Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Menecrates

Preparation:

Gently boil the Fenugreek, Linseed and Marshmallow roots in sufficient water to draw out a mucilage, strain, then add the oil, stir well, and seethe gently until the water evaporates, adding the Litharge towards the end. It is perfectly finished when it will not stick to Marble when a little is put on, but it must be of a consistency suitable to forms rolls which were wrapped in paper to keep.

Function:

Softens Hardness, relieves Swelling, resolves Tumors, eases Pain

Use:

1. All hardness of the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and flesh that comes without pain.
2. Fibroids
3. Warts, Corns, Calluses
4. Sore Breasts and Nipples
5. Promotes suppuration of hard Abscesses, Sores, Nodes, Phlegmones
6. Cramps and tightness of the Sinews
7. Applied to Ulcers when the lips are hard and calloused to soften and promote growth of healthy flesh
8. Adjunct to treat Joint Pain, Arthritis
9. Also applied to the chest for Cough, Pleurisy

Dose:

Applied topically

Cautions:

This would be obsolete in the west today due to the use of Lead. However, Lead is still used externally in some countries.

Modifications:

1. If 1 oz. Orris is added to 1 lb. simple Dichilon, it forms Diachilon with Orris. It is used the same, but is stronger to resolve Phlegm, and break congestion.
2. The Greater Dichilon added Juices of Orris and Squill, and oils of Orris, Camomile and Dill, along with Bird lime and Sheeps Feet oil. This, again, is stronger, and more penetrating.
3. Dichilon with Gums added Gums Ammoniac, Galbanum, Sagapen and Opopanax. It powerfully penetrates, breaks stagnation, resolves Phlegm and thickness.
4. Pleurisy, add 2 drams Cumin seed powder to every ounce of Dichilon with Gums, and sufficient oil of Caraway to mix.
5. Add Goose fat and Oil of Lillies to resolve Fibroid tumors.
6. Also for Fibroid Tumors, mix with Plaster of Meliot, along with Gum ammoniac dissoved in vinegar.
7. Swollen Lymph nodes, add 5 parts Diachilon with Gums, with 1 1⁄2 part Basilicum and 1 part Mustard seed powder. Said to be excellent. (Marrow of Chirurgery, Cook, 1685)

Comment:

The name Diachilon means preparation of juices. This name was gradually translated to Mucilaginous, so the names Diachilon and Emplastrum Mucilaginibus were used fairly synonymously. The later Pharmacopoeias all used the name Plaster of Mucilages, which remained in use until relatively recently, but were still based on the same basic formula.

The original plaster is said to have been written by Tiberius Claudius Menecrates, physician to Emperor Tiberius, and probably also the Emperors Caligula and Claudius. The formula and manufacture was put into verse by Damocrates, and it was the writings of Galen who then preserved it in its above form.

---

Back To PLASTERS
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures