Commentary. The ancient Litharge was nowise different from the modern, being a secondary product in the cupellation of argentiferous lead. It was, therefore, a protoxide of lead. The varieties of it known to the ancients, and their modes of preparing it, are circumstantially described by Pliny (H. N. xxxiii, 35), Dioscorides (v, 72), and Oribasius (Med. Collect. xiii.) It was used by the Hippocratists in the practice of medicine. (De Morb. Mulier. ii.) It is the “Spuma Argenti” of Celsus, who notices it in various parts of his works as a cooling and cleansing medicine. (v, 290.) Dioscorides merely says of it, that washed litharge seems to suit ophthalmic remedies, unseemly cicatrices, wrinkled faces, and maculæ. (v, 102.) Our author condenses what Galen says under this head. The Arabian authorities treat of it fully, but supply little or no additional information respecting it. See Serapion (De Simpl. 410); Avicenna (ii, 2, 460); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 43); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 428.) They recommend it generally as an astringent in fetor of the armpits, to restrain copious perspiration, to dispel extravasated blood, and remove unseemly cicatrices, and especially the marks of variolæ and morbilli. It does not appear that any of the physicians administered it internally; but Avicenna mentions that he had known women give it in fluxes and ulceration of the intestines. Ebn Baithar is very full on this head (ii, 513.) One of his Arabian authorities, Ibn Ben Amram, recommends it in diarrhœa, as a clyster to stop the discharge; and mixed up with vinegar and rose-oil, it is said to be useful in congenital hernia and other complaints about the scrotum.
Λίθοι,
Lapides, Stones; all kinds are desiccative like earth; but the Hæmatites, or Blood-stone, is astringent and desiccative in a considerable degree, so that it agrees with trachoma of the eyelids, and if they are free from inflammation it is to be used with water; but if inflamed, with an egg. It is drunk also with advantage for spitting of blood; and it restrains the fungous flesh of ulcers. The Schistos or Scissilis has similar properties, but is weaker: and after it the Galactites, or Milk-stone. The Melititis, or Honey-stone, has also a certain degree of heat. The Moroxus (called also Leucographis), being so much softer than the others, and possessing no active quality, is much more mild, and occasions less pain; it is, therefore, used as an application to the soft parts of the body with cerate for the cicatrization of ulcers. The greenish Jasper, being possessed of stronger powers, attenuates cicatrices and pterygia. The Green Jasper is useful in stomach complaints, when appended as an amulet, and when worn in a ring. That called the Judaic-stone breaks renal calculi, and hence the moderns have called it Tecolithos. The Pyrites acts as a powerful discutient of tumours and coagula; and when it is not at hand, the Molaris may be used instead. The Phrygian, in addition to being powerfully desiccative, has also some astringency and pungency; hence it is repellent and discutient, and is therefore mixed up with ophthalmic remedies. The Ageratus, being possessed of astringent and discutient powers, is of use in inflammations of the uvula. The flower of the Asian-stone is composed of so subtile parts that it corrodes flabby flesh without pungency. The Gagate-stone, being considerably desiccative, agrees principally with chronic cases of emphysema. The Magnet (called also the Heraclean-stone) has similar powers to the Hæmatites. The Arabian-stone is like ivory, desiccative and detergent. Some give those affected with stomach complaints a draught composed of burnt Alabaster. The Smeris, Emery, having detergent powers, cleanses the teeth. The stones found in Sponges break down renal calculi; and those formed on the Argæan mountain of Cappadocia are possessed of similar powers, and in like manner the stone called Ophites, which is appended as an amulet with advantage to those bitten by the viper. The Ostracites and Geodes are said to be considerably desiccative so as to cure inflammatory swellings. The Retrimentum Naxiæ cotis, filings of the Naxian Whetstone, is said to be refrigerant, so as to repress the breasts of virgins, and the testicles of children. The filings of the Cos oleraria, being detergent, suit with alopecia. It is said that the Hieracites and Indian-stone, when appended as amulets, stop the discharge of blood from hemorrhoids, and that the Sapphire, when drunk, relieves persons bitten by the scorpion, and the Aphroselinum, epileptics. The Armenian-stone purges the belly downwards, but is prejudicial to the stomach.
Commentary. The following account of the stones used by the ancients in the practice of medicine is derived from a careful study of the ancient writers on this subject, especially Theophrastus, Pliny, Orpheus, and Psellus. We have also availed ourselves freely of the labours of the modern commentators who have written on these ancient authors, namely, De Laet, De Boet, Marbodeus, Hill, and others. For a fuller description of some of the articles, we would beg to refer to our Appendix to Dunbar’s English and Greek Lexicon.
The Hæmatites or Blood-stone was so called from its colour, or because it was used as a styptic for stopping hemorrhages, as stated by Galen. It consists principally of the oxide of iron. Professor Cleaveland says it contains from 60 to 80 per cent. of iron of excellent quality. It was used for the cure of ophthalmy. See Dioscorides (v, 143); Galen (De Simpl. ix); Serapion (De Simpl. 421.) They also recommend it in menorrhagia. Alexander praises it in hæmoptysis. Averrhoes recommends it in diseases of the eyelids and eyes. (Collig. iv, 43.) Dr. Hill says it is accounted astringent and desiccative. He adds, “it is given from 10 to 25 grains in hemorrhages and in distemperatures of the eyes.” Besides this, the ancients were acquainted with another Blood-stone which they call Heliotrope.
The Schistos is only a variety of the hæmatites, having a fibrous appearance and ochre colour. Pliny says it is used in diseases of the eyes.
The Lapis Melitites of Pliny is supposed by Dr. Kidd to have been borax, or the borate of soda. Pliny recommends it mixed with wax for ulcers of the throat. (H. N. xxxvi, 33.) See Isidorus (Orig. xvi, 4.) It seems likely that it was the same as the tincar of the Arabians, although on this point we do not venture to pronounce a decided opinion. One of Serapion’s authorities speaks highly of it in caries of the teeth, and says it kills the worms in them. Is this the original of the popular belief, that toothache is connected with worms in the teeth? (De Simpl. 423.)
The Galactites most probably consisted principally of chalk. Matthiolus and Sprengel mention that it is found in Saxony. Dr. Hill remarks that it is, properly speaking, a species of indurated clay, and not a stone. Dr. Jameson conjectures that it may have been Fuller’s earth. Dioscorides recommends it as a liniment in defluxions of the eyes. (v, 149.)
The Morochthus, according to Sprengel, is called Speckstein and Seifenstein in German. It consists of talc, argil, and silica, with a small proportion of iron and manganese. Dr. Hill says it is an indurated clay, and is now known by the name of French chalk. Dioscorides recommends it in hæmoptysis, cæliac affections, and pains of the bladder; and for the cure of fluor albus on pessaries. (v, 151.) Avicenna speaks favorably of it also in fistula lachrymalis. (ii, 2, 431.)