MEZERETJM. 35 



our necessary limits prevent us from giving a proper abstract 

 of. He says that persons of gross constitution, and more espe- 

 cially old men, bear this medicine best, and he recommends us 

 to administer it with myrobolans, or tamarinds, or prunes, lie 

 further directs it to be given in water that has been boiled. 

 Altogether there is not a more important chapter in Serapion 

 than the one on Mezereon (c. 373). Mesne also gives a very 

 interesting account of the Mezereon, which he illustrates with 

 extracts from Dioscorides and Galen on the Chamaelea. Rhases 

 describes the two Chameleons and the Chamaelea together, 

 under the head of Laureola. He quotes " the Book of Poisons" 

 as stating, that in the dose of two drachms it proves fatal. 

 Avicenna, in like manner, describes the two Chameleons and 

 the Chamaelea under the head of Mezereon, but evidentlv 

 recognised the distinction between the last and the first two. 

 He recommends it particularly in dropsy. The above sketch, 

 it will be remarked, clearly proves the identity of the 

 Xa^sXocix of the Greeks, and the Mezereon of the Arabians. 

 We admit, however, that it does not prove their identity with 

 the Daphne Mezereon. To us it appears, however, that the 

 physiological effects of the Mezereon, as described by our best 

 authorities of the present day, correspond very well with the 

 effects of the Chamaelea or Mezereon, as described by Dios- 

 corides and Serapion (Commentary in Paulus JEgineta, trans- 

 lated by Francis Adams for the Sydenham Society, b. vii. p. 410.) 

 Gerarde says : " Also if a drunkard do eate one graine or 

 berrie of this plant, he cannot be allured to drinke any drinke 

 at that time; such will be the heat of his mouth and choking 



in the throate." 



As a medicine under the old school it is seldom employed. 

 It has been recommended by Dr. Donald Monro, Drs. ilussell, 

 Fothergill, and others, as very efficacious in curing venereal 

 nodes, scirrhous tumours, obstinate ulcers, and severe affections 

 of the skin. Cullen used it in some cutaneous affections with 

 success. It has also been employed in chronic rheumatism and 



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