GALEN ON THE COMPOSITION OF MEDICINES

BOOK VII

Edition of Chartier XIII. [527.]

Edition of Basel II. (256.)

...by adding something from the following order of strength. For example, in cases of inflammatory fatigue original Greek: "phlegmonōdōn kopōn." This refers to a state of exhaustion or strain accompanied by heat and swelling. when it occurs in the muscles of the larynx, the mildest foods are appropriate at the beginning, along with coating medicines emplastica substances that adhere to the surface to protect it or close the pores.

Once the inflammation has settled, a small amount of cleansing agents original Greek: "rhyptikōn." These are substances used to scour or wash away waste matter. should be added. Then, subsequently, a larger amount should be used, and then another medicine more potent than the last. In this way, the composition gradually reaches a medium cleansing power. Following the same method, one then moves to a more dispersive original Greek: "diaphorētikōteron." These medicines help to scatter or evaporate humors trapped in the tissues. and cleansing stage. Finally, one proceeds to the most vigorous medicines when a hardened, callous condition original Greek: "skirrhōdēs." A scirrhus is a hard swelling or induration of the tissue. persists in the vocal organs for a long time.

In the first rank of these medicines are:

• Tragacanth a natural gum derived from the sap of the Astragalus herb
• Gum likely gum arabic
• Samian star original Greek: "Samius astēr." This was a famous medicinal clay or earth from the island of Samos, often stamped with a star-shaped seal.
• Starch original Greek: "amylos."
• A gruel made from well-boiled groats and husked grain original Greek: "chondros" and "tragos." These are specific preparations of wheat or emmer used for medicinal porridges..

Milk is also suitable for these patients, as are sweet pastries original Greek: "itrium." A thin, flat cake often made with honey and flour., soft-boiled eggs, and what all Greeks now call pine nuts original Greek: "strobilos.", though in ancient times the people of Attica called them "cones" original Greek: "kōnoi.". Sesame seeds also belong to this class of substances. Following these is the substance called butter. If you prefer, it may also be referred to in the masculine gender original: "butyros." Galen is noting a variation in Greek grammatical usage for the word butter....