The Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians
of LondonThe extract translated below shows what was prescribed by doctors in the late 18th century in England. Note that many of these "drugs" could be found in a kitchen.
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The Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians of London |
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| This is a transcription of the Materia Medica (medical substances) of the fifth edition of The Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians (London), published 1791. The Pharmacopoeia collected together the known information for the substances used by the apothecaries and physicians of the times. The London pharmacopoeia was first published in 1618 and was written in Latin. In 1854 the General Medical Council was tasked with a legal obligation to produce a British Pharmacopoeia in order to standardise medicines and deal with discrepencies in the three existing Pharmacopoeiae (London, Dublin and Edinburgh).The British Pharmacopoeia was first published in 1864 and is a default pharmacopoeia used for Australia today (tga.gov.au/pharmacopoeias).
The extract translated below shows what was prescribed by doctors in the late 18th century in England. Note that many of these "drugs" could be found in a kitchen. |
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| Abbreviations: | |||
| L.S.P. | Linnaei Species Plantarum | ||
| Linn. Suppl. P. | Linnaei Supplementum Plantarum | ||
| L.S.N. | Linnaei Systema Naturae |
| Latin Name | Common Name | Part | Dispensary Name | Use |
| Abrotonum | Southernwood | leaf | Artemesia Abrotanum | |
| Absinthium maritimum | Sea Wormwood | top | Artemesia maritima, L.S.P. | |
| Absinthium vulgare | Common Wormwood | herb | Arteesia Absinthium, L.S.P. | |
| Acetosa pratensis | Meadow-Sorrell | leaf | Rumex Acetosa | |
| Acidum Vitriolicum | Vitriolic Acid | |||
| Aconitum | Blue Wolf's Bane or Monk's Hood | herb | Aconitum Napellus, L.S.P. | rheumatic, venereal and painful conditions |
| Aloe Barbadensis | Barbadoes and Socotrine Aloes | inspirsated juices | Aloe perfoliata, L.S.P. | |
| Althaea | Marshmallow | root and leaf | Althaea officnalis, L.S.P. | |
| Alumen | Alum | Argilla vitriolata | ||
| Ammoniacum | Ammoniacum | gum resin | ||
| Amygdala amara | Bitter and sweet Almond | the kernel | Amygdala communis, L.S.P. | |
| Anethum | Dill | seed | Anethum graveolens, L.S.P. | |
| Angelica | Angelica | root, leaf, stalk, seed | Angelica Archangelica, L.S.P. | |
| Anisum | Anise | seed | Pimpinalla Anisum, L.S.P. | |
| Antimonium | Antimony | Antimonium sulphuratum | ||
| Arabicum Gummi | Gum Arabic | Mimosa nilotica, L.S.P. | ||
| Argentum | Silver | |||
| Arnica | Leopard's Bane | herb, flower, root | Arnica Montana, L.S.P. | Dissolves coagulated blood, diuretic, diaphoretic |
| Arum | Cuckow-pint | fresh root | Arum masculatum, L.S.P. | |
| Asa foetida | Gum-resin | Ferula Assa foetida, L.S.P. | ||
| Asarum | Asarabaca | leaf | Asarum europaeum, L.S.P. | |
| Avena | Oat | seed | Avena sativa, L.S.P. | |
| Aurantium Hispalense | Seville orange | leaf, flower, juice, outer rind | Citrus aurantium | convulsions |
| Balsamum Canadense | Canadian Balsam | Pinus balsamea, L.S.P. | ||
| Balsamum Copaiva | Balsam of Copaiva | Copaifera officinalis, L.S.P. | ||
| Balsamum Peruvianum | Balsam of Peru | Myroxolon peruiferum | ||
| Balsamum Tolutanum | Balsam of Tolu | Toluifera Balsamum, L.S.P. | ||
| Bardana | Burdock | root | Actium Lappa, L.S.P. | |
| Barilla | Barilla | Natron impurum | ||
| Beccabunga | Brook lime | herb | Veronica Beccabunga, L.S.P. | |
| Benzoe | Benzoin | Styrax Benzoe | ||
| Bistorta | Bistorta | root | Polygonum Bistorta, L.S.P. | |
| Bolus Gallicus | French Bole | |||
| Borax | Borax | Natron boracicatum | ||
| Calamu aromaticus | Sweet scented Flag | root | Acorus Calamus, L.S.P. | |
| Calx | Quick-lime recently burnt | Lapis calcareus purus recens uftus | ||
| Camphorus | Camphor | Laurus Camphora, L.S.P. | ||
| Cancer | Crab | claws | Cancer Purgurus | |
| Canella alba | White Canella, Winter's Bark | |||
| Cantharis | Cantharis, Spanish Fly | Meloe vesicatorius, lsn | ||
| Cardamine | Cuckow Flower, Lady's Smock | flower | Cardamine pratensis, L.S.P. | asthma, chorea |
| Cardamomum minus | Lesser Cardamom | seed | Amomum repens | |
| Carduus benedictus | Blessed Thistle | herb | Centaurea benedicta | |
| Carica | Fig | fruit | Ficus Carica, L.S.P. | |
| Caruon | Caraway | seed | Carum Carui, L.S.P. | |
| Caryophyllus aromatica | Cloves | unripe seed vessel | Caryophyllus aromatica, L.S.P. | |
| Caryophyllum rubrum | Clove, July-flower | flower | Dianthus Caryophyllus, L.S.P. | |
| Cascarilla | Cascarilla | bark | ||
| Cassia fistularis | Cassia of the Cane | fruit | Cassia Fistula, L.S.P. | |
| Castoreum Russicum | Russian Castor | membranous sacs in the inguinal region |
Castor fibre, lsn | |
| Catechu | Japan Earth | inspissated juice | Mimosa Catechu | |
| Centaureum minus | Lesser Centaury | top | Gentiara Centaurium, L.S.P. | |
| Cera alba, flava | White, Yellow Flax | |||
| Cervus | Hartshorn (deer) | horn | Cervus Elaphus | |
| Chamaemelum | Chamomile | single flower | Anthemis nobilis, L.S.P. | |
| Cicuta | Hemlock | flower, seed | Conium maculatum, L.S.P. | scrophulous, venereal ulcers, scabies, phthisis |
| Cinars | Artichoke | leaf | Cynara Scolymus, L.S.P. | diuretic, for icterus, purgative |
| Cinchona | Cinchona | bark | Cinchona officinalis, L.S.P. | yertian fever |
| Cineres Clavellati | Pot-ash | Kali impurum | ||
| Cinnamomum | Cinnamon | bark, essential oil | Laurus Cinnamomum, L.S.P. | |
| Coccinella | Cochineal | Coccus Cacti, lsn | ||
| Cochlearis hortensis | Garden Scurvy-grass | herb | Cochlearia offinallis, L.S.P. | |
| Colchicum | Meadow Saffron | fresh root | Colchicum autumnale, L.S.P. | diuretic |
| Colocynthis | Coloqintida, bitter Apple | pith of the fruit | Cucumis colocynthis, L.S.P. | |
| Colomba | Columba | root | corroborant, antiseptic in vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentry, cholera, bilious complaints |
