Is this the same as the Cedria of the Greeks and Romans? See Dioscorides (i, 105); Galen (De Simpl. vi.) We are inclined to think that it either was the same, or, at all events, that both were procured from trees of the same genus. See the description of the Cedria given by Pliny (H. N. xxiv, 11) with the notes of Harduin. We have stated under [Cedrus] that it generally signifies a large species of juniper. And further, upon comparing the medicinal uses of the cedria as given by Pliny (who follows Dioscorides closely) with those of the Sandarach as given above from the Arabians, no one can doubt that they must apply to the same thing, or at least to substances of a like kind. The cedria must not be confounded with cedrium described by Pliny. (H. N. xvi, 21.) The latter would appear to have been a liquid procured from the wood by distillation or boiling. There appears much probability in the conjecture of Berzelius that the cedrium was a sort of pyroligneous acid. Pliny says it was used for embalming dead bodies. (l. c.)
Karabe, or Populus.
Avicenna describes it as being the gum of a tree called haur romana (populus Romana?), resembling vernix, of different colours, and when of a ruddy colour attracting chaff and other small objects. He says the gum is like the flower of the tree in virtues but colder, being astringent in the case of all fluxes, especially bleeding from the nose, and hemoptysis. He agrees with Rhases and Serapion that it is a good periapt in cases of hot apostemes. He recommends it as a good cordial medicine, and one which is useful in affections of the stomach and bowels. (ii, 2, 364.) He treats of the other parts of the poplar separately, and also gives a distinct chapter on Ambra, and in his work ‘De Med. Cord.’ he treats separately of Ambra and Karabe. Serapion under the head of haur romi first gives abbreviated translations of Dioscorides’s and Galen’s descriptions of the black poplar (ἄιγειρος), and then a translation of an extract said to be from Paulus, but which we cannot trace in the works of our author. In that extract Karabe is called the gum of the haur romi; it is said to be astringent, and to be confounded by some with the sandarach, and that it was called the funeral gum because the Latins used it in burials. He concludes by giving extracts from several Arabian authorities regarding its medicinal characters, which agree in the main with those given above from Avicenna. (De Simpl. 276.) He gives a perfectly distinct chapter on Ambra (c. 196.) Rhases has a chapter on the “haur seu fagus,” which, except that it does not contain the pretended extract from Paulus, is made up from almost the same authorities as the one of Serapion which we have just discussed. Karabe, it is said, is the gum of the tree. (Contin. l. ult. i, 256.) Although there is a good deal of confusion in the accounts of Karabe contained in these extracts, we think it impossible to avoid drawing the conclusion that the authorities meant to apply it to the resin of some balsam poplar, probably some variety of the Populus nigra, or dilatata. It would be a great mistake then to identify the Karabe with amber. Indeed, Ebn Baithar distinctly says that amber is not the gum of the black poplar as had been supposed, which he clearly establishes by showing that the characters of the gum poplar, as given by Dioscorides and Galen, by no means accord with those of amber (succinum.) See further under [Electrum], [Sandarach], and [Ambra grisea]. It is proper to mention that although our opinion with regard to the Karabe be as we have stated, most of our modern authorities have set it down as being identical with the succinum. See Gray (Suppl. to Pharmacop. 215); Royle (Mat. Med. 648); Pemberton (Dispensatory, 102.) We are persuaded, however, that whoever will carefully read the ninth chapter of the first part of Avicenna’s work “on Cordial Medicines,” must agree with us that he held the Karabe and Ambra to be totally different substances, and a careful study of Mesue (De Electariis) will confirm this conclusion. The gum or resin of the black poplar is mentioned by Schroeder. (Chemical Dispensat. 442.)
Tembul and Faufel.
We treat of these substances under one head for a reason which will become apparent before the conclusion of our article upon them. Tembul, according to Avicenna, is cold in the first degree and dry in the second; it is astringent and desiccant; it strengthens the gums, and for this purpose is constantly chewed by the Indians; it also strengthens the stomach, and for this purpose also is frequently chewed by the same people. (ii, 2, 699.) Haly Abbas gives a very similar account of it; he says it is brought from India, and that seafaring men made much use of it, because they lived much upon fish. (Pract. ii, 36, 207.) Ebn Baithar treats of it at great length. One of his authorities, Abuthanifa, says it improves the state of the mouth. Elmasudi gives an interesting description of it; he says it renders the breath fragrant, improves the mouth, and even the mind, and he says further of it that it reddens the teeth. Elgafaki says it cures bleeding and swelling of the tonsils, being of an astringent and desiccant nature. Elscherif calls it hot in the first, and dry in the second degree, and says it produces exhilaration of spirits, and cures flatulence. He describes minutely the Indian mode of using it. The author himself under this head warns his readers not to confound the plant used in his time for the tembul, with the true tembul, which he says was seldom brought from India in his days because it lost its virtues by being carried to a distance. (ii, 200.)
Faufel, or Avellana Indica, is described by Serapion’s authorities as being like the nutmeg, and as having a slight degree of heat with some bitterness. Its virtues are said to be like those of the sandal tree. It is recommended as an application to hot apostemes. Some of his authorities call it hot and dry, and all seem to agree in holding it to be astringent. One of them, Mesarugie, says that it suits with toothache and scabies of the eyebrow. Mesue says it strengthens the teeth, represses the gums when swelled, and is useful in swelling of the eye. (De Simpl. 345.) Avicenna describes it as being cold with some astringency, and as being useful in hot apostemes of a gross nature, and inflation of the eye. (i, 2, 256.) Ebn Baithar calls it a palm, and says of it that it is a gentle purgative, makes the breath fragrant, is a cordial, and strengthens the gums and teeth. (i, 267.)
Now there can be no doubt that the former of these is the piper betel, and the latter the areca catechu. The nuts of the latter, which modern authorities describe as resembling the nutmeg, are cut into slices, and along with the leaves of the betel constitute the famous masticatory of the East called betel. For an account of these two substances, consult in particular Ainslie (Mat. Ind. i, 268, 465); Royle (Antiq. of Hindoo Med. 85); Pereira (M. M. 616); Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 137); Meyen (Geograph. of Botany, as edited by the Ray Society.)
Chubabe, or Cubebæ.
Avicenna under this head refers to the carpesium of Galen, but it evidently was a different substance. Some, he says, had called it refrigerant with some heat, but he holds it to be truly hot and dry in the second degree. He calls it aperient and attenuant, and recommends it in putrid ulcers of the members and gums, as a medicine which clears the voice when held in the mouth, and as a deobstruent of the liver in engorgement thereof; as a cleanser of the urinary passages, as a diuretic medicine which promotes the discharge of gravel and stones of the kidneys, and of the bladder, and he adds, “Sputum masticantis eam delectat eam cum qua habetur coitus.” (ii, 2, 134.) Rhases also, through some mistake, quotes Galen under this head, and gives exactly the same account of its medicinal powers as Avicenna. (Contin. l. ult. i, 242.) Serapion under this head gives Dioscorides’s description of the wild myrtle with further references to Galen and Paulus, but concludes by saying that he was sensible Dioscorides had not treated of cubebs. (De Simpl. 288.) Ebn Baithar mentions that certain of the authorities had taken it for the carpesium. He says it renders the breath fragrant and cures affections of the bladder. He further quotes Ebn Sina (Avicenna?) as stating that it enhances the delight of coitus. (i, 344.) By the way, Dr. Pereira mentions that the Indians still take them to excite the sexual feelings. We would beg to refer for further information on this subject to his excellent account of the Piper Cubeba. (754.) See also Lindley (Veg. Kingd. 204), and Royle (M. M. 562.)