THE REED: NINETEEN REMEDIES

Latine · Mayhoff 1906

Harundinis genera XXVIII demonstravimus, non aliter evidentiore illa naturae vi, quam continuis his voluminibus tractamus, siquidem harundinis radix contrita inposita felicis stirpem corpore extrahit, item harundinem felicis radix. et, quo plura genera facimus, illa, quae in Iudaea Syriaque nascitur odorum unguentorumque causa, urinam movet cum gramine aut apii semine decocta; ciet et menstrua admota; medetur convulsis II obolis pota, iocineri, renibus, hydropi, tussi etiam suffitu magisque cum resina, furfuribus ulcerumque manantibus cum murra decocta. excipitur et sucus eius fitque elaterio similis. efficacissima in omni harundine quae proxima radici, efficaciora genicula. harundo Cypria, quae donax vocatur, corticis cinere alopecias emendat, item putrescentia ulcera. foliis eius ad extrahendos aculeos utuntur, efficacibus et contra ignes sacros collectionesque omnes. vulgaris harundo extractoriam vim habet et recens tusa, non in radice tantum, in mulso enim et ipsam harundinem tradunt. medetur et luxatis et spinae doloribus radix in aceto inlita; eadem recens trita et in vino pota venerem concitat. harundinum lanugo inlata auribus obtundit auditum.

Cognata in Aegypto res est harundini papyrum, praecipuae utilitatis, cum inaruit, ad laxandas siccandasque fistulas et intumescendo ad introitum medicamentorum aperiendas. charta, quae fit ex eo, cremata inter caustica est. cinis eius ex vino potus somnum facit; ipsa ex aqua inposita callum sanat.

Ne in Aegypto quidem nascitur hebenus, ut docuimus, nec tractamus in medicina alienos orbes, non omittetur tamen propter miraculum. scobem eius oculis unice mederi dicunt lignoque ad cotem trito cum passo caliginem discuti, ex aqua vero radice albugines oculorum, item tussim pari modo dracunculi radicis adiecto cum melle. hebenum medici et inter erodentia adsumunt.

Rhododendros ne nomen quidem apud nos invenit Latinum; rhododaphnen vocant aut nerium. mirum folia eius quadripedum venenum esse, homini vero contra serpentes praesidium ruta addita e vino pota. pecus etiam et caprae, si aquam biberint, in qua folia ea maduerint, mori dicuntur.

Nec rhus Latinum nomen habet, cum in usum pluribus modis veniat. nam et herba est silvestris, foliis myrti, cauliculis brevibus, quae taenias pellit, et frutex coriarius appellatur, subrutilus, cubitalis, crassitudine digitalis, cuius aridis foliis ut malicorio coria perficiuntur. medici autem rhoicis utuntur ad contusa, item coeliacos et sedis ulcera ant quae phagedaenas vocant;..... trita cum melle et inlita cum aceto. decoctum eorum instillatur auribus purulentis. fit et stomatice decoctis ramis ad eadem quae ex moris, sed efficacior admixto alumine. inlinitur eadem hydropicorum tumori.

Rhus, qui erythros appellatur, semen est huius fruticis. vim habet adstringendi refrigerandique. adspergitur pro sale obsoniis alvo soluta omnesque carnes cum silphio suaviores facit. medetur ulceribus manantibus, cum melle asperitati linguae, percussis, lividis, desquamatis; eodem modo capitis vulnera ad cicatricem celerrime perducit. feminarum abundantiam sistit cibo.

Alia res erythrodanum, quam aliqui ereuthodanum vocant, nos rubiam, qua tinguntur lanae pellesque perficiuntur. in medicina urinam ciet, morbum regium sanat ex aqua mulsa—et lichenas ex aceto inlita —, ischiadicos, paralyticos ita, ut bibentes laventur cotidie. radix semenque trahunt menses, alvum sistunt et collectiones discutiunt. contra serpentes rami cum foliis inponuntur. folia et capillum inficiunt. invenio apud quosdam morbum regium sanari hoc frutice, etiam si adalligatus spectetur tantum.

Distat ab eo qui alysson vocatur foliis tantum et ramis minoribus. nomen accepit, quod a cane morsos rabiem sentire non patitur ex aceto potus adalligatusque. mirum est quod additur, saniem conspecto omnino frutice eo siccari.

