RANDOLPH. — MANDRAGORA IN FOLK-LORE AND MEDICINE. 515 



daura, and now generally assigned to the 5th century, contains a 

 description of mandragora, in which we read these words : 



If any one is to have a member amputated, cauterized, or sawed, let him 

 drink an ounce and a half in wine; he will sleep until the member is taken 

 off, without either pain or sensation. 



In Isidorus (6th-7th century) we meet with it again : 



Orig., 17. 9 : Its bark is given in wine to those who are about to be 

 surgically operated upon, in order that they may fall into a stupor and uiay 

 not feel the pain. 



Not long after Isidorus this use is referred to in the chapter on 

 mandragora in the so-called Dynamidia ;* 



Put three librae of the bark of the root into an amphora of wine, and set 

 it away to season. Give four cyathi to a person about to undergo a surgical 

 operation. It puts one to sleepf immediately after drinking it, and one does 

 not feel the cutting. 



"We read the following in Serapion's (9th century) chapter on man- 

 dragora : \ 



If it is necessary to cut or cauterize any member, and we wish the patient 

 not to feel the pain, let him be given more to drink. 



A measure of four obols is given to drink to a person whom it is necessary 

 to cauterize or cut. He will not feel the cauterizing or cutting because of 

 the stupor which ensues. 



Surgeons administer it when they wish to cut or burn a member. 



Avicenna (980-1037 A. d.) says : § 



If any one wishes any of his members cut, let him drink three obols of it 

 in wine, and it will produce stupor. 



In the 11th century Bruno Astensis mentions this use: 



Expos. Super Cantic, 7. 13: It is said that those who are to be surgically 



* Tliis passage is from A. Mai's CI. Auct., vol. 7, p. 457. On the probable date 

 of the treatise (6tli-8th century) see Teuffel, Kuin. Litt.*, 498. 3. 



t The text jjives saporem farit, whicli seems to be a mistake for sopnrem f. 



\ Ttie passages are taken from the Latin translation of tlie Tractatus Primus, 

 fol. 98 of the edition publislied at Venice in 1479. 



§ The passage is from tlie Latin translation of the Liber Canonis de Medicinis, 

 etc., by Gerardus Cremonensis, published by Junta at Venice in 15-55, lib. 2 

 cap. 366. 



