Δέρμα,
Pellis, Skin; that of a sheep newly taken off and still warm, when applied to those who have been scourged with rods, cures them wonderfully. The skin of the hippopotamus, when burnt and triturated with water and applied, disperses hard tubercles. That of the viper, when triturated and applied in cases of alopecia, promotes the growth of the hair in a wonderful degree. The leather of old shoes burnt has desiccative ashes; hence it cures sores in the feet from friction, if not in an inflamed state; and also burns, intertrigo, and protuberances.
Commentary. We have mentioned, in the [Fourth Book], that the fresh skin of a newly-killed sheep was esteemed an excellent application to parts which had been bruised or cut by scourges. (See [Vol. II, 46].) Dioscorides and most of the other authorities recommend the ashes of old shoes in the cases mentioned by our authors. Avicenna recommends the fresh skin of a goat as an application to poisoned wounds. (ii, 2, 539.)
Δίκταμνον,
Dictamnum, Dittany, consists of more subtile particles than pennyroyal, but resembles it in other respects. That variety called Pseudo dictamnum is weaker.
Commentary. That the Dictamnus Creticus, so celebrated even in poetry (Virg. Æn. xii, 412) as a vulnerary herb, was a species of Origanum, has been long known and acknowledged. Until of late years it held a place in our Dispensatories under the name of dittany of Candy. It was always held to be alexipharmic, and as such it is commended by Dioscorides. Such, he adds, is the power of this herb that by the smell and touch it kills venomous reptiles; and the juice of it when poured into a wound inflicted by an iron instrument or the bite of a venomous animal immediately cures it. (iii, 34.) Galen would appear to have been sceptical as to the great medicinal powers said to be inherent in this plant, for he dismisses it with a brief notice to the effect that it is more attenuant than the pennyroyal, but like to it otherwise. See also Celsus (v, 25.) The Arabians follow Dioscorides, and represent it to be diuretic and emmenagogue. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 461) and Serapion (De Simpl. 310.) They describe it along with the pennyroyal. The bastard dittany has been pretty generally recognized as the Dictamnus Fraxinella. See Parkinson, Miller, and Pereira (ii, 1652, ed. sec.) The last of these authors remarks regarding it, that “it was formerly much used in medicine, but of late years has fallen into almost total disuse.” Not very many years ago, however, it was in great repute as being diuretic, emmenagogue, alexipharmic, anthelmintic, &c. See Alston’s Lectures (i, 434.) It is still esteemed by the Arabians and Persians as a tonic and stimulant. Ainslie (Mat. Med. 63.)
Διονυσίας,
Dionysias, is treated of under Androsæmum.
Διφρυγὲς,
Diphryges, Husk of Brass, is possessed of mixed powers, being somewhat astringent and moderately acrid. It is therefore a good application for malignant ulcers.