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  • Obelisk at Heliopolis, known in the Bible as On, Egypt. Coloured lithograph by Louis Haghe after David Roberts, 1848.
  • Senna corymbosa (Lam.)H.S.Irwin&Barneby Caesalpinaceae. Argentine Senna. Distribution: Argentine (other species from Europe). This beautiful shrub that flowers from midsummer until the frosts of winter, is the source of one of the best known of all herbal medicines – Senokot (and senna pods and senna tea), introduced to European medicine (as Senna alexandrina from Egypt) by the Arabians. Every part of the plant contains anthraquinones which, if taken internally, act as a powerful laxative to treat constipation by stimulating the nerve cells of the large bowel. Gerard (1633) notes ‘it is a singular purging medicine’ with over a page on its uses. When used regularly the nerves to the large bowel may be destroyed, leaving a permanently dilated large bowel that never functions properly again. This is a plant which causes the condition it treats to become permanent. Additionally, with prolonged use, the lining of the bowel turns black, serum potassium levels may fall, resulting in cardiac irregularities and sometimes death. Coma, neuropathy and hepatitis have also been reported. It is advertised on television (the actor involved is seen to be depressed and bloated until she takes Senokot, after which she is happy - Hippocrates would have attributed this antidepressant effect to the plant's ability to purge her of the black melancholic humour present in her bowel motions). It is available without prescription or health warning against long-term use. What do you think? Lyte (1578) recommends it strongly for depression, but one might claim to be cured rather than take it again. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Senna corymbosa (Lam.)H.S.Irwin&Barneby Caesalpinaceae. Argentine Senna. Distribution: Argentine (other species from Europe). This beautiful shrub that flowers from midsummer until the frosts of winter, is the source of one of the best known of all herbal medicines – Senokot (and senna pods and senna tea), introduced to European medicine (as Senna alexandrina from Egypt) by the Arabians. Every part of the plant contains anthraquinones which, if taken internally, act as a powerful laxative to treat constipation by stimulating the nerve cells of the large bowel. Gerard (1633) notes ‘it is a singular purging medicine’ with over a page on its uses. When used regularly the nerves to the large bowel may be destroyed, leaving a permanently dilated large bowel that never functions properly again. This is a plant which causes the condition it treats to become permanent. Additionally, with prolonged use, the lining of the bowel turns black, serum potassium levels may fall, resulting in cardiac irregularities and sometimes death. Coma, neuropathy and hepatitis have also been reported. It is advertised on television (the actor involved is seen to be depressed and bloated until she takes Senokot, after which she is happy - Hippocrates would have attributed this antidepressant effect to the plant's ability to purge her of the black melancholic humour present in her bowel motions). It is available without prescription or health warning against long-term use. What do you think? Lyte (1578) recommends it strongly for depression, but one might claim to be cured rather than take it again. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Mary and Joseph voyage to Egypt with the infant Jesus. Etching by A.-C.-P. de Caylus after A. Carracci.
  • The flight into Egypt: Mary rides on the donkey, breast-feeding Jesus; Joseph walks beside them. Etching by W. Basse.
  • Mary and Joseph with Jesus through a wide landscape to Egypt. Etching by J. Callot.
  • The holy family prepare to flee for Egypt. Engraving by F. Poilly after G. Reni.
  • Joseph reads from the Bible while the Virgin Mary breast feeds Jesus. Etching by S. della Bella.
  • Hebrew midwives refusing to kill male babies after being ordered to do so by the Pharoah of Egypt. Engraving by P.P. Bouché after G. Freeman, ca. 1694.
  • The plague of darkness. Coloured etching.
  • Mary and Joseph ride to Egypt with the infant Jesus. Engraving by H. Wierix..
  • Mary and Joseph walk to Egypt with the infant Jesus. Engraving by N. Pitau, 1666, after S. François.
  • The fugitive holy family find rest. Etching by C. Macé after A. Carracci.
  • Mary and Joseph prepare to flee into Egypt with the infant Jesus. Etching by Agostino Carracci.
  • The fugitive holy family board a barge across a river. Etching by J.B. Corneille after Annibale Carracci or D. Zampiere, il Domenichino.
  • Mary and Joseph ride to Egypt with the infant Jesus. Etching by or after J. Callot.
  • The holy family resting among animals in Egypt. Etching by B. Baron, 1724, after F. Solimena.
  • Accompanied by angels, the fugitive holy family board a barge to cross a river. Etching by A. Scacciati after P. Testa.
  • The Virgin Mary, pregnant with James, and Joseph voyage back from Egypt with the child Jesus. Engraving by L. Vorsterman the elder, 1620, after P.P. Rubens.
  • The holy family, including Anne, mother of Mary, at rest. Lithograph by Francais after G-D-J. Descamps, 1851.
  • Joseph is told in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Etching after A. Sacchi.
  • The Egyptians are drowned as Moses parts the waves. Engraving after H. Wierix.
  • While the holy family rest on the way to Egypt, Joseph bends over a palm tree to provide them with dates. Engraving by F. Brizio after A. Allegri, il Correggio.
  • The foundling Moses is brought to Pharoah's daughter. Engraving by W. Hogarth and L. Sullivan, 1752, after the former, c. 1746.
  • The fugitive holy family board a barge. Aquatint with etching after C. Ferri.
  • Scenes from the life of Moses before the Exodus. Etching, 1799.
  • While the holy family rest on the way to Egypt, an angel bends a palm tree to provide them with dates. Etching.
  • Joseph and Mary arrive in Egypt, fatigued. Etching by F. Zuccarelli, 1730, after G. Manozzi (Giovanni da San Giovanni).
  • The flight into Egypt in the night, illuminated by the moon and the milky way. Engraving by H. Goudt, 1613, after A. Elsheimer, 1609.
  • The infant Moses is brought before Pharaoh's daughter. Coloured lithograph by F. Hanfstaengl after P. Caliari, il Veronese.