Commentary. Dioscorides gives a very circumstantial description of three varieties of this substance, which for many years has been lost sight of. Matthiolus calls it the Husk of Bronze, and Sprengel says it is called Kupfermulm in Germany. Rutty ranks it among the obsolete medicines of the ancients. (Mat. Med. pr. 27.) Rhases treats of it. (Cont. ult. 256.) See Serapion (c. 418.)
Διψακὸς,
Dipsacus, Teasel; the root of this thorn is desiccant in the second degree, and is also somewhat detergent.
Commentary. The root of the Dipsacus fullonum, or manured teasel, is praised by Dioscorides as an application to fissures and fistulæ of the anus, and it held a reputation in these cases down to a late period. See Rutty (Mat. Med. 168.) Dioscorides further mentions its use as an amulet in quartans, for which also it was long celebrated; for our Quincy speaks of “the superstition of some people of his day in using it as a charm against agues.” (Complete Dispensatory, 117.) For the Arabians, see particularly Serapion (c. 106) and Ebn Baithar. It is not noticed by Hippocrates nor Celsus.
Δορύκνιον,
Dorycnium, Shrub Trefoil (?), is of a similar temperament with the poppy and mandragora, that is, immoderately cold. When taken in a small quantity it occasions torpor, and in larger doses it proves fatal.
Commentary. In the [Fifth Book] we have stated the difficulty of determining what it was. Authorities are divided between the Convolvulus Dorycnium L. (Angl. Shrubby Bindweed), the Solanum Sodomæum, and Atropa Belladonna. Dioscorides says of it that it is soporific, and when taken in large doses proves fatal; he adds, some affirm that the seed of it is sought after for philtres, or love potions. (iv, 75.) Galen gives nearly the same account of it under the name of Dorycnidium. The Arabians would appear not to have admitted it into the Mat. Med., for the Doronicon of Serapion is a different plant. (c. 335.)
Δρακόντιον,
Dracontium, or Dracunculus, Dragon-herb, somewhat resembles the Wake-robin (Arum), but is more acrid and bitter than it, and also hotter, and consists of more subtile particles. It has also some astringency. The root of it, therefore, when taken in a potion cleanses the bowels, and is an excellent application to malignant ulcers; and the leaves in like manner. But the fruit of it is stronger.