Tinguentibus et radicula lanas praeparat, quam struthion a Graecis vocari diximus. medetur morbo regio et ipsa et decoctum eius potu, item pectoris vitiis. urinam ciet, alvum solvit. et vulvas purgat, quam ob rem aureumπεσσὸν medici vocant ex ea. e melle prodest magnifice et tussi, orthopnoeae coclearis mensura, cum polenta vero et aceto lepras tollit. eadem cum panace et capparis radice calculos frangit pellitque, panos discutit cum farina hordeacia et vino decocta. miscetur et malagmatis et collyriis claritatis causa, sternumento utilis inter pauca, lieni quoque ac iocineri. eadem pota denarii unius pondere ex aqua mulsa suspiriosos sanat, sic et pleuriticos et omnes lateris doloris. —Apocyni semen ex aqua—frutex est folio hederae, molliore tamen, et minus longis viticulis, semine acuto, diviso, lanuginoso, gravi odore—canes et omnes quadripedes necat in cibo datum.

Rosmarinum dictum est. duo genera eius: alterum sterile, alterum cui et caulis et semen resinaceum, quod cachrys vocatur. foliis odor turis. radix vulnera sanat viridis inposita et sedis procidentiam, condylomata, haemorrhoidas, sucus et fruticis et radicis morbum regium et ea, quae repurganda sunt. oculorum aciem exacuit. semen ad vetera pectoris vitia datur potui et ad vulvas cum vino et pipere, menses adiuvat, podagris inlinitur cum aerina farina, purgat etiam lentigines et quae excalfacienda sint aut cum sudor quaerendus inlitum, item convulsis. auget et lacte in vino potum, item radix. ipsa herba strumis cum aceto inlinitur, ad tussim cum melle prodest.

Cachrys multa genera habet, ut diximus. sed haec, quae ex rore supra dicto nascitur, si fricetur, resinosa est. adversatur venenis et venenatis praeterquam anguibus. sudores movet, tormina discutit, lactis ubertatem facit.

Herba Sabina, brathy appellata a Graecis, duorum generum est, altera tamarici folio similis, altera cupresso; quare quidam Creticam cupressum dixerunt. a multis in suffitus pro ture adsumitur, in medicamentis vero duplicato pondere eosdem effectus habere quos cinnamum traditur. collectiones minuit et nomas conpescit, inlita ulcera purgat, partus emortuos adposita extrahit et suffita. inlinitur igni sacro et carbunculis cum melle; ex vino pota regio morbo medetur. gallinacii generis pituitas fumo eius herbae sanari tradunt.

Similis herbae huic Sabinae est selago appellata. legitur sine ferro, dextra mann per tunicam operta, sinistra eruitur velut a furante, candida veste vestito pureque lautis nudis pedibus, sacro facto, priusquam legatur, pane vinoque; fertur in mappa nova. hanc contra perniciem omnem habendam prodidere Druidae Gallorum et contra omnia oculorum vitia fumum eius prodesse.

Iidem samolum herbam nominavere nascentem in umidis, et hanc sinistra manu legi a ieiunis contra morbos suum boumque, nec respicere legentem neque alibi quam in canali deponere, ibi conterere poturis.

Cummium genera diximus. in his maiores effectus melioris cuiusque erunt. dentibus inutiles sunt, sanguinem coagulant et ideo reicientibus sanguinem prosunt, item ambustis, arteriae vitiis inutiles, urinam cient, amaritudines hebetant. adstrictoriis ceteris, quae ex amygdala amara est spissandisque visceribus efficacior, habet excalfactorias vires. proponuntur prunorum etiam et cerasorum ac vitium. siccant inlitae et adstringunt, ex aceto vero infantium lichenes sanant, prosunt et tussi veteri IIII obolis in mixto potis. creduntur et colorem gratiorem facere ciborumque adpetentiam et calculosis prodesse cum passo potae. oculorum et vulnerum utilitatibus maxime conveniunt.

English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57

We have already treated of twenty-nine varieties of the reed, and there is none of her productions in which that mighty power of Nature, which in our successive Books we have described, is more fully displayed than in this. The root of the reed, pounded and applied to the part affected, extracts the prickles of fern from the body, the root of the fern having a similar effect upon splinters of the reed. Among the numerous varieties which we have described, the scented reed which is grown in Judæa and Syria as an ingredient in our unguents, boiled with hay-grass or parsley-seed, has a diuretic effect: employed as a pessary, it acts as an emmenagogue. Taken in drink, in doses of two oboli, it is curative of convulsions, diseases of the liver and kidneys, and dropsy. Used as a fumigation, and with resin, more particularly, it is good for coughs, and a decoction of it with myrrh is useful for scaly eruptions and running ulcers. A juice, too, is collected from it which has similar properties to those of elaterium.

