E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Panace’a.
A universal cure. Panacea was the daughter of Escula’pios (god of medicine). The name is evidently composed of two Greek words panakeomai (all I cure). Of course the medicine that cures is the daughter or child of the healing art.
1
Panace’a. An Orkney proverb says the well of Kildinguie and the dulse (sea-weed) of Guiodin will cure every
malady save Black Death. (Sir Walter Scott: The Pirate, chap. xxix.) (See AZOTH.)
2
Other famous panaceas.
3
Prince Ahmed’s apple, or apple of Samarcand, cured all disorders. (See under APPLE.)
4
The balsam of Fierabras (q.v.).
5
The Prome’thean unguent rendered the body invulnerable.
6
Aladdin’sring (q.v.) was a preservative against all the ills which flesh is heir to.
7
Sir Gilbert’s sword. Sir T. Malory, in his History of Prince Arthur (i. 116), says:—
8
“Sir Launcelot touched the wounds of Sir Meliot with Sir Gilbert’s sword, and wiped them with the cerecloth, and anon a wholler man was he never in all his life.”
(See also ACHILLES’ SPEAR, MEDEA’S KETLLE, REYNARD’S RING [see RING], PAN’THERA, etc.)
