The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 3 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgeryPaulus, Aegineta
Science
The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 3 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgery
Paulus, Aegineta
Medicine; Medicine, Arab; Medicine, Greek and Roman
COMMENTARY. Without doubt it is the _Pinus Abies_, L. The other
authorities in general do not treat of it, except under the resinæ. It
does not otherwise occur in Dioscorides, Galen, Serapion, or Avicenna.
Ἐλατίνη,
Elatine, _the Toadflax_; this herb is like the Helxine, and is moderately
refrigerant and astringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. That the Fluellin or Female Speedwell (_Linaria Elatine_)
is the elatine of the ancients has been long known and almost generally
admitted. See Parkinson, Gerard, Rutty, &c. Dioscorides recommends the
leaves with flour for inflammations and running of the eyes, and for
dysentery. Pliny, evidently translating Dioscorides, says of the elatine,
“eadem cum line semine cocta sorbitionis usu dysenteria liberat.” (H. N.
xxvii, 50.) It would appear that it had been omitted by the Arabians. It
held a place in our Dispensatory with its ancient character down to a
late period. See Parkinson, Gerard, Quincy, Rutty, and Hill.
Ἐλαφόβοσκος,
Pabulum cervi (_Parsnip?_), is of heating and drying powers in the second
degree, and consists of subtile particles.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our older herbalists and commentators are pretty well agreed
in holding it to be the garden parsnip (_Pastinaca sativa_.) Dioscorides
pronounces it to be alexipharmic, and Aëtius does the same. The other
authorities treat very briefly of it. Avicenna calls the _Pastinaca_
aphrodisiacal, and this reputation it maintained down to modern times.
See Quincy.
Ἐλελίσφακος,
Salvia, _Sage_, is decidedly calefacient and subastringent.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. The sage (_Salvia officinalis_) has held a place in the
Materia Medica from the earliest ages down to our times. Dioscorides
calls it diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, and vulnerary. The other
Greek authorities, like our author, speak more moderately in its praise.
The Arabians who treat of it follow Dioscorides. See Serapion (De Simpl.
153.) In modern times it was at one period held in much esteem. See
Quincy. It is retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia (p. 142.)
Ἑλένιον,
Inula, _Elecampane_ (?); it is calefacient and desiccative with some
recrementitious humidity. When mixed with linctuses it promotes
expectoration, and it acts as a rubefacient to the parts it is applied to.
* * * * *
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