It is still disputed what tree it is which produces the Liquid Storax. According to Sprengel and most modern authorities, until of late, it was held to be the Altingia excelsa. Dr. Pereira, however, shows that this is a doubtful point, and mentions that Dr. Lindley holds that the liquid storax of the shops is produced by the liquid ambar orientale. But in his recent publication on the ‘Vegetable Kingdom,’ Dr. Lindley says, “Liquid storax is thought to be yielded by the Dammar pine.” (p. 229.) Landerer has recently shown that it is obtained from Storax officinale. (Pereira, Mat. Med. 1325, 2d ed.)
Kadi.
It is described by Serapion as being a plant which grows in Arabia, from which the aromatic oil of Kadi is formed. He gives a curious description of it, but does not mention any medicinal purposes to which it was applied. (De Simpl. 40.) It would appear that it is also described by Ebn Baithar (i, 337.) He describes it as being a species of palm, which it resembles in all respects, and says that a fragrant oil is prepared from it. Its country is Arabia. He quotes on it Rhases, in his ‘Continens’ and ‘Treatise on Smallpox,’ but we have been unable to discover the passages which he refers to. His authorities describe, in glowing colours, the virtues of this substance, and more especially of its wine, in smallpox. What species of palm it was we are unable to say decidedly.
Meizaragi.
Serapion gives a full account of it upon the authority of Abugerit and Abir, who agree in recommending it in arthritic diseases. They give minute directions for using it in electuaries, pills, and decoctions. Its dose with sugar is one drachm. They mention that, when put into rivers, it intoxicates fish. (De Simpl. 365.) Avicenna describes the Mehezeheregi, as being a tree like esula (spurge?); and says it is hot and dry in the third degree, and intoxicates fish when thrown into a river. He adds, that it is carminative and phlegmagogue, and is useful in gout, sciatica, and arthritis. (ii, 2, 480.)
We need have no hesitation in agreeing with the best authorities, that it is cocculus indicus, or the seed of Menispermum cocculus L., i. q., Anamirta cocculus of Lindley. (See Veg. Kingd. 309.) He says of it, that it contains a most venomous principle, the picrotoxine, and that in its pericarp is found the not less formidable alcaloid menispermine. See also Gray (Pharmacop. 119), and Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 132.) Both these authors mention of it, that it is used to intoxicate fish. See, further, an excellent account of the cocculus indicus in Pereira (M. M. 1326.) It was used by the Hindoo physicians for the cure of nervous diseases. See Wise (System of Hindoo Med. 557.) Dr. Royle is somewhat doubtful whether the cocculus was known to the Arabian physicians, but upon the whole inclines to this opinion. (Mat. Med. 249.)
Nux Vomica.
We have briefly treated of the Nux Vomica as a poison in another place ([Vol. II, 241.]) We have now to say of it, that it was also used medicinally as an emetic. For example, Haly Abbas treats of it in his chapter on Medicines which procure Vomiting. (Pract. ii, 65; see also Pract. x, 12.) Serapion, in like manner, treats of it in his chapter on Emetic Medicines. (vii, 36.) Thus he gives the following formula for an emetic: “℞. Concarned (cardamomi?), nucis vomicæ, seminis raphani, omnium ān ʒ j. Terantur et dentur in potu cum aqua mellis et decoctione anethi.” Serapion treats of it also in his work ‘On Simples,’ where he states, that “easy vomiting” may be induced by administering it agreeably to the formula which we have just quoted from his other work. He adds, that perhaps it will also loosen the bowels. Abram, another of his authorities, likewise says, that given to the amount of two drachms, with two drachms of dill or of fennel seed, and drunk with warm water, it will produce vomiting and loosen the bowels. (De. Simpl. 163.) Ebn Baithar’s authorities give an interesting account of the Nux Vomica, from which it is clear that it was frequently used as an emetic, along with fennel, natron, mustard, &c. in hydromel.
Dr. Pereira, upon the authority of Dale (Pharmacol.), decides that the Strychnos Ignatia was the nux vomica of Serapion. But, notwithstanding our great respect for his opinions, we cannot agree with him in the present instance. For, considering how common the nux vomica is in Persia (Ainslie, Mat. Ind.), there is a strong presumption that the Arabians cannot have been unacquainted with it, and it is not pretended that the nux vomica is treated of by them by any other name unless it were the methel, which we will presently show it not to be, nor is it attempted to be shown when and how the misapplication of the term originated. See, however, in support of Dr. Pereira’s views, Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 1601.) It is also proper to mention, that the learned Geoffroy calls the Faba sancti Ignatii the nux vomica legitima. But as it is admitted by the best authorities on toxicology, that St. Ignatius bean is much more energetic in its action than nux vomica (see Christison, 644, and Orfila, ii, 276), there is still less probability of its having been used medicinally than the other. See further in support of the views we are advocating, Sprengel (R. H. H. i, 250.) We may mention also in conclusion, that the nux vomica was used as an emetic by the Hindoo physicians, more especially in the case of poisoning. See Wise (Hindoo Med. 402.)