The Complete Works of Claudius Galen, Vol. 14

GALEN ON ANTIDOTES

Chartier Edition Vol. XIII [867.]

Basel Edition Vol. II (424.)

...Indeed, asphalt original: ἄσφαλτος (asphaltos); naturally occurring bitumen or tar used in various ancient medicinal preparations. cannot be easily counterfeited by trickery. The same is true for the fruit of the balsam tree original: ὀποβαλσάμου (opobalsamou); the resinous juice or sap of the balsam tree, which was highly prized in antiquity for its healing properties. or its wood original: ξυλοβάλσαμον (xylobalisamon); the twigs or wood of the balsam tree, which were less potent than the sap but still used in medicine.. I even sailed to Lemnos An island in the northern Aegean Sea., as the gods know, for no other reason than for the Lemnian earth original: Λημνίαν γῆν (Lēmnian gēn); a medicinal clay used as an astringent and an antidote for poisons.. One might call it earth or a seal original: σφραγῖδα (sphragida); so named because the clay was shaped into tablets and stamped with an official seal, usually the figure of a goat associated with the goddess Artemis.. I have spoken about this material sufficiently in the ninth book of my work On the Power of Simple Medicines.

Whether you prefer to call it Lemnian earth or a seal, people counterfeit it. They do this so skillfully that no one can distinguish the true substance from the imitation. The same is true for what is called Indian Lycium original: Ἰνδικὸν Λύκιον (Indikon Lykion); a medicinal extract made from buckthorn plants, used to treat eye and skin conditions.. Many other items are also extremely difficult to distinguish from adulterated versions. Therefore, one must collect these items from people traveling to those regions. These might be procurators original: ἐπιτρόπων (epitropōn); Roman financial agents or provincial administrators. or senators original: συγκλητικῶν (synklētikōn); members of the Roman ruling class who often served as governors. who have governed the territory. One might also rely on friends who live in those places, just as you have seen me do.

I have supplies brought to me from Greater Syria and Palestine. Other items come from Egypt and Cappadocia A region in central Anatolia, in modern Turkey.. Still others come from Pontus The coastal region of the southern Black Sea.. I also receive materials from Macedonia and the western regions where the Gauls The Celtic inhabitants of what is now France and Belgium. and Iberians The inhabitants of the Spanish peninsula. dwell...