W, E, G, R), K, I H
(S), M B, M A, P
, P, P, P (M. II), D Q,
S (M.), S (E.), S P, T,
V.
hupostasis (Lat.: substantia) the substantial nature, underlying reality, or actual
existence of a thing in the world. The earlier medical meaning was approximately
“precipitate” (that which settles to the bottom, as in urine): H C
A 4.79 (4.530 Littré); A, PA 2 (647b28), Meteor. 2 (358a8);
T CP 6.7.1–4; and P Book 34, fr.9.10–11; but later came to
mean “what persists,” “what is real.” Neo-Platonists used the term to refer to substan-
tial cause and to levels of reality: F. Romano and D.P. Taormina, edd., Hyparxis e
hypostasis nel neoplatonismo (1994). In Christian usage, the term came to mean one “per-
son” of the Trinity: each of the three divine persons is entirely God, not part of God.
See H. Dörrie, Hupostasis: Wort- und Bedeutungsgeschichte = Nachrichten der Akademie der
Wissenschaften in Göttingen (1955) #3, pp. 35–92, and HWPhil 3 (1974) 1255–1259,
B. Studer; BNP 6 (2005) 644–645, S. Meyer-Schwelling.
See also (most Neo-Platonists employ the term; here we list only entries that mention it
explicitly): A G, D (N-P.), M V-
, N A, P, P T.
iatromathematics attempts to predict the outcomes of diseases based on numerology
or astrology, usually based on astrological numbers derived from facts about the patient
and the disease. Although the H C, Diseases 4, discusses the diag-
nostic meaning of dreams about planets, iatromathematics per se begins ca 200 BCE.
BNP 6 (2005) 691–692, A. Touwaide.
A (A.), H T, I, K, P,
P N.
ikhthuokolla (“fish-glue”; isinglass) gelatin usually derived from the swim-bladders
of freshwater fish, esp. sturgeons; it dried clear, hard, and airtight. Hellenistic and
Roman surgeons valued high-quality fish-glue for sealing hard-to-close wounds, and
joining fractures (cf. D, MM 3.88; P 32.73); a use that continued
well into the 20th c.: Wood and LaWall (1926) 1338–1339. It is still used as an adhesive,
in the clarification of some beers and wines, and in repairing books: T. Petukhova,
“Potential application of Isinglass Adhesive for Paper Conservation,” Book and Paper
Group Annual 8 (1989) 58–61. Pliny 32.84–85 describes its use as a wrinkle-remover.
See also: D S, E, P.
Indian buckthorn (lukion Indikon) astringent liquid, used to treat diarrhea and
sore throats; produced by digesting the wood of Acacia catechu Willd. in hot water:
S L 19 and 142; D, MM 1.100.4 (“It is reported that
Indian lukion is made from a bush called lonkhitis.”); P 12.31, 24.125–126; G,
Simpl. 7.11.20 (12.63–64 K.); Usher 1974: 12; Stuart 1979: 142; André 1985: 149 (#2);
it was first imported from India after the time of Hippalos: Casson 1989: 192–193;
Evans 1996: 230. Known as “Cutch,” “Black Catechu,” or “Pegu Catechu,” it was used
for tanning (thus the original “khaki”), and has high concentrations of polyphenols
and tannins, explaining its astringency. Cf. below lukion.
See also: A A, C (P.), G (M.), H-
, H (P.), N (P.), P (M. II).
GLOSSARY