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| Contrayerva | Contrayerva | root | Dorstenia Contrayerva, L.S.P. | |
| Corallium rubrum | Red Coral | Isis nobilis, lsn | ||
| Coriandrum | Coriander | seed | Coriandrum sativum, L.S.P. | |
| Creta | Chalk | |||
| Crocus | Saffron | stigma of the flower | Crocus sativus, L.S.P. | |
| Cubeba | Cubeb | Piper Cubeba, L. Suppl. P. | ||
| Cucumis agrestis | Wild Cucumber | fresh fruit | Momordica Elaterium, L.S.P. | |
| Cuminum | Cummin | seed | Cuminum Cyminum, L.S.P. | |
| Cuprum | Copper, Acetated Copper, Verdigris | |||
| Vitriolum coeruleum | Blue Vitriol | Cuprum vitriolatum | ||
| Curcumin | Turmeric | root | Curcumin longa, L.S.P. | |
| Cydonia malus | Quince | fruit, seed | Pyrus Cydonia, L.S.P. | |
| Dog-rose |
fruit called hip |
Rosa canina, L.S.P. |
| |
| Daucus sylvestris | Wild Carrot | seed | Daucus Carota, L.S.P. | |
| Digitalis | Foxglove | herb | Digitalis purpurea, L.S.P. | Serophulous complaints, epilepsy, hydropic cases (as a diuretic), slows the pulse |
| Elemi | Elemi | the refin. | Amyris Elemifera, L.S.P. | |
| Enula campana | Elecampane | root | Inula Helenium, L.S.P. | |
| Eryngium | Eryngo | root | Eryngium maritinum, L.S.P. | |
| Ferrum | Iron | |||
| Filix | male Fern | root | Polypodium Felix mas, L.S.P. | antithelmitic |
| Foeniculum dulce | Sweet Fennel | seed | Anethum Foeniculum, L.S.P. | |
| Foenum Graecum | Fenugreek | seed | Trgonella Foenum, L.S.P. | |
| Galbanum | Galbanum | Gum-resin | Bubon Galbanum, L.S.P. | |
| Galla | The Gall | the excresccence og the insect Cynips Quercus on the leaf and tender footstalks of Quercus Robur |
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| Gambogia | Gamboge | Gum-resin | ||
| Genista | Broom | top and seed | Spartium scoparium, L.S.P. | Deobstruant, diuretic, laxative, dropsies, ascites |
| Gentiana | Gentian | root | Gentiana lutea, L.S.P. | |
| Ginseng | Ginseng | root | panax quinquefolium, L.S.P. | restorative, antispasmodic, convulsions |
| Glycyrrhiza | Glycyrrhiza | root | Glycyrrhiza glabra, L.S.P. | |
| Granatum | Pomegranite | petals, fruit rind | Punica Granatum, L.S.P. | |
| Gratiolla | Hedge-hyssop, Herb of Grace | herb | Gratiola officinalis | antithelmitic, deobtusent, diuretic, purgative. For leucophlegmatia, dropsy, mania, melancholy |
| Guaiacum | Guaiacum | wood, bark, gum-resin | Guaiacum officinale, L.S.P. | |
| Haematoxylon | Campechy Wood, Logwood | Haematoxylon Campechianum, L.S.P. | ||
| Helleboraster | Bearsfoot | leaf | Helleborus foetidus, L.S.P. | purgayive, antithelmitic |
| Helleborus albus | White Hellebore | root | Veratum album, L.S.P. | |
| Helleborus niger | Black Hellebore | root | Helleborus niger, L.S.P. | |
| Hordeum | barley | seed, see busked, pearl barley | Hordeum dislichon, L.S.P. | |
| Hydragyrus | Quicksilver | |||
| Hypericum | St john'sWort | flower | Hypericum perforatum, L.S.P. | |
| Jalapium | Jalap | root | ||
| Ichthyocolla | Isinglass, Fish-glue | Acipenser ruthensus, lsn | ||
| Ipecacuanha | Ipecacuanha/td> | Acipenser ruthensis, lsn | root | |
