Diacatholicum
Or, Electuarium Catholicum
Catholicum,
Or, Universal Purging Electuary
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Nicholas
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount * |
|---|---|---|
|
Polypodium vulgare | ||
|
Foeniculum vulgare |
6 drams ea. | |
|
Cassia fistula | ||
|
Tamarindus indica | ||
|
Cassia angustifolia |
2 oz. ea. | |
|
Polypodium vulgare | ||
|
Viola odorata | ||
|
Rheum palmatum |
1 oz. ea. | |
|
Pimpinella anisum | ||
|
Saccharum Penidum | ||
|
Saccharum Candi | ||
|
Glycyrrhiza glabra | ||
|
Citrullus vulgaris | ||
|
Lagenaria vulgaris | ||
|
Cucurbita pepo | ||
|
Cucumis sativus |
2 drams ea. |
Preparation:
Boil the fresh Polypody roots and Fennel seed together in 4 lbs. of water until one-third has wasted, then strain and press well. Boil the strained liquor with 2 lbs. of Sugar to the thickness of an electuary (like Honey), then remove from the fire and add the Cassia pulp and Tamarind. Then gradually add the rest in fine powder, stirring well.
Function:
Purges all Humors from all Parts of the body
Use:
“It clemently and gently purges all humours, cures Fevers, and acute diseases, especially such as proceed from the prave disposition of the Spleen and Liver”. (A medicinal dispensatory, Renou, 1657)
‘Tis as profitable as commonly used. It evacuates all Humors; chiefly Bile, Atrabile, and then Phlegm; and may be used in all Ages, States and times, either by itself, or dissolved in some proper liquor. ‘Tis helpful in acute, and peracute Diseases; it mollifies, alters and strengthens; ‘tis good in affects of the Liver, Spleen, helps all Gouts, Tertians, Quartans, Quotidians, also pains of the Head’ (Cooke).
1. Acute Fevers
2. Quartan Fever; Tertian Fever; Quotidian Fever
3. Acute diseases in general
4. Fever associated with Liver or Spleen obstruction.
5. Obstruction
6. Diseases where the Blood is in a poor state (cleanses the Blood)
7. Diarrhea
8. Dysentery
9. Arthritic diseases
10. Chronic Skin diseases
11. Headache and other pains of the Head.
Dose:
2 drams–1⁄2 oz., up to 1 oz. in an appropriate vehicle.
Cautions:
Regarded as safe, including for use in the young, old and pregnant.
Modifications:
There were many versions, many or most Physicians and Apothecaries having their own type of Catholicum.
The original version did not boil Fennel with the Polypody, but later Fennel seed, Annis, or otherwise Coriander seed was decocted with the Polypody to reduce its windiness; others added Fennel or Coriander seed instead of the Annis, or an equal weight of each of them. Often Cinnamon is added, which is also a useful addition both to make it more grateful to taste, more effective, and better corrected for all the cold medicines. Others used clarified Violet juice rather than the flowers or seeds, which is also acceptable. Yet others made it up with clarified Honey rather than Sugar. Some also made Catholicum up as a Syrup rather than a stiff Electuary.
1. A version from the French Pharmacopeia of Charras added these powders instead of the above: Rhubarb, Senna, Violet seed, Aniseed, Licorice and the Cold seeds. It omitted Sugar Penids and Sugar Candy, didn’t add Polypody roots a second time and used Violet seed rather than the herb or flower.
2. Some added Fennel seed or Coriander seed with the Anise.
3. Often Cinnamon was added, which is a good addition.
4. Some used Violet juice rather than the herb, flower, or seed.
5. Some preferred adding Honey rather than Sugar.
6. Fernelius gave several descriptions containing additions such as Elecampane, Hyssop, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Turpentine or Agaric.
7. Chronic skin diseases, it was common to combined with Confectio Hamech.
8. Severe Bruising, dissolve Catholicum in Common Decoction.
The original author was uncertain. Nicholas Salernitanus, Nicholas Myrepsus and even Galen were credited with inventing this medicine. The version here was typically called Catholicum of Nicholas. There was another more compound version called Catholicum Duplicatum, this being called Catholicum Simplex.
Back To ELECTUARIES
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
This was called Catholicum because it was accounted as a universal purger of all bad humours from all parts of the body.
“That this universal Antidote may be duly confected, many things must be brayed, and prepared apart; and first of all, Polypody, which being twice assumed, must be bifariously prepared. In the first course it must be brayed only pretty grossly; in the second, it must be levigated very small: that which is only contunded, must be long cocted in the prescribed, or sufficient quantity of water; and a Syrup must be made of two parts of its colature and sugar,
The Tamarinds and Cassia must be humectated with the rest, that their pulps may be more easily separated and secerned.
The Rhabarb must be brayed alone; the Senna, .Liquorice, Fennel, and Violets, both alone and together; twice as much of the Syrupe of Violets, may be mixed instead of the Violets: the Four Cold Seeds must be excorcicated, and minutely cut with a Pen-knife, then must the Penidia and Sugar be pulverated; then must all be put togerher, and agitated with a ligneous Pestel or Rudicle, till they become an Electuary of a legitimate consistence.
And the composition of this solemn Medicament is not only various, but there are also various opinions concerning its Author: for Silvius seems to ascribe the invention. thereof to Galen; Joubertus, to Nicolaus Myrepsicus; Bauderonius, to Nicolas Salernitanus; Adolphus Occon, to Nicole Prepositus; Valer. Cordus, to Nicolas Alexandrinus who indeed hath described it, but not as it is vulgarly made.
But none know certainly, to which of these to attribute its invention: but all call it Nicolas his Catholicum, not adding his Surname. Now this Medicament is called Catholical, or Universal, either because it expurges all humours, or because it draws them from all parts of the Body.
That which is made according to this prescript, is called Simple Catholicum, in reference to the more compound; which receive twice as much Rhubarb and Senna yet neither of them substantially, or in powder, ingrede that same, as they do this simple Catholicum: bur the Senna is cocted, and the Rhubarb infused, and its expression joined with the mixture; which formed into an Electuary, is called Catholicam Duplicatum.
Many coct Anise and Fennel, and others Coriander-seed, with Polypody, to discuss its flatuosity [Wind]: but there is Fennel enough in the description, to effect this; so that there is no need to congest so many Medicaments of the same faculty together. If any like not Anise, he may in its stead substitute sweet Fennel or Coriander, of an equal weight of each: yea, and may add some Cinnamon, to make it more grateful, and it will be of good consequence. The rest I leave to the old description, which most Medicks approve of, and prefer before many purges.
Some keep a certain Catholicum in their shops tor Glysters [Enemas], different from the common one, only in this, that it admits of only old and worse Rhubarb, and is confected with Honey instead of Sugar.
That which is very purgative, wherein Apothecaries put Turpentine, Coloquintida [Colocynth], and Hermodactyls [Colchicum], is not good.
I hear of some that make a more liquid Catholicon, only of Syrup, and the infusion of some pulps: but its faculties being very imbecile, and not respondent to the scope of the Author, whoever first made it, I think it is not now kept or prepared.
Fernelius gives more descriptions of Catholicum: one whereof, among other things, receives Elecampane, Hyssop, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Honey; another amongst Purgatives, Agaric, Turpentine and Diagridium: which compositions, made by a petite artificer, are good but they are seldom kept in shops.
Let that then which we have according to the ancients mind here described, be continually kept for the true Catholicum in each Pharmacopoly”. (A medicinal dispensatory, Renou, 1657)