_7.jpg "Theriaka & Alexipharmaka, Nicander The only extant, illustrated example of Nicander's work")
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The only extant, illustrated example of Nicander's work
In this luxury-edition book of art, discover the only existing work of the physician, poet and grammarian, Nicander of Colophon. Nicander's Theriaka concerns the bites of poisonous insects, snakes and wild animals, while the Alexipharmaka focuses on other poisons of plant and mineral origin, along with the necessary precautions and appropriate antidotes. His magic formulae consisting of 50 - 60 substances were increased by Mitridates, notably with the addition of opium and aromatic herbs, and then by Crito and particularly Andromache, the physicians of Trajanus and Nero respectively.
The extant writings in this Parisian manuscript are two extended poems which help the reader to understand, or at least remember, the scientific content by reciting it in verse. The information in the Theriaka can be divided into three main categories: the physical and ethological description of the poisonous animals, the symptoms of their bites and stings, and finally remedies for poisoning. The Alexipharmaka consist of 630 verses about twenty-one oral poisons, studied on the basis of the specificity of their toxic effects and, therefore, of their remedies.
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In this luxury-edition book of art, discover the only existing work of the physician, poet and grammarian, Nicander of Colophon. Nicander's Theriaka concerns the bites of poisonous insects, snakes and wild animals, while the Alexipharmaka focuses on other poisons of plant and mineral origin, along with the necessary precautions and appropriate antidotes. His magic formulae consisting of 50 - 60 substances were increased by Mitridates, notably with the addition of opium and aromatic herbs, and then by Crito and particularly Andromache, the physicians of Trajanus and Nero respectively.
The extant writings in this Parisian manuscript are two extended poems which help the reader to understand, or at least remember, the scientific content by reciting it in verse. The information in the Theriaka can be divided into three main categories: the physical and ethological description of the poisonous animals, the symptoms of their bites and stings, and finally remedies for poisoning. The Alexipharmaka consist of 630 verses about twenty-one oral poisons, studied on the basis of the specificity of their toxic effects and, therefore, of their remedies.