| Iris | Florentine Orris | root | Iris florentina, L.S.P. | |
| Juglans | Walnut | unripe fruit | Juglans regia, L.S.P. | antithelmitic, purgative |
| Juniper | Juniper | berry, top | Juniperus communis, L.S.P. | |
| Kino | kino | the resin | diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, laxity, acrimony | |
| Ladanum | Ladanum | resin | Cistus creticus, L.S.P. | |
| Lavendula | Lavender | flower | Lavandula Spica, L.S.P. | |
| Laurus | Bay | leaf, berry | Larus nobilis, L.S.P. | |
| Limon | Limon | juice, outer rind, oil called Essence | Citrus Medica, L.S.P. | |
| Linum | Flax | seed called linseed | Linum usitassimum, L.S.P. | |
| Lujula | Wood Sorrel | leaf | Oxalis Acetosella, L.S.P. | |
| Magnesia Vitriolata, Vitriolated Magnesia | Bitter Purgative | salt | ||
| Majorana | Sweet Marjoram | herb | Origanum Majorana, L.S.P. | |
| Malva | Mallow | leaf, flower | Malva sylvestris, L.S.P. | |
| Manna | Manna | |||
| Marrubium album | White Horehound | herb | Marrubium vulgare, L.S.P. | |
| Marum syriacum | Syrian Herb-mastich | herb | Teucrium marum, L.S.P. | |
| Mastiche | Mastiche | resin | Pistacia Lentiscus, L.S.P. | |
| Mel | Honey | |||
| Melissa | Balm | herb | Melissa officinalis, L.S.P. | |
| Mentha piperitis | Peppermint | herb | Mentha piperita, L.S.P. | |
| Mentha sativa | Spear-mint | herb | Mentha viridis, L.S.P. | |
| Mezereum | Mezereon, Spurge-Olive | bark, root | Daphne Mezereum, L.S.P. | venereal nodes, peritoneal thickening |
| Millepeda | Wood-louse | Oniscus Asellus, lsn | ||
| Morus | Mulberry | fruit | Morus nigra, L.S.P. | |
| Moschus | Musk | from membranous cavity near the umbilicus | moschus Moschiferus, lsn | |
| Myristica | Nutmeg | fruit, essential oil, expressed oil | Myristica Moschata, Acta Holmiensia | |
| Myrrha | Myrrh | Gum-resin | ||
| Nasturtium aquaticum | Water-cress | fresh herb | Sysimbrium Nasturtium aquaticum, L.S.P. | |
| Nicotiana | Tobacco | leaf | Nicotiana Tabacum, L.S.P. | |
| Nitrum | Nitre | Kali nitratum | ||
| Olibanum | olibanum | Gum-resin | Juniperus lycia, L.S.P. | |
| Oliva | Olive | fruit, oil | Olea europa, L.S.P. | |
| Opium | Opium | |||
| Opopanax | Opopanax | Gum-resin | Pastinaca Opopanax, L.S.P. | |
| Origanum | Wild Marjoram | herb | Origanum vulgare, L.S.P. | |
| Ostrea | Oyster | shell | Ostria edulis, lsn | |
| Ovis | Sheep | suet | Ovis aries, lsn | |
| Ovum | Pullet's Egg | Ovum gallinaceum | ||
| Papaver album | White Poppy | capsule | Papaver somniferum, L.S.P. | |
| Papaver erraticum | Wild Poppy | flower | Papaver Rhoeas, L.S.P. | |
| Pareira brava | pareira brava | root | Cissampelos pareira, L.S.P. | suppression of urine, nephritic complaints, calculous complaints, expectorant, icteric colic |
| Parietaria | Pellitory of the Wall | herb | Parietaria officinalis, L.S.P. | |
| Pentaphyllum | Cinquefoil | root | Potentilla reptans, L.S.P. | |
| Petroleum | Petroleu, Rock-Oil | Bitumen petroleum, lsn | ||
| Petroselinum | Parsley | root, seed | Apium Petroselinum, L.S.P. | |
