fascinating stuff! there is still interest in the ancient use of herbs to heal common ailments, even today.
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by Sam Shead, Daily Mail

A rare medieval book gives an insight into the bizarre medical practices used 500 years ago.

It has gone on display for the first time at the University of Aberdeen.

The De Hortus Sanitatis, which translates as the Garden of Health, shows some of the medical methods practiced in Scotland five centuries ago and is one of the earliest European medical texts.

The book, first printed in Mainz, Germany, in 1491, is a fusion of late medieval science and folklore.

It contains detailed writings and annotated illustrations on plants, herbs, animals, and minerals.

Meanwhile, detailed illustrations reveal how physicians used to study the color of urine to make diagnoses.

It was once owned by George Peacock, an Aberdeen apothecary who in the early 1600s taught at the then newly-established Marischal College - one of the two founding colleges which merged to become the University of Aberdeen in 1860.

Siobhan Convery, head of Special Collections at the University of Aberdeen, said: 'Hortus was the most popular and influential herbals of its time, and served as an encyclopedia of all knowledge and folklore on plants, animals, and minerals.

'It combines elements of natural history with subjects traditionally found in herbals, accompanied by mythical fantasies and fables.

'There are striking depictions of contemporary medical practice, the making of drug compounds, treatment for the removal of head lice etcetera, as well as the settings for much of this, a surgery and an apothecary’s shop.

'One image shows a woman removing head lice from a young boy.

'Another shows a boy removing honey from a comb. In the medieval period honey was used in a wide variety of ways, to cure coughs, as a diuretic, as a cure for some poisons and even as an application to rid hair of lice.

'A lively scene from an apothecary’s shop shows physicians analysing the colour of urine samples to diagnose ailments. Urine charts and astrological charts were used side-by-side by physicians to diagnose diseases and to determine treatment.'

The book is part of a new exhibition, Pharmacopoeia, meaning 'preparation of drugs', which includes some of the earliest recorded interpretations of the natural sciences.

Items on display demonstrate the history of pharmacy and medical chemistry from its roots in a monastic setting through to modern chemical isolation and synthesis.

Another 'very rare' compendium written in Middle English in the early 15^th century includes herb and plant based remedies for a range of minor and major ailments, from bad breath, nose bleeds and snake bites to broken limbs, childbirth and tumours.

It reads: 'Here men may see the uses of diverse herbs, which may be hot and may be cold, and how many things they can be used for.'

'It lists fennel leaf which is said to be good for headaches and also that "to do away with aching and swelling in the womb" the patient should "drink dried fennel leaf".

'More soberly, and reflecting the high infant and maternal death in childbirth there are numerous references to concoctions and recipes to ease labour pains, to accelerate deliveries and to assist with childbirth situations.

'For example on this page, "if the child be dead in the mother’s womb take mugwort and stamp it small and plaster it to the mother’s womb until all cold and she will have delivery".

'Following on from that is the use of hemlock as a cure for insomnia: "hemlock will make a man sleep. Soak the herb in water and apply it to the temples and forehead and after bathe his feet in it, as hot as he may suffer it. Then make a plaster of henbane seed and apply it to his temples"'.





woman removes lice from a boys hair with a brush



physicians analyze the color of urine samples



illustration of the Iris flower



boy removes honey from the comb



Physicians consulting a series of patients in a sick room



a group of intellectuals deep in discussion on a medical or botanical matter



drawings provide an insight into the relationship between humans and animals

(09-11-2012, 11:22 AM)Riotgear Wrote: ?

No, I meant that. I know she's your cozy buddy but I feel no such intimacy.

Dumb fucker is dumb.

(09-11-2012, 03:24 PM)JsMom Wrote: He has been real nasty to a few ladies here the past two days. WTF got into his ass? O well

(09-11-2012, 04:01 PM)username Wrote: It's like he was possessed.

He was trolling. I thought he liked it here, obviously I was wrong.

(09-11-2012, 04:18 PM)Ilyanna Wrote: Telling somebody that they are stupid is not trolling, ffs.

(09-11-2012, 10:18 AM)Duchess Wrote:

Stop trolling, RG.

(09-11-2012, 02:15 PM)Duchess Wrote:

I don't have time for this bs, RG. Pretend she doesn't exist or don't come around. I've been pretty vocal in saying my SuperMod is off limits, she's here doing me & my site a favor by devoting her time here, time I don't have to invest.

(09-11-2012, 02:20 PM)Riotgear Wrote: I'll tell you what - Fuck Lady Cop. Clear enough for ya?

(09-11-2012, 04:22 PM)JsMom Wrote:

(09-11-2012, 04:18 PM)Ilyanna Wrote: Telling somebody that they are stupid is not trolling, ffs.

Calling LC stupid upon other nasty comments he has made towards AF, is Trolling. amirite?