PHARMACIA, among the ancients, meant medicated or enchanted compositions of herbs, minerals, &c. some of which, when taken inwardly, were supposed to cause blindness, madness, love, &c.: others infected by touch; such was the garment sent by Medea to Creusa, prepared secundum artem: and others operated upon persons at a distance. Pharmacia soteria were employed as antidotes against these mischievous compositions: Thus the herb moly preserved Ulysses from the magical influence of Circe. The laurel, the rhamnus, the flea-bane, the jasper-stone, were used for similar purposes. See Potter's Græc. Ant.