Commentary. Our author’s account of this substance is taken, with few alterations, from Dioscorides. Galen and Serapion also copy from him. In the [Appendix] to this section we shall have occasion to notice the opinion that it was mace. All we need say of the Nascaphthon in this place amounts to this, that it was an Indian aromatic, which the industry, even of Royle, Ainslie, and Roxborough, has failed to determine.
Νάπυ,
Sinapi, Mustard, is heating and desiccative in the fourth degree.
Commentary. We may pretty confidently refer it to the Sinapi nigrum. No author, ancient or modern, has treated of its medicinal powers so elaborately as Dioscorides. He says it has heating, attenuant, and attractive powers, and when chewed, produces a discharge of phlegm; when its juice is mixed with hydromel, it forms a suitable gargle for enlarged tonsils, and for chronic and callous asperities of the trachea; when applied to the nostrils in a fine powder it acts as a sternutatory; benefits persons in epileptic fits, and rouses those who are in hysterical fits; it is useful in lethargic patients when applied as a cataplasm to the shaved scalp; when mixed up with figs and applied until it reddens, it is fitting for ischiatic disease, and that of the spleen, and in general for all chronic pains, by determining to the surface; it cures alopecia in a cataplasm; clears the countenance, and, with honey, suet, or cerate, removes the spots of extravasated blood; with vinegar it is rubbed in upon places affected with leprosy, and lichen agrius; it is taken in a draught as a powder, when sprinkled like polenta on the drink, for periodical attacks of fevers; it is mixed with advantage in epispastic plasters and those for scabies; when applied to the ear in powder with figs, it relieves deafness and noises in the ears; its juice with honey is suitable in dimness of vision and roughness of the eyelids when rubbed in; the juice of its seed, while still green, is expressed and dried in the sun. (ii, 183.) Celsus recommends it in a variety of cases both externally and internally; as a rubefacient, gargle, masticatory, &c. By the way, we have never been able to satisfy ourselves that the late Dr. Milligan was right in setting down the sinapi of Celsus as the Sinapis alba. (207.) We remark, however, that it is this species which occurs in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia. Galen and his followers dismiss this article with a very brief notice, like our author. The Arabians do little more than copy from Dioscorides. See particularly Avicenna (ii, 2, 674); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. 644); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion (c. 373); Ebn Baithar (i, 355.) Mustard was much used by the ancient physicians in cataplasms as a rubefacient. Ruffus, as quoted by Rhases (Contin. xxxvii), recommends the seed of mustard as a laxative. Macer directs, upon the authority of Menemachus, a sinapism to be formed by pounding in a mortar mustard seed, with a third part of the crumb of bread, dried figs, honey, and vinegar. He recommends an ointment made of figs and mustard, for alopecia, i. e. porrigo decalvans.
Ναρδόσταχυς,
Spica Nardi, Spikenard; the root of it is heating in the first degree, and desiccative in the second. It is also somewhat astringent, acrid, and bitterish. It agrees with the liver and stomach both when administered externally and internally. It is diuretic, and dries up internal defluxions. The Indian is stronger than the Syrian, and blacker.
Commentary. For this article, Dr. Royle informs us that he obtained, in India, the hairy spike-like roots of Nardostachys Jatamansi. (Antiq. Hindoo Med. 33.) Dr. Lindley says the Nardostachys Jatamansi, or true spikenard of the ancients, is valued in India, not only for a scent, but also as a remedy in hysteria and epilepsy. (Veg. Kingd. 698.) See further, Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 1, 318.) The Syrian kind was unquestionably some species of valerian, probably the V. Hardwickii. Our author, in the present instance, borrows from Galen, who in the main draws all his information from Dioscorides. The latter holds the spikenard to be diuretic, stomachic, hepatic, and carminative. (i, 6.) The Arabians treat fully of it, copying freely from Dioscorides. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 640); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 669); Serapion (c. 52.) Avicenna recommends it strongly in affections of the liver, and in jaundice; and calls it stomachic and deobstruent. Averrhoes joins him in giving it these characters. (Collig. v, 42.)
Νάρδος Κελτικὴ,
Nardus Celtica, Celtic Nard, is possessed of similar powers to the above-mentioned, but weaker, except with regard to its action on the urine; for it is hotter than the former and less astringent.
Commentary. It is the Valeriana Celtica, or French Spikenard. Dioscorides gives an interesting description of it; and, with regard to its medicinal powers, states of it, that it is more diuretic and stomachic than the Syrian, and cures inflammations about the liver, and jaundice and flatulence of the stomach when drunk with the decoction of wormwood; in like manner, that it relieves the spleen, the bladder, and kidneys, and is alexipharmic with wine; and finally, that it is mixed with heating draughts and liniments. (i, 7.) It is the Nardum Gallicum of Celsus, who assigns it a place with other aromatics in one of his antidotes. (v, 23.) Galen and the other authorities treat of it in the same general terms as our author. This species of spikenard long held a place in our Dispensatory. See Quincy (161) and Lewis (Dispensatory, ii, 125.) In the modern Greek Pharmacopœia the Nardus and the Phu are identified with the Valeriana.