Muria, Brine; that which is unmixed with other matter has properties like salts, only weaker from the mixture with water. But the brine of pickled fish and of pickled olives is possessed of very detergent powers, and therefore is injected in ischiatic and dysenteric complaints.
Commentary. Regarding the nature of this article, there can be no doubt. Galen recommends the brine from pickled fish as a wash for putrid ulcers both of the mouth and rectum. Dioscorides, in addition, recommends it for such cases as sea-water is useful in, when poured upon the part. (v, 126.)
Ἀλόη,
Aloe, Aloes, is heating in the first degree, and desiccative in the third. It is stomachic, detergent, discutient, and eccoprotic. When washed it is less detergent, but more stomachic; it is anti-inflammatory, and promotes the cicatrization of ulcers, especially those about the anus and pudendum.
Commentary. Dioscorides is the first author who gives a distinct account of this important article. He describes two varieties of the juice (gum-resin), namely, the arenaceous and the hepatic. He says that it closes up the mouths of veins in hemorrhoids; but, according to Avicenna and Mesue, it produces the contrary effect. Hence, says Mesue, it is hurtful in hemorrhoids and affections of the fundament. (De Simpl. i.) Galen properly remarks that it is at the same time stomachic and eccoprotic. Didymus mentions the hepatic aloe (Geopon. vi, 6), as do several of the medical authorities. It is marked by Dr. Pereira as being the Aloe hepatica vera and Aloe indica (Ph. Ed.), being the liver-coloured socotorine aloe. That is to say, the hepatic is merely a variety of the socotorine aloe. See also Dr. Royle (M. M. 598.) Isidorus says of aloes: “In India et Arabia gignitur, arbor odoris suavissimi et summi.” (Orig.) Averrhoes says it is an excellent purgative which evacuates the stomach and liver. He commends it as an application to apostemes. (Collig. v, 42.) Aloe was used in stimulant applications to ill-conditioned sores. See Aëtius. Avicenna forbids us to administer it during the prevalence of severe cold. (ii, 2, 64.) It was used in eye-washes (Cels. vi), as it is by the native doctors in India to this day. (Ainslie’s Mat. Ind. i, 10.) The aloe is not found in the Materia Medica of Hippocrates.
Ἁλὸς ἄνθος,
Flos salis, the Flower of Salt, is a humid medicine, consisting of more subtile particles than burnt salts, and is moderately acrid and discutient.
Ἁλὸς ἄχνη,
Spuma maris; this is a frothy efflorescence of salts, but consists of more subtile particles than salts, and discusses more, but contracts less.
Commentary. (Ἁλὸς ἄνθος and Ἁλὸς ἄχνη, see [Ἃλες].)