignant ulcers, and are to be used for putrid ulcers with vinegar, wine, or oxymel. That part of them which is as it were their flesh when alive, if boiled in oil, renders the oil an useful injection for relieving earache.

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COMMENTARY. Sprengel makes them to be the _Buccina Harpa_ and _Lapillus_. They are noticed among the articles of food in the ninety-first section of the First Book. Dioscorides correctly remarks that a species of quicklime is got from their shells. He recommends it as a dentifrice, and as an application to burns. (ii, 5.) Galen very properly inculcates the necessity of getting them finely levigated before applying them to sores. Avicenna treats of the buccina along with other crustacea under one head. His information is almost entirely borrowed from Dioscorides and Galen. (ii, 2, 529.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 224.)

Κίκι,

Ricinus, _Palma Christi_; its fruit, which is also purgative, has detergent and discutient properties, and so also has its leaf, but weaker. We have already spoken of its oil.

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COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that the κίκι or κρότων was the _Ricinus communis_, the Castor-oil plant, or Palma Christi. It is mentioned by Herodotus (Euterpe, 94) and in several passages of the Hippocratic treatises. See Œconom. Hippocrat. (218.) It does not occur, however, in the works of Celsus. Dioscorides informs us that it is called _croton_, from its resemblance to the dog-tick, and it is worthy of observation that both the plant and the dog-tick bear the name of Ricinus in Latin. See Pliny (H. N. xi, 34, and xv, 7.) Dioscorides says that the oil is used for lamps and plasters, and also as a purgative and emetic; but that it is a very loathsome and harsh medicine when administered internally. He further mentions the seeds as being used in cutaneous diseases, and the leaves in diseases of the eyes (iv, 141.) Galen notices it but very briefly as a purgative having detergent and discutient powers. Aëtius and Oribasius appear to have overlooked it. Mesue commends it as a purgative in cases of colic attended with flatulence. He says it produces vomiting and painful dejection of the bowels, but that its operation occasions a discharge of phlegm and bile, which often proves effectual in diseases of the joints. (De Simpl. 28.) He calls it by the names of _Albemesuch_, _Granum regum_, and _Kerva_. Avicenna says of the oil, that it is laxative, and is a good application to scabies and other cutaneous diseases. (ii, 2, 523.) It is deserving of remark that the _Grana regia_ of Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 339), are applicable to the _Lathyris_, and not to the _Cici_. Indeed Mesue jumbles together his description of these two substances. (l. c.) We have mentioned already that the _Oleum Cicinum_ or _Castor-oil_, was used as a purgative by the ancient physicians. Dr. Hill says of it, “the ancients obtained an oil by expression, and also by boiling, from the seeds; they called it _Oleum Cicinum_; they used it, for burning in their lamps, and in some of their ointments and plasters. Dioscorides commends it internally against worms; and Piso tells us that it is sometimes used in the same manner in the Brazils, with success.”

Κιννάβαρις,

Cinnabaris, _Sanguis Draconis_, is possessed of moderately acrid powers with some astringency.

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COMMENTARY. We must refer to what we have stated in another work, which we have already often quoted, for the general literature of this subject. It will be sufficient in this place to state that the substance here treated of under the name of Cinnabaris is indisputably the _Sanguis Draconis_, or concrete juice of the _Dracœna Draco_. This is obvious from Dioscorides’s description of it, who says that it is of a deep colour, and hence some had thought it the blood of the dragon. (v, 109.) See further, Pliny (H. N. xxxiii, 38), and the very interesting note of Harduin, in which the origin of the confusion of the dragon’s blood with cinnabar is fully explained. Serapion treats of the _Sanguis Draconis_ as the production of a tree, and quotes a description of it from Dioscorides and Galen. What vegetable substance in their Mat. Med. Serapion refers to, we are at a loss to decide. One of his authorities, Constantinus, calls it the juice of a plant, possessed of styptic powers, and therefore used as an astringent both internally as a suppository, and externally when so applied. (De Simpl. 341.) Avicenna recommends it similarly, but gives no description of it. (ii, 2, 627.) It is to be borne in mind that besides the vegetable cinnabar, the ancients described two other substances under this name, viz., the native mineral cinnabar or sulphuret of quicksilver, and a factitious cinnabar, which was their Sal Atticum. See Hill (Mat. Med. 60), and Geoffroy (215.) The dragon’s blood is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia, where it is set down as the product of the _Calamus Draco_.

