Galen on the Temperaments and Powers of Simple Remedies

Page 10

...taken into the body, either boiled in vinegar and oxymel original: "ὀξυμέλιτι" (oxymeliti); a medicinal mixture of honey and vinegar and similar substances, or dried and ground up to be mixed with them. For when taken in this manner, it clearly empties the sticky and thick humors original: "χυμοὺς" (chymous); the bodily fluids believed to govern health and temperament. It does this not only through the urine, but also through the bowels. Often, it even brings away bloody discharges. This benefits both the spleen and pains in the hips original: "κατ’ ἰσχίον ὀδύναι" (kat’ ischion odynai); likely referring to sciatica or joint pain. Furthermore, it stimulates the menstrual flow, clears phlegm from the head, and helps with ruptures and convulsions. However, determining which specific drink it should be mixed with for each of these conditions is not the purpose of this current treatise. That information belongs either to the work on the composition of medicines or to the work on the therapeutic method original: "θεραπευτικῆς μεθόδου" (therapeutikēs methodou); referring to Galen's major work, "The Method of Medicine". When applied as a plaster, the bark of the root is a good remedy for malignant ulcers. It has the power to clean them and dry them out effectively. It also helps with toothaches due to the qualities mentioned before. Sometimes it is boiled with vinegar, sometimes with wine, and often it is simply chewed by itself. But it is not the business of the present work to define the specific timing for these uses. For that is not the goal here, but rather to discuss each individual part...

...taken into the body, whether boiled in vinegar or oxymel and similar liquids, or as a dry powder mixed with them. Taken this way, it openly evacuates thick and sticky humors. It carries them out not only through the urine, but also through the belly, often even producing bloody stools. Because of this, the spleen is aided and pains in the hips are relieved. Indeed, it also promotes the menses and draws out phlegm original: "pituitam"; mucus or phlegm, one of the four humors from the head. It assists those with ruptures and spasms. However, to which potion it should be added for each specific ailment is not the goal of the current project to pursue. That belongs to the books where the composition of drugs is discussed, or where the method of healing is handed down. Furthermore, the bark of its root, when applied as a poultice original: "cataplasmatis"; a soft, moist mass of herbs applied to the body to malignant ulcers, is a beneficial remedy. It is able to wipe them clean and dry them without delay. In addition, it helps toothaches by reason of the qualities mentioned before. It is sometimes cooked with vinegar, sometimes with wine, and often chewed and bitten by the teeth alone. But it does not belong to the present business to define when each of these is appropriate; nor...