Commentary. It appears evidently to be the Cannabis sativa, or Hemp. The species sylvestris of Dioscorides, is the Althæa Cannabina. See Sprengel (ad Dioscorid. iii, 155), and Parkinson (Theatre of Plants, 307.) Dioscorides recommends the latter in the form of a cataplasm to soothe inflammations and discuss tumours. Our author copies from Galen, who, like him, only describes the sativa. The Arabians describe both species with more accuracy than the Greeks. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 170, 656), Serapion (207.) Avicenna calls them carminative and desiccative; and hence he holds that they dry up the semen. He says a middling dose proves laxative of the bowels.
Κάνωπον,
Canopum, the Flower of the Elder-tree, which has been already treated of.
Κάπνιον,
Fumaria, Fumitory (called also Capnos), and is so named because the juice of it provokes a great discharge of tears; and it sharpens the vision. It is also acrid and bitter; hence it occasions a discharge of much bilious urine, and cures obstructions and atony of the liver. It also strengthens the stomach and softens the belly.
Commentary. All the commentators seem agreed that it is the Fumaria officinalis, except Sibthorp, who prefers the F. parviflora, Lam. Our author’s account of it is mostly taken from Dioscorides and Galen. The others give nearly the same description of its medicinal virtues. See particularly Serapion (c. 71), and Avicenna (ii, 2, 275.) They represent it as being a stomachic and hepatic medicine, gently purgative and diuretic. Fumitory is described as a medicinal herb by all our old herbalists, and held a place in the Dispensatory down to a late date. See Quincy (125.) The F. officinalis is still retained in the modern Greek Pharmacopœia.
Κάππαρις,
Caparis, Caper-tree; its root deterges, purges, incides, and discusses by its bitterness and acrimony. It also contracts, astringes, and condenses by its sourness. It therefore cures indurated spleens when drunk and when applied externally. It is also emmenagogue, and occasions a discharge of phlegm. It cures ill-conditioned ulcers, and relieves pains of the teeth, dispels tumours and alphos, and kills vermin in the ear. The leaves and fruit of it are possessed of similar powers, but weaker.
Commentary. It is the Capparis spinosa, namely, the plant which produces our officinal capers. Dioscorides and Serapion mention that pickled capers act as a gentle laxative, but say that they are bad for the stomach. The Arabians held that they are good whetters of the appetite. Casiri (Bibl. A. H. i, 337.) Galen gives a very elaborate article on the virtues of capers, which, he says, are the best medicine which we possess in scirrhous enlargement of the spleen. He says it clears away the humours by the belly and by urine, and also acts as an emmenagogue. Their taste, he says, is a combination of bitterness, acrimony, and sourness. He concludes by stating that capers produced in very warm climates, such as Arabia, are much more acrid than in his country. (De Simpl. vii.) The Arabians held that capers are aphrodisiacal and alexipharmic. See Rhases (Contin. l. ult. i, 164), Avicenna (ii, 2, 138), and Serapion (c. 291.)