a. and sb. Also 6 -arye, 7 -arie. [ad. L. vulnerārius adj. and sb. (Pliny), f. vulner-, vulnus wound: see -ARY. So F. vulnéraire (16th c.), Sp., Pg., It. vulnerario.]
A. adj. 1. Useful in healing wounds; having curative properties in respect of external injuries: a. Of applications or potions.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 199/2. Applye theron a good boneplayster, and let him drinck a vulnerarye potione.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 160. The oile … made of the flours of the wild vine serveth in good stead for vulnerarie salves and plastres.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iii. 77. The same method of cure, by ordinary Balsams, or common vulnerary plasters.
1693–4. Phil. Trans., XVIII. 43. Which did sufficiently denote this Vulnerary Pouder (as it’s called in a late Publick Paper) to be a violent Caustick. Ibid. (1709), XXVI. 388. A Compress … dipt in a Mixture of four Ounces of Plantain-water, and two Ounces of a Vulnerary Water.
1754–64. Smellie, Midwif., I. 385. Large tents or dossils dipped in vulnerary balsams.
1777. G. Forster, Voy. round World, I. 578. A species of night-shade, which is made use of … as a vulnerary remedy.
1818. Art Preserv. Feet, 229. They may even find some advantage in a lotion called Theden’s vulnerary wash.
1846. Gilly, in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, II. 177. Geranium molle and robertianum are added to vulnerary potions.
b. Of herbs.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXVII. iv. II. 273. It is … a good vulnerarie hearbe besides, and stancheth the bleeding of wounds.
1661. J. Childrey, Brit. Baconica, 171. To gather vulnerary Plants.
1667. Phil. Trans., I. 421. To give a full account of that Vulnerary Root, called Wichacan.
1712. trans. Pomet’s Hist. Drugs, I. 154. The Flowers are vulnerary; the Seed pectoral.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 47, ¶ 2. The wounded stags of Crete are related by Ælian to have recourse to vulnerary herbs.
1788. Gentl. Mag., LVIII. I. 103/2. Golden Rod … generally appears among the vulnerary or restorative simples.
1821. Scott, Pirate, xxxiii. So efficacious were the vulnerary plants and salves with which it had been treated.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 60. Another species of the same genus [Lythrum] is accounted in Mexico astringent and vulnerary.
c. Of qualities.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 61. Turpentines, however famous for their vulnerary and detergent qualities.
1767. Gooch, Treat. Wounds, I. 343. It will be proper to hold medicines, almost continually, in the mouth, of a subastringent and vulnerary nature.
1853. G. Johnston, Nat. Hist. E. Bord., I. 105. The herb was, in former times, esteemed for its vulnerary virtues.
1880. Encycl. Brit., XI. 654/2. The plant is further credited with the possession of vulnerary and astringent properties.
† 2. Skilled in curing wounds. Obs.–1
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXIX. i. II. 345. Called he was (by report) The vulnerarie Physician or Chirurgian.
3. Causing a wound or wounds; wounding. Also fig.
1615. H. Crooke, Body of Man, 26. I call it Artificiall, to distinguish it from that which is rash and at aduenture, which Galen calleth Vulnerary Dissection.
1661. Feltham, Resolves (ed. 8), II. lvi. 301. The aspect of his eye alone, does sometimes become not only vulnerary, but mortal.
1810. Bentham, Packing (1821), 35. All those who have been either struck, or struck at, by the instrument thus vulnerary to sentimental feelings.
B. sb. 1. Any preparation, plant or drug used in the cure of wounds.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXVII. iv. II. 274. Highly commended by Hicesius a Physician of great name and authoritie, also by Aristogiton, for an excellent vulnerarie.
1689. Moyle, Sea Chyrurg., I. 6. If … you expect wounds and broken Bones, then you must carry more quantity of Vulneraries.
1713. P. Blair, Misc. Observ. (1718), 109. Pyrola vulg. is said to be astringent and a good Vulnerary.
1769. E. Bancroft, Guiana, 88. This is the grand Indian vulnerary, for wounds [etc.].
1809. Med. Jrnl., XXI. 477. Externally, they use the fresh juice to cicatrize wounds. As a vulnerary, I can myself affirm, it possesses such powers, that [etc.].
1860. All Year Round, No. 47. 484. Once upon a time surgeons did not believe that wounds were to be healed properly without vulneraries, balsams, and charpies.
1887. Moloney, Forestry W. Afr., xx. 279. The yellow resin found at the roots of old [gamboge] trees is used as a vulnerary and diuretic.
† 2. A curer of wounds. Obs.–0
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Vulnerary, he that healeth wounds, a Chyrurgeon.
