We may moisten asperity of the tongue, by making the patients retain in
the mouth a decoction of linseed. But it will be more efficacious if
sebesten plums be boiled with the linseed. Having immersed the finger
in this liquor, and rubbed the tongue with it, let them rinse the mouth
with clear water, or let them clean it with a sponge, and then anoint
it with rose oil. And the oil of roses mixed with honey also answers
well. Likewise the juice of the purslain retained in the mouth, and the
sumach used for condiments, when mixed with honied water, have a good
effect. Damascenes, also, and the bones of the sebesten plum retained
in the mouth, and rolled on the tongue, and the stem of the lettuce,
answer well. Archigenes says, that the Indian salt, which, in colour and
consistence is like the common salt, but which resembles honey in taste,
when chewed to the size of a lentil, or, at most, of a bean, moistens
greatly. They should lie upon the side (for lying upon the back dries
greatly), and they ought to keep the mouth shut, because keeping it open
allows the moisture to dry up. Sneezing properly produced, moistens the
tongue more effectually than any other means.
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