Catagmatic
Encyclopedia
In pre-modern medicine
, the term catagmatic generally referred to any treatment purported to heal bone fracture
s, by promoting the formation of a callus
. The principal catagmatics were Armenian bole
, gum tragacanth, osteocolla, Cyprus
nuts, frankincense
, aloe
s, and acacia
. The word comes from the Greek καταγμα, "fracture".
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, the term catagmatic generally referred to any treatment purported to heal bone fracture
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
s, by promoting the formation of a callus
Callus
A callus is an especially toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Rubbing that is too frequent or forceful will cause blisters rather than allow calluses to form. Since repeated contact is required, calluses...
. The principal catagmatics were Armenian bole
Armenian bole
Armenian bole, also known as bolus armenus or bole armoniac, is an earthy clay, usually red, native to Armenia. It is red due to the presence of iron oxide; the clay also contains hydrous silicates of aluminum and possibly magnesium.-Uses:...
, gum tragacanth, osteocolla, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
nuts, frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense, also called olibanum , is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra, B. carteri, B. thurifera, B. frereana, and B. bhaw-dajiana...
, aloe
Aloe
Aloe , also Aloë, is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe"....
s, and acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
. The word comes from the Greek καταγμα, "fracture".