In every kind of reed the part that is the most efficacious is that which lies nearest the root; the joints also are efficacious in a high degree. The ashes of the Cyprian reed known as the “donax,” are curative of alopecy and putrid ulcers. The leaves of it are also used for the extraction of pointed bodies from the flesh, and for erysipelas and all kinds of gatherings. The common reed, beaten up quite fresh, has also considerable extractive powers, and not in the root only, for the stem, it is said, has a similar property. The root is used also in vinegar as a topical application for sprains and for pains in the spine; and beaten up fresh and taken in wine it acts as an aphrodisiac. The down that grows on reeds, put into the ears, deadens the hearing.

Of a kindred nature with the reed is the papyrus of Egypt; a plant that is remarkably useful, in a dried state, for dilating and drying up fistulas, and, by its expansive powers, opening an entrance for the necessary medicaments. The ashes of paper prepared from the papyrus are reckoned among the caustics: those of the plant, taken in wine, have a narcotic effect. The plant, applied topically in water, removes callosities of the skin.

The ebony-tree does not grow in Egypt even, as we have already stated, and it is not our intention to speak here of the medicinal properties of the vegetable productions of foreign climates. Still, however, the ebony must not be omitted, on account of the marvels related of it. The saw-dust of this wood, it is said, is a sovereign remedy for diseases of the eyes, and the pulp of the wood, rubbed upon a whetstone moistened with raisin wine, dispels all films which impede the sight. The root too, they say, applied with water, is curative of white specks in the eyes, and, with the addition of root of dracunculus, in equal proportions, and of honey, of cough. Medical men reckon ebony also in the number of the caustics.

The rhododendron has not so much as found a Latin name among us, its other names being “rhododaphne” and “nerium.” It is a marvellous fact, but the leaves of this plant are poisonous to quadrupeds; while for man, if taken in wine with rue, they are an effectual preservative against the venom of serpents. Sheep too, and goats, it is said, if they drink water in which the leaves have been steeped, will die immediately.

Nor yet has the tree called “rhus” any Latin name, although it is employed in numerous ways. Under this name are comprehended a wild plant, with leaves like those of myrtle, and a short stem, which is good as an expellent of tapeworm; and the shrub which is known as the “currier’s plant,” of a reddish colour, a cubit in height, and about the thickness of one’s finger, the leaves of which are dried and used, like pomegranate rind, for curing leather.

Medical men also employ the leaves of these plants for the treatment of contusions, and for the cure of cœliac affections, and of ulcers of the rectum and phagedænic sores; for all which, purposes they are pounded with honey and applied with vinegar. A decoction of them is injected for suppurations of the ears. With the branches, boiled, a stomatice is also made, which is used for the same purposes as that prepared from mulberries; it is more efficacious, however, mixed with alum. This preparation is applied also to reduce the swelling in dropsy.

Rhus erythros is the name given to the seed of this shrub. It possesses properties of an astringent and cooling nature, and is used as a seasoning for provisions, in place of salt. It has a laxative effect, and, used in conjunction with silphium, it gives a finer flavour to meat of all kinds. Mixed with honey, it is curative of running ulcers, pimples on the tongue, contusions, bruises, and excoriations. It causes ulcers of the head to cicatrize with the greatest rapidity; and taken with the food, it arrests excessive menstruation.

The erythrodanus, by some called “ereuthodanus,” and in Latin “rubia,” is quite a different plant. It is used for dyeing wool, and skins for leather are prepared with it. Used medicinally, it is a diuretic, and, employed with hydromel, it is curative of jaundice. Employed topically with vinegar, it heals lichens; and a potion is prepared from it for sciatica and paralysis, the patient while using it taking a bath daily. The root of it and the seed are effectual as an emmenagogue; they act astringently upon the bowels, and disperse gatherings. The branches, together with the leaves, are applied to wounds inflicted by serpents; the leaves too have the property of staining the hair. I find it stated by some writers that this shrub is curative of jaundice, even if worn as an amulet only, and looked at every now and then.

The plant known as the “alysson” differs only from the preceding one in the leaves and branches, which are more diminutive. It receives its name from the fact, that, taken in vinegar and worn as an amulet, it prevents persons bitten by dogs from becoming rabid. It is a marvellous fact too, that is added, to the effect that the person bitten has only to look at this shrub, and the flow of corrupt matter from the wound will be staunched immediately.

