Arisarum, Friar’s Cowl, is smaller than the wakerobin, but much more acrid; and has a root of the size of an olive.
Commentary. Our herbalists give the name of Friar’s Cowl to this plant, which even they admit to be possessed of insignificant powers. It is the aris of Pliny. (H. N. xxiv, 16.) Its botanical name is Arum arisaron. Dioscorides calls it an acrid medicine, and recommends it solely in collyria. (ii, 198.) The Arabians appear to have confounded it with the arum, under the name of Luf. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 132); and Ebn Baithar (ii, 449.)
Ἀριστολοχία,
Aristolochia, Birthwort; all kinds of it are hot, consist of subtile particles, and are detergent, bitter and subacrid; and are most useful remedies. The round consists of more subtile particles, and is every way more drastic. The clematitis is fragrant but weaker. The long is, in other respects, intermediate between these, but no less hot than the round.
Commentary. Three species of the Birthwort, the Aristolochia longa, rotunda, and clematis, have been described by the authorities from Dioscorides downwards. The first two still retain their places in our Pharmacopœias, but are seldom used. Dioscorides recommends them, especially as uterine medicines, for promoting menstruation, the lochial discharge, and the expulsion of the fœtus. He also says it is useful in affections of the chest, the spleen, and in other diseases. (iii, 4, 5.) The toxicologists from Nicander downwards recommend the birthwort as an antidote to poisons. See also Theophr. (H. P. ix, 15); and Apuleius (De Herbis.) Mesue describes it as being phlegmagogue, cholagogue, and emmenagogue. He also recommends it in a fumigation along with arsenic for asthma. (De Simpl. ii, 27.) Avicenna treats of it at great length, recommending it strongly as an uterine and alexipharmic medicine. (ii, 2, 49.) See also Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 77); Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42); Serapion (c. 171); Ebn Baithar, pluries. Pliny describes a fourth species under the name of Pistolochia. Modern authorities confirm the birthwort’s character as to its being powerfully emmenagogue. See Quincy, Lewis, Pereira, and the other writers on the Materia Medica.
Ἄρκευθος,
Juniperus, the Juniper, heats and dries in the third degree. The fruit is equally calefacient, but desiccant only in the first degree.
Commentary. Dioscorides describes two species of it, the major and the minor, which probably are to be referred to the Juniperus macrocarpa, Sibth., and the J. oxycedrus. He calls them acrid, diuretic, and calefacient, and further recommends them in diseases of the chest, in the hysterical convulsion, and as being alexipharmic. (i, 103.) The other authorities, both Greek and Arabian, copy closely under this head from him. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 359); and Ebn Baithar (ii, 189.) The vernix is a resinous gum, which is procured from the juniper; it is called Sandarax by the Arabians, and is to be carefully distinguished from the sandaracha or sulphuret of arsenic. They recommend it in hæmoptysis. See Serapion, Rhases, and Avicenna. Of the juniper, see further under [Κέδρος], and appendix under [Sandaracha].
Ἄρκιον,
Arcium (called also Prosopites); its leaves are like those of the colocynth, but larger and harder. It is discutient and desiccant, and has some stypticity. Wherefore, its leaves cure old sores.