AiiT. 15. HISTORY OF MEDICIXK EXHIBITS WHITEBREAD. 29 



" Is there no halm in Gilejul: is there no pliysician tliere? Wliy then is not the 

 health of my people i*ecovered? " Jeremiah viii, 22. Cat. No. 53,380, U.S.N.M. 



Myrrh. — A gum resin. This was one of the many constituents of the cele- 

 brated kj'phi of the Egyptians, used in fumigations, medicine, and the process 

 of embalming. It was an ingredient of the " holy oil " of the Jewish ceremonial 

 as directed by Moses. It is also mentioned in the Bible among the articles used 

 in the purification of women, as an emblem of purity, as a perfume, and one of 

 the substances used in embalming. Cat. No. 141,681, U.S.N.M. 



Cumin. — The fruit of Cuminiim cuntiiuim, indigenous to the region of the 

 upper Nile, early cultivated throughout the east. It is well known to the 

 ancients and is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testament. It was one 

 of the most commonly used spices during the Middle Ages and is found in the 

 drug markets of the present time. Cat. No. 142.259. U.S.N.M. 



Fig. 18. — Medicine Vials. 



Almoiul-i. — The seeds of the almond tree, I'nmu.s amt/gdalttft. native of west- 

 ern Asia, early introduced and cultivated in northern Africa and southern 

 Europe. Mentioned in the Book of Genesis (xliii, 11) where it is stated that 

 the patriarch Israel commanded his sons to carry with them into Egypt a 

 present consisting of the productions of Palestine, one of which was almonds. 

 Cat. No. 143,197, U.S.N.M. 



Figs. — The fruit of Ficus carica, native of western Asia, extensively cul- 

 tivated. The fig tree is the first plant mentioned by name in the Bible (Genesis 

 iii, 7). The fruit was an important article of food for the Hebrews and was 

 also used medicinally. " For Isaiah had said, let them take a lump of figs and 

 lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover." Isaiah xxxviii, 21. 

 Cat. No. 143.198, U.S.N.M. 



