A CONTINUATION OF THE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM PLANTS, CLASSIFIED
ACCORDING TO PARTICULAR DISEASES.
CHAP. 1. (1.)—NEW FORMS OF DISEASE.
The face of man has recently been sensible of new forms of disease,
unknown[1010] in ancient times, not only to Italy, but to almost the
whole of Europe. Still, however, they have not as yet extended to the
whole of Italy, nor have they made any very great inroads in Illyricum,
Gaul, or Spain, or indeed any other parts, to so great an extent as in
Rome and its environs. Though unattended with pain, and not dangerous
to life, these diseases are of so loathsome a nature, that any form of
death would be preferable to them.
CHAP. 2.—THE NATURE OF LICHEN.
The most insupportable of all these diseases is the one which, after
its Greek appellation, is known to us as “lichen.”[1010] In
consequence, however, of its generally making its first appearance
at the chin, the Latins, by way of joke, originally—so prone are
mankind to make a jest of the misfortunes of others—gave it the name
of “mentagra;”[1011] an appellation which has since become established
in general use. In many cases, however, this disease spreads over the
interior of the mouth, and takes possession of the whole face, with the
sole exception of the eyes; after which, it passes downwards to the
neck, breast, and hands, covering them with foul furfuraceous eruptions.
CHAP. 3.—AT WHAT PERIOD LICHEN FIRST MADE ITS APPEARANCE IN ITALY.
This curse was unknown to the ancients,[1012] and in the times of our
fathers even, having first entered Italy in the middle of the reign of
the Emperor Tiberius[1013] Claudius Cæsar; where it was introduced from
Asia,[1014] in which country it had lately made[1015] its appearance,
by a member of the equestrian order at Rome, a native of Perusium,
secretary to the quæstor. The disease, however, did not attack either
females or slaves,[1016] nor yet the lower orders, or, indeed, the
middle classes, but only the nobles, being communicated even by the
momentary contact requisite for the act of salutation.[1017] Many of
those who persevered in undergoing a course of remedial treatment,
though cured of the disease, retained scars upon the body more hideous
even than the malady itself; it being treated with cauteries, as it was
certain to break out afresh, unless means were adopted for burning it
out of the body by cauterizing to the very bone.
Upon this occasion several physicians repaired to Rome from Egypt, that
fruitful parent of maladies of this nature, men who devoted themselves
solely to this branch of medical practice; and very considerable were
the profits they made. At all events, it is a well-known fact that
Manilius Cornutus, a personage of prætorian rank, and legatus of
the province of Aquitania, expended no less a sum than two hundred
thousand[1018] sesterces upon his cure.
It is much more frequently, on the other hand, that we hear of new
forms of diseases attacking the lower orders; a singular fact, and one
quite unequalled for the marvellous phænomena which sometimes attend
these outbreaks. Thus, for instance, we find an epidemic suddenly
making its appearance in a certain country, and then confining itself,
as though it had made its election so to do, to certain parts of the
body, certain ages, and even certain pursuits in life. In the same way,
too, while one class of diseases attacks the young, another confines
itself to adults; while one malady extends itself only to the higher
classes, another is felt exclusively by the poor.
CHAP. 4.—CARBUNCLE.
We find it stated in the Annals, that it was in the censorship[1019]
of L. Paulus and Q. Marcius that carbuncle[1020] was first introduced
into Italy, a malady which till then had confined itself solely to the
province of Gallia Narbonensis. In the year in which I am writing these
lines, two persons of consular rank have died of this disease, Julius
Rufus[1021] and Q. Lecanius Bassus;[1022] the former in consequence
of an incision unskilfully made by his medical attendants, the latter
through a wound upon the thumb of the left hand by pricking a carbuncle
with a needle, a wound so small originally as to be hardly perceptible.
This disease makes its appearance in the more hidden[1023] parts of the
human body, and mostly beneath the tongue. It originally has the form
of a hard, red, pimple, with a blackish head mostly, though sometimes
of a livid colour. It produces tension of the flesh, but unattended
with swelling, pain, or any itching sensation; indeed, the only symptom
that accompanies it is a confirmed drowsiness, which overpowers the
patient, and carries him off in the course of three days. Sometimes,
however, it is accompanied with shuddering, and small pustules about
the sore; and occasionally, though but rarely, with fever. When these
symptoms extend to the fauces and œsophagus, death ensues with the
greatest rapidity.
CHAP. 5.—ELEPHANTIASIS.
We have already[1024] stated that elephantiasis[1025] was unknown in
Italy before the time of Pompeius Magnus. This malady, too, like those
already mentioned, mostly makes its first appearance in the face. In
its primary form it bears a considerable resemblance to a small lentil
upon the nose; the skin gradually dries up all over the body, is marked
with spots of various colours, and presents an unequal surface, being
thick in one place, thin in another, indurated every here and there,
and covered with a sort of rough scab. At a later period, the skin
assumes a black hue, and compresses the flesh upon the bones, the
fingers and toes becoming swollen.
This disease was originally peculiar to Egypt. Whenever it attacked the
kings of that country, it was attended with peculiarly fatal effects to
the people, it being the practice to temper their sitting-baths with
human blood, for the treatment of the disease. As for Italy, however,
its career was very soon cut short: the same was the case, too, with
the disease known as “gemursa”[1026] to the ancients, a malady which
made its appearance between the toes, and the very name of which is now
buried in oblivion.
CHAP. 6.—COLIC.
It is a remarkable fact that some diseases should disappear from among
us, while others, again, should continue to prevail, colic[1027] for
example. It was only in the reign of Tiberius Cæsar that this malady
made its appearance in Italy, the emperor himself being the first
to be attacked by it; a circumstance which produced considerable
mystification throughout the City, when it read the edict issued by
that prince excusing his inattention to public business, on the ground
of his being laid up with a disease, the very name of which was till
then unknown. To what cause are we to attribute these various diseases,
or how is it that we have thus incurred the anger of the gods? Was
it deemed too little for man to be exposed to fixed and determinate
classes of maladies, already more than three hundred in number, that
he must have new forms of disease to alarm him as well? And then,
in addition to all these, not less in number are the troubles and
misfortunes which man brings upon himself!
The remedies which I am here describing, are those which were
universally employed in ancient times, Nature herself, so to say,
making up the medicines: indeed, for a long time these were the only
medicines employed.
(2.) Hippocrates,[1028] it is well known, was the first to compile
a code of medical precepts, a thing which he did with the greatest
perspicuity, as his treatises, we find, are replete with information
upon the various plants. No less is the information which we gain from
the works of Diocles[1029] of Carystus, second only in reputation,
as well as date, to Hippocrates. The same, too, with reference
to the works of Praxagoras, Chrysippus, and, at a later period,
Erasistratus[1030] of Cos. Herophilus[1031] too, though himself the
founder of a more refined system of medicine, was extremely profuse of
his commendations of the use of simples. At a later period, however,
experience, our most efficient instructor in all things, medicine
in particular, gradually began to be lost sight of in mere words
and verbiage: it being found, in fact, much more agreeable to sit
in schools, and to listen to the talk of a professor, than to go a
simpling in the deserts, and to be searching for this plant or that at
all the various seasons of the year.
CHAP. 7. (3.)—THE NEW SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: ASCLEPIADES THE PHYSICIAN.
Still, however, the ancient theories remained unshaken, based as they
were upon the still existing grounds of universally acknowledged
experience; until, in the time of Pompeius Magnus, Asclepiades,[1032]
a professor of rhetoric, who considered himself not sufficiently
repaid by that pursuit, and whose readiness and sagacity rendered him
better adapted for any other than forensic practice, suddenly turned
his attention to the medical art. Having never practised medicine, and
being totally unacquainted with the nature of remedies—a knowledge
only to be acquired by personal examination and actual experience—as a
matter of course, he was obliged to renounce all previously-established
theories, and to trust rather to his flowing periods and his
well-studied discourses, for gaining an influence upon the minds of his
audience.
Reducing the whole art of medicine to an estimation solely of
primary causes, he made it nothing but a merely conjectural art, and
established it as his creed, that there are five great principles of
treatment for all diseases in common; diet, use or non-use of wine,
frictions, exercise on foot, and exercise[1033] in a carriage or
on horseback. As every one perceived that each of these methods of
treatment lay quite within his own reach, all, of course, with the
greatest readiness gave their assent, willing as they were to believe
that to be true which was so easy of acquisition; and hence it was that
he attracted nearly all the world about him, as though he had been sent
among mankind on a special mission from heaven.
CHAP. 8.—THE CHANGES EFFECTED BY ASCLEPIADES IN THE PRACTICE OF
MEDICINE.
In addition to this, he had a wonderful tact in gaining the full
confidence of his patients: sometimes he would make them a promise of
wine, and then seize the opportune moment for administering it, while
on other occasions, again, he would prescribe cold water: indeed, as
Herophilus, among the ancients, had been the first to enquire into the
primary causes of disease, and Cleophantus had brought into notice
the treatment of diseases by wine, so did Asclepiades, as we learn
from M. Varro, prefer to be indebted for his surname and repute to
the extensive use made by him of cold water as a remedy. He employed
also various other soothing remedies for his patients; thus, for
instance, it was he that introduced swinging beds, the motion of which
might either lull the malady, or induce sleep, as deemed desirable.
It was he, too, that brought baths into such general use,—a method of
treatment that was adopted with the greatest avidity—in addition to
numerous other modes of treatment of a pleasant and soothing nature. By
these means he acquired a great professional reputation, and a no less
extended fame; which was very considerably enhanced by the following
incident: meeting the funeral procession of a person unknown to him, he
ordered the body to be removed from the funeral pile[1034] and carried
home, and was thus the means of saving his life. This circumstance I am
the more desirous to mention, that it may not be imagined that it was
on slight grounds only that so extensive a revolution was effected in
the medical art.
There is, however, one thing, and one thing only, at which we have any
ground for indignation,—the fact, that a single individual, and he
belonging to the most frivolous nation[1035] in the world, a man born
in utter indigence, should all on a sudden, and that, too, for the
sole purpose of increasing his income, give a new code of medical laws
to mankind; laws, however, be it remembered, which have been annulled
by numerous authorities since his day. The success of Asclepiades
was considerably promoted by many of the usages of ancient medicine,
repulsive in their nature, and attended with far too much anxiety:
thus, for instance, it was the practice to cover up the patient
with vast numbers of clothes, and to adopt every possible method of
promoting the perspiration; to order the body to be roasted before a
fire; or else to be continually sending the patient on a search for
sunshine, a thing hardly to be found in a showery climate like that
of this city of ours; or rather, so to say, of the whole of Italy, so
prolific[1036] as it is of fogs and rain.[1037] It was to remedy these
inconveniences, that he introduced the use of hanging baths,[1038]
an invention that was found grateful to invalids in the very highest
degree.
In addition to this, he modified the tortures which had hitherto
attended the treatment of certain maladies; as in quinzy for instance,
the cure of which before his time had been usually effected by the
introduction of an instrument[1039] into the throat. He condemned, and
with good reason, the indiscriminate use of emetics, which till then
had been resorted to in a most extraordinary degree. He disapproved
also of the practice of administering internally potions that are
naturally injurious to the stomach, a thing that may truthfully be
pronounced of the greater part of them. Indeed it will be as well to
take an early opportunity of stating what are the medicaments which act
beneficially upon the stomach.
CHAP. 9. (4.)—REMARKS IN DISPRAISE OF THE PRACTICES OF MAGIC.
But above all things, it was the follies of magic more particularly
that contributed so essentially to his success—follies which had been
carried to such a pitch as to destroy all confidence in the remedial
virtues of plants. Thus, for instance, it was stoutly maintained that
by the agency of the plant æthiopis[1040] rivers and standing waters
could be dried up, and that by the very touch[1041] * * * * all bars
and doors might be opened: that if the plant achæmenis[1042] were
thrown into the ranks of the enemy it would be certain to create a
panic and put them to flight: that latace[1043] was given by the
Persian kings to their ambassadors, to ensure them an abundant supply
of everything wherever they might happen to be: with numerous other
reveries of a similar nature. Where, I should like to know, were all
these plants, when the Cimbri and Teutones brought upon us the horrors
of warfare with their terrific yells? or when Lucullus defeated, with a
few legions, so many kings who ruled over the Magi?[1044] Why is it too
that the Roman generals have always made it their first care in warfare
to make provision for the victualling of their troops? And how was it
that at Pharsalia the troops of Cæsar were suffering from famine, if
an abundance of everything could have been ensured by the fortunate
possession of a single plant? Would it not have been better too for
Scipio Æmilianus to have opened the gates of Carthage by touching
them with a herb, than to have taken so many years to batter down its
bulwarks with his engines of war?
Turning to the present moment, let them, by the agency of the herb
meroïs,[1045] dry up the Pomptine[1046] Marshes, if they can, and by
these means restore so much territory to the regions of Italy in the
neighbourhood of our city. In the works, too, of Democritus, already
mentioned,[1047] we find a recipe for the composition of a medicament
which will ensure the procreation of issue, both sure to be good and
fortunate.—What king of Persia, pray, ever obtained that blessing? It
really would be a marvellous fact that human credulity, taking its rise
originally in the very soundest of notions, should have ultimately
arrived at such a pitch as this, if the mind of man understood, under
any circumstances, how to keep within the bounds of moderation; and
if the very system of medicine thus introduced by Asclepiades, had
not been carried to a greater pitch of extravagance than the follies
of magic even, an assertion which I shall prove on a more appropriate
occasion.[1048]
Such, however, is the natural constitution of the human mind, that, be
the circumstances what they may, commencing with what is necessary it
speedily arrives at the point of launching out in excess.
