See Serapion (De Simpl. 66) and Ebn Baithar (i, 305.) Abuhanifa, one of Serapion’s authorities, says that some medical men had informed him that cotton grows on trees like quinces. So at least we understand the passage; but as it is very curious, and also very obscure, it may be well to give the Latin translation: “Dixerunt mihi quidam medici de kelbe quod coton nascitur inter eos in arboribus quæ sunt sicut arbores antipsicorum.” Compare Pliny (H. N. xii, 10.) The next of Serapion’s authorities, Aben Mesuai, recommends the juice of it in the diarrhœa of children. Mescha says its seed is beneficial in coughs and good for the breast. Albasari says of it that it is good for clothes, and that its juice is an excellent application in cutaneous diseases of the face. Rhases also, as quoted by him, recommends it in the same cases, and further says of it that it is aphrodisiac. Ebn Baithar’s authorities also give an interesting account of it, recommending it in much the same cases as those of Serapion, namely in infantile diarrhœa, and as an application to cutaneous diseases; and he further states that it was used to burn warts, no doubt like the raw flax, often mentioned in the works of Hippocrates. The leaves are said to have been useful in uterine complaints, and in gout mixed with rose-oil. Clothes prepared from it are much praised by the author. There can be no doubt from what we have stated, that it must have been the Gossypium arboreum or herbaceum, most probably the latter. See Meyen (Geogr. Botany.) From Ainslie’s Mat. Ind. it will be seen that oil prepared from the former is still used for cleaning the skin of spots, and that the leaves are given for the cure of diarrhœa. (ii, 284.)
Musa.
See Serapion (De Simpl. 84); Avicenna (ii, 2, 484); Ebn Baithar (ii, 535.) According to Serapion’s first authority, Aben Mesuai, it is hot in the middle of the first degree, and moistening in the end of it, little nutritious, and has the property of being useful in heat of the breast, lungs, and bladder, and softens the bowels; if much used, it creates a load on the stomach, and obstruction in the liver, and if taken by a person of a cold temperament in great quantity, he ought to take hydromel, oxymel, or prepared ginger with it. Another of his authorities, Sindaxar, says it promotes the growth of the fœtus in utero. A third, named Alchalebemen, says it is a good medicine for the chest and the kidneys, and is diuretic. The book on ancient medicine, as quoted by him, says of it that it is aphrodisiac, and heavy on the stomach; and Avicenna’s account of it is so similar that it would not be worth while to give an exposition of it. Ebn Baithar describes it minutely as being a species of Palm. Its medicinal characters, as stated by him, are nearly the same as those given above from Serapion. There can be no doubt that it is the Musa paradisiaca, or common plantain tree. On it the reader may find it interesting to consult Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 316), and Loudon (Encycl. of Garden. 1530.) The plantain tree is briefly noticed by Theophrastus (H. P. iv, 5), but does not occur in the works of the Greek and Latin physicians.
Granum Kelkel, or Alkelkel.
See Avicenna (ii, 2, 302); Serapion (De Simpl. 275); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 378); Ebn Baithar (ii, 315.) Serapion’s authorities say of it that it is hot and moistening, increases the secretion of semen, especially when taken with the oil of sesame; that when taken in too large a dose, it induces cholera, and after other food occasions vertigo. The account of it given by Rhases and Avicenna is little different. The latter says of it that it is fattening, and comforts relaxed bodies. Ebn Baithar gives a very minute description of it; he says he planted it in his own country, and that it produced fruit. He ascribes the same good and bad effects to it as Serapion. When roasted, he says, it does not engender bad chyme. Its seeds are said to be aphrodisiac. We suppose there is little or no doubt that it is the Cassia tora. On the modern use of it by the Hindoos, see Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 405.)
Lehibach, or Lahiba.
See Avicenna (ii, 2, 425); Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 389.) Rhases quotes Galen as saying of it that it has powers like horehound. We are at a loss to say what substance he alludes to among the Simples of Galen. Another authority quoted by him seems to say that a portion of it flung into a lake containing fish, will make them swim on the surface, and Avicenna confirms this statement. Avicenna further says it is emetic and hydragogue. We would refer it with Sprengel (R. H. H. i, 249) to the Mussaenda frondosa.
Gilbenee.
Avicenna compares its seed to turbith, and its operation to hellebore. He says when given to the amount of half a drachm it operates as an emetic, and that one drachm may prove fatal. He mentions the case of a paralytic person who took it, and having vomited was thereby cured. He adds of it that it also acts as a purgative (ii, 2, 282.) It is evidently the gilbeuce of Rhases, who in like manner describes it as a powerful emetic, the operation of which resembles hellebore, and is useful to paralytics. More than a drachm of it, he says, given in a dose, may occasion death. (Ad Mansor. iii, 30.) It appears decidedly to be the Cerbera manghas L., i. e. Arbor lactaria, Rumphius. See Sprengel (R. H. H. i, 252); Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 261.) Dr. Lindley says of it: “The kernels of Cerbera manghas are emetic and poisonous; the milky sap is purgative; the leaves and bark are used in Java as a substitute for senna.” (Veg. Kingd. 600.)