| Pimento | Aspice | berry | Myrtus Pimenta, L.S.P. | |
| Piper indicum | India Pepper | capsule | Capsicim annum, L.S.P. | |
| Piper Longum | Long Pepper | fruit | Piper longum, L.S.P. | |
| Piper Nigrum | Black Pepper | berry | Piper nigrum, L.S.P. | |
| Pix Burgundica | Burgundy Pitch | |||
| Pix liquida | tar | |||
| Plumbum - Cerussia - Lithargyrus - Minium |
Lead Ceruse Litharge red Lead |
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| Prunus Gallica | Plumb, French Prune, Prune | Prunus domesticus, L.S.P. | ||
| Prunus sylvestris | Sloe | fruit | Prunus spinosa, L.S.P. | |
| Pulegium | Pennyroyal | herb, flower | Mentha Pulegium, L.S.P. | |
| Pyrethrum | Pellitory of Spain | root | Anthemis Pyrethrum, L.S.P. | |
| Quassia | Quassy | wood, root, bark | Quassia amara, L.S.P. | tonic, stomachic, antiseptic to treat tone, anorexia, hypochondriasis fevers (epidemic, intermittent, remittent)fevers |
| Quercus | Oak | bark | Quercus Robur, L.S.P. | |
| Raphanus rusticanus | Horse-radish | root | Cochlearia Armoracia, L.S.P. | |
| Rhabarbarum | Rhubarb | root | Rheum palmatum. L.S.P. | |
| Ribes nigrum | Black Currant | fruit | Ribes nigrum, L.S.P. | |
| Ribes rubrum | Red Current | fruit | Ribes rubrum, L.S.P. | |
| Ricinus | Palma Christi | oil of the seed | Ricinus communis, lps | drastic purgative |
| Rosa damascena | Damask Rose | petal | Rosa damascena, Aitoni Hortus Kewensis | |
| Rose rubra | RedRose | petal | Rosa Gallica, L.S.P. | |
| Ros marinus | Rosemary | flower and top | Rosmarinus officianalis, L.S.P. | |
| Rubia | madder | root | Rubia tinctorum, L.S.P. | |
| Rubus idaeus | Raspberry | fruit | Rubus idaeus, L.S.P. | |
| Ruta | Rue | herb | Ruta graveolens, L.S.P. | |
| Sabina | Savin | leaf | Juneperus Sabina, L.S.P. | |
| Saccharum non purifcatum | Soft Sugar | |||
| Sacchaurm purificatum | Double-refined Sugar | Sacchuarum bis coctum | ||
| Sagapenum | Sagapenum | Gum-resin | ||
| Sal Ammoniacus | Sal Ammoniac | Ammonia muriata | ||
| Sal muriaticus | Sea Salt | natron muriatum | ||
| Salvia | Sage | leaf | Salvia ofocinalis, L.S.P. | |
| Sambucus | Elder | inner bark, flower, berry | Sambucus niger, L.S.P. | |
| Sanguis draconis | Dragon's Blood | resin | ||
| Santalum rubrum | Red Saunders | wood | Pterocarpus Santolinus, L. Suppl. P. | |
| Santonicum | Santonicum, Wormfeed | top | Artemisia Santoncum, L.S.P. | |
| Sapo | Soap | Sapo ex olivae & ntro confectus | ||
| Sarcocolla | Sarcocol | Gum-resin | ||
| Sarsaparilla | Sarsaparilla | root | Smilax Sarsaparilla, L.S.P. | |
| Sassafras | Sassafras | wood, root, bark | Laurus Sassafras, L.S.P. | |
| Sammonium | Scammony | Gum-resin | Convolvulus Scammonia, L.S.P. | |
| Scilla | Squill | root | Scilla maritima, L.S.P. | |
| Scordium | Scordium, Water-germander | herb | Teucrium Scodium, L.S.P. | |
| Senna | Senna | leaf | Caffia Senna, L.S.P. | |
| Seneka | Rattlesnake-root, Seneka | root | Polygala Senega, L.S.P. | diuretic, gentle purgative |
| Serpentaria Virginiana | Vurginian Serpentary | root | Aristolochia Serpentaria, L.S.P. | |
