Leaf from a Manuscript of the Materia Medica in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2011

Materia Medica of Dioscorides

Object Name: Illustrated manuscript, folio

Date: dated A.H. 621/ A.D. 1224

Geography: Iraq

Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Dimensions: H. 13 1/16 in. (33.2 cm) W: 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
Mat size: 14 1/4 in. x 19 1/4 in.
Frame: 16 3/4 x 21 5/8 in.

Classification: Codices

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1913

Accession Number: 13.152.6


Inscription:
Definition: Arabic.
There are two translations: Translation of text by R. D. Messaiah: Preparation of medicine (wine) for colds or coughs: ease the throat by taking 1/4 oke of bitter root, 1/8 oke of licorice root, 1/4 or 1/8 oke of white pepper. Pulverize them together and put the resulting powder into a cloth, tie it up, and immerse it in sweet wine for three days. Strain the liquor into a clean vessel. Drink after dinner. Notes: 1 oke, a measure of weight equaling about 2-3/4 lbs., measure of capacity, equals about 2/3 of a quart. Translation of text by F. D. Day, 1950: The making of a drink (shirab) for catarrhs, coughs, swelling of the belly, and loosening of the stomach. Take myrrh 1/4 uqiyya, roots of susan 1/8 uqiyya, white pepper 1/4 and (...) 1/8 uqiyya. Pound them together, tie it up in a rag, put into 3 qusts of good wine, and let stand three days. Then strain and put into a clean vessel. Drink after supper.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/1400...