GALEN ON THE COMPOSITION OF MEDICINES

...and the spine is easily reached, as the power of the oil arrives at the underlying muscles through the skin. However, near the rough artery trachea: the windpipe, which Galen refers to as the "rough artery" due to its cartilaginous rings, the cartilages located just under the skin prevent the power of softening ointments from passing into the underlying [526] membrane. Just like oil, many other compound medicines provide the same benefit.

Those medicines originally called acopa original: ἄκοπα. This term refers to "fatigue-relievers," ointments intended to soothe the body after physical exertion. gradually had their name extended to any medicine with a similar consistency, even those used for the purpose of strong heating. A common form of help for the vocal organs is the use of baths. It is clear that I mean baths of fresh waters. Sea water and waters containing sulfur, alum, vitriol original: χαλκανθώδη. This refers to copper or iron sulfates, which were known for their strong drying and astringent effects., and bitumen are unsuitable because they dry the tissues too much.

Professional voice users original: φωνασκοῦντες. These were "voice trainers" or individuals who performed vocal exercises to maintain the health and strength of their voice. do exactly this when they strain their voices during competition. These people include cithara players, heralds, and those acting in tragedy and comedy. They use many baths and...

...it is easily allowed, since the power of the oil can penetrate through the skin into the muscles beneath it. Near the rough artery, however, the cartilages located after the skin prevent the passage of the power of softening ointments into the underlying membrane. Just as oil does, many other compound medicines provide the same benefit.

Indeed, even those which in the beginning were only called acopa gradually extended their name to medicines of a similar composition, even if they are used for the sake of heating intensely. Furthermore, a common form of assistance for the vocal organs, above other things, is that which comes from baths. It is clear that I am speaking of fresh waters. For sea baths, and those of sulfur, alum, vitriol original: atramentum sutorium. Literally "shoemaker's ink," a common name for vitriol or copperas., and bitumen are unsuitable because they dry the body out strongly.

And indeed, singers who exercise the voice do this when they have injured their voice by overexertion. These are cithara players, heralds, and those representing characters in tragedy and comedy. They use many baths and ci-