Week 10: Pharmacology Flashcards
Main pharmacological researchers in Ancient Medicine
Theophrastos
Pliny the Elder
Scribonius Largus
Dioscorides
Galen
Priscianus
Oribasius
Who wrote the oldest treatise on pharmacology?
Theophrastus - History of Plants
First to offer a systematic study of plants
Content of Nicander Theriaca
How to deal with bites of animals/beasts
(e.g., putting the hand in very hot water to remove the pain)
a) Alexipharmaca
=> What antidote may remove the harmful effects or repel the effects of drugs
Content of Compositiones
Advice about plants/drugs from different sources
Work written by Theophrastos
History of Plants
Work written by Pliny the Elder
Natural history (Latin)
Work written by Scribonius Largus
Compositiones (Latin)
Works written by Dioscorides
Medical matter
=> Euporiston
Work written by Galen
On Simple Drugs
=> Composite
=> Antidote
=> Theriac to Piso
Work written by pseudo-Galen
On the vocabulary of plants
a) Euporiston
b) Theriac to Pamphilianus
Who were later antiquity compilers of medical manuals?
Priscianus, Oribasius
What was known by since they tried to understand nature?
Medical qualities of plants
Effect of simple herbs like chamomile or mint (Before rational medicine)
Settle an upset stomach
Induce a feeling of comfort
Medical abilities of the following plants
a) Fig juice
b) Poppy extract
a) Instantly neutralize a wasp sting
b) Most powerful analgesic known to man
Withdrawals from ancient pharmacology
a) Medicinal qualities exaggerated (e.g. garlic for contraception).
b) Poisonous substances used for therapy (e.g., mandrake, hellebore, ceruse)
Examples of plants which had magical associations
a) Crossing onosma to have a miscarriage
b) Mandragora - Root looks like a human being
Composite drugs
Combination of herbal essences with inorganic materials
How was the use of hellebore (Winter Rose?
Extensively used as a purgative
Pharmacological qualities of Mandragora
a) Deliriant hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids
b) Anticholinergic / Hypnotic
Applications of Mandragores
a) Induce vomiting /diarrhea
b) Soporific (Put people to sleep)
c) Crude anesthetic
d) Poisonous if improperly administered
Materials used in antifertility cocktails
Soap-wort root
Poplar (Dead fetus)
Honey
Chaste tree (Thesmophoria)
Wine
Myrrh
Leek
Fennel
Application of ceruse
Mixed with lead for expensive makeup made in Venice
Used by Elizabeth the 3rd
Long-term use affected liver
Herbs with alleged anti-fertility qualities
a) Clover
b) Edderwort with vinegar
c) Mountain rue
d) Birthworth with pepper and mint
e) White hellebore, Cretan poplar
f) Poisonous fish with the color of a hare
Composite Drug - The antidote of Orbanos the Indian
Used for numerous conditions, including contraception
Anti-fertility pessaries materials
Saffron + Goose fat
Allum+Myrrh+Hellebore (Potent to kill and expel a foetus that did not move)
Pine resin + Rose oil + Opopanax
Mouse-dung
Copper scum
Sodium carbonate
Alum Chemical Formula and Applications
Chemical formula
a) KAl(SO4)2 . 12H2O
Applications
a) Fasten dye on cloth
b) Hemostatic qualities (Styptic)
c) Smooth razor burns, superficial inflammation, and stop the blood
d) Cause abortion due to dryness
Poultice to cause the death of the foetus by Pseudo-Galen
a) Bruised corn
b) Vinegar
c) Porrige
d) Aloe
Poultice to cause a safe and painless abortion while the woman was sleeping
Cypress leaves with water
Soranus perception of creams and ointments
Ineffective, so they have to be combined with other methods.
Generally speaking, ancient pharmacology:
had some foundation in reality, but produced mainly placebo effects
What could be the possible effects of the substances used?
a) Effective for certain conditions
b) Toxic and counter-productive
Was drug safety regulated?
No. One took a drug at own risk
What makes natural substances more effective in drug form?
Refinement (Quantity/Quality)
Why could composite drugs be more effective?
Some of the ingredients could be actively helpful
What happened in the last two centuries regarding pharmacology?
Drug experimentation
Significantly improved refinement
Industrialization
What is the statement made by Priscianus?
Nature gave diseases and pain, but also hid remedies in plants and inorganic materials
