(LGPN 4.29; see also 3A.377), and primarily from the 4th c.: PLRE 1 (1971) 741, 2 (1980)
- Cf. perhaps P.
Fabricius (1726) 380.
PTK
P (M.) ⇒ H
Proëkhios (?) (120 BCE – 365 CE)
O, Ecl. Med. 90.1 (CMG 6.2.2, p. 270), records his remedy for scrofula, composed
of barley, galbanum, ammo ̄niakon incense, oak mistletoe, natron, pigeon-dung, prop-
olis, and pyrites, in terebinth; P A, 7.16.22 (CMG 9.2, p. 339), records his
blood-stanch of antimony, calamine, saffron, khalkanthon, misu, opium, balsam,
white pepper, and verdigris, in gum and water. The name is otherwise attested only for an
obscure bishop from Arsinoë, in the acts of the council of Khalke ̄do ̄n (451 CE): RE 23.1
(1957) 104. Cf. perhaps P.
Fabricius (1726) 380, s.v. Prosechius.
PTK
Proklos the Methodist (ca 27 BCE – 30 CE)
C A (Chron. 3.8.100) calls Proklos a “follower” of the early Methodist
T (cf. G MM 1.7.4 [10.52 K.]), placing Proklos in the reign of A;
-G, I 4 (14.684 K.) puts him slightly later, listing Proklos after
T, M, and D (M.). Caelius Aurelianus (Chron. 3.100– 101
[CML 6.1.2, p. 738]) records Proklos’ theories regarding developmental stages of edemas:
first are the beginnings of dropsies characterized by small changes in the flesh (leucophleg-
matia); the most severe state tympanites occurring when abdominal swelling and tightness are
at their worst, followed by a lessening phase, ascites (Caelius further claims that Proklos “...
strays from [the sect’s] true doctrine”). O, Synopsis, 3.103 (CMG 6.3, pp. 95–96),
strongly commends Proklos’ recipe for the treatment of gout (podagra) which if consumed for
one year “... cures gout, sciatica, and generally any sort of ailment and pain in the joints. It
enables the [five] senses to be more acute since the compound cleanses mildly through
urination, engendering a more healthy state in the entire body. It also cures epilepsies and
hardened swellings in the liver and spleen.” The nine ingredients in stepwise reduced quan-
tities are 9 ounces of germander (Teucrium chaemaedrys L.), 8 ounces of the full twig – fruits
and all – of the white centaury (Centaurium umbellatum Gilib.), 7 ounces of “long birthwort
brought from the mountains” (Aristolochia longa L.), 6 ounces of “great” or “yellow” gentian
(Gentiana lutea L.), 5 ounces of huperikon (“St. John’s wort”; probably Hypericum crispum L.), 3
[sic]ounces of parsley, 3 ounces of valerian (Valeriana phu L.), and a single ounce of shelf-
fungus, mixed with honey. Proklos grinds in a mortar each ingredient separately, fashion-
ing the compound into trokhiskoi, to be taken daily in water some three hours after a
bowel movement. Proklos’ “Medicine for Gout” was a mild analgesic, anti-depressant, and
diuretic, but any benefits for the patient would have been counteracted in the long term by a
gradual poisoning of the kidneys from the substantial total quantity of birthwort consumed.
RE 23.1 (1957) 247, H. Diller; Wichtl (2004) 630–634 [valerian], 305–308 [St. John’s wort].
John Scarborough
PROKLOS THE METHODIST