BOOK 8 OF MEDICINES ACCORDING TO THE AFFECTED PLACES

Edition of Chartier XIII. [529.]

Edition of Basel II. (257. 258.)

...regarding how much honey one should mix in the preparation of such medicines, I will speak in the following sections at that place where I shall write the heading: "the composition from poppy heads."

Andromachus recorded this third arteriaca: a medicine specifically for the arteria trakeia or windpipe power following those already mentioned. The windpipe medicine of Blastus, which I use for those suffering from consumption original: "phthisiceuomenous," referring to wasting diseases like tuberculosis, is very good.

Take the following:

• Celtic nard: 4 drachmas A drachma is an ancient unit of weight, roughly 4.3 grams.
• Amomum: 8 drachmas An aromatic spice from the ginger family.
• Cinnamon: 10 drachmas
• Malabathrum: 4 drachmas Leaves of the Indian bay tree, used for their scent and medicinal properties.
• Indian nard: 3 drachmas
• Camel grass flower: 2 drachmas
• Cassia: 8 drachmas
• Frankincense: 3 drachmas
• Myrrh: 1 drachma
• Costus: 4 drachmas An aromatic root from India.
• Malabathrum paste: 6 drachmas
• Licorice juice: 3 drachmas
• Mandrake juice: 5 drachmas
• Chian mastic: 3 drachmas A resin from the mastic tree on the island of Chios.
• Saffron: 6 drachmas

Boil dates in oinomeli: a mixture of wine and honey or in first-run grape juice original: "protropos". Then, throw 20 pine nuts into the decoction and grind them. Afterwards, take a portion of the medicine the size of a Pontic nut: a hazelnut or slightly less. Use this with the decoction for several days, then use the medicine on its own. After this, for two or three days, you shall use the hiera: a "holy" or sacred purgative medicine made from aloe. The amount should be one spoonful given with water for one day. Use the medicine also with milk for those whose windpipe is affected, as a gargle.