Ἀλσίνη, or μυὸς ὂυς,
Alsine, or Auricula muris, Chickweed, has powers like the pellitory of the wall, namely, cold and diluent. Wherefore it is applicable to hot inflammations.
Commentary. This has been generally set down as the Stellaria media, but doubtfully. Dioscorides describes it as a Myosotis. (ii, 214.) See also Pliny (H. N. xxvii, 8), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 18.)
Our old herbalists give a confused account of the chickweed. In fact, this is one of the articles in the Materia Medica of the ancients which we must set down as lost, from our inability to determine what it was. It seems to have been looked upon by the Arabians as an important article. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 18); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 99.) Like our author, they copy closely from Dioscorides. We have not detected it in the works either of Hippocrates or Celsus. It does not occur in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Ἄλυπον,
Alypon; the seed of it purges black bile downwards when taken in the same quantity as dodder of thyme, with salts and vinegar; but it occasions slight ulceration of the intestines.
Commentary. Many of the older commentators supposed this to be the plant which produces turbit, but we shall have occasion to discuss this question when treating of the additions to the Materia Medica made by the Arabians. What this article really was is very uncertain. Pliny and all the medical authorities mention its purgative powers. See in particular Dioscorides (iv, 177), from whom our author evidently copies.
Ἄλυσσον,
Alysson, Madwort, is so called because it is of use to those who have been bitten by mad dogs. Being possessed of discutient, detergent, and desiccative powers, it removes obstructions of the kidneys, and cleanses ephelis.