AMOMODUM

AMOMODUM, a Medicinal Fruit, called also Amomum Racemosum, Amomum Verum, and Elaterii Pontum. It resembles the Muscat Grape; and grows, like it, in Clusters; is about the bigness of a Chick-Pea, round, membranous, and divided into three Cells, which contain several brown, angular Grains; of a very strong aromatic Taste, and Smell. This Fruit is brought from the East Indies; and makes part of the Composition of Treacle; and is thought to be the Sison, or Sizon of the Ancients. Besides this, there is likewise another paler Seed, which bears the Name, Amomium; but neither of them are in much repute in Physick. The Commentators on Pliny, and Dioscorides, have never been able to agree upon the ancient Amomums; the generality of 'em pitch on Fruits different from this. Some will have the Rose of Jericho pass for it. F. Camelli is positive he has discovered the real Amomum of Dioscorides, and that it is the Zugus, or Birao, of Caropi, growing in the Philippine Islands; the Grains or Berries whereof, are worn by the Natives about their Necks; both on account of their agreeable Odour, and of their supposed Virtue in preservers from Infection, curing the Sting of the Scolopendria, &c. Phil. Trans. N° 248. Scaliger is confident, that the Amomum of the Ancients was not a Fruit; but the Wood itself, which bore some resemblance to a Bunch of Grapes, and was particularly used in embalming of Bodies: and hence, says he, the Term Mummy was given to the Bodies of Egyptians embalmed with it. See MUMMY.

AMOMODUM