…………………………………………………………………………………………..
The sharp, griping pain of colic is most commonly due to intestinal lining irritation causing contractions. Some pains of a similar symptomatology may be linked to ductal spasms of the gall or pancreas. The pain related to ulcers may have also been linked to this condition name.
Ingesting large amounts of essential oils results in gas and flatus. There is an irritation of the gut lining that essential oils can create, causing forward movement in the intestine to proceed more quickly. For this reason, many aromatics are considered digestants taken to facilitate the digestive process; their mechanism of action is as a carminative (gas flowing more quickly through the bowels). Purified or concentrated essential oils such as oleum succinum, oil of anise and oil of juniper are examples of this used by Osborn. He could have done the same with almost any other aromatic herb commonly used in cooking and medicine.
His meaning of the words ‘What it originally precedes from” is uncertain–but probably means ‘did it come from bad food?’, ‘from drinking?’ ‘from beans, abbage, or onions?’, ‘is it related to meat?’ ‘is it linked to other problems like with the kidneys?’ etc.
The Theriac Andromachi is a turn of the century medicine used by Osborn, one of his numerous proprietary formulas. See the Materia medica section for more on the exceptional and unique history of this medicine.
Brian Altonen, MPH, MS 