GALEN ON THE MIXTURES AND POWERS OF SIMPLE MEDICINES

BOOK 8

Chartier Edition, Vol. 13. [182.]

Basel Edition, Vol. 2. (87.)

...fourth degree consists of those that kill by deadening the body. A similar logic to these applies also to medicines that moisten and those that dry.

Chapter 10. [1. Concerning Calamint]

Calamint original: "καλαμίνθη" (kalaminthē); a fragrant herb in the mint family consists of fine particles in its substance. It is hot and dry in its mixture original: "κρᾶσιν" (krasin) or "temperie"; the specific balance of qualities within a substance or body, belonging roughly to the third degree of intensity for both qualities. The signs of these properties are clear, appearing partly through the sense of taste and partly through knowledge gained from experience.

To the taste, it is clearly sharp and hot, and it possesses a very slight bitterness. For those testing it and applying it to the body, it acts in specific ways. When applied externally, it first heats strongly, bites, and irritates the skin. Finally, it even produces a sore.

When taken internally, whether by itself as a dry powder or in honey-water original: "μελικράτου" (melikratou); a common medicinal drink made of honey and water, it clearly heats the person. It induces sweating, disperses fluids, and dries the entire body. For this reason, some have used it against the chills that return in cycles Galen refers here to the periodic fevers or agues common in the ancient world. They apply it externally by boiling it in oil and anointing the whole body with vigorous rubbing. They also take it internally, as previously described. Indeed, it is also used for the hips...