An historical sketch of medicine and surgery, from their origin to the present time, and of the principal authors, discoveries, improvements, imperfections and errors / by W. Black, M.D.

  • William Black
Date:
1782
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An historical sketch of medicine and surgery, from their origin to the present time, and of the principal authors, discoveries, improvements, imperfections and errors / by W. Black, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    [ »5 ] and gams, and amongft the principal gams,Opium* Vipers were added by the Romans, together with 24 new ingredients. Several of the Roman Emperors had this fuppofed antidote againft difeafes and poi- fons prepared in their palaces j and, at prefent, the Theriac, lopped, it is true, of many fuperfluities, maintains a place in the Pharmocopseias and (hops: it was adminiftered by the Ancients in a variety of diforders. Pliny,with his ufual caulUc raillery,fays* that fuch a confufed jumble of drugs were heaped to- gether, “ ad oftentationem artls.” Vipers were then preferibed by many Phyficians, in obftinate ulcers, foulnefs of the Ikin, and leprofy, in waliing of the flefli, and as antidotes againft poilons: they were prepared either in broth, jellies, or vinous infu- fions, or roafted as. we do eels. Affafoetida, that ill- feented gum,which, the Germans cail,Stercus diabo- li,was in ufe with the ancients,and was an ingredient in feveral of their fauces and ragouts. Unguents and coftly perfumes, thofe childifh and difgufting in- ventions of luxury and depraved tafte, the Romans carried to an extravagant height: they were gom- pofed of various odotiferoqs plants, flowers, gupgs, or refins infufed in oil, of caftor, amber, cinna- mon, and other aromaticks. Pliny, the naturalifl:, a Genius diftinguiflied by eminent talents and high rank, though no Phyfician by profeffion, wrote many Chapters on the Origin and Hiftory of Medicine, and on Materia Medica, and Pharmacy. He propofed to condenfe into Oiie Treatife, the obfervations of Theophraftusi