The radicula, which we have already mentioned as being called “struthion” by the Greeks, is used by dyers for preparing wool. A decoction of it, taken internally, is curative of jaundice and diseases of the chest. It is diuretic also, and laxative, and acts as a detergent upon the uterus, for which reasons medical men have given it the name of the “golden beverage.” Taken with honey, it is a sovereign remedy for cough; and it is used for hardness of breathing, in doses of a spoonful. Applied with polenta and vinegar to the parts affected, it removes leprous sores. Used with panax and root of the caper-plant, it breaks and expels calculi, and a decoction of it in wine with barley-meal disperses inflamed tumours. It is used as an ingredient in emollient plasters and eye-salves for the sight, and is found to be one of the most useful sternutories known; it is good too for the liver and the spleen. Taken in hydromel, in doses of one denarius, it effects the cure of asthma, as also of pleurisy and all pains in the sides.

The apocynum is a shrub with leaves like those of ivy, but softer, and not so long in the stalk, and the seed of it is pointed and downy, with a division running down it, and a very powerful smell. Given in their food with water, the seed is poisonous to dogs and all other quadrupeds.

There are two kinds of rosemary; one of which is barren, and the other has a stem with a resinous seed, known as “cachrys.” The leaves have the odour of frankincense. The root, applied fresh, effects the cure of wounds, prolapsus of the rectum, condylomata, and piles. The juice of the plant, as well as of the root, is curative of jaundice, and such diseases as require detergents; it is useful also for the sight. The seed is given in drink for inveterate diseases of the chest, and, with wine and pepper, for affections of the uterus; it acts also as an emmenagogue, and is used with meal of darnel as a liniment for gout. It acts also as a detergent upon freckles, and is used as an application in diseases which require calorifics or sudorifics, and for convulsions. The plant itself, or else the root, taken in wine, increases the milk, and the leaves and stem of the plant are applied with vinegar to scrofulous sores; used with honey, they are very useful for cough.

As already stated, there are several kinds of cachrys; but that which is produced by rosemary above-mentioned, when rubbed, is found to be of a resinous nature. It neutralizes poisons and the venom of animals, that of serpents excepted. It acts also as a sudorific, dispels griping pains in the bowels, and increases the milk in nursing women.

Of the herb savin, known as “brathy” by the Greeks, there are two varieties, one of them with a leaf like that of the tamarix, the other with that of the cypress; for which reason some persons have called this last the Cretan cypress. It is used by many for fumigations, as a substitute for frankincense; employed in medicine, it is said to have the same effect as cinnamon, if taken in doses twice as large. It reduces gatherings, disperses corrosive sores, acts as a detergent upon ulcers, and, used as a pessary and as a fumigation, brings away the dead fœtus. It is employed as a topical application for erysipelas and carbuncles, and, taken with honey in wine, is curative of jaundice.

The smoke of this plant, they say, cures the pip in all kinds of poultry.

Similar to savin is the herb known as “selago.” Care is taken to gather it without the use of iron, the right hand being passed for the purpose through the left sleeve of the tunic, as though the gatherer were in the act of committing a theft. The clothing too must be white, the feet bare and washed clean, and a sacrifice of bread and wine must be made before gathering it: it is carried also in a new napkin. The Druids of Gaul have pretended that this plant should be carried about the person as a preservative against accidents of all kinds, and that the smoke of it is extremely good for all maladies of the eyes.

The Druids, also, have given the name of “samolus” to a certain plant which grows in humid localities. This too, they say, must be gathered fasting with the left hand, as a preservative against the maladies to which swine and cattle are subject. The person, too, who gathers it must be careful not to look behind him, nor must it be laid anywhere but in the troughs from which the cattle drink.

We have already spoken of the different kinds of gum; the better sort of each kind will be found the most effective. Gum is bad for the teeth; it tends to make the blood coagulate, and is consequently good for discharges of blood from the mouth. It is useful for burns, but is bad for diseases of the trachea. It exercises a diuretic effect, and tends to neutralize all acridities, being astringent in other respects. The gum of the bitter-almond tree, which has the most astringent properties of them all, is calorific also in its effects. Still, however, the gum of the plum, cherry, and vine is greatly preferred: all which kinds, applied topically, are productive of astringent and desiccative effects, and, used with vinegar, heal lichens upon infants. Taken in must, in doses of four oboli, they are good for inveterate coughs.

It is generally thought that gum, taken in raisin wine, improves the complexion, sharpens the appetite, and is good for calculi in the bladder. It is particularly useful too for wounds and affections of the eyes.