Trochisci de Scilliae ad Theriacam
Troches of Squill for Treacle
Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
Andromachus
Preparation:
‘Take a Squill full and white and of a middle bigness, gathered in the beginning of July [in England] after that the leaves and stalks are dried up, taking away the outward rind, and the hard part to which the small roots stick; wrap it up in a paste made of Wheat meal and bake it in an oven till the said paste is dry, and the Squill tender, which you may know by piercing it with a wooden stick pointed (or rather a bodkin) take it out of the paste and beat it diligently in a Mortar; adding to every pound of the Squill, 8 oz. of the Meal of Orobus or Red Cicers: Then make it into Troches, 2 drams a piece in weight (your hands being anointed with Oil of Roses) dry them on the top of the house on the South side in the shadow, often turning them till they are thoroughly dried, and keep them in a Pewter or glass vessel’. (Salmon)
Function:
Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Wind, Promotes Circulation
Use:
1. Ingredient in Theriac
2. Epilepsy
3. Apoplexy
4. Migraine
5. Vertigo
6. Cough and Asthma from thick phlegm
7. Catarrh
8. Arthritic disease
9. Tumors and nodules of the joints
10. Hardness of the Liver or Spleen
11. Poison and Epidemic diseases
Dose:
½–1 dram
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. A French version substituted Chickpeas with White Dittamy root.
2. When combined with Troches of Viper it forms a powerful combination to clear Wind and Damp, promote Circulation, resist Poison and promote Longevity.
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How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
“These Pastils of Squills are also made for Theriacks sake, which should, by Galen’s advice, be made after this manner: Squills must be collected in the middle of June, their exterior bark deraded, the inferior parts, whereby they adhere to their fibrous Rudicles, must be cut off, separated, and abjected; they must be involved in Barley Paste well subacted, not in Clay; and then cocted in hot ashes, or rather in a furnace or oven, till the Paste be hard, and the Squill soft; then their exterior crust, and interior pith, must be taken, washed, and brayed in a Mortar: whereunto, a third part of the cribrated flower of white Orobs must be adjected, as eight ounces Orobs, to one pound of Squill; all which, well subacted, make a mass, whereof Trochisks may be formed, which must be dryed in the shade.
The true and best Squills must be seleted; as the Spanish Squills; they should be evelled in July or August, or a little sooner or later, their whole stalk and leaves are erupted.
White Ervy or Orobs also must be chosen, not yellowish; which are not so amare, and yet more alexiterial: some take the root of white Dittany, instead of white Ervy; but Ervy being frequent, its better, with Andromachus and Galen, to admit of the genuine description; then substitute any thing without necessity; and defraud the Author of his mind.
Trochisk of Squills incide viscid and crass humours, take away infarctures., hinder putretude; cure the Epilepsy, and venenate diseases.” (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)