We will now resume our account of the medicinal properties of the
plants mentioned in the preceding Book, adding to our description such
others as the necessities of the case may seem to require.
CHAP. 10.—LICHEN: FIVE REMEDIES.
As to the treatment of lichen, so noisome a disease as it is, we shall
here give a number of additional remedies for it, gathered from all
quarters, although those already described are by no means few in
number. For the cure of lichen plantago is used, pounded, cinquefoil
also, root of albucus[1049] in combination with vinegar, the young
shoots of the fig-tree boiled in vinegar, or roots of marsh-mallow
boiled down to one-fourth with glue and vinegar. The sores are rubbed
also with pumice, and then fomented with root of rumex[1050] bruised
in vinegar, or with scum of viscus[1051] kneaded up with lime. A
decoction, too, of tithymalos[1052] with resin is highly esteemed for
the same purpose.
But to all these remedies the plant known as “lichen,” from its
efficacy as a cure, is held in preference. It is found growing among
rocks, and has a single broad leaf[1053] near the root, and a single
long stem, with small leaves hanging from it. This plant has the
property also of effacing brand marks, being beaten up with honey
for that purpose. There is another kind[1054] of lichen also, which
adheres entirely to rocks, like moss, and which is equally used as a
topical application. The juice of it, dropt into wounds, or applied to
abscesses, has the property of arresting hæmorrhage: mixed with honey,
it is curative of jaundice, the face and tongue being rubbed with it.
Under this mode of treatment, the patient is recommended to wash in
salt water, to anoint himself with oil of almonds, and to abstain from
garden vegetables. For the cure of lichen, root of thapsia[1055] is
also used, bruised in honey.
CHAP. 11.—QUINZY.
For the treatment of quinzy, we find argemonia[1056] recommended,
in wine; a decoction of hyssop, boiled with figs, used as a gargle;
peucedanum,[1057] with an equal proportion of sea-calf’s rennet;
proserpinaca,[1058] beaten up in the pickle of the mæna[1059] and oil,
or else placed beneath the tongue; as also juice of cinquefoil, taken
in doses of three cyathi. Used as a gargle, juice of cinquefoil is good
for the cure of all affections of the fauces: verbascum,[1060] too,
taken in wine, is particularly useful for diseases of the tonsillary
glands.
CHAP. 12. (5.)—SCROFULA.
For the cure of scrofula[1061] plantago is employed, chelidonia[1062]
mixed with honey and axle-grease, cinquefoil, and root of
persolata[1063]—this last being applied topically, and covered with
the leaf of the plant—artemisia,[1064] also, and an infusion of the
root of mandragora[1065] in water. The large-leaved sideritis,[1066]
cleft by the left hand with a nail, is worn attached as an amulet: but
after the cure has been effected, due care must be taken to preserve
the plant, in order that it may not be set again, to promote the wicked
designs of the herbalists and so cause the disease to break out afresh;
as sometimes happens in the cases already mentioned,[1067] and others
which I find stated, in reference to persons cured by the agency of
artemisia or plantago.
Damasonion,[1068] also known as alcea, is gathered at the summer
solstice, and applied with rain-water, the leaves being beaten up, or
the root pounded, with axle-grease, so as to admit, when applied, of
being covered with a leaf of the plant. The same plan is adopted also
for the cure of all pains in the neck, and tumours on all parts of the
body.
CHAP. 13.—THE PLANT CALLED BELLIS: TWO REMEDIES.
Bellis[1069] is the name of a plant that grows in the fields, with
a white flower somewhat inclining to red; if this is applied with
artemisia,[1070] it is said, the remedy is still more efficacious.
CHAP. 14.—THE CONDURDUM.
The condurdum,[1071] too, is a plant with a red blossom, which flowers
at the summer solstice. Suspended from the neck, it arrests scrofula,
they say: the same being the case also with vervain, in combination
with plantago. For the cure of all diseases of the fingers, hangnails
in particular, cinquefoil is used.
CHAP. 15.—COUGH.
Of all diseases of the chest, cough is the one that is the most
oppressive. For the cure of this malady, root of panaces[1072] in
sweet wine is used, and in cases where it is attended with spitting of
blood, juice of henbane. Henbane, too, used as a fumigation, is good
for cough; and the same with scordotis,[1073] mixed with nasturtium and
dry resin, beaten up with honey: employed by itself also, scordotis
facilitates expectoration, a property which is equally possessed by
the greater centaury, even where the patient is troubled with spitting
of blood; for which last juice of plantago is very beneficial. Betony,
taken in doses of three oboli in water, is useful for purulent or
bloody expectorations: root also of persolata,[1074] in doses of one
drachma, taken with eleven pine-nuts; and juice of peucedanum.[1075]
For pains in the chest, acoron[1076] is remarkably useful; hence it
is that it is so much used an ingredient in antidotes. For cough,
daucus[1077] and the plant scythice[1078] are much employed, this last
being good, in fact, for all affections of the chest, coughs, and
purulent expectorations, taken in doses of three oboli, with the same
proportion of raisin wine. The verbascum[1079] too, with a flower like
gold, is similarly employed.
(6.) This last-named plant is so remarkably energetic, that an infusion
of it, administered in their drink, will relieve beasts of burden, not
only when troubled with cough, but when broken-winded even—a property
which I find attributed to gentian also. Root of cacalia[1080] chewed,
or steeped in wine, is good for cough as well as all affections of the
throat. Five sprigs of hyssop, with two of rue and three figs, act
detergently upon the thoracic organs and allay cough.
CHAP. 16.—BECHION, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ARCION, CHAMÆLEUCE OR TUSSILAGO:
THREE REMEDIES.
Bechion[1081] is known also as tussilago: there are two kinds of it.
Wherever it is found growing wild, it is generally thought that there
is a spring of water below, and it is looked upon as a sure sign that
such is the case, by persons in search[1082] of water. The leaves
are somewhat larger than those of ivy, and are some five or seven
in number, of a whitish hue beneath, and a pale green on the upper
surface. The plant is destitute of stem, blossom, and seed, and the
root is very diminutive. Some persons are of opinion that this bechion
is identical with the arcion, known also as the “chamæleuce.”[1083]
The smoke[1084] of this plant in a dry state, inhaled by the aid of
a reed and swallowed, is curative, they say, of chronic cough; it is
necessary, however, at each inhalation to take a draught of raisin wine.
CHAP. 17.—THE BECHION, KNOWN ALSO AS SALVIA: FOUR REMEDIES.
There is another bechion[1085] also, known to some persons as
“salvia,”[1086] and bearing a strong resemblance to verbascum. This
plant is triturated, and the juice strained off and taken warm for
cough and for pains in the side: it is considered very beneficial also
for the stings of scorpions and sea-dragons.[1087] It is a good plan,
too, to rub the body with this juice, mixed with oil, as a preservative
against the stings of serpents. A bunch of hyssop is sometimes boiled
down with a quarter of a pound of honey, for the cure of cough.
CHAP. 18. (7.)—AFFECTIONS OF THE SIDE, CHEST, AND STOMACH.
For the cure of pains in the side and chest, verbascum[1088] is used
in water, with rue; powdered betony is also taken in warm water. Juice
of scordotis[1089] is used as a stomachic, centaury also, gentian
taken in water, and plantago, either eaten with the food, or mixed
with lentils or a pottage of alica.[1090] Betony, which is in general
prejudicial to the stomach, is remedial for some stomachic affections,
taken in drink or chewed, the leaves being used for the purpose. In
a similar manner too, aristolochia[1091] is taken in drink, or dried
agaric is chewed, a draught of undiluted wine being taken every now
and then. Nymphæa heraclia[1092] is also applied topically in these
cases, and juice of peucedanum.[1093] For burning pains in the stomach
psyllion[1094] is applied, or else cotyledon[1095] beaten up with
polenta, or aizoüm.[1096]
CHAP. 19.—MOLON OR SYRON. AMOMUM.
Molon[1097] is a plant with a striated stem, a soft diminutive leaf,
and a root four fingers in length, at the extremity of which there is a
head like that of garlic; by some persons it is known as “syron.” Taken
in wine, it is curative of affections of the stomach, and of hardness
of breathing. For similar purposes the greater centaury is used, in an
electuary; juice also of plantago, or else the plant itself, eaten with
the food; pounded betony, in the proportion of one pound to half an
ounce of Attic honey, taken daily in warm water; and aristolochia[1098]
or agaric, taken in doses of three oboli, in warm water or asses’ milk.
For hardness of breathing an infusion of cissanthemos[1099] is taken
in drink, and for the same complaint, as also for asthma, hyssop. For
pains in the liver, chest, and side, if unattended with fever, juice of
peucedanum is used. For spitting of blood agaric is employed, in doses
of one victoriatus,[1100] bruised and administered in five cyathi of
honied wine: amomum,[1101] too, is equally useful for that purpose.
For liver diseases in particular, teucria[1102] is taken fresh, in
doses of four drachmæ to one hemina of oxycrate; or else betony, in the
proportion of one drachma to three cyathi of warm water. For diseases
of the heart, betony is recommended, in doses of one drachma to two
cyathi of cold water. Juice of cinquefoil is remedial for diseases of
the liver and lungs, and for spitting of blood as well as all internal
affections of the blood. The two varieties of anagallis[1103] are
wonderfully efficacious for liver complaints. Patients who eat the
plant called “capnos”[1104] discharge the bile by urine. Acoron[1105]
is also remedial for diseases of the liver, and daucus[1106] is useful
for the thorax and the pectoral organs.
CHAP. 20.—THE EPHEDRA OR ANABASIS: THREE REMEDIES.
The ephedra,[1107] by some persons called “anabasis,” mostly grows in
localities exposed to the wind. It climbs the trunks of trees, and
hangs down from the branches, is destitute of leaves, but has numerous
suckers, jointed like a bulrush; the root is of a pale colour. This
plant is given, pounded, in astringent red wine, for cough, asthma,
and gripings in the bowels. It is administered also in the form of a
pottage, to which some wine should be added. For these complaints,
gentian is also used, being steeped in water the day before, and then
pounded and given in doses of one denarius, in three cyathi of wine.
CHAP. 21.—GEUM: THREE REMEDIES.
Geum[1108] is a plant with thin, diminutive roots, black, and
aromatic.[1109] It is curative not only of pains in the chest and
sides, but is useful also for dispelling crudities, owing to its
agreeable flavour. Vervain, too, is good for all affections of the
viscera, and for diseases of the sides, lungs, liver, and thorax.
But one invaluable remedy for diseases of the lungs, and for cases
of incipient phthisis, is the root of consiligo, a plant only very
recently discovered, as already[1110] mentioned. It is a most efficient
remedy also for pulmonary diseases in swine and cattle, even though
only passed through the ear of the animal. When used, it should be
taken in water, and kept for a considerable time in the mouth, beneath
the tongue. Whether the part of this plant which grows above ground
is useful or not for any purpose, is at present unknown. Plantago,
eaten with the food, betony taken in drink, and agaric taken in the
way prescribed for cough, are useful, all of them, for diseases of the
kidneys.
CHAP. 22.—TRIPOLIUM: THREE REMEDIES.
Tripolium[1111] is a plant found growing upon cliffs on the sea-shore
against which the waves break, springing up, so to say, neither upon
dry land nor in the sea. The leaves are like those of isatis,[1112]
only thicker; the stem is a palm in height and divided at the
extremity, and the root white, thick, and odoriferous, with a warm
flavour; it is recommended for diseases of the liver, boiled with
spelt. This plant is thought by some to be identical with polium, of
which we have already spoken in the appropriate place.[1113]
CHAP. 23.—THE GROMPHÆNA.
Gromphæna[1114] is the name of a plant, the stem of which is covered
with leaves of a green and rose colour, arranged alternately. The
leaves of it are administered in oxycrate, in cases of spitting of
blood.
CHAP. 24.—THE MALUNDRUM: TWO REMEDIES.
For diseases of the liver the malundrum[1115] is prescribed, a plant
which grows in meadows and corn-fields, with a white odoriferous
flower. The stem is diminutive, and is beaten up in old wine.
CHAP. 25.—CHALCETUM; TWO REMEDIES. MOLEMONIUM; ONE REMEDY.
Chalcetum[1116] also is the name of a plant, which is pounded with
grape husks and applied topically, for the cure of liver complaints.
Root of betony acts as a gentle emetic, taken in the same way as
hellebore, in doses of four drachmæ in raisin wine or honied wine.
Hyssop, too, is beaten up with honey for similar purposes; but it is
more efficacious if nasturtium or irio[1117] is taken first.
Molemonium[1118] is used as an emetic, being taken in doses of one
denarius; the same, too, with sillybum.[1119] Both of these plants have
a milky juice, which thickens like gum, and is taken with honey in
the proportions above-mentioned, being particularly good for carrying
off bile. On the other hand, vomiting is arrested by the use of wild
cummin or powdered betony, taken in water. Crudities and distaste
for food are dispelled, and the digestion promoted by employing
daucus,[1120] powdered betony[1121] taken in hydromel, or else plantago
boiled like greens. Hiccup is arrested by taking hemionium[1122] or
aristolochia,[1123] and asthma by the use of clymenus.[1124] For
pleurisy and peripneumony, the greater centaury is used, or else
hyssop, taken in drink. Juice of peucedanum[1125] is also good for
pleurisy.
CHAP. 26.—HALUS OR COTONEA: FIVE REMEDIES.
The plant halus,[1126] by the people of Gaul called “sil,” and by the
Veneti “cotonea,” is curative of pains in the side, affections of the
kidneys, ruptures, and convulsions. It resembles cunila bubula[1127]
in appearance, and the tops of it are like those of thyme. It is of a
sweet flavour, and allays thirst; the roots of it are sometimes white,
sometimes black.
CHAP. 27.—THE CHAMÆROPS: ONE REMEDY. THE STŒCHAS: ONE REMEDY.
The chamærops,[1128] also, is similarly efficacious for pains in the
side. It is a plant with leaves like those of myrtle, arranged in
pairs around the stem, the heads of it resembling those of the Greek
rose: it is taken in wine. Agaric, administered in drink, in the same
manner[1129] as for cough, assuages sciatica and pains in the vertebræ:
the same, too, with powdered stœchas[1130] or betony, taken in hydromel.
CHAP. 28. (8.)—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE BELLY.
But it is the belly, for the gratification of which the greater part
of mankind exist, that causes the most suffering to man. Thus, for
instance, at one time it will not allow the aliments to pass, while
at another it is unable to retain them. Sometimes, again, it either
cannot receive the food, or, if it can, cannot digest it; indeed, such
are the excesses practised at the present day, that it is through
his aliment, more than anything else, that man hastens his end. This
receptacle,[1131] more troublesome to us than any other part of the
body, is ever craving, like some importunate creditor, and makes its
calls repeatedly in the day. It is for its sake, more particularly,
that avarice is so insatiate, for its sake that luxury is so
refined,[1132] for its sake that men voyage to the shores even of the
Phasis, for its sake that the very depths of the ocean are ransacked.
And yet, with all this, no one ever gives a thought how abject is the
condition of this part of our body, how disgusting the results of its
action upon what it has received! No wonder then, that the belly
should have to be indebted to the aid of medicine in the very highest
degree!
Scordotis,[1133] fresh-gathered and beaten up, in doses of one
drachma, with wine, arrests flux of the bowels; an effect equally
produced by a decoction of it taken in drink. Polemonia,[1134] too,
is given in wine for dysentery, or two fingers’ length of root of
verbascum,[1135] in water; seed of nymphæa heraclia,[1136] in wine;
the upper root of xiphion,[1137] in doses of one drachma, in vinegar;
seed of plantago, beaten, up in wine; plantago itself boiled in
vinegar, or else a pottage of alica[1138] mixed with the juice of the
plant; plantago boiled with lentils; plantago dried and powdered, and
sprinkled in drink, with parched poppies pounded; juice of plantago,
used as an injection, or taken in drink; or betony taken in wine
heated with a red-hot iron. For cœliac affections, betony is taken
in astringent wine, or iberis is applied topically, as already[1139]
stated. For tenesmus, root of nymphæa heraclia is taken in wine, or
else psyllion[1140] in water, or a decoction of root of acoron.[1141]
Juice of aizoüm[1142] arrests diarrhœa and dysentery, and expels
round tape-worm. Root of symphytum,[1143] taken in wine, arrests
diarrhœa and dysentery, and daucus[1144] has a similar effect. Leaves
of aizoüm[1145] beaten up in wine, and dried alcea[1146] powdered and
taken in wine, are curative of griping pains in the bowels.
CHAP. 29.—THE ASTRAGALUS: SIX REMEDIES.
Astragalus[1147] is the name of a plant which has long leaves, with
numerous incisions, and running aslant near the root. The stems are
three or four in number, and covered with leaves: the flower is like
that of the hyacinth, and the roots are red, hairy, matted, and
remarkably hard. It grows on stony localities, equally exposed to the
sun and to falls of snow, those in the vicinity of Pheneus in Arcadia,
for instance. Its properties are highly astringent; the root of it,
taken in wine, arrests looseness of the bowels, having the additional
effect of throwing downward the aqueous humours, and so acting as a
diuretic; a property, in fact, which, belongs to most substances which
act astringently upon the bowels.
Bruised in red[1148] wine, this plant is curative of dysentery; it is
only bruised, however, with the greatest difficulty. It is extremely
useful, also, as a fomentation for gum-boils. The end of autumn is the
time for gathering it, after the leaves are off; it being then left to
dry in the shade.
CHAP. 30.—LADANUM: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
Diarrhœa may be also arrested by the use of either kind of
ladanum.[1149] The kind which, is found in corn-fields is pounded for
this purpose, and then passed through a sieve, being taken either in
hydromel, or in wine of the highest quality. “Ledon” is the name of the
plant from which ladanum[1150] is obtained in Cyprus, it being found
adhering to the beard of the goats there; the most esteemed, however,
is that of Arabia.[1151] At the present day, it is prepared in Syria
and Africa also, being known as “toxicum,” from the circumstance that
in gathering it, they pass over the plant a bow,[1152] with the string
stretched, and covered with wool, to which the dewlike flocks of
ladanum adhere. We have described it at further length, when treating
of the perfumes.[1153]
This substance has a very powerful odour, and is hard in the extreme;
for, in fact, there is a considerable quantity of earth adhering to
it: it is most esteemed when in a pure state, aromatic, soft, green,
and resinous. It is of an emollient, desiccative, and ripening nature,
and acts as a narcotic: it prevents the hair from falling off, and
preserves its dark colour. In combination with hydromel or oil of
roses, it is used as an injection for the ears; with the addition of
salt, it is employed for the cure of furfuraceous eruptions of the
skin, and for running ulcers. Taken with storax, it is good for chronic
cough; it is also extremely efficacious as a carminative.
CHAP. 31.—CHONDRIS OR PSEUDODICTAMNON: ONE REMEDY. HYPOCISTHIS OR
OROBETHRON; TWO VARIETIES: EIGHT REMEDIES.
Chondris, too, or pseudodictamnon,[1154] acts astringently on the
bowels. Hypocisthis,[1155] by some known also as “orobethron,” is
similar to an unripe pomegranate in appearance; it grows, as already
stated,[1156] beneath the cisthus, whence its name. Dried in the shade,
and taken in astringent, red wine, these plants arrest diarrhœa—for
there are two kinds of hypocisthis, it must be remembered, the white
and the red. It is the juice of the plant that is used, being of an
astringent, desiccative, nature: that of the red kind, however, is
the best for fluxes of the stomach. Taken in drink, in doses of three
oboli, with amylum,[1157] it arrests spitting of blood; and, employed
either as a potion or as an injection, it is useful for dysentery.
Vervain, too, is good for similar complaints, either taken in water,
or, when there are no symptoms of fever, in Aminean[1158] wine, the
proportion being five spoonfuls to three cyathi of wine.
CHAP. 32.—LAVER OR SION: TWO REMEDIES.
Laver,[1159] too, a plant which grows in streams, preserved and boiled,
is curative of griping pains in the bowels.
CHAP. 33.—POTAMOGITON: EIGHT REMEDIES. THE STATICE: THREE REMEDIES.
Potamogiton,[1160] too, taken in wine, is useful for dysentery and
cœliac affections: it is a plant similar to beet in the leaves, but
smaller and more hairy, and rising but little above the surface of
the water. It is the leaves that are used, being of a refreshing,
astringent nature, and particularly good for diseases of the legs, and,
with honey or vinegar, for corrosive ulcers.
Castor has given a different description of this plant. According to
him, it has a smaller leaf,[1161] like horse-hair,[1162] with a long,
smooth, stem, and grows in watery localities. With the root of it he
used to treat scrofulous sores and indurations. Potamogiton neutralizes
the effects of the bite of the crocodile; hence it is that those who go
in pursuit of that animal, are in the habit of carrying it about them.
Achillea[1163] also arrests looseness of the bowels; an effect equally
produced by the statice,[1164] a plant with seven heads, like those of
the rose, upon as many stems.
CHAP. 34.—THE CERATIA: TWO REMEDIES. LEONTOPODION, LEUCEORON,
DORIPETRON, OR THORYBETHRON. LAGOPUS: THREE REMEDIES.
The ceratia[1165] is a plant with a single[1166] leaf, and a large
knotted root: taken with the food, it is curative of coeliac affections
and dysentery.
Leontopodion,[1167] a plant known also as “leuceoron,” “doripetron,”
or “thorybethron,” has a root which acts astringently upon the bowels
and carries off bile, being taken in doses of two denarii in hydromel.
It grows in champaign localities with a poor soil: the seed, taken in
drink, produces night-mare,[1168] it is said, in the sleep.
Lagopus[1169] arrests diarrhœa, taken in wine, or, if there are
symptoms of fever, in water. This plant is attached to the groin,
for tumours in that part of the body: it grows in cornfields. Many
persons recommend, in preference to anything else, for desperate cases
of dysentery, a decoction of roots of cinquefoil in milk, or else
aristolochia,[1170] in the proportion of one victoriatus[1171] to three
cyathi of wine. In the case of the preparations above-mentioned, which
are recommended to be taken warm, it will be the best plan to heat them
with a red-hot iron.
On the other hand, again, the juice of the smaller centaury acts as a
purgative upon the bowels, and carries off bile, taken, in doses of one
drachma, in one hemina of water with a little salt and vinegar. The
greater centaury is curative of griping pains in the bowels. Betony,
also, has a laxative effect, taken in the proportion of four drachmæ to
nine cyathi of hydromel: the same, too, with euphorbia[1172] or agaric,
taken, in doses of two drachmæ, with a little salt, in water, or else
in three oboli of honied wine. Cyclaminos,[1173] also, is a purgative,
either taken in water or used as a suppository; the same, too, with
chamæcissos,[1174] employed as a suppository. A handful of hyssop,
boiled down to one third with salt, or beaten up with oxymel and salt,
and applied to the abdomen, promotes pituitous evacuations, and expels
intestinal worms. Root also of peucedanum[1175] carries off pituitous
humours and bile.
CHAP. 35.—EPITHYMON OR HIPPOPHEOS: EIGHT REMEDIES.
The two kinds of anagallis, taken in hydromel, are purgative; the
same, too, with epithymon,[1176] which is the blossom of a sort[1177]
of thyme similar to savory; the only difference being that the flower
of this plant is nearer grass green, while that of the other thyme is
white. Some persons call it “hippopheos.”[1178] This plant is by no
means wholesome to the stomach, as it is apt to cause vomiting, but
at the same time it disperses flatulency and gripings of the bowels.
It is taken also, in the form of an electuary, for affections of the
chest, with honey, or in some cases, with iris.[1179] Taken in doses of
from four to six drachmæ, with honey and a little salt and vinegar, it
relaxes the bowels.
Some persons, again, give a different description of epithymon:
according to them, it is a plant without[1180] a root, diminutive,
and bearing a flower resembling a small hood, and of a red colour.
They tell us, too, that it is dried in the shade and taken in water,
in doses of half an acetabulum; and that it has a slightly laxative
effect upon the bowels, and carries off the pituitous humours and bile.
Nymphæa[1181] is taken for similar purposes, in astringent wine.
CHAP. 36.—PYCNOCOMON; FOUR REMEDIES.
Pycnocomon,[1182] too, is a purgative. It is a plant with leaves like
those of rocket, only thicker and more acrid; the root is round, of
a yellow colour, and with an earthy smell. The stem is quadrangular,
of a moderate length, thin, and surmounted with a flower like that
of ocimum.[1183] It is found growing in rough stony soils. The root,
taken in doses of two denarii in hydromel, acts as a purgative upon the
bowels, and effectually carries off bile and pituitous humours. The
seed, taken in doses of one drachma in wine, is productive of dreams
and restlessness. Capnos,[1184] too, carries off bile by the urine.
CHAP. 37.—POLYPODION: THREE REMEDIES.
Polypodion,[1185] known to us by the name of “filicula,” bears some
resemblance to fern. The root of it is used medicinally; being
fibrous, and of a grass green colour within, about the thickness of
the little finger, and covered with cavernous suckers like those on
the arms of the polypus. This plant is of a sweetish[1186] taste, and
is found growing among rocks and under trees. The root is steeped in
water, and the juice extracted; sometimes, too, it is cut in small
pieces and sprinkled upon cabbage, beet, mallows, or salt meat; or
else it is boiled with pap,[1187] as a gentle aperient for the bowels,
in cases of fever even. It carries off bile also and the pituitous
humours, but acts injuriously upon the stomach. Dried and powdered and
applied to the nostrils, it cauterizes polypus[1188] of the nose. It
has neither seed[1189] nor flower.
CHAP. 38.—SCAMMONY; EIGHT REMEDIES.
Scammony,[1190] also, is productive of derangement of the stomach. It
carries off bile, and acts strongly as a purgative upon the bowels;
unless, indeed, aloes are added, in the proportion of two drachmæ of
aloes to two oboli of scammony. The drug thus called is the juice
of a plant that is branchy from the root, and has unctuous, white,
triangular, leaves, with a solid, moist root, of a nauseous flavour:
it grows in rich white soils. About the period of the rising of the
Dog-star, an excavation is made about the root, to let the juice
collect: which done, it is dried in the sun and divided into tablets.
The root itself, too, or the outer coat of it, is sometimes dried.
The scammony most esteemed is that of Colophon, Mysia, and Priene. In
appearance it ought to be smooth and shiny, and as much like bull glue
as possible: it should present a fungous surface also, covered with
minute holes; should melt with the greatest rapidity, have a powerful
smell, and be sticky like gum. When touched with the tongue, it should
give out a white milky liquid; it ought also to be extremely light, and
to turn white when melted.
This last feature is recognized in the spurious scammony also, a
compound of meal of fitches and juice of marine tithymalos,[1191] which
is mostly imported from Judea, and is very apt to choke those who use
it. The difference may be easily detected, however, by the taste, as
tithymalos imparts a burning sensation to the tongue. To be fully
efficacious, scammony should be two[1192] years old; before or after
that age it is useless. It has been prescribed to be taken by itself
also, in doses of four oboli, with hydromel and salt: but the most
advantageous mode of using it is in combination with aloes, care being
taken to drink honied wine the moment it begins to operate. The root,
too, is boiled down in vinegar to the consistency of honey, and the
decoction used as a liniment for leprosy. The head is also rubbed with
this decoction, mixed with oil, for head-ache.
CHAP. 39.—THE TITHYMALOS CHARACIAS.
The tithymalos is called by our people the “milk plant,”[1193] and by
some persons the “goat lettuce.”[1194] They say, that if characters
are traced upon the body with the milky juice of this plant, and
powdered with ashes, when dry, the letters will be perfectly visible;
an expedient which has been adopted before now by intriguers, for
the purpose of communicating with their mistresses, in preference
to a correspondence by letter. There are numerous varieties of
this plant.[1195] The first kind has the additional name of
“characias,”[1196] and is generally looked upon as the male plant. Its
branches are about a finger in thickness, red and full of juice, five
or six in number, and a cubit in length. The leaves near the root are
almost exactly those of the olive, and the extremity of the stem is
surmounted with a tuft like that of the bulrush: it is found growing in
rugged localities near the sea-shore. The seed is gathered in autumn,
together with the tufts, and after being dried in the sun, is beaten
out and put by for keeping. As to the juice, the moment the down
begins to appear upon, the fruit, the branches are broken off and the
juice of them is received upon either meal of fitches or else figs,
and left to dry therewith. Five drops are as much as each fig ought
to receive; and the story is, that if a dropsical patient eats one of
these figs he will have as many motions as the fig has received drops.
While the juice is being collected, due care must be taken not to let
it touch the eyes. From the leaves, pounded, a juice is also extracted,
but not of so useful a nature as the other kind: a decoction, too, is
made from the branches.
The seed also is used, being boiled with honey and made up, into
purgative[1197] pills. These seeds are sometimes inserted in hollow
teeth with wax: the teeth are rinsed too, with a decoction of the root
in wine or oil. The juice is used externally for lichens, and is taken
internally both as an emetic and to promote alvine evacuation: in other
respects, it is prejudicial to the stomach. Taken in drink, with the
addition of salt, it carries off pituitous humours; and in combination
with saltpetre,[1198] removes bile. In cases where it is desirable that
it should purge by stool, it is taken with oxycrate, but where it is
wanted to act as an emetic, with raisin wine or hydromel; three oboli
being a middling dose. The best method, however, of using it, is to eat
the prepared figs above-mentioned, just after taking food. In taste,
it is slightly burning to the throat; indeed it is of so heating a
nature, that, applied externally by itself, it raises blisters on the
flesh, like those caused by the action of fire. Hence it is that it is
sometimes employed as a cautery.
CHAP. 40.—THE TITHYMALOS MYRTITES, OR CARYITES; TWENTY-ONE REMEDIES.
A second kind of tithymalos is called “myrtites”[1199] by some persons,
and “caryites” by others. It has leaves like those of myrtle, pointed
and prickly, but with a softer surface, and grows, like the one already
mentioned, in rugged soils. The tufted heads of it are gathered just,
as barley is beginning to swell in the ear, and, after being left for
nine days in the shade, are thoroughly dried in the sun. The fruit does
not ripen all at once, some, indeed, not till the ensuing year. The
name given to this fruit is the “nut,” whence the Greek appellation
“caryites.”[1200] It is gathered at harvest, and is washed and dried,
being given with twice the quantity of black poppy, in doses of one
acetabulum in all.
As an emetic, this kind is not so efficacious as the preceding one,
and, indeed, the same may be said of all the others. Some physicians
recommend the leaf to be taken in the manner already mentioned, but say
that the nut should either be taken in honied wine or raisin wine, or
else with sesame. It carries off pituitous humours and bile by stool,
and is curative of ulcerations of the mouth. For corrosive sores of the
mouth, the leaf is eaten with honey.
CHAP. 41.—THE TITHYMALOS PARALIOS, OR TITHYMALIS: FOUR REMEDIES.
A third kind of tithymalos is known by the additional name of
“paralios,”[1201] or else as “tithymalis.”[1202] The leaf is round, the
stem a palm in height, the branches red, and the seed white. This seed
is gathered just as the grape is beginning to form, and is dried and
pounded; being taken as a purgative, in doses of one acetabulum.
CHAP. 42.—THE TITHYMALOS HELIOSCOPIOS: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
A fourth kind of tithymalos[1203] is known by the additional name of
“helioscopios.”[1204] It has leaves like those of purslain,[1205]
and some four or five small branches standing out from the root, of
a red colour, half a foot in height, and full of juice. This plant
grows in the vicinity of towns: the seed is white, and pigeons[1206]
are remarkably fond of it. It receives its additional name of
“helioscopios” from the fact that the heads of it turn[1207] with the
sun. Taken in doses of half an acetabulum, in oxymel, it carries off
bile by stool: in other respects it has the same properties as the
characias, above-mentioned.
CHAP. 43.—THE TITHYMALOS CYPARISSIAS: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
In the fifth place we have the tithymalos known as “cyparissias,”[1208]
from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the cypress. It has
a double or triple stem, and grows in champaign localities. Its
properties are exactly similar to those of the helioscopios and
characias.
CHAP. 44.—THE TITHYMALOS PLATYPHYLLOS, CORYMBITES, OR AMYGDALITES:
THREE REMEDIES.
The sixth kind is called “platyphyllos”[1209] by some, and “corymbites”
or “amygdalites” by others, from its resemblance to the almond-tree.
The leaves of this kind are the largest of all: it has a fatal effect
upon fish. An infusion of the root or leaves, or the juice, taken
in doses of four drachmæ, in honied wine, or hydromel, acts as a
purgative. It is particularly useful also for carrying off the aqueous
humours.
CHAP. 45.—THE TITHYMALOS DENDROÏDES, COBIOS, OR LEPTOPHYLLOS: EIGHTEEN
REMEDIES.
The seventh kind has the additional name of “dendroïdes,”[1210]
and is known by some persons as “cobios,” and by others as
“leptophyllos.”[1211] It grows among rocks, and is by far the most
shrubby of all the varieties of the tithymalos. The stems of it are
small and red, and the seed is remarkably abundant. Its properties are
the same as those of the characias.[1212]
CHAP. 46.—THE APIOS ISCHAS, OR RAPHANOS AGRIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The apios ischas or raphanos agria,[1213] throws out two or three
rush-like branches of a red colour, creeping upon the ground, and
bearing leaves like those of rue. The root resembles that of an onion,
only that it is larger, for which reason some have called it the “wild
radish.” The interior of this root is composed of a mammose substance,
containing a white juice: the outer coat is black. It grows in rugged,
mountainous spots, and sometimes in pasture lands. It is taken up in
spring, and pounded and put into an earthen vessel, that portion of it
being removed which floats upon the surface. The part which remains
acts purgatively, taken in doses of an obolus and a half in hydromel,
both as an emetic and by stool. This juice is administered also, in
doses of one acetabulum, for dropsy.
The root of this plant is dried and powdered, and taken in drink: the
upper part of it, they say, carries off bile by acting as an emetic,
the lower part, by promoting alvine evacuation.
CHAP. 47.—REMEDIES FOR GRIPING PAINS IN THE BOWELS.
Every kind of panaces[1214] is curative of gripings in the bowels; as
also betony, except in those cases where they arise from indigestion.
Juice of peucedanum[1215] is good for flatulency, acting powerfully as
a carminative: the same is the case, also, with root of acoron[1216]
and with daucus,[1217] eaten like lettuce as a salad. Ladanum[1218]
of Cyprus, taken in drink, is curative of intestinal affections;
and a similar effect is produced by powdered gentian, taken in warm
water, in quantities about as large as a bean. For the same purpose,
plantago[1219] is taken in the morning, in doses of two spoonfuls, with
one spoonful of poppy in four cyathi of wine, due care being taken
that it is not old wine. It is given, too, at the last moment before
going to sleep, and with the addition of nitre or polenta,[1220] if
a considerable time has elapsed since the last meal. For colic, an
injection of the juice is used, one hemina at a time, even in cases
where fever has supervened.
CHAP. 48.—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE SPLEEN.
Agaric, taken in doses of three oboli in one cyathus of old wine, is
curative of diseases of the spleen. The same, too, with the root of
every kind of panaces,[1221] taken in honied wine: teucria,[1222]
also, is particularly useful for the same purpose, taken in a dry
state, or boiled down in the proportion of one handful to three heminæ
of vinegar. Teucria, too, is applied with vinegar to wounds of the
spleen, or, if the patient cannot bear the application of vinegar,
with figs or water. Polemonia[1223] is taken in wine, and betony, in
doses of one drachma, in three cyathi of oxymel: aristolochia, too, is
used in the same manner as for injuries inflicted by serpents.[1224]
Argemonia,[1225] it is said, taken with the food for seven consecutive
days, diminishes the volume of the spleen; and a similar effect is
attributed to agaric, taken in doses of two oboli, in oxymel. Root,
too, of nymphæa heraclia,[1226] taken in wine, or by itself, diminishes
the spleen.
Cissanthemos,[1227] taken twice a day, in doses of one drachma in
two cyathi of white wine, for forty consecutive days, gradually
carries off the spleen, it is said, by urine. Hyssop, boiled with
figs, is very useful for the same purpose: root of lonchitis,[1228]
also, boiled before it has shed its seed. A decoction of root of
peucedanum[1229] is good for the spleen and kidneys. Acoron,[1230]
taken in drink, diminishes the spleen; and the roots of it are very
beneficial for the viscera and iliac regions. For similar purposes,
seed of clymenus[1231] is taken, for thirty consecutive days, in doses
of one denarius, in white wine. Powdered betony is also used, taken in
a potion with honey and squill vinegar; root too of lonchitis is taken
in water. Teucrium[1232] is used externally for diseases of the spleen;
scordium,[1233] also, in combination with wax; and agaric, mixed with
powdered, fenugreek.
CHAP. 49.—REMEDIES FOR CALCULI AND DISEASES OF THE BLADDER.
For diseases of the bladder and calculi (affections which, as
already observed,[1234] produce the most excruciating torments),
polemonia[1235] is highly efficacious, taken in wine; agaric also,
and leaves or root of plantago, taken in raisin wine. Betony, too,
is very good, as already observed, when speaking[1236] of diseases of
the liver. This last plant is used also for hernia, applied topically
or taken in drink: it is remarkably efficacious too for strangury. For
calculi some persons recommend betony, vervain, and milfoil, in equal
proportions in water, as a sovereign remedy. It is universally agreed
that dittany is curative of strangury, and that the same is the case
with cinquefoil, boiled down to one third in wine: this last plant is
very useful, too, taken internally and applied topically, for rupture
of the groin.
The upper part of the root of xiphion[1237] has a diuretic effect
upon infants; it is administered also in water for rupture of the
groin, and is applied topically for diseases of the bladder. Juice of
peucedanum[1238] is employed for hernia in infants, and psyllion[1239]
is used as an application in cases of umbilical hernia. The two kinds
of anagallis[1240] are diuretic, and a similar effect is produced
by a decoction of root of acoron,[1241] or the plant itself bruised
and taken in drink; this last is good too for all affections of the
bladder. Both the stem and root of cotyledon[1242] are used for the
cure of calculi; and for all inflammations of the genitals, myrrh
is mixed in equal proportions with the stem and seed. The more
tender leaves of ebulum,[1243] beaten up and taken with wine, expel
calculi of the bladder, and an application of them is curative of
diseases of the testes. Erigeron,[1244] with powdered frankincense
and sweet wine, is curative of inflammation of the testes; and root
of symphytum,[1245] applied topically, reduces rupture of the groin.
The white hypocisthis[1246] is curative of corroding ulcers of the
genitals. Artemisia[1247] is prescribed also in sweet wine for the cure
of calculi and of strangury; and root of nymphæa heraclia,[1248] taken
in wine, allays pains in the bladder.
CHAP. 50.—CRETHMOS: ELEVEN REMEDIES. CACHRY.
A similar property belongs also to crethmos,[1249] a plant highly
praised by Hippocrates.[1250] This is one of the wild plants that are
commonly eaten—at all events, we find Callimachus mentioning it as one
of the viands set on table by the peasant Hecale.[1251] It is a species
of garden batis,[1252] with a stem a palm in height, and a hot seed,
odoriferous like that of libanotis,[1253] and round. When dried, the
seed bursts asunder, and discloses in the interior a white kernel,
known as “cachry” to some. The leaf is unctuous and of a whitish
colour, like that of the olive, only thicker and of a saltish taste.
The roots are three or four in number, and about a finger in thickness:
the plant grows in rocky localities, upon the sea-shore. It is eaten
raw or else boiled with cabbage, and has a pleasant, aromatic flavour;
it is preserved also in brine.
This plant is particularly useful for strangury, the leaves, stem,
or root being taken in wine. It improves the complexion of the skin
also, but if taken in excess is very apt to produce flatulency. Used
in the form of a decoction it relaxes the bowels, has a diuretic
effect, and carries off the humours from the kidneys. The same is the
case also with alcea:[1254] dried and powdered and taken in wine, it
removes strangury, and, with the addition of daucus,[1255] is still
more efficacious: it is good too for the spleen, and is taken in drink
as an antidote to the venom of serpents. Mixed with their barley it
is remarkably beneficial for beasts of burden, when suffering from
pituitous defluxions or strangury.
CHAP. 51.—THE ANTHYLLION; TWO REMEDIES. THE ANTHYLLIS: TWO REMEDIES.
The anthyllion[1256] is a plant very like the lentil. Taken in wine,
it is remedial for diseases of the bladder, and arrests hæmorrhage,
Another variety of it is the anthyllis, a plant resembling the
chamæpitys,[1257] with a purple flower, a powerful smell, and a root
like that of endive.
CHAP. 52.—CEPÆA: ONE REMEDY.
The plant known as “cepæa”[1258] is even more efficacious. It
resembles purslain in appearance, but has a darker root, that is never
used: it grows upon the sands of the sea-shore, and has a bitter taste.
Taken in wine with root of asparagus, it is remarkably useful for
diseases of the bladder.
CHAP. 53.—HYPERICON, CHAMÆPITYS, OR CORISON: NINE REMEDIES.
Hypericon,[1259] otherwise known as the “chamæpitys”[1260] or
“corison,”[1261] is possessed of similar properties. It is a
plant[1262] with a stem like that[1263] of a garden vegetable, thin,
red, and a cubit in length. The leaf is similar to that of rue, and has
an acrid smell: the seed is enclosed in a swarthy pod, and ripens at
the same time as barley. This seed is of an astringent nature, arrests
diarrhœa, and acts as a diuretic: it is taken also for diseases of the
bladder, in wine.
CHAP. 54.—CAROS OR HYPERICON: TEN REMEDIES.
There is another hypericon also, known as “caros”[1264] by some.
The leaves of it resemble those of the tamarix,[1265] beneath[1266]
which it grows, but are more unctuous[1267] and not so red. It is an
odoriferous plant, somewhat more than a palm[1268] in height, of a
sweet flavour, and slightly pungent. The seed is of a warming nature,
and is consequently productive of eructations; it is not, however,
injurious to the stomach. This plant is particularly useful for
strangury, provided the bladder be not ulcerated; taken in wine, it is
curative of pleurisy also.
CHAP. 55.—THE CALLITHRIX: ONE REMEDY. THE PERPRESSA: ONE REMEDY. THE
CHRYSANTHEMUM: ONE REMEDY. THE ANTHEMIS: ONE REMEDY.
Callithrix,[1269] beaten up with cummin seed, and administered in white
wine, is useful also for diseases of the bladder. Leaves of vervain,
boiled down to one third, or root of vervain, in warm honied wine,
expel calculi of the bladder.
Perpressa,[1270] a plant which grows in the vicinity of Arretium and in
Illyricum, is boiled down to one third in three heminæ of water, and
the decoction taken in drink: the same too with trefoil,[1271] which is
administered in wine; and the same with the chrysanthemum.[1272] The
anthemis[1273] also is an expellent of calculi. It is a plant with five
small leaves running from the root, two long stems, and a flower like a
rose. The roots of it are pounded and administered alone, in the same
way as raw laver.[1274]
CHAP. 56.—SILAUS: ONE REMEDY.
Silaus[1275] is a plant which grows in running streams with a gravelly
bed. It bears some resemblance to parsley, and is a cubit in height. It
is cooked in the same manner as the acid vegetables,[1276] and is of
great utility for affections of the bladder. In cases where that organ
is affected with eruptions,[1277] it is used in combination with root
of panaces,[1278] a plant which is otherwise bad for the bladder. The
erratic apple,[1279] too, is an expellent of calculi. For this purpose,
a pound of the root is boiled down to one half in a congius of wine,
and one hemina of the decoction is taken for three consecutive days,
the remainder being taken in wine with sium.[1280] Sea-nettle[1281] is
employed too for the same purpose, daucus,[1282] and seed of plantago
in wine.
CHAP. 57.—THE PLANT OF FULVIUS.
The plant of Fulvius[1283] too—so called from the first discoverer
of it, and well known[1284] to herbalists—bruised in wine, acts as a
diuretic.
CHAP. 58.—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE TESTES AND OF THE FUNDAMENT.
Scordion[1285] reduces swellings of the testes. Henbane is curative
of diseases of the generative organs. Strangury is cured by juice of
peucedanum,[1286] taken with honey; as also by the seed of that plant.
Agaric is also used for the same purpose, taken in doses of three oboli
in one cyathus of old wine; root of trefoil, in doses of two drachmæ in
wine; and root or seed of daucus,[1287] in doses of one drachma. For
the cure of sciatica, the seed and leaves of erythrodanum[1288] are
used, pounded; panaces,[1289] taken in drink; polemonia,[1290] employed
as a friction; and leaves of aristolochia,[1291] in the form of a
decoction. Agaric, taken in doses of three oboli in one cyathus of old
wine, is curative of affections of the tendon known as “platys”[1292]
and of pains in the shoulders. Cinquefoil is either taken in drink or
applied topically for the cure of sciatica; a decoction of scammony
is used also, with barley meal; and the seed of either kind of
hypericon[1293] is taken in wine.
For diseases of the fundament and for excoriations plantago is
remarkably efficacious; for condylomata, cinquefoil; and for procidence
of the rectum, root of cyclaminos,[1294] applied in vinegar. The
blue anagallis[1295] reduces procidence of the rectum, while, on the
contrary, that with a red flower has a tendency to bear it down.
Cotyledon[1296] is a marvellous cure for condylomatous affections
and piles; and root of acoron,[1297] boiled in wine and beaten up,
is a good application for swelling of the testes. According to what
Cato[1298] says, those who carry about them Pontic[1299] wormwood, will
never experience chafing between the thighs.
(9.) Some persons add pennyroyal to the number of these plants:
gathered fasting, they say, and attached to the hinder part of the
body, it will be an effectual preservative against all pains in the
groin, and will allay them in cases where they already exist.
CHAP. 59.—INGUINALIS OR ARGEMO.
Inguinalis[1300] again, or, as some persons call it, “argemo,” a plant
commonly found growing in bushes and thickets, needs only to be held in
the hand to be productive of beneficial effects upon the groin.
CHAP. 60.—REMEDIES FOR INFLAMED TUMOURS. CHRYSIPPIOS: ONE REMEDY.
Panaces,[1301] applied with honey, heals inflammatory tumours; an
effect which is equally produced by plantago applied with salt,
cinquefoil, root of persolata[1302] used in the same way as for
scrofula; damasonium[1303] also, and verbascum[1304] pounded with the
root, and then sprinkled with wine, and wrapped in a leaf warmed upon
ashes, and applied hot. Persons of experience in these matters have
asserted that it is of primary importance that the application should
be made by a maiden, as also that she must be naked at the time, and
fasting. The patient must be fasting too, and the damsel must say,
touching him with the back of her hand,[1305] “Apollo forbids that a
disease shall increase which a naked virgin restrains.” So saying, she
must withdraw her hand, and repeat to the above effect three times,
both of them spitting upon the ground each time.
Root, too, of mandragora[1306] is used for this purpose, with
water; a decoction of root of scammony with honey; sideritis[1307]
beaten up with stale grease; horehound with stale axle-grease; or
chrysippios,[1308] a plant which owes its name to its discoverer—with
pulpy figs.
CHAP. 61. (10.)—APHRODISIACS AND ANTAPHRODISIACS.
Nymphæa heraclia, used as already stated,[1309] acts most powerfully
as an antaphrodisiac; the same too if taken once every forty days in
drink. Taken in drink fasting, or eaten with the food, it effectually
prevents the recurrence of libidinous dreams. The root too, used in
the form of a liniment and applied to the generative organs, not only
represses all prurient desires, but arrests the seminal secretions as
well; for which reason, it is said to have a tendency to make flesh and
to improve the voice.[1310]
The upper part of the root of xiphion,[1311] taken in wine, acts as an
aphrodisiac. The same is the case too with the wild crethmos,[1312]
or agrios as it is called, and with horminum,[1313] beaten up with
polenta.[1314]
CHAP. 62.—THE ORCHIS OR SERAPIAS: FIVE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. SATYRION.
But there are few plants of so marvellous a nature as the orchis[1315]
or serapias, a vegetable production with leaves like those of the
leek, a stem a palm in height, a purple flower, and a twofold root,
formed of tuberosities which resemble the testes in appearance. The
larger of these tuberosities, or, as some say, the harder of the two,
taken in water, is provocative of lust; while the smaller, or, in other
words, the softer one, taken in goat’s milk, acts as an antaphrodisiac.
Some persons describe this plant as having a leaf like that of the
squill, only smoother and softer, and a prickly stem. The roots heal
liberations of the mouth, and are curative of pituitous discharges from
the chest; taken in wine they act astringently upon the bowels.
Satyrion is also a powerful stimulant. There are two kinds of it: the
first[1316] has leaves like those of the olive, but longer, a stem four
fingers in length, a purple flower, and a double root, resembling the
human testes in shape. This root swells and increases in volume one
year, and resumes its original size the next. The other kind is known
as the “satyrios orchis,”[1317] and is supposed to be the female plant.
It is distinguished from the former one by the distance between its
joints, and its more branchy and shrublike form. The root is employed
in philtres: it is mostly found growing near the sea. Beaten up and
applied with polenta,[1318] or by itself, it heals tumours and various
other affections of the generative organs. The root of the first kind,
administered in the milk of a colonic[1319] sheep, causes tentigo;
taken in water it produces a contrary effect.
CHAP. 63.—SATYRION: THREE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. SATYRION ERYTHRAÏCON:
FOUR MEDICINAL PROPERTIES.
The Greeks give the name of “satyrion”[1320] to a plant with red
leaves like those of the lily, but smaller, not more than three of them
making their appearance above ground. The stem, they say, is smooth and
bare and a cubit in length, and the root double; the lower part, which
is also the larger, promoting the conception of male issue, the upper
or smaller part, that of female.
They distinguish also another kind of satyrion, by the name of
“erythraïcon:”[1321] it has seed like that of the vitex,[1322] only
larger, smooth, and hard; the root, they say, is covered with a red
rind, and is white within and of a sweetish taste: it is mostly found
in mountainous districts. The root, we are told, if only held in the
hand, acts as a powerful aphrodisiac, and even more so, if it is taken
in rough, astringent wine. It is administered in drink, they say,
to rams and he-goats when inactive and sluggish; and the people of
Sarmatia are in the habit of giving it to their stallions when fatigued
with covering, a defect to which they give the name of “prosedamum.”
The effects of this plant are neutralized by the use of hydromel or
lettuces.[1323]
The Greeks, however, give the general name of “satyrion” to all
substances of a stimulating tendency, to the cratægis[1324] for
example, the thelygonon,[1325] and the arrenogonon, plants, the seed
of which bears a resemblance to the testes.[1326] Persons who carry
the pith of branches of tithymalos[1327] about them, are rendered more
amorous thereby, it is said. The statements are really incredible,
which Theophrastus,[1328] in most cases an author of high authority,
makes in relation to this subject; thus, for instance, he says that by
the contact only of a certain plant, a man has been enabled, in the
sexual congress, to repeat his embraces as many as seventy times even!
The name and genus, however, of this plant, he has omitted to mention.
CHAP. 64.—REMEDIES FOR THE GOUT AND DISEASES OF THE FEET.
Sideritis,[1329] attached to the body as an amulet, reduces varicose
veins, and effects a painless cure. Gout used to be an extremely
rare disease, not in the times of our fathers and grandfathers only,
but within my own memory even. Indeed, it may justly be considered a
foreign complaint; for if it had been formerly known in Italy, it would
surely have found a Latin name. It should, however, by no means be
looked upon as an incurable malady; for before now, in many instances,
it has quitted the patient all at once, and still more frequently, a
cure has been effected by proper treatment.
For the cure of gout, roots of panaces[1330] are used, mixed
with raisins; juice of henbane, or the seed, combined with meal;
scordion,[1331] taken in vinegar; iberis, as already mentioned;[1332]
vervain, beaten up with axle-grease; or root of cyclaminos,[1333] a
decoction of which is good also for chilblains.
As cooling applications for gout, root of xiphion[1334] is used;
seed of psyllion;[1335] hemlock, with litharge or axle-grease; and,
at the first symptoms of red gout, or, in other words, hot gout, the
plant aizoüm.[1336] For either kind of gout, erigeron,[1337] with
axle-grease, is very useful; leaves of plantago, beaten up with a
little salt; or argemonia,[1338] pounded with honey. An application of
vervain is also remedial, and it is a good plan to soak the feet in a
decoction of that plant in water.
CHAP. 65. LAPPAGO OR MOLLUGO: ONE REMEDY. ASPERUGO: ONE REMEDY.
Lappago[1339] is employed also for this disease; a plant similar to the
anagallis,[1340] were it not that it is more branchy, bristling with
a greater number of leaves, covered with rugosities, full of a more
acrid juice, and possessed of a powerful smell. The kind that resembles
anagallis most closely, is known as mollugo.[1341] Asperugo[1342] is a
similar plant, only with a more prickly leaf. The juice of the first is
taken daily, in doses of one denarius, in two cyathi of wine.
CHAP. 66.—PHYCOS THALASSION OR SEA-WEED: THREE VARIETIES OF IT. LAPPA
BOARIA.
But it is the phycos thalassion, or sea-weed,[1343] more particularly,
that is so excellent a remedy for the gout. It resembles the lettuce in
appearance, and is used as the basis in dyeing tissues with the purple
of the murex.[1344] Used before it becomes dry, it is efficacious as
a topical application not only for gout, but for all diseases of the
joints. There are three kinds of it; one with a broad leaf, another
with a longer leaf of a reddish hue, and a third with a crisped leaf,
and used in Crete for dyeing cloths.[1345] All these kinds have
similar properties; and we find Nicander prescribing them in wine as
an antidote to the venom of serpents even. The seed also of the plant
which we have spoken of as “psyllion,”[1346] is useful for the cure
of gout: it is first steeped in water, and one hemina of the seed is
then mixed with two spoonfuls of resin of Colophon, and one spoonful of
frankincense. Leaves of mandragora,[1347] too, are highly esteemed for
this purpose, beaten up with polenta.
(11.) For swellings of the ankles, slime,[1348] kneaded up with oil,
is wonderfully useful, and for swellings of the joints the juice
of the smaller centaury; this last being remarkably good also for
diseases of the sinews. Centauris,[1349] too, is very useful; and for
pains in the sinews of the shoulder-blades, shoulders, vertebræ, and
loins, an infusion of betony is taken in drink in the same way as
for diseases of the liver.[1350] Cinquefoil is applied topically to
the joints, and a similar use is made of the leaves of mandragora,
mixed with polenta,[1351] or else the root, beaten up fresh with wild
cucumber[1352] or boiled in water. For chaps upon the toes, root of
polypodion[1353] is used; and for diseases of the joints, juice of
henbane with axle-grease; amomum,[1354] with a decoction of the plant;
centunculus,[1355] boiled; or fresh moss steeped in water, and attached
to the part till it is quite dry.
The root, too, of lappa boaria,[1356] taken in wine, is productive of
similar effects. A decoction of cyclaminos[1357] in water, is curative
of chilblains, and all other affections resulting from cold. For
chilblains, cotyledon[1358] is also employed with axle-grease, leaves
of batrachion,[1359] and juice of epithymum.[1360] Ladanum,[1361] mixed
with castoreum,[1361] and vervain applied with wine, extract
corns from the feet.
CHAP. 67.—MALADIES WHICH ATTACK THE WHOLE OF THE BODY.
Having now finished the detail of the diseases which are perceptible
in individual parts of the body, we shall proceed to speak of those
which attack the whole of the body. The following I find mentioned
as general remedies: in preference to anything else, an infusion of
dodecatheos,[1362] a plant already described, should be taken in drink,
and then the roots of the several kinds[1363] of panaces, in maladies
of long standing more particularly: seed, too, of panaces should be
used for intestinal complaints. For all painful affections of the body
we find juice of scordium[1364] recommended, as also that of betony:
this last, taken in a potion, is particularly excellent for removing
a wan and leaden hue of the skin, and for improving its general
appearance.
CHAP. 68.—THE GERANION, MYRRILIS, OR MYRTIS; THREE VARIETIES OF IT: SIX
REMEDIES.
The plant geranion has the additional names of “myrrhis”[1365] and
“myrtis.” It is similar to hemlock in appearance, but has a smaller
leaf and a shorter stem, rounded, and of a pleasant taste and odour.
Such, at all events, is the description given of it by our herbalists;
but the Greeks speak of it as bearing leaves a little whiter than those
of the mallow, thin downy stems, and branches at intervals some two
palms in length, with small heads at their extremities, in the midst
of the leaves, resembling the bill[1366] of a crane.[1367] There is
also another[1368] variety of this plant, with leaves like those of the
anemone, but with deeper incisions, and a root rounded like an apple,
sweet, and extremely useful and refreshing[1369] for invalids when
recovering their strength; this last would almost seem to be the true
geranion.
For phthisis this plant is taken, in the proportion of one drachma
to three cyathi of wine, twice a day; as also for flatulency. Eaten
raw, it is productive of similar effects. The juice of the root is
remedial for diseases of the ear; and for opisthotony the seed is
taken in drink, in doses of four drachmæ, with pepper and myrrh. Juice
of plantago,[1370] taken in drink, is curative of phthisis, and a
decoction of it is equally good for the purpose. Plantago taken as
a food with oil and salt, immediately after rising in the morning,
is extremely refreshing; it is prescribed, too, in cases of atrophy,
on alternate days. Betony is given with honey, in the form of an
electuary, for phthisis, in pieces the size of a bean; agaric, too,
is taken in doses of two oboli in raisin wine, or else daucus[1371]
with the greater centaury in wine. For the cure of phagedæna, a name
given in common to bulimia[1372] and to a corrosive kind of ulcer,
tithymalos[1373] is taken in combination with sesame.
CHAP. 69.—THE ONOTHERAS OR ONEAR: THREE REMEDIES.
Among the various evils by which the whole of the body in common
is afflicted, that of wakefulness is the most common. Among the
remedies for it we find panaces[1374] mentioned, clymenus,[1375] and
aristolochia,[1376] the odour of the plant being inhaled and the head
rubbed with it. Aizoüm, or houseleek, is beneficial, wrapped in black
cloth and placed beneath the pillow, without the patient being aware
of it. The onotheras[1377] too, or onear, taken in wine, has certain
exhilarating properties; it has leaves like those of the almond tree, a
rose-coloured flower, numerous branches, and a long root, with a vinous
smell when dried: an infusion of this root has a soothing effect upon
wild beasts even.
For fits of indigestion[1378] attended with nausea, betony is taken
in drink: used similarly after the evening meal, it facilitates the
digestion. Taken in the proportion of one drachma to three cyathi of
oxymel, it dispels crapulence. The same is the case, too, with agaric,
taken in warm water after eating. Betony is curative of paralysis, it
is said; the same, too, with iberis, as already stated.[1379] This last
is good, too, for numbness of the limbs; the same being the case with
argemonia,[1380] a plant which disperses those affections which might
otherwise necessitate the application of the knife.
CHAP. 70.—REMEDIES FOR EPILEPSY.
Epilepsy is cured by the root of the panaces which we have spoken[1381]
of as the “heraclion,” taken in drink with sea-calf’s rennet, the
proportions being three parts of panaces and one of rennet. For the
same purpose an infusion of plantago[1382] is taken, or else betony or
agaric, with oxymel, the former in doses of one drachma, the latter in
doses of three oboli; leaves of cinquefoil are taken, also, in water.
Archezostis[1383] is also curative of epilepsy, but it must be taken
constantly for a year; root of bacchar,[1384] too, dried and powdered,
and taken in warm water, in the proportion of three cyathi to one
cyathus of coriander; centunculus[1385] also, bruised in vinegar, warm
water, or honey; vervain, taken in wine; hyssop[1386] berries, three
in number, pounded and taken in water, for sixteen days consecutively;
peucedanum,[1387] taken in drink with sea-calf’s rennet, in equal
proportions; leaves of cinquefoil, bruised in wine and taken for thirty
days; powdered betony, in doses of three denarii, with one cyathus of
squill vinegar and an ounce of Attic honey; as also scammony, in the
proportion of two oboli to four drachmæ of castoreum.
CHAP. 71.—REMEDIES FOR FEVERS.
Agaric, taken in warm water, alleviates cold fevers: sideritis, in
combination with oil, is good for tertian fevers; bruised ladanum[1388]
also, which is found in corn fields; plantago,[1389] taken in doses of
two drachmæ, in hydromel, a couple of hours before the paroxysms come
on; juice of the root of plantago made warm or subjected to pressure;
or else the root itself beaten up in water made warm with a hot iron.
Some medical men prescribe three roots of plantago, in three cyathi of
water; and in a similar manner, four roots for quartan fevers. When
buglossos[1390] is beginning to wither, if a person takes the pith out
of the stem, and says while so doing, that it is for the cure of such
and such a person suffering from fever, and then attaches seven leaves
to the patient, just before the paroxysms come on, he will experience a
cure, they say.
Fevers too, those which are attended with recurrent cold shiverings
more particularly, are cured by administering one drachma of betony, or
else agaric, in three cyathi of hydromel. Some medical men recommend
three leaves of cinquefoil for tertian, four for quartan, and an
increased number for other fevers; while others again prescribe in all
cases three oboli of cinquefoil, with pepper, in hydromel.
Vervain, administered in water, is curative of fever, in beasts of
burden even; but care must be taken, in cases of tertian fever, to
cut the plant at the third joint, and of quartan fever at the fourth.
The seed of either kind of hypericon[1391] is taken also for quartan
fevers and cold shiverings. Powdered betony modifies these fits, and
panaces[1392] is of so warming a nature that persons when about to
travel amid the snow are recommended to drink an infusion of it, and to
rub the body all over with the plant. Aristolochia[1393] also arrests
shivering produced by cold.
CHAP. 72.—REMEDIES FOR PHRENITIS, LETHARGY, AND CARBUNCLES.
Phrenitis is cured by sleep induced by the agency of an infusion of
peucedanum[1394] in vinegar, poured upon the head, or else by the juice
of either kind of anagallis.[1395] On the other hand, when patients are
suffering from lethargy, it is with the greatest difficulty that they
are aroused; a result which may be effected, they say, by touching the
nostrils with juice of peucedanum in vinegar. For the cure of insanity,
betony is administered in drink. Panaces[1396] brings carbuncles to
a head, and makes them break; and they are equally cured by powdered
betony applied in water, or else cabbage leaves mixed with frankincense
in warm water, and taken in considerable quantities. For a similar
purpose, a red-hot coal is extinguished in the patient’s presence, and
the ashes are taken up with the finger and applied to the sore. Bruised
plantago[1397] is also used for the cure of carbuncles.
CHAP. 73.—REMEDIES FOR DROPSY. ACTE OR EBULUM. CHAMÆACTE.
For the cure of dropsy, tithymalos characias[1398] is employed;
panaces[1399] also; plantago,[1400] used as a diet, dry bread being
eaten first, without any drink; betony, taken in doses of two drachmæ
in two cyathi of ordinary wine or honied wine; agaric or seed of
lonchitis,[1401] in doses of two spoonfuls, in water; psyllion,[1402]
taken in wine; juice of either anagallis;[1403] root of cotyledon[1404]
in honied wine; root of ebulum,[1405] fresh gathered, with the mould
shaken off, but not washed in water, a pinch in two fingers being taken
in one hemina of old wine mulled; root of trefoil, taken in doses of
two drachmæ in wine; the tithymalos[1406] known as “platyphyllos;” seed
of the hypericon,[1407] otherwise known as “caros;” the plant called
“acte”—the same thing as ebulum[1408] according to some—the root of
it being pounded in three cyathi of wine, if there are no symptoms of
fever, or the seed of it being administered in red wine; a good handful
of vervain also, boiled down in water to one half. But of all the
remedies for this disease, juice of chamæacte[1409] is looked upon as
by far the most efficacious.
Morbid or pituitous eruptions are cured by the agency of plantago,
or else root of cyclaminos[1410] with honey. Leaves of ebulum,[1411]
bruised in old wine and applied topically, are curative of the disease
called “boa,” which makes its appearance in the form of red pimples.
Juice of strychnos,[1412] applied as a liniment, is curative of prurigo.
CHAP. 74.—REMEDIES FOR ERYSIPELAS.
For the cure of erysipelas, aizoüm[1413] is used, or else pounded
leaves of hemlock, or root of mandragora;[1414] this last being cut
into round slices like cucumber and suspended over must,[1415] after
which it is hung up in the smoke, and then pounded in wine or vinegar.
It is a good plan too to use fomentations with myrtle wine: two ounces
of mint beaten up in vinegar with one ounce of live sulphur, form a
mixture sometimes employed; as also soot mixed with vinegar.
There are several kinds of erysipelas, one in particular which
attacks the middle of the body, and is known as “zoster:”[1416]
should it entirely surround the body, its effects are fatal. For
this disease, plantago[1417] is remedial, mixed with Cimolian[1418]
chalk; vervain, used by itself; or root of persolata.[1419] For other
kinds of erysipelas of a spreading nature, root of cotyledon[1420]
is used, mixed with honied wine; aizoüm also,[1421] or juice of
linozostis,[1422] in combination with vinegar.
CHAP. 75. (12.)—REMEDIES FOR SPRAINS.
For the cure of sprains, root of polypodion[1423] is used, in the form,
of a liniment: the pain and swelling are modified also by using seed of
psyllion;[1424] leaves of plantago[1425] beaten up with a little salt;
seed of verbascum,[1426] boiled in wine and pounded; or hemlock with
axle-grease. Leaves of ephemeron[1427] are applied topically to tumours
and tuberosities, so long as they are capable of being dispersed.
CHAP. 76.—REMEDIES FOR JAUNDICE.
It is upon the eyes in particular that jaundice is productive of so
remarkable an effect; the bile penetrating between the membranes, so
extremely delicate as they are and so closely united. Hippocrates[1428]
tells us that the appearance of jaundice on or after the seventh day
in fevers is a fatal symptom; but I am acquainted with some instances
in which, the patients survived after having been reduced to this
apparently hopeless state. We may remark also, that jaundice sometimes
comes on without fever supervening. It is combated by taking the
greater centaury,[1429] as already mentioned, in drink; agaric, in
doses of three oboli in old wine; or leaves of vervain, in doses of
three oboli, taken for four consecutive days in one hemina of mulled
wine. But the most speedy cure of all is effected by using juice of
cinquefoil, in doses of three cyathi, with salt and honey. Root of
cyclaminos[1430] is also taken in drink in doses of three drachmæ, the
patient sitting in a warm room free from all cold and draughts, the
infusion expelling the bile by its action as a sudorific.
Leaves of tussilago[1431] are also used in water for this purpose;
the seed of either kind of linozostis,[1432] sprinkled in the drink,
or made into a decoction with chick-pease or wormwood: hyssop berries
taken in water; the plant lichen,[1433] all other vegetables being
carefully abstained from while it is being used; polythrix,[1434] taken
in wine; and struthion,[1435] in honied wine.
CHAP. 77.—REMEDIES FOR BOILS.
