obviously a drastic purge with aromatic properties (saffron, myrrh, thyme, cinnamon) ren-
dering this solution palatable to the patient quaffing it. Iustus’ hiera in Oreibasios’ Collec-
tion, 8.47.21 (CMG 6.1.1, p. 300) is a “short-version” of the more elaborate recipe recorded
by Aëtios and Paulos.
The third recipe (a milder cathartic) occurs in O’ Collection 8.47.8 (CMG 6.1.1,
p. 298), with the heading, “A Purge of Iustus, which easily moves down the waste in the
stomach, and, at the same time takes away the heaviness in the chest and in the head,”
suggesting that Oreibasios had successfully prescribed it. About a dozen harsh ingredients
include shelf-fungus, the two peppers, and the squills, softened and sweetened with saf-
fron, the pulp of the gourd, germander, and gentian, triturated with bdellium, and admin-
istered in a drink fortified with opopanax and honey. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the
costliest ingredient by far, but Iustus appears to favor myrrh, cinnamon, and pepper among
the exotic imports.
BNP 6 (2005) 1143 (#4), V. Nutton.
John Scarborough
Iustus the Ophthalmologist (160 – 180 CE)
G, MM 14.19 (10.1019 K.) mentions his contemporary, Iustus, an eye-doctor (oph-
thalmikos) whose achievement was to heal ulcerative and pussy suppurations resulting from
blows to the head. Iustus’ simple technique involved draining the pus over a few hours,
while the patient sat upright on a stool, with his head cocked slightly to the right or the left.
Gale ̄n does not mention a written text on Iustus’ technique, but he claims to have witnessed
the procedure.
BNP 6 (2005) 1143 (#4), V. Nutton.
John Scarborough
J- ⇒ I-
J ⇒ I
J ⇒ I
IUSTUS THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST