Is it possible to avoid terminological errors in scientific texts? (on example of mineralogical terms in A.C. Celsus’ treatise De medicina)

Abstract

The objective of this work is to show on the example of the unit misy used as a pharmaceutical term in Book V of the De medicina, what mistakes can be made when it is not enough to know the terms. This difficulty can be solved by a clear identification of terminological designates, i.e. find out what exactly is hidden behind the term. The analysis of prescriptions contained therein showed that misy was a mineral substance and an ingredient of recipes with a certain therapeutic effect. The comprehensive analysis, starting from the etymology of the Greek original of this term, revealed significant difficulties in establishing the exact lexical meaning of misy. The main sources of information about it were descriptions found in the Ancient Greek and Roman literature, mainly from such authors as Pliny the Elder, Dioscorides and Galen.