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. Pharmaca 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 fleabane, the jasper-stone, were used for similar purposes. See Potter's Graec. Ant.

PHARMAICI, were two persons who were employed in the lustration or purification of cities. Some say they were both men; but others maintain, that a man to represent the males, and a woman to represent the females, performed this office. They performed sacrifice, and wore figs about their necks called σκάλις; those of the men were blackish, and those of the woman white. Figs were an emblem of fertility, which they doubtless prayed for on these solemn occasions.