in that light almoſt altogether is the preparation regarded by modern practitioners.
The country, of which we are ſpeaking, ſtill produces Opium in great plenty and perfection. Dr. Alſton ſays, that "the Opium of Natolia, or Anatolia," (the modern name of the country, that lieson the ſouthern ſide of the Euxine, or Black Sea,) "is produced in greater quantity, and is of a better quality, than what comes from Egypt[1]."
It is as probable that the name of this place, or river, might be derived from the production of Opium, as that its other and ancient name, Pityuſa, ſhould be derived from the pine trees, Which, Tournefort[2] tells us, ſtill grow in great numbers and perfection in that country.
From the river Ophis to the river Pſychrus 30 ſtadia.
The name of this river is doubtleſs derived from [3] its coldneſs, a quality remarked of other rivers in Aſia Minor, particularly the Cydnus, which had nearly proved fatal to Alexander the Great, who bathed in it, and is ſaid to have actually cauſed the death of the Emperor Frederic Barbaroſſa.
- ↑
Edin. Med. Eſſays, vol. v.
It is remarkable that many of the coins of the cities ſituated upon the ſouthern coaſt of the Black Sea have a reference to medicine. Tournefort ſays, "that many of the medals of Amaſtriſare in honour of phyſic, as a great many Eſculapius's with ſticks, round which a ſerpent is winded, and of the Goddeſs of Health with the ſerpents." The ſame may be ſaid of the coins of Tios, Abonitichos,and other places on the ſame coaſt.
- ↑ Tourneforts Trav. vol. iii. p. 75. Eng. Tranſl.
- ↑ Ψυχρὸς, cold. Ariſlotle mentions a river of the ſame name in Thrace, probably ſo called for the ſame reaſon. Hiſ. Anim. lib. xii. c. 12.
