GALEN ON THE COMPOSITION OF MEDICINES

...condition, such as in cases of inflammatory exhaustion when it occurs in the muscles of the larynx. At the beginning, the gentlest foods are suitable, along with medicines that coat the passages emplastica: substances that adhere to the surface of the throat to protect it or close up the pores.. Once the inflammation has settled, a small amount of cleansing agents should be added. Following this, a larger amount is used, and then another substance even more potent than the last. This is done so that the composition gradually reaches a moderate cleansing power original: ῥυπτικὸν (rhyptikon). Galen uses this term for medicines that can scour away phlegm or waste.. In the same way, one progresses to substances that are even more dispersive diaphoretica: medicines that help to disperse or "breathe out" accumulated fluids or humors through the tissues. and cleansing. Finally, one moves to the most vigorous treatments when a long-lasting, tumor-like hardness persists in the vocal organs original: σκιῤῥώδης (skirrhōdēs). This refers to a "scirrhus," a hard, non-painful swelling or induration..

In the first rank of these medicines are tragacanth tragacanth: a natural gum obtained from the sap of certain legumes, used to soothe the throat., vegetable gum, and "Samian star" Samian star: a medicinal clay or "earth" from the island of Samos, frequently used in ancient pharmacy for its drying and cooling properties.. Also included are starch and the gruel made from well-boiled groats and husked wheat original: χόνδρου καὶ τράγου (chondrou kai tragou). These refer to different varieties of processed grain or wheat grits used for medicinal porridges..

Milk is also suitable for these patients, as are honey-cakes, soft-boiled eggs, and what all Greeks now call strobili, though in the past the people of Attica called them coni original: κῶνοι (kōnoi). These are pine nuts or pine cones.. Sesame also belongs to this category. Next after these is the substance called butter, which some also call butyros using the masculine gender.