Hydros, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230-

In ancient texts, the Hydros is described as a formidable water snake known for its mysterious and dangerous effects on humans. The name Hydros derives from the Greek word ὕδωρ (hýdōr), meaning water, reflecting the creature's aquatic nature.

When bitten or struck by this serpent, individuals experience a notable reaction: their skin reddens significantly. This reddening is a hallmark of the condition associated with the Hydros, which has been described as potentially severe and distressing.

Interestingly, this condition is reportedly treated with cow dung, which suggests an ancient remedy believed to counteract the effects of the snake's venom or irritation. The use of cow dung in traditional medicine was common in various cultures, often for its supposed healing properties.

Some sources refer to the disease caused by the Hydros as bōa. This term is associated with a disease that causes pustules, similar to the symptoms of smallpox or impetigo. The connection between bōa and the pustular disease highlights how ancient peoples categorized and understood diseases based on their symptoms and observed effects.

Est serpens aquatilis qui(changed from que) dicitur ydros.
Greci atuem ydros aquam vocant. A quo ic-
ti; oburgescunt . sed fimo boum morbus me-
detur. Quem morbum quidam bam dicunt
propter predictam proprietatem;

There is a water snake called hydros. The Greeks call water ὕδωρ/ýdor. When people are struck or bitten by this snake, they swell up and the disease is cured with cow dung. Some call this disease bōa[2], which is a disease with pustules, for it is cured with cow (bōs) dung.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, Hydros, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast103886.htm

Josh Goldenberg (BA 2012) and Matt Shanahan (BA 2014, Logeion, November 2022, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/

Castiglioni, L. and Mariotti, S. (1996). Vocabolario della Lingua Latina: Latino-Italiano Italiano-Latino. Terza Edizione. Loescher Torino

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Wikipedia: The Elephant, 28 November 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant

Matthews, J. and Matthews C., (2010), The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, HarperCollins UK, London

Curley, M. J., Physiologus: A Medieval Book of Nature Lore (University of Chicago edition 2009)

Rackham, H., M.A., Pliny Natural History Volume III, Libri VIII-XI (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1949)

Collins, A. H., M.A., Symbolism of Animals and Birds (New York: McBride, Nast & Company, 1913)

Henderson, C., The Book of Barely Imagined Beings (London: University of Chicago Press, 2013)

White, T. H., The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts (New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1960)

Barney, S. A., Lewis, W. J., Beach A., Berghof O., The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Endnotes

[1] Oburgescunt is a transcription error: the correct verb is obturgesco = to swell up.

[2] The word bōa in Latin translated as the snake boa or a disease causing pustules and rashes, smallpox or measles.