DCLP

Introduction

Prescriptions for ophthalmic remedies. The small papyrus fragment (5.3 x 3.3 cm) is broken off on all sides and appears to be a single papyrus sheet, possibly of small dimensions (see e.g. P.Grenf I 52; O.Bodl II 2184; O.Bodl II 2186). On the recto side remains of 6 ll. of text and small portions of the upper and right margin are visible. The text is identifiable, on account of the heading at l. 1, as an ophthalmic prescription for a κολλύριον μονοήμερον, an eye-salve purporting to effect relief after a single day's application (see Galen's Comp. sec. loc. XII 711.6–15 K) and shows some similarity with the composition of the so-called pilaria salves (see Youtie 1975, 556ff.). The verso side preserves remains of a prescription for an ophthalmic remedy in dry form. The nature of the ingredients (three metallic and erica) points towards a remedy for the treatment of either trachoma or rheumy discharges, see Ps.Gal. Introd. 15 (XIV 766.1–4 K). The writing appears to have been executed by one and the same hand on both sides (recto and verso). Apart from the general crude impression, individual letters are drawn in the same manner and the script is an upright semi-cursive, datable to the 4th or 5th cent. AD (see e.g. PSI I 22 + VIII 988 in Roberts 1955).

(This papyrus has been digitally edited by the Parma Digital Papyrology Team as part of the Project "DIGMEDTEXT - Online Humanities Scholarship: A Digital Medical Library based on Ancient Texts" (ERC-AdG-2013, Grant Agreement no. 339828) funded by the European Research Council at the University of Parma (Principal Investigator: Prof. Isabella Andorlini). The digital edition is mostly based on the previous edition (A. Maravela, GMP II 7).)

Apparatus

Notes

• 1.

  κολ̣(λύριον) μο̣ν̣ο̣ήμερον. The third letter is a clumsily drawn λ (rather than a δ) with its lower right part curving to the left. It is followed by an abbreviation stroke drawn from left to right instead of the opposite. The term indicating the type of remedy (κολ̣λύριον) is noted in abbreviated form as it belonged to a technical ‚jargon‘ familiar to physicians, pharmacists and patients alike and recurrent in prescriptions.

• 2.

  The available space suggests a max. 5 letters long ingredient. ὀπίου and ἀλόης, both featuring in monohemera prescriptions, possess the required length, but these ingredients do not usually come first.

• 3.

  A ca. 7 letters long ingredient has gone missing in the lacuna. Καδμίας (l. καδμείας) and ἀκακίας fit both the available space and the make-up of the monohemera recorded in medical literature.

• 4.

  Reasons of space suggest the occurrence of an abbreviation after the lacuna.

• 6.

  ἀ]μ̣ύ̣λου. The ligature of the μ and the υ is odd, but the presence of ἄμυλον (triticum sativum) here is very likely.

• 1.

  The third graphic sign is possibly an abbreviation stroke, which the scribe failed to cancel, although he continued to write the word out in full.

• 2.

  Also possible ξ. ὀφθαλμ(ῶν) "a dry powder for the eyes". A parallel for the construction of the heading is MPER XIII 7.1 ξ. ὀδόντων. The integration is possible if the graphic sign following the μ is taken to be an abbreviation stroke.

• 6.

  Perhaps the scribe had in mind the anomalous nominative formation ναρδόϲταχος (cf. Gignac 1981, 79 § 7 a.1). The faint remains of the three first visible letters suggest that the scribe ran out of ink and refilled his pen after the first ϲ. He then redrew the same letter and continued with the rest of the word.