Pilulae de Foetida
Foetid Pills, or Stinking Pills
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Aloe spp. | ||
Citrullus colocynthus | ||
Ferula persica | ||
Dorema ammoniacum | ||
Commiphora molmol | ||
Ruta graveolens | ||
Cuscuta europea | 5 drams ea. | |
Operculina turpethum | 1⁄2 oz. | |
Convovulus scammonia | 3 drams | |
Euphorbia spp. | ||
Colchicum autumnale | 2 drams ea. | |
Zingiber officinalis | 1 1⁄2 drams | |
Nardostachys jatamansi | ||
Cinnamonum zeylanicum | ||
Crocus sativus | ||
Castoreum | 1 dram ea. | |
Euphorbium resinifera | 2 scruples |
Preparation:
Dissolve the gums in Leek juice; then add the remaining in powder, and with Syrup of the Juice of Leeks, make a Pill mass, S.A.
Function:
Clears Cold Phlegm and Damp
Use:
“Foetid Pills are of much use, for they evacuate frigid [cold], pituitous [damp], crude, and also bilious humours; and thence cure such affections as arise from thence, as diseases of the Junctures [Joints], Podagry [Gout], Gonagry [Gonorrhea], Dolours [Pain] in the Back-bone, Leprosy, Morphews, Itch, cutaneous Infections, and cholical affections”. (Renodeus)
1. Arthritis
2. Rheumatism
3. Back Pain
4. Sciatica
5. Leprosy
6. Obstinate skin diseases: Pruritus, Morphew
Dose:
1–2 scruples
Cautions:
1. These are strong and irritant in excess. They are only suitable for cases with excess Damp or Phlegm, and are contraindicated in Yin deficiency.
2. Not used during Pregnancy.
Modifications:
Similar Formulas:
Pills of Sagapen
Pills of Sarcocolla
Pills of Colchicum.
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How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
Mesue had greater and lesser versions of the Foetid Pills, these being the Greater, the Lesser being far less commonly used. Galen originally formed the Pills of Spurge upon which these are loosely based.
“They are called Foetid Pills, not because they educe foetid humors as some think, but beceuse they consist of foetid Medicines, as Beavers-stones [castoreum], wild Rue, Sagapen; Opoponax, and the like. Rhasis, and other Arabians give other descriptions of them; but we retain this only as the best, which Mesue calls the greater, in reference to a lesser description which, we omitted, as less efficacious.
None, I believe, doubt, whether the seed of wild Rue, or of Hemlock, should rather ingrede the composition of Foerid Pills: for doubtless, Hemlock-feed is poison; though one Constantinus interprets the Arabian words Harmeli, or Harmela, Hemlock-seed, when all others say they are wild Rue-seed; in whose stead, vulgar Rue-seed may be well substituted.
The Hermodactyls [Colchicum] should be exotical, whose roots are tubeous and crass, not rugose; which by small contusion might be reduced to farinaceous powder.
They act perperously, who take Ephemerian, or Colchian, or our Hermodactyls, whose roots are flaccid; for their qualities are not commendable, but noxious, killing by small and short suffocation: whence they are called Strangulatories. The best Hermodactyl comes from Syria, and is thence called the Syrian Hermodactyl. Esula should be prepared as we have taught before; the Gums must be melted, percolated, and cocted in the succe [juice] of Leeks; and Powders must be adjected, mixed, and subacted with these, which must be handled with hands madefied with Oil of Almonds, involved in Leather, and reposed in a Tin-box for use.” (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)