First Part of the Royal Commentaries of the Yncas by the Ynca Garcillasso de la Vega by Clements R. Markham

Author:Clements R. Markham [Markham, Clements R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, History, Modern, 17th Century
ISBN: 9781317134947
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2017-05-15T04:00:00+00:00

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Chapter XXV.

Of the Medicinal Herbs they Used.

They understood the healing qualities of the juice and resin of a tree called Mulli, and by the Spaniards Mollc. It is a thing worthy of attention that this extract has so wonderful an effect on fresh wounds, that it seems to be almost supernatural.* The herb or bush called Chillca,† heated in a clay vessel, has a marvellously healing effect on the joints, when the cold has got into them, and on horses with sprained legs. A root, like the root of a brake fern, only much thicker and with smaller knots, the name of which I cannot recollect, served to strengthen and clean the teeth.* They roasted it to a cinder, and when it was very hot they pressed it on the teeth, putting one part on one side of the gums, and the other on the other, and left it there until it was cool. And so the patient went with his gums covered, and in great pain, for it burnt his mouth. The patient himself prepared and applied the remedy. They put it on at night, and in the morning they got up with the gums white like burnt meat. For three or four days afterwards the patient cannot eat anything that requires chewing, but is confined to feeding on slops with a spoon. At the end of that time the burnt flesh falls off from the gums, and underneath the new flesh appears very red and healthy. I have very often seen the gums renewed in this manner. I once tried it myself, without necessity, but dropped it because I could not endure the burning heat of the roots.

The Indians made great use of the herb of plants which they call Sayri, and the Spaniards tobacco. They applied the powder to their noses to clear the head. There has been much experience of the virtues of this plant in Spain, and it has been called the sacred herb. They knew of another plant which was most valuable for the eyes. It was called Matecllu, and was found in small streams. It is a foot long, and there is one round leaf at the end, like the plant called in Spain Abbot’s ear,† which grows on roofs in the winter. The Indians eat it raw, and it has a pleasant taste. When it is mashed, and the juice placed on weak eyes in the night, and the same plant mashed and put as a poultice on the eyelids with a bandage on the top to prevent it from falling off, it has the effect of removing dimness, and easing any pain that may be felt.

I once applied it to a boy, whose eye was so bloodshot and inflamed that the white could not be distinguished from the pupil, and the whole was starting out. On the first night of the application the eye was restored to its proper place, and on the second it was quite cured. Afterwards I saw the lad in Spain, and he told me he could see better out of that eye than out of the other.

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