Commentary. The authorities are divided between the Thapsia Garganica and the Thapsia Asclepium. Old Gerard gives it the name of deadly carrot, but Parkinson that of scorching fennel. Theophrastus mentions that it purges upwards and downwards. (P. ix, 10, 24.) Pliny describes it as a very acrid poison. (H. N. xxiii, 43.) See Dioscorides (iv, 154.) Serapion states that it is a violent emetic and cathartic, and operates powerfully as an external application. The thapsia has long ceased to be employed in medicine; even old Culpeper calls it “a venomous foreign root, and therefore no more of it.”
Θεῖον,
Sulphur; it likewise is possessed of attractive powers, is hot, and consists of subtile particles, so as to be an antidote against many poisonous animals, more especially the sea-turtle and dragon, either sprinkled dry or mixed with saliva, or with the urine of a child, or oil, or honey. It is also a wonderful remedy for scabious complaints.
Commentary. Sulphur was extensively used in medicine from the earliest times. Pliny gives a very full and interesting account of it. (H. N. xxxv, 50.) The sulphur vivum, of which mention is so often made in this work, was evidently native sulphur, that is to say, the prismatic sulphur of Jameson. The sulphur ignem expertum was clearly the factitious sulphur or brimstone, namely, that which is procured from pyrites by sublimation. We need scarcely mention that sulphur was extensively used as an application in cutaneous diseases, and more especially scabies. It was also given internally in catarrhs and other complaints of the chest. See Dioscorides and Pliny. The words of the latter are well worth quoting in the present instance. “Natura ejus calfacit, concoquit, sed et discutit collectiones corporum: ob hoc talibus emplastris malagmatisque miscetur. Renibus quoque et lumbis in dolore cum adipe mire prodest impositum. Aufert et lichenas a facie cum terebinthi resina et lepras. Harpacticon vocatur a celeritate avellendi, avelli enim subinde debet. Prodest et suspiriosis linctum. Purulenta quoque extussientibus, et contra scorpionum ictus. Vitiligines vivum nitro mixtum atque ex aceto tritum et illitum tollit, item lendes in palpebris, aceto sandarachato admixto.” We have not found the acetum sandarachatum mentioned by any other writer; from its name, it was no doubt composed of vinegar and arsenic, that is to say, realgar. Serapion, in treating of sulphur, confines himself entirely to Greek authorities (407); and so in like manner Avicenna (ii, 2, 612), and Rhases (Cont. ult. 694.)
Θέρμος,
Lupinus, Lupine; that which is edible is possessed of emplastic powers; but the bitter is detergent, discutient, and desiccative, without pungency. It kills worms, both when applied externally and when taken in infusion, and it cleanses the bowels when drunk with rue and pepper. It also cleanses the skin, and discusses tumours when applied with oxymel. The wild is more bitter and stronger than the cultivated in all respects.
Commentary. Two varieties of the lupine, the sativus and sylvestris, were used in medicine from the days of Dioscorides down to our Quincy. Though the former of these, which was the one principally used, be well known, there is some doubt as to the species; whether it was the pilosus, or the hirsutus, or, what is more probable, whether it comprehended both. Dioscorides and Galen agree in enumerating a long list of cases to which the lupine is applicable, but as our author’s account embraces the sum of what they have written on it, we need not enter here into an exposition of their opinions. Suffice it to say, that as an emmenagogue and deobstruent it was much relied upon internally, and applied in a great variety of external complaints in fomentations. The same virtues are ascribed to it by the Arabians, who, however, supply no additional observations of any importance. Avicenna’s account of its medicinal powers is particularly full. (ii, 2, 440.) Rhases derives almost all his information from the Greeks. (Cont. l. ult. i, 435.) Serapion copies altogether from Dioscorides and Galen (De Simpl. 74.)
Θηλύπτερον,
Which some call Nymphæa or Filix, Female Fern, is like the fern in all its properties. When drunk with wine it kills the broad and round worms. It also destroys the fœtus in utero. Its leaves, when eaten, soften the belly.