Κιννάμωνον,

Cinnamomum, _Cinnamon_, is composed of extremely subtile parts, yet is not extremely heating, but only in the third degree. But of those in the same rank of calefacients none is so desiccative owing to the tenuity of its parts. The cinnamomis is a sort of weak cinnamon; but some call it pseudo-cinnamomum.

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COMMENTARY. Sprengel and Dierbach acknowledge it as the _Laurus Cinnamomus_. We have stated, however, under Cassia that Stackhouse is of opinion that the ancients were unacquainted with our _Laurus Cinnamomus_; but we see no good grounds for this opinion. We shall give the words of Sprengel: “Cassia lignea nostratum et cassia cinnamomea eadem esse videntur, unde et cassiam ipsam ex eadem arbore provenire, quæ cinnamomum largiatur, veteres jam statuerunt.” (ad Dioscor. i, 13.) Dioscorides recommends cinnamon in uterine affections, that is to say, for promoting the flow of the menses and for the expulsion of the fœtus. We need scarcely mention that this use of it has been revived of late. He also holds it to be alexipharmic, recommends it in coughs, dropsies, and diseases of the kidneys and bladder; in complaints of the eyes, and in the formation of elegant ointments; in short, he adds, it is a medicine much in use. (i, 13.) Galen and the other Greek authorities give its medicinal characters in more general terms. The Arabians treat of it at great length, and more especially Avicenna, who recommends it in the same cases as Dioscorides, namely, as a diuretic, emmenagogue, and alexipharmic medicine, and also as a stomachic and deobstruent in congestion of the liver. He also holds it to be cordial and expectorant. (ii, 2, 124.) Serapion professes to borrow his account of cinnamon from Dioscorides and Galen; but the extract which he gives from the latter, is not to be found in his works as they now exist. In it cinnamon is commended as being an aromatic medicine, applicable in complaints of the stomach and liver, in affections of the eyes, and as an emmenagogue and diuretic. (De Simpl. 266.) Rhases copies from Dioscorides, Galen, and our author. (Cont. l. ult. i, 213.)

Κιρκέα,

Circea, _Enchanter’s Nightshade_; its root, which is desiccative and fragrant, when drunk with wine, cleanses the uterus. Its fruit, when taken in gruel, promotes the formation of milk.

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COMMENTARY. The commentators are much divided respecting it. Sprengel inclines to the _Cynanchus niger_. Lobelius took it to be the _Solanum Dulcamara_. One thing is certain, that it was quite different from any known species of the modern genus _Circæa_. See Parkinson (351.) Both Galen and our author, in treating of it, borrow from Dioscorides, the former of these professedly. We have not been able to detect it in the Mat. Med. of the Arabians.

Κίσσηρις,

Pumex, _the Pumice-stone_, is detergent, and more particularly of the teeth, not only in power, but also by its asperity. It is also joined to the medicines used for the incarnation of ulcers, and to the abstergent plasters applied to the skin. If burnt, its parts became finer, but it is then pungent; but if washed it lays aside its pungency.

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COMMENTARY. There can be no doubt that it was Pumice. Pumice, according to the latest analysis, is found to contain silica, argil, magnesia, soda, oxyd of manganese, and some water. For an account of it, see Pliny (H. N. xxxvi, 42.) He recommends it in diseases of the eyes. It appears evident, however, that he had copied from his contemporary, to whom he is so frequently indebted, we mean Dioscorides, who gives a similar description of pumice, and also recommends it in diseases of the eyes, more especially in opacity of the cornea, and likewise as an ingredient in applications to sores, and as a dentifrice. (v, 124.) Galen, after some preliminary discussion whether pumice be a metal, a stone, or an earth, proceeds to state its medicinal properties, in which he agrees with Dioscorides, most especially commending it as a dentifrice. (De Simpl. ix.) We may just mention in this place that modern authorities do not think so highly of this substance as a dentifrice. See Jameson’s ‘Mineral.’ (i, 333.) The Arabians under this head merely copy from Dioscorides and Galen. See in particular Serapion (De Simpl. 417.) Pumice anciently was used for polishing the leather with which books were bound. (Catullus, Epig. i.) Theophrastus (De Lapidibus), states that pumice is formed by the action of fire; and M. Dolomieu suspects that it is a vitrified granite or gneiss. The pumice, for some time past, has ceased to hold a place in our Dispensatory. Neither is it to be found in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.