There are boils also, known as “furunculi,”[1436] which make their
appearance indiscriminately on all parts of the body, and are
productive of the greatest inconvenience: sometimes indeed, when
the constitution is exhausted, they are fatal in their effects. For
their cure, leaves of pycnocomon[1437] are employed, beaten up with
polenta,[1438] if the boil has not come to a head. They are dispersed
also by an application of leaves of ephedron.[1439]
CHAP. 78.—REMEDIES FOR FISTULA.
Fistulas, too, insidiously attack all parts of the body, owing to
unskilfulness on the part of medical men in the use of the knife.
The smaller centaury[1440] is used for their cure, with the addition
of lotions[1441] and boiled honey: juice of plantago[1442] is also
employed, as an injection; cinquefoil, mixed with salt and honey;
ladanum,[1443] combined with castoreum;[1444] cotyledon,[1445] applied
hot with stag’s marrow; pith of the root of verbascum[1446] reduced
to a liquid state in the shape of a lotion, and injected; root of
aristolochia;[1447] or juice of tithymalos.[1448]
CHAP. 79.—REMEDIES FOR ABSCESSES AND HARD TUMOURS.
Abscesses and inflammations are cured by an application of leaves of
argemonia.[1449] For indurations and gatherings of all descriptions
a decoction of vervain or cinquefoil in vinegar is used; leaves or
root of verbascum;[1450] a liniment made of wine and hyssop; root of
acoron,[1451] a decoction of it being used as a fomentation; or else
aizoüm.[1452] Contusions also, hard tumours, and fistulous abscesses
are treated with, illecebra.[1453]
All kinds of foreign substances which have pierced the flesh are
extracted by using leaves of tussilago,[1454] daueus,[1455] or
seed of leontopodium[1456] pounded in water with polenta.[1457] To
suppurations, leaves of pycnocomon[1458] are applied, beaten up
with polenta, or else the seed of that plant, or orchis.[1459] An
application of root of satyrion[1460] is said to be a most efficacious
remedy for deep-seated diseases of the bones. Corrosive ulcers and all
kinds of gatherings are treated with sea-weed,[1461] used before it has
dried. Root, too, of alcima[1462] disperses gatherings.
CHAP. 80.—REMEDIES FOB BURNS.
Burns are cured by the agency of plantago,[1463] or of arction,[1464]
so effectually indeed as to leave no scar. The leaves of this last
plant are boiled in water, beaten up, and applied to the sore. Boots
of cyclaminos[1465] are used, in combination with aizoüm;[1466] the
kind of hypericon also, which we have mentioned as being called
“corissum.”[1467]
CHAP. 81. REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE SINEWS AND JOINTS.
For diseases of the sinews and joints, plantago,[1468] beaten up
with salt, is a very useful remedy, or else argemonia,[1469] pounded
with honey. Patients affected with spasms or tetanus are rubbed with
juice of peucedanum.[1470] For indurations of the sinews, juice of
ægilops[1471] is employed, and for pains in those parts of the body
erigeron[1472] or epithymum,[1473] used as a liniment, with vinegar.
In cases of spasms and opisthotony, it is an excellent plan to rub the
part affected with seed of the hypericon known as “caros,”[1474] and to
take the seed in drink. Phrynion,[1475] it is said, will effect a cure
even when the sinews have been severed, if applied instantaneously,
bruised or chewed. For spasmodic affections, fits of trembling, and
opisthotony, root of alcima[1476] is administered in hydromel; used in
this manner, if has a warming effect when the limbs are benumbed with
cold.
CHAP. 82.—REMEDIES FOR HÆMORRHAGE.
The red seed of the plant called “pæonia”[1477] arrests hæmorrhage; the
root also is possessed of similar properties. But it is clymenus[1478]
that should be employed, when there are discharges of blood at the
mouth or nostrils, from the bowels, or from the uterus. In such
cases, lysimachia[1479] also is taken in drink, applied topically,
or introduced into the nostrils; or else seed of plantago,[1480] or
cinquefoil, is taken in drink, or employed in the form of a liniment.
Hemlock seed is introduced into the nostrils, for discharges of blood
there, or else it is pounded and applied in water; aizoüm.[1481]
also, and root of astragalus.[1482] Ischæmon[1483] and achillea[1484]
likewise arrest hæmorrhage.
CHAP. 83. (13.)—HIPPURIS, OTHERWISE CALLED EPHEDRON, ANABASIS, OB
EQUISÆTUM; THREE KINDS OF IT: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
Equisætum, a plant called “hippuris” by the Greeks, and which we
have mentioned in terms of condemnation, when treating of meadow
lands[1485]—it being, in fact, a sort of hair of the earth, similar in
appearance to horse-hair[1486]—is used by runners for the purpose of
diminishing[1487] the spleen. For this purpose it is boiled down in a
new earthen vessel to one third, the vessel being filled to the brim,
and the decoction taken in doses of one hemina for three successive
days. It is strictly forbidden, however, to eat any food of a greasy
nature the day before taking it.
Among the Greeks there are various opinions in relation to this plant.
According to some, who give it the same name of “hippuris,” it has
leaves like those of the pine tree, and of a swarthy hue; and, if we
are to believe them, it is possessed of virtues of such a marvellous
nature, that if touched by the patient only, it will arrest hæmorrhage.
Some authorities call it “hippuris,” others, again, “ephedron,” and
others “anabasis;” and they tell us that it grows near trees, the
trunks of which it ascends, and hangs down therefrom in numerous tufts
of black, rush-like hair, much like a horse’s tail in appearance. The
branches, we are told, are thin and articulated, and the leaves, few in
number, small, and thin, the seed round, and similar to coriander in
appearance, and the root ligneous: it grows, they say, in plantations
more particularly.
This plant is possessed of astringent properties. The juice of it, kept
in the nostrils, arrests bleeding therefrom, and it acts astringently
upon the bowels. Taken in doses of three cyathi, in sweet wine, it is
a cure for dysentery, is an efficient diuretic, and is curative of
cough, hardness of breathing, ruptures, and serpiginous affections. For
diseases of the intestines and bladder, the leaves are taken in drink;
it has the property, also, of reducing ruptures of the groin.
The Greek writers describe another[1488] hippuris, also, with shorter
tufts, softer and whiter. This last, they say, is remarkably good
for sciatica, and, applied with vinegar, for wounds, it having the
property of stanching the blood. Bruised nymphæa[1489] is also
applied to wounds. Peucedanum[1490] is taken in drink with cypress
seed, for discharges of blood at the mouth or by the lower passages.
Sideritis[1491] is possessed of such remarkable virtues, that applied
to the wound of a gladiator just inflicted, it will stop the flow of
blood; an effect which is equally produced by an application of charred
fennel-giant, or of the ashes of that plant. For a similar purpose,
also, the fungus that is found growing near the root of fennel-giant is
still more efficacious.
CHAP. 84.—STEPHANOMELIS.
For bleeding at the nostrils, seed of hemlock, pounded in water
is considered efficacious, as also stephanomelis,[1492] applied
with water. Powdered betony, taken with goat’s milk, or bruised
plantago,[1493] arrests discharges of blood from the mamillæ. Juice of
plantago is administered to patients when vomiting blood. For local
discharges of blood, an application of root of persolata[1494] with
stale axle-grease is highly spoken of.
CHAP. 85.—REMEDIES FOR RUPTURES AND CONVULSIONS. ERYSITHALES: ONE
REMEDY.
For ruptures, convulsions, and falls with violence, the greater
centaury[1495] is used; root of gentian pounded or boiled; juice
of betony—this last being employed also for ruptures produced by
straining the vocal organs or sides—panaces;[1496] scordium;[1497] or
aristolochia[1498] taken in drink. For contusions and falls, agaric
is taken, in doses of two oboli, in three cyathi of honied wine, or
if there are symptoms of fever, hydromel; the verbascum,[1499] also,
with a golden flower; root of acoron;[1500] the several varieties
of aizoüm,[1501] the juice of the larger kind being particularly
efficacious; juice of symphytum,[1502] or a decoction of the root of
that plant; daucus,[1503] unboiled; erysithales,[1504] a plant with
a yellow flower and a leaf like that of acanthus, taken in wine;
chamærops;[1505] irio,[1506] taken in pottage; plantago[1507] taken any
way, as also * * * *
CHAP. 86.—REMEDIES FOR PHTHIRIASIS.
Phthiriasis is a disease which proved fatal to the Dictator
Sylla,[1508] and which developes itself by the production of insects
in the blood, which ultimately consume the body. It is combated by
using the juice of Taminian grapes[1509] or of hellebore, the body
being rubbed all over with it, in combination with oil. A decoction
of Taminian grapes in vinegar, has the effect, also, of ridding the
clothes of these vermin.
CHAP. 87. (14.)—REMEDIES FOR ULCERS AND WOUNDS.
Of ulcers there are numerous kinds, which are treated in various
ways. The root of all the varieties of panaces[1510] is used as an
application for running ulcers, in warm wine.
That which we have spoken of as the “chironion”[1511] is particularly
good as a desiccative: bruised with honey, it opens tumours, and
is useful for serpiginous ulcers, the cure of which appears more
than doubtful; in which case it is amalgamated with flower[1512] of
copper tempered with wine, either the seed, flower, or root, being
employed for the purpose. Mixed with polenta[1513] it is good for old
wounds. The following are also good detergents for wounds: heraclion
siderion,[1514] apollinaris,[1515] psyllion,[1516] tragacantha,[1517]
and scordotis[1518] mixed with honey. Powdered scordotis, applied by
itself, consumes fleshy excrescences on the body. Polemonia[1519] is
curative of the malignant ulcer known as “cacoëthes.” The greater
centaury,[1520] sprinkled in powder, or applied in the form of a
liniment, or the leaves of the smaller[1521] centaury, boiled or
pounded, act as a detergent upon inveterate ulcers, and effect a cure.
To recent wounds, the follicules of the clymenus[1522] are applied.
Gentian is applied to serpiginous ulcers, the root being bruised or
else boiled down in water to the consistency of honey; the juice
also of the plant is employed. For wounds, a kind of lycium[1523] is
prepared from gentian.
Lysimachia[1524] is curative of recent wounds, and plantago[1525] of
all kinds of liberations, those on females, infants, and aged persons
more particularly. This plant, when softened by the action of fire, is
better still: in combination with cerate it acts as a detergent upon
ulcers with indurated edges, and arrests the progress of corrosive
sores: when applied bruised, it should be covered with its own leaves.
Chelidonia[1526] also acts as a desiccative upon suppurations,
abscesses, and fistulous ulcers; indeed, it is so remarkably useful for
the cure of wounds, as to be employed as a substitute for spodium[1527]
even. In cases where the cure is almost hopeless, it is applied with
axle-grease. Dittany,[1528] taken internally, causes arrows to fall
from the flesh; used as a liniment, it has the effect of extracting
other kinds of pointed weapons: the leaves are taken in the proportion
of one obolus to one cyathus of water. Nearly equal in its efficacy
is pseudo-dictamnon:[1529] they are both of them useful, also, for
dispersing suppurations.
Aristolochia[1530] cauterizes putrid sores, and, applied with honey,
acts as a detergent upon sordid ulcers. At the same time also, it
removes maggots, and extracts hard cores, and all foreign bodies
adhering to the flesh, arrows more particularly, and, applied with
resin, splintered bones. Used by itself, it fills the cavities made
by ulcers with new flesh, and, employed with iris,[1531] in vinegar,
it closes recent wounds. Vervain, or cinquefoil with salt and honey,
is remedial for ulcers of long standing. Roots of persolata[1532] are
applied to recent wounds inflicted with iron, but for old wounds, it
is the leaves that are employed: in both cases, in combination with
axle-grease, the sore being then covered with the leaves of the plant.
Damasonium[1533] is used for wounds the same way as for scrofula,[1534]
and leaves of verbascum[1535] are employed with vinegar or wine.
Vervain is useful for all kinds of callosities or putrid sores; root
of nymphæa heraclia[1536] is curative of running ulcers; and the same
is the case with root of cyclaminos,[1537] either used by itself, or
in combination with vinegar or honey. This last root is useful also
for the cure of steatomatous tumours, and hyssop for that of running
ulcers; an effect equally produced by peucedanum,[1538] a plant which
exercises so powerful an influence upon fresh wounds, as to cause
exfoliation even of the bones. The two varieties of anagallis[1539]
are possessed of similar properties, and act as a check upon the
corrosive sores known as “nomæ” and upon defluxions; they are useful
also in cases of recent wounds, those of aged people in particular.
Fresh leaves of mandragora,[1540] applied with cerate, are curative of
apostemes and sordid ulcers: the root too is used, with honey or oil,
for wounds.
Hemlock, incorporated with flour of winter wheat[1541] by the agency
of wine—as also the plant aizoüm[1542]—is curative of herpetic
eruptions, and corrosive or putrid sores. Erigeron[1543] is employed
for ulcers which breed maggots. Root of astragalus[1544] is used for
the cure of recent wounds or of ulcers of long standing; and upon these
last either kind of hypocisthis[1545] acts as a detergent. Seed of
leontopodium,[1546] bruised in water and applied with polenta,[1547]
extracts pointed weapons from the flesh: a result equally produced
by using seed of pycnocomon.[1548] The tithyinalos characias[1549]
supplies its juice for the cure of gangrenes, phagedænic sores, and
putrid ulcers; or else a decoction is made of the branches with polenta
and oil. Boots of orchis[1550] have a similar effect; in addition to
which, applied, either dry or fresh gathered, with honey and vinegar,
they are curative of the ulcer known as “cacoëthes.” Onothera[1551]
also, used by itself, is curative of ulcers when rapidly gaining head.