| Simarouba | Simarouba | bark | Quassia Simarouba, L. Suppl. P. | epidemic dysentry, dysenteric cholic chronic hepatic flux, lientery leucorrhoea, worms, demulcent, tonic |
| Sinapi | Mustard | seed | Sinapi nigra, L.S.P. | |
| Sium | Water-parsnip | heb | Sium nodiflorum, L.S.P. | antiscorbutic, scrophula |
| Sperma ceti | Spermaceti | Sevum Ceti crystallisatum | ||
| Spigelia | indian Pink | root | Spigelia marilandica, A.H.K | antithelmitic, laxative, purgative, emetic
(side effects - vertigo, simness of sight convulsions of the glove of the eye) |
| Spina cervida | Buckthorn | berry | Rhamnus catharticus, L.S.P. | |
| Spiritus vinosus rectificatus | Rectified Spirit of Wine | |||
| Spiritus vinosis tenuior | Proof Spirit of Wine | |||
| Spongia | Sponge | Spongia officinalis, L.S.N. | ||
| Stannum | Tin | |||
| Staphisagria | Staves-acre | seed | Delphinium Staphisagria, L.S.P. | destruction of external vermin |
| Styrax | Storax | resin | Stryax officnalis, L.S.P. | |
| Sulphur | Sulphur | |||
| Sulphuris Flores | Flowers of Sulphur | Sulphur sublimatum | ||
| Sus | Hog | lard | Sus Scrofa, L.S.N. | |
| Tamarindus | Tamarind | fruit | Tamarindus indica, L.S.P. | |
| Tanacetum | Tansy | flower, herb | Tanacetum vulgare, L.S.P. | |
| Taraxacum | Dandelion | root, herb | Leontodon Taraxacum, L.S.P. | diuretic, aperient, laxative thick sizy blood, jaundice impetigo, scabies, kidney stones dropsy from induration of the liver bilious calculi, ascites, ostructed viscera costiveness, tubercles of the lungs |
| Terebinthina chia | Chio, Cyprus Turpentine | Pistacia Terebinthus, L.S.P. | ||
| Terebenthina vulgaris | common Turpentine | |||
| Thus | Frankinsesne | resin | ||
| Tormentilla | Tormentil | root | Tormentilla erecta, L.S.P. | |
| Tragacantha | Tragacanth | Australagus Tragacantha, L.S.P. | ||
| Trifolium paludosum | Buckbean | heb | Menyanthes trifoliata, L.S.P. | |
| Triticum | Wheat | flour, amylum, starch | Triticum hybernum, L.S.P. | |
| Tussilago | Coltsfoot | herb | Tussilago Farfara, L.S.P. | |
| Valeriana sylvestris | Wild Valerian | root | Valeriana officinaiis, L.S.P. | |
| Viola | Vilet | fresh flower | Viola odorata, L.S.P. | |
| Vitis | Vine | fruit, Uva passa, raisin, vinum, wine | Vitis vinifera, L.S.P. | |
| Tartarum | Tartar | Tartarum impurum | ||
| Tartari crystalli | Crystals of Tartar | Tartarum purificatum | ||
| Acetum | Vinegar | |||
| Ulmus | Elm | inner bark | Ulmus campestris, L.S.P. | chronic cutaneous eruptions |
| Urtica | Stinging Nettle | herb | Urtica dioica, L.S.P. | nephritic complaints, internal haemorrhages haemoptysis, uterine haemorrhages, bloody urine palsy, febrile stupor (stinging the limb with the nettles) epistaxis (applied inside the mouth) |
| Uva Ursi | Bear's Whortleberry | leaf | Arbutus Uva Ursi, L.S.P. | calculus complaints |
| Zedoaria | Zedoary | root | Kaempferia rotunda, L.S.P. | |
| Zincum | ||||
| - Lapis Calaminaris | Calamine | |||
| - Tutia, Tutty | ||||
| - Vitriolum Album | White Vitriol | Zincum vitriolatum impurum | ||
| Zingiber | Ginger | root | Amomum Zingiber, L.S.P. | |