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Pilulae Pestilentiales,
or Pilulae Commune, or Pilulae Ruffi Pestilential Pills, or Common Pills, or Pills of Ruffus |
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Safflower (Saffron substitute), Aloe & Myrrh
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Ruffus of Ephesos (98-117? AD)
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Ruffus of Ephesos (98-117? AD)
Preparation:
Powder and form Pills using Lemon juice Syrup, or Syrup of Wormwood
Function:
Cleanses excess, opens Obstructions, preserves from Infection
Use:
1. Primarily used as a preservative during Epidemics, notably the Plague.
2. Also used in the Infection of Plague and Epidemic diseases
3. cleanses the Stomach and Bowels
4. promotes appetite and Digestion
5. promotes Menstruation
6. benefit the Lungs.
Dose:
1 scruple–1 dram, before dinner, before bed, or first thing in the morning. Taken in the morning, they were said to prevent infection that day.
Some soaked the pills in wine and gave it that way.
If infection has begun, take a dose and go to bed, cover up and sweat.
They were often recommended to be taken every day for one month during the Spring. This would then protect from Fevers over the next 12 months, and if a Fever came, it would only be mild
Cautions:
Not used during Pregnancy
Modifications:
There were many additions to this simple formula.
1. Safflower can be substituted for Saffron, using an equal amount to the Myrrh.
2. They are stronger with Camphor added (1 dram).
3. When Rhubarb and Zedoary are added they form Pestilential Pills of Basil
4. Rhubarb, Gentian and Zedoary were later added, and used for the same purpose, these also being called ‘Pestilential Pills’. Some added Angelica to these. This is basically the same as the modern ‘Swedish Bitters’ (to which the principle addition is Camphor).
5. When Armenian Earth, Red Coral, Amber and Chebulic Myrobalan are added it forms Pills Against Pestilence Magistrale. These are better to protect the Heart during Epidemics.
6. Catarrh Pills, Pills of Ruffus (1 scruple), Pills of Storax (6 grains), Anise Oil (1 drop). Form 5 Pills.
7. Asthma, make pills of equal parts of Gum Ammoniac and Pills of Ruffus, give one every night
8. Obstructions of the Spleen, add Gum Ammoniacum
9. Later Saffron was omitted, and they became known simply as Pills of Aloe and Myrrh.
Similar Formulas:
Swedish Bitters
Pills Against Pestilence Magistrale
Pestilential Pills of Basil
Renodeus said in this prescription "Aloes frees the body from excrements, Myrrh vindicates it from putretude, and Saffron recreates the Heart and Vital faculties".
‘These are those commonly called Pestilentiales, as being a good preservative in Pestilental times, cleansing the body of such Humours as might be apt to take the infection’. However, as Renodeus stated "they very little profit when the Pestilence is begun".
"They strengthen the Head, Stomach and Heart, hinder putrefaction, cause Digestion, and a good Appetite, provoke the Terms [Menstruation], cure Surfeits, clear the Voice, and are a good Pectoral".
‘These are those commonly called Pestilentiales, as being a good preservative in Pestilental times, cleansing the body of such Humours as might be apt to take the infection’. However, as Renodeus stated "they very little profit when the Pestilence is begun".
"They strengthen the Head, Stomach and Heart, hinder putrefaction, cause Digestion, and a good Appetite, provoke the Terms [Menstruation], cure Surfeits, clear the Voice, and are a good Pectoral".
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