The people of Scythia employ scythice[1552] for the treatment of
wounds. For carcinoma, argemonia,[1553] applied with honey, is
extremely efficacious. For sores that have prematurely closed,
root of asphodel is boiled, in manner already[1554] stated and
then beaten up with polenta,[1555] and applied. For all kinds of
wounds apollinaris[1556] is very useful. Root of astragalus,[1557]
reduced to powder, is good for running ulcers; the same, too, with
callithrix,[1558] boiled in water. For blisters, more particularly when
caused by the shoes, vervain is used, as also pounded lysimachia,[1559]
or nymphæa[1560] dried and powdered; but when they have assumed
the form of inveterate ulcers, polythrix[1561] will be found more
serviceable.
CHAP. 88.—POLYCNEMON: ONE REMEDY.
Polycnemon[1562] is a plant which resembles cunila bubula;[1563] it
has a seed like that of pennyroyal, a ligneous stem with numerous
articulations, and odoriferous umbels, with a pleasant though pungent
smell. This plant is chewed and applied to wounds inflicted with iron,
the application being removed at the end of four days. Symphyton[1564]
causes sores to cicatrize with the greatest rapidity; the same, too,
with sideritis,[1565] which is applied in combination with honey. The
seed and leaves of verbascum,[1566] boiled in wine and pounded, are
used for the extraction of all foreign substances adhering to the
body; and a similar use is made of leaves of mandragora[1567] mixed
with polenta,[1568] and roots of cyclaminos[1569] with honey. Leaves
of trixago,[1570] bruised in oil, are used for ulcers of a serpiginous
nature more particularly, as also sea-weed bruised with honey. Betony,
with the addition of salt, is employed for the cure of carcinomatous
sores and inveterate blisters on the neck.
CHAP. 89.—REMEDIES FOB WARTS, AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SCARS.
Argemonia[1571] with vinegar, or root of batrachion,[1572] removes
warts; this last having the effect also of bringing off malformed
nails. The juice or the leaves, applied topically, of either kind of
linozostis,[1573] remove warts. All the varieties of tithymalos[1574]
are efficacious for the removal of every kind of wart, as also of
hangnails[1575] and wens. Ladanum[1576] imparts a fresh colour and
seemly appearance to scars.
(15.) The traveller who carries artemisia[1577] attached to his person,
or elelisphacus,[1578] will never be sensible of lassitude, it is said.
CHAP. 90.—REMEDIES FOR FEMALE DISEASES.
One great remedy for all female diseases in common, is the black seed
of the herbaceous plant pæonia,[1579] taken in hydromel: the root
also is an effectual emmenagogue. Seed of panaces,[1580] mixed with
wormwood, acts as an emmenagogue and as a sudorific: the same, too,
with scordotis,[1581] taken internally or applied topically. Betony,
in doses of one drachma to three cyathi of wine, is taken for various
affections of the uterus, as also directly after child-birth. Excessive
menstruation is arrested by a pessary of achillea,[1582] or else a
sitting-bath composed of a decoction of that plant. Seed of henbane
in wine is used as a liniment for diseases of the mamillæ, and the
root is employed in the form of a plaster for uterine affections;
chelidonia,[1583] too, is applied to the mamillæ.
Roots of panaces,[1584] applied as a pessary, bring away the
after-birth and the dead fœtus, and the plant itself, taken in wine,
or used as a pessary with honey, acts as a detergent upon the uterus.
Polemonia,[1585] taken in wine, brings away the after-birth; used as
a fumigation, it is good for suffocations of the uterus. Juice of the
smaller centaury,[1586] taken in drink, or employed as a fomentation,
acts as an emmenagogue. The root also of the larger centaury, similarly
used, is good for pains in the uterus; scraped and used as a pessary,
it expels the dead fœtus. For pains of the uterus, plantago[1587] is
applied as a pessary, in wool, and for hysterical suffocations, it is
taken in drink. But it is dittany that is of the greatest efficacy
in cases of this description; it acts as an emmenagogue, and is an
expellent of the fœtus when dead or lying transversely in the uterus.
In these cases the leaves of it are taken, in doses of one obolus, in
water: indeed so active is it in its effects that ordinarily it is
forbidden to be introduced into the chamber of a woman lying-in. Not
only is it thus efficacious when taken in drink, but even when applied
topically or used as a fumigation. Pseudodictamnum[1588] possesses
pretty nearly the same virtues, but it acts as an emmenagogue also,
boiled in doses of one denarius in unmixed wine. Aristolochia,[1589]
however, is employed for a greater number of purposes: in combination
with myrrh and pepper, either taken in drink or used as a pessary, it
acts as a powerful emmenagogue, and brings away the dead fœtus and the
after-birth. This plant, the smaller kind in particular, used either
as a fomentation, fumigation, or pessary, acts as a preventive of
procidence of the uterus.
Hysterical suffocations and irregularities of the catamenia are treated
with agaric, taken in doses of three oboli, in one cyathus of old
wine: vervain is used also in similar cases, as a pessary, with fresh
hog’s lard; or else antirrhinum,[1590] with rose, oil and honey. Root
of Thessalian nymphæa,[1591] used as a pessary, is curative of pains
in the uterus; taken in red wine, it arrests uterine discharges. Root
of cyclaminos,[1592] on the other hand, taken in drink and employed
as a pessary, acts as an emmenagogue: a decoction of it, used as a
sitting-bath, cures affections of the bladder. Cissanthemos,[1593]
taken in drink, brings away the after-birth, and is curative of
diseases of the uterus. The upper part of the root of xiphion,[1594]
taken in doses of one drachma, in vinegar, promotes menstruation. A
fumigation of burnt peucedanum[1595] has a soothing effect in cases
of hysterical suffocation. Psyllion,[1596] taken in the proportion
of one drachma to three cyathi of hydromel, is particularly good for
promoting the lochial discharge. Seed of mandragora,[1597] taken in
drink, acts as a detergent upon the uterus; the juice, employed in
a pessary, promotes menstruation and expels the dead fœtus. The seed
of this plant, used with live sulphur,[1598] arrests menstruation
when in excess; while batrachion,[1599] on the other hand, acts as an
emmenagogue. This last plant is either used as an article of food, or
is taken in drink: in a raw state, as already stated,[1600] it has a
burning flavour; but when cooked, the taste of it is greatly improved
by the addition of salt, oil, and cummin. Daucus,[1601] taken in
drink, promotes the catamenia, and is an expellent of the after-birth
in a very high degree. Ladanum,[1602] used as a fumigation, acts as a
corrective upon the uterus, and is employed topically for pains and
ulcerations of that organ.
Scammony, taken in drink or used as a pessary, is an expellent of the
dead fœtus. Either kind of hypericon,[1603] used as a pessary, promotes
menstruation: but for this purpose it is crethmos,[1604] according
to Hippocrates, that is the most efficacious, the seed or root of
it being taken in wine.[1605] * * * of the outer coat brings away
the after-birth. This plant, taken in water, is good for hysterical
suffocations; root of geranion[1606] also, which is peculiarly useful
for the after-birth, and for inflation of the uterus. Hippuris,[1607]
taken in drink or applied as a pessary, acts as a detergent upon the
uterus: polygonos,[1608] taken in drink, promotes menstruation; and the
same with root of alcima.[1609] Leaves of plantago,[1610] and agaric in
hydromel, have a similar effect. Artemisia,[1611] bruised and applied
as a pessary, with oil of iris,[1612] figs, or myrrh, is curative of
diseases of the uterus; the root, too, of this plant, taken in drink,
is so strongly purgative as to expel the dead fœtus even. A decoction
of the branches, used as a sitting-bath, promotes menstruation and
brings away the after-birth; the same too, with the leaves, taken in
doses of one drachma in drink. The leaves, if applied to the lower
regions of the abdomen with barley-meal, will prove equally efficacious.
Acoron[1613] is very useful for internal complaints of females; as
also the two varieties of conyza,[1614] and crethmos.[1615] Either
kind of anthyllis,[1616] taken in wine, is remarkably good for uterine
affections, griping pains in that organ, and retardations of the
after-birth. Callithrix,[1617] applied as a fomentation, is curative
of affections of the vagina: it removes scaly eruptions[1618] also of
the head, and, beaten up in oil, it stains the hair. Geranion,[1619]
taken in white wine, or hypocisthis[1620] in red, arrests all uterine
discharges. Hyssop modifies hysterical suffocations. Root of vervain,
taken in water, is a most excellent remedy for all accidents incident
to, or consequent upon, delivery. Some persons mix bruised cypress
seed with peucedanum[1621] in red wine. Seed, too, of psyllion,[1622]
boiled in water and taken warm, has a soothing effect upon all
defluxions of the uterus. Symphyton,[1623] bruised in wine, promotes
menstruation. Juice of scordotis,[1624] in the proportion of one
drachma to four cyathi of hydromel, accelerates delivery. Leaves of
dittany are given for the same purpose, in water, with remarkable
success. It is a well-known fact, too, that these leaves, to the extent
of a single obolus even, will bring away the fœtus instantaneously,
even when dead, without the slightest inconvenience to the patient.
Pseudodictamnum[1625] is productive of a somewhat similar effect,
but not in so marked a degree: cyclaminos,[1626] too, attached as an
amulet; cissanthemos,[1627] taken in drink; and powdered betony, in
hydromel.
CHAP. 91.—ARSENOGONON: ONE MEDICINAL PROPERTY. THELYGONON: ONE
MEDICINAL PROPERTY.
Arsenogonon[1628] and thelygonon are plants, both of them, with
clusters resembling the blossoms of the olive, but paler, and a white
seed like that of the poppy. By taking thelygonon in drink, they
say, the conception of female issue is ensured. Arsenogonon differs
from it in the seed, which resembles that of the olive, but in no
other respect. By taking this last plant in drink, male issue may be
ensured—that is, if we choose to believe it. Some persons, however,
assert that both plants resemble ocimum,[1629] but that the seed of
arsenogonon is double, and resembles the testes in appearance.
CHAP. 92.—MASTOS: ONE REMEDY.
Aizoüm, which we have spoken of under the name of digitellus,[1630] is
the great specific for diseases of the mamillæ. The milk is increased
by taking erigeron[1631] in raisin wine, or else sonchos[1632]
boiled with spelt. The plant known as “mastos,”[1633] applied
topically, removes the hairs from the mamillæ,[1634] which make their
appearance after child-birth: it has the effect also of dispersing
scaly crusts[1635] upon the face, and other cutaneous affections.
Gentian also, nymphæa heraclia[1636] employed in a liniment, and
root of cyclaminos,[1637] remove all blemishes of the skin. Seeds of
cacalia,[1638] mixed with melted wax, plump out the skin of the face
and make wrinkles disappear. Root of acoron,[1639] also, removes all
spots upon the skin.
CHAP. 93.—APPLICATIONS FOR THE HAIR. LYSIMACHIA. OPHRYS.
Lysimachia[1640] imparts a blonde tint[1641] to the hair, and the
hypericon,[1642] otherwise called “corisson,” makes it black. The same
too, with ophrys,[1643] a plant with indentations, which resembles the
cabbage, but has only two leaves. Polemonia,[1644] too, boiled in oil,
imparts blackness to the hair.
As for depilatories, I reckon them in the number of cosmetics, fit
for women only, though men use them now-a-days. For this purpose
archezostis[1645] is looked upon as highly efficacious, as also juice
of tithymalos,[1646] applied with oil every now and then in the sun, or
after pulling out the hairs. Hyssop, applied with oil, heals itch-scab
in beasts, and sideritis[1647] is particularly useful for quinzy in
swine.
But let us now turn to the remaining plants of which we have to speak.
SUMMARY.—Remedies, narratives, and observations, one thousand and
nineteen.
ROMAN AUTHORS QUOTED.—M. Varro,[1648] C. Valgius,[1649] Pompeius
Lenæus,[1650] Sextius Niger[1651] who wrote in Greek, Julius
Bassus[1652] who wrote in Greek, Antonius Castor,[1653] Cornelius
Celsus.[1654]
FOREIGN AUTHORS QUOTED.—Theophrastus,[1655] Democritus,[1656]
Juba,[1657] Orpheus,[1658] Pythagoras,[1659] Mago,[1660] Menander[1661]
who wrote the “Biochresta,” Nicander,[1662] Homer, Hesiod,[1663]
Musæus,[1664] Sophocles,[1665] Xanthus,[1666] Anaxilaüs.[1667]
MEDICAL AUTHORS QUOTED.—Mnesitheus,[1668] Callimachus,[1669]
Phanias[1670] the physician, Timaristus,[1671] Simus,[1672]
Hippocrates,[1673] Chrysippus,[1674] Diocles,[1675] Ophelion,[1676]
Heraclides,[1677] Hicesius,[1678] Dionysius,[1679] Apollodorus[1680]
of Citium, Apollodorus[1681] of Tarentum, Praxagoras[1682]
Plistonieus,[1683] Medius,[1684] Dieuches,[1685] Cleophantus,[1686]
Philistion,[1687] Asclepiades,[1688] Crateuas,[1689] Petronius
Diadotus,[1690] Iollas,[1691] Erasistratus,[1692] Diagoras,[1693]
Andreas,[1694] Mnesides,[1695] Epicharmus[1696] Damion,[1697]
Tlepolemus,[1698] Metrodorus,[1699] Solo,[1700] Lycus,[1701]
Olympias[1702] of Thebes, Philinus,[1703] Petrichus,[1704]
Micton,[1705] Glaucias,[1706] Xenocrates.[1707]