Κιστὸς ἤ Κίσσαρος,

Cistus, _Rock-rose_; it is an astringent shrub, and of gently cooling powers. Its leaves and shoots are so desiccative as to agglutinate wounds; but the flowers are of a more drying nature, being about the second degree, and hence when drunk they cure dysenteries and all kind of fluxes. Externally they relieve putrid ulcers.

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COMMENTARY. Stackhouse marks it simply as the _Cistus_, L., called by Miller the _Rock-rose_ (Index to Theophrastus.) Woodville calls it the _C. Creticus_ (Medical Botany.) Dioscorides describes two species of it, which probably are the _C. salvifolius_ and _C. villosus_. Galen particularly commends the former in uterine diseases. He also treats under this name of a much more celebrated species of the cistus, namely, the _Ladaniferus_, of which we will have to give some account under Λάδανον. Aëtius and Oribasius are the copyists of Galen. The Arabians treat separately of the _Cistus_ and _Ladanum_, recommending the former as a powerful astringent, both in external ulcers and in those of the intestines and womb. Avicenna speaks favorably of it in deafness and other affections of the ear. (ii, 2, 111.) Serapion would appear to have confounded it with the κισσὸς (ivy); or at least he has given a very confused account of it in his chapter on the Ivy. (De Simpl. 41, 42.) Rhases does not appear to notice it separately from the _Landanum_ (Ladanum) (Cont. l. ult. iii, 67.) The two species of cistus treated of under this head have long ceased to hold a place in our modern Dispensatories.

Κισσὸς,

Hedera, _Ivy_, is composed of opposite powers, for it is astringent and cooling, and acrid and hot; consisting of a watery and tepid ingredient when green. Its leaves, when boiled with wine, are agglutinative of wounds and relieve burns and splenic affections. Its juice is an errhine, and cures chronic defluxions from the ear. Its tears, being more acrid, kill lice and act as a depilatory.

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COMMENTARY. We need have no hesitation in referring it with the best authorities to the _Hedera Helix_, L. Dioscorides describes three varieties of it, the white, the black, and the helix; but it is easy to see that they are all varieties of the same species. His distinctions, however, occasioned great trouble and confusion both to his Arabian copyists and to the modern herbalists. See Serapion (De Simpl. 41), and Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 680), and Gerard (History of Plants, 857.) Our author’s account of its medicinal properties is taken from Galen. The tears of it, mentioned by Dioscorides and our author, were evidently its resin, now generally known by the name of gum ivy. All the ancient writers recommend it for thinning the hair and killing lice.

Κίτριον,

Citrium, _Citron_, called also Malum Medicum; its middle part is acid or devoid of qualities; but the part in which the seed is contained belongs to the third rank of cooling and desiccative medicines. The bark is desiccative in the second degree, but not cooling, for it is acrid. Its flesh engenders thick chyme, is phlegmatic and cold. Its seed is discutient and desiccative in the second degree; and the leaves of the tree are possessed of desiccative and discutient powers.

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COMMENTARY. Without doubt, as Sprengel states, it is the _Malus Medica_, L., or Citron. Most of the commentators on Virgil agree that it is his “felix malum” (Georg, ii, 127.) Dr. Paris remarks that it probably deserves the praises bestowed on it by him as an antidote to poisons (Pharmacol. 254); and on this head there is a very interesting dispute between the celebrated Fr. Hoffmann and Moses Charras, the famous French authority on the Pharmacopœia. See Pharm. (ii, 39.) According to Macrobius, it is the θύον of Homer, who mentions it in the following line:

θύον ἄνα νῆσον ὀδώδει.—_Odyss._ v.

Pliny, however, is not of this opinion (H. N. xiii, 16.) Our author copies closely from Galen. Dioscorides’s account of its medicinal properties is far more precise and interesting. Citrons, he says, when drunk with wine, counteract the operation of deadly poisons, and loosen the belly; the decoction is a gargle for occasioning sweetness of the breath; its juice is much used by women labouring under pica (see