De anodinis medicamentis eorumque causis et usibus Physica & Medica consideratio in Theses aliquot digesta

XXI.

Anodynes are most strictly defined as those things which, without the destruction of the subject and by the removal of the cause, suddenly and abruptly extinguish pain of any kind.

XXII.

This occurs while the primary faculty rests from its duty, as appears in sleep, during which the body lies down like a trunk, powerless to sense pain Homer, Odyssey 24.: hence it can most aptly be compared to the Cyllenian staff, or rhabdos wand,
which charms the eyes of men,
and which, in peaceful silence, brings the gates and the people of dreams to speech.

XXIII.

Such was that nepenthes banisher of grief of Helen, received from Polydamna, the wife of Thon the Egyptian. Such also are mandrake, henbane, hemlock, opium, the antidote of Philon, the confection of Lingon, diacodium syrup of poppy both simple and compound, and finally the Laudanum of Paracelsus, which can never be sufficiently praised, an iau remedy/salve; to use the words of Erophilus, it is ton chromenon, orthos souneton chre one should use the one who uses it correctly. Homer, Odyssey 4.

XXIV.

However, their sleep-inducing power proceeds neither from the stars, nor the elements, nor the matter, nor the form, if they are considered in their own essence. For if it is attributed to the form simply, insofar as it is a celestial substance, I do not see any physical demonstration.