Pulvis Contra Rabiem
Powder Against Rabies
Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
Pirou
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Ruta graveolens | ||
Verbena officinalis | ||
Plantago majus | ||
Salvia officinalis | ||
Polypodium vulgare | ||
Mentha spp. | ||
Artemisia absinthum | ||
Artemisia vulgaris | ||
Melissa officinalis | ||
Betonica officinalis | ||
Centaurium erythraea | ||
Hypericum perforatum | equal parts |
Preparation:
Gather the herbs around the full moon in Spring or Summer; dry, and powder. Some preferred to keep the herbs whole in small bags, ready to powder to when needed.
Function:
Clears Heat and Toxin, resists Infection
Use:
1. Specific against Rabies infection after a bite from a Rabid animal.
2. Other Venomous Bites
3. also used against Epidemic diseases,
4. Madness, Mania and Melancholy.
Dose:
1⁄2–1, or 2 drams with wine or in Honey, taken immediately after being bitten, then in the morning fasting, for 9 or 15 days consecutively after a Bite. In cases where symptoms began to be seen, the dose used was 3–4 drams, even twice daily.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. It is stronger if Pimpernel and burnt River Crab is added.
2. Some took it with 1⁄2 dram Viper powder.
This powder was invented by Monsieur Pirou, and the Receipt is in a Treatise of the biting of a Mad Dog, written by Monsieur Palmerius, a Physician of Paris, who affirms that he has often tried it, and seen the wonderful effects of it, and that they that used it, had been cured of the Hydrophobia, so that they never had the Distemper; and that they that had it, had been freed from it by taking this Powder, provided they had not been bit in the Head, in the parts above the Teeth, or that they had not washed the parts bitten with water; in which cases he believes there is little hope of cure’. (The Royal Pharmacopoeia [of France], Charras, 1678)
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Weights & Measures
It is an interesting formula in that a number of the medicines have demonstrated Anti-viral effects. It may therefore, potentially serve the basis for other Anti-viral formulas.
“This alexiterial Powder I desumed from the famous Jul. Palmarius, who wrote seven Books of contagious Diseases: the eximious faculties, and admirable effects of this Medicament, not only he, but Dominus de Pyrou, hath frequently and successfully experienced upon many; from whom he confesses he had its first description: For as many as were bitten with Mad Dogs, and used this, were presently freed from imminent and incipient Hydrophobia, if no part of the head above the teeth, or cold member, were abluted; for then there were small hopes of remedy.
We call this Powder Antilyssum, because in arceating madness, it is inferior to none: it cures wounds inflicted by mad Dogs, and impedes that terrible symptom, whereby those wretches are fearful of water.
The preparation of this famous Antidote is easy; wherein these three things are chiefly observable: First, that the Simples be then collected, when they are most vertuous, to wit, in the beginning or end of the Spring; That they be not dried either by the scorching Sun, or in a moist place; That when they are dry, they be kept, with this reserve, that they be renovated annually.
There is no need, that any great quantity of this eximious Powder be kept in Pharmacopolies: for it is enough, if half a pound thereof be reconded in a fit vessel for present use: But its materials or simples should be kept in abundance, artificially dried, inclosed in chartaceous bags, and securely reposed, that flies may not consparcate them, nor Mice erode them; and when exigence calls for them, an equal weight of each should be pulverated, and a whole or half dragm thereof given in the morning before meat, in a spoon with twice as much Sugar; or else in pottage, or other convenient liquor, as Wine, Cider; or else in Honey, like an Opiate.
And although one or two dragms be a dose sufficient for a very robust man; yet three or four may sometimes be exhibited, by such especially, who have been bitten long before, or are already begun to fear water.
This Powder is. indeed very eximious; but it would be more efficacious, if the Powder of Pimpinel and burnt River-Crab fishes were mixed with it: Its name Alyssum shows, that it is justly preferred before all other of that sort; for Galen and Dioscorides call it so, because it cures madness, and extinguishes its poison.
But this plant is rare, and known only to few: it is in aspect like Horehound. but each genicle emits only two crisped, hoary, and almost inodorate leaves; spinous cups do verticularly circumvest its Caulicles; I have often seen it in the College Garden in Paris.
There is another kind in Germany, called Echioides, like Tizil in form; but it is inferior to that of Galens: yet he that wants the one, may substitute the other.”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)