Commentary. It was supposed by the earlier herbalists and commentators that the A. of Galen is a different substance from that of Dioscorides. The former (which is also our author’s) is a species of horehound, to which the herbalists give the distinctive name of Galen’s madwort. It is the Marrubium Alyssum. That of Dioscorides has been conjectured to have been some species of Veronica, but, in fact, there is no certainty on this point, and we must own our inability to perceive the difference between it and the A. of Galen. Dioscorides recommends his plant in ephelis and hydrophobia, (iii, 95.) See also Avicenna (ii, 2, 26.)
Ἀλώπηξ,
Vulpes, the Fox; the whole animal, if boiled alive or dead, renders the oil discutient, when it attracts the deep-seated fluids to the surface. Wherefore, when arthritic patients are put into a hip-bath of this oil for a considerable time it removes the complaint entirely, if at its commencement, and moderates it if protracted.
Commentary. Galen and Serapion give nearly the same account of the medicinal properties of the Canis vulpes as our author.
Ἀμάρακος,
Amaracus, Marjoram; it is calefacient in the third degree, and desiccative in the second.
Commentary. That it was some species of marjoram appears quite certain from the ancient descriptions of it; but, otherwise, it cannot be satisfactorily determined. Most probably, it was the same as the sampsuchus, namely, the Origanum Marjorana. Dioscorides strongly recommends the ointment as an emmenagogue, and for various other purposes. (i, 78.) For the Arabians, see Avicenna (ii, 2, 466); Serapion (c. 286); Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 439.)
Ἀμάραντον,
Amarantum, Amaranth, is attenuant and incisive, and therefore when taken with wine it promotes the menstrual discharge, and dissolves coagulated blood when taken with wine and honey. It dries up all defluxions, and is bad for the stomach.
Commentary. The old herbalists describe a plant under the English name of Flower-gentle, which they represent to be this article, but it cannot be satisfactorily determined. Our author borrows from Galen and Aëtius his account of its medicinal properties, which certainly appears rather contradictory. How a plant, which they represent as being of a drying nature, should at the same time act as an emmenagogue, does not well appear. Our English herbalist Gerarde sagaciously remarks that it has probably got the character of stopping bleeding solely from its ears being red, as if, forsooth, all red things must act in this way; although, as he adds, Galen had laid it down as a rule (Simpl. 2, 4) that no inference with regard to the virtues of substances can be drawn from their colours. But see under [helicrysus], which Dioscorides holds to be the same plant.