GALEN ON THE CAPACITIES OF SIMPLE MEDICINES

Chartier Edition XIII. [188. 189.]

Basel Edition II. (90.)

...and when mixed with honey, it is smeared onto the eyes. When applied as a pessary original: "προστιθέμενος" (prostithemenos); a medicinal substance inserted into the vagina, it brings on the menstrual flow and expels the fetus. Some practitioners also give it as a drink to those whose nerves In ancient medicine, the term for nerves often included tendons and ligaments are afflicted. They do this because it has the power to empty out and dry the parts that have become blocked, and it performs this action without causing pain. Indeed, it is also an excellent medicine for obstructions of the liver. It is beneficial for a hardened spleen original: "σπληνὶ σκιῤῥουμένῳ" (splēni skirrhōmenō); a scirrhus is a hard, chronic swelling of an organ when applied externally, and it is just as effective if one chooses to drink it.

[189] ## 19. ON THE CHERRY

The cherry tree original: "Κέρασος" (Kerasos) bears a fruit that does not have an equal degree of astringency stypsis: a drying or contracting effect on body tissues across every individual plant. In some of these, just like in pomegranates and apples, a harsh quality prevails. In others, a sweet quality is dominant, and in others, a sour one. Furthermore, even among the sweet varieties, those that are not yet ripe happen to be quite tart. The sour ones are similar to mulberries. However, in unripe mulberries, the sour quality is stronger than the tart one, but this is not always the case with cherries. Therefore, those that are sweeter are more likely to move the bowels, but they are less agreeable to the stomach. The harsh ones have the opposite effect. Those that are sour [help with] phlegm...

...and with honey it is smeared upon the eyes. When applied, it draws out the monthly periods and the fetus. There are those who provide it as a drink to those whose nerves are affected, as it is something that empties and dries out filled areas without harm. This is because it also clears obstructions of the liver very well. It is a good remedy for a hardened spleen original: "lieni indurato" when applied externally, and it is no less useful if someone wishes to drink it.

[19. On the cherry,] The cherry tree bears a fruit that does not share an equal degree of astringency in all its individual plants. For in these, just as in pomegranates and apples, a harsh quality excels in some, a sweet quality in others, and a sour quality in some others. Moreover, among the sweet varieties, those that are not yet cooked and ripe are quite tart, and some are sour like the mulberry. But in immature mulberries, the sour quality exceeds the tart, while in cherries this is not always the case. Therefore, those that are sweeter move the contents of the intestines more, but they are less pleasing to the stomach, whereas the harsh ones are the opposite. The sour ones [are suitable] for phlegmatic and excrement-filled [conditions]...