In cases of impotence, it may be proper to rub the parts frequently with an ointment containing a small part of the root of the narcissus, or the seed of the thymelæa, or pellitory, or stavesacre, or the seed of the nettle, or of anise. Let them also before their meals take a drink with pepper, or satyrium, or rocket, or bastard saffron, or all together. Before food, let him also eat the small red bulbi roasted, with salt and oil, or a little of the squill dried in the sun. They may also use the compound preparations elsewhere described, and often indulge in obscene reading.
Commentary. Athenæus mentions that it was a practice with some to put sponges into beds, as incentives to venery. He states, upon the authority of Theophrastus, that certain medicines are possessed of aphrodisiacal properties, to an almost incredible degree. (Deipnos, i, 15.) He says the immoderate use of wine often induces impotence; and relates that it had this effect upon Alexander the Great. (Deipnos, x, 45.) Hippocrates mentions that many of the Scythians were affected with impotence, by being constantly on horseback. (De Aer, &c. vi, 22.) See Coray’s Note, and Littré’s Hippocrates, (t. iv, p. 9.) It would appear that many of the ancient athletæ, rendered themselves impotent by self-denial and immoderate exercise. (Galen. de Loc. affect, vi, versus finem.)
The ancients held, that most of the testacea are aphrodisiacal. See Plautus (Casina, ac. ii, sc. 8, l. 59,) and the note of Lambinus (Ed. Gronov.); also Petronius Arbiter (Satyricon.)
The rocket (eruca) was particularly celebrated as an aphrodisiacal herb. See Pliny (H. N. xix, 8), and Juvenal (Sat. ix, 134.); Columella (in Hort.); Galen (de Fac. Alim. lib. ii.) Ovid calls it herba salax. (Remed. Amor. 799.)
On this subject, see Rhases (ad Mansor. v, 62, Contin. xxiv); Avicenna (iii, 20, 1); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxii, 11.) Rhases gives a long list of articles which were supposed to be possessed of aphrodisiacal properties, such as nettle-seed, elecampane, rape-seed, mint, rocket, cresses, cubebs, &c. Avicenna’s account, however, is the fullest. He directs the parts to be rubbed with liniments, containing stavesacre, pellitory, squills, myrrh, assafœtida, and the like.
SECT. XXXVII.—ON INORDINATE VENERY.
Since by too much indulgence the body becomes flabby, cold, dried, and weak, it must be supplied with such things as will brace, warm, humectate, and strengthen it. To those who indulge themselves immoderately, warm clothing is suitable, also rest and sufficient sleep until the body remits from its tension, and they recover from their atony.
Commentary. This Section is partly taken from Oribasius. (Synops. v, 35.) A similar account is given by Rhases. (Ad Mansor. v, 67.) Inordinate venery, he says, occasions premature old age, dries the body, and brings on frigidity. (Contin. c. xxiv.) See, in like manner, Avicenna (iii, 20, l, 36.) To restore the body when debilitated by excessive enjoyment, he recommends a calefacient and diluent regimen, nutritious food, baths, aromatics, and everything that can exhilarate.
SECT. XXXVIII.—ON REDUNDANCE OF SEMEN.
Some persons collect much semen of a warm nature, and then proceeding to coition and discharging it, render the body weak, and the stomach languid, and so become emaciated and dried: or, if they abstain from venery, they are seized with heaviness of the head, and become feverish; after which they have libidinous dreams, and the same thing takes place. They must therefore avoid those things which engender semen, and take such kinds of food and medicines as consume it. After the bath they ought to have their loins rubbed with the oil of roses, or that of apples, or of unripe olives; and it is better to make them thick by mixing a little wax with them, and the juice of some cooling herb, such as the house-leek, nightshade, the navelwort, or fleawort. In summer these may be used, but at other seasons, salt and the juice of the lettuce and linseed boiled in water, for it also furnishes a cooling juice. And a plate of lead applied to the loins will prevent libidinous dreams; and herbs of a cooling nature, as rue and the tender tops of the chaste tree, if strewed under one in bed, will have the same effect. For this purpose, also, the seed of the chaste tree and of rue may be eaten. Care, however, must be taken that the loins be not too much cooled, lest the kidneys be hurt.