Coris, the herb; some call it Hypericum (St. John’s Wort). It is acrid and fragrant; but the fruit of it, in a draught, promotes the urinary and menstrual discharges. It is also a remedy for the bites of venomous spiders; and in cases of opisthotonos it is rubbed in with oil.

Commentary. It is Hypericum Coris. This name is taken from Pliny, who recommends it in strangury and pleurisy. (xxvi, 54.) Our author’s statement of its medicinal powers is abridged from Dioscorides. (iii, 164.) Galen does not treat of it by name, but ascribes nearly similar powers to hypericum. We cannot find it described in the works of the Arabians.

Κορριαννὸν ἢ κόριον,

Coriandrum, Coriander, is composed of opposite powers. For it consists of a terrene part formed of subtile particles, which is bitter, and of a watery juice, which is tepid (mild?). It has also a small degree of astringency, so as to accord with inflammations and cases of erysipelas, which are not of too hot a nature; and it also discusses the softer tumours with some of the other subtile remedies. The seed, when drunk in small quantity with sweet wine, expels worms; but when taken in larger doses it disturbs the understanding.

Commentary. It certainly is the Coriandrum sativum. Dioscorides says that its action is refrigerant, but Galen insists that it is calefacient. Symeon Seth, Mesue, as quoted by Serapion, and most of the ancient authorities adopt the opinion of Dioscorides. Our modern views would seem to correspond better with those of Galen; coriander-seed being now generally looked upon as an aromatic stimulant, and as being carminative and stomachic. Galen’s remarks under this head are highly interesting. The coriander was used in the age of Hippocrates. (359, etc. ed. Föes.) Celsus, like Dioscorides, holds it to be refrigerant. (84, ed. Milligan.) He also calls it diuretic. (Ibid.) The Arabians say that when the juice is taken to the extent of four ounces, it proves destructive of life. Avicenna (ii, 2, 143); Serapion (c. 44); and Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 229.) They also hold that it is possessed of soporific powers. They prescribe it for the cure of epilepsy, in which case they say it checks the aura which ascends from the stomach to the brain. The Coriandrum sativum holds a place in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia. (58.) It is also still retained in our Materia Medica. See Pereira (1073.)

Κόρυδος ἢ Κορύδαλλος,

Alauda, the Lark; this bird when boiled with plain broth is of use in colic affections. But one must eat it perseveringly and frequently with the broth.

Commentary. No one can doubt, from the ancient descriptions of it, that it was the Alauda cristata. Galen remarks, that it is correctly described by Aristophanes, in his ‘Birds;’ and that it is noticed by Theocritus. (Idyll. vii.) It is also mentioned by Aristotle and Ælian in their works on Natural History. Pliny calls it Galerita. Galen says there is a herb of the same name. Like our author, he praises it when given in broth, for the cure of colic. Both, however, copy from Dioscorides. (ii, 59.) It is not noticed in the works of Hippocrates and Celsus. It would appear that it is the hanabroch of Serapion, who, in describing it, merely gives extracts from Dioscorides and Galen. (436.) It is also briefly noticed by Ebn Baithar in nearly the same terms as Serapion. (ii, 329.)

Κορωνόπους,

Coronopus, Buck’s-horn Plantain; the root of it is believed to be useful in colic affections when eaten.