BOOK XXV. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE WILD PLANTS. (continued 2)
John Bostock translation
Similar too, are the properties of the alisma,805 known to some persons as the “damasonion,” and as the “lyron” to others. The leaves of it would be exactly those of the plantago, were it not that they are narrower, more jagged at the edges, and bent downwards in a greater degree. In other respects, they present the same veined appearance as those of the plantago. This plant has a single stem, slender, a cubit in height, and terminated by a spreading head.806 The roots of it are numerous, thin like those of black hellebore, acrid, unctuous, and odoriferous: it is found growing in watery localities.
There is another kind also, which grows in the woods, of a more swarthy colour, and with larger leaves. The root of them both is used for injuries inflicted by frogs and by the sea-hare,807 in doses of one drachma taken in wine. Cyclaminos, too, is an antidote for injuries inflicted by the sea-hare.
The bite of the mad dog has certain venomous properties, as an antidote to which we have the cynorrhodos, of which we have spoken808 elsewhere already. The plantago is useful for the bites of all kinds of animals, either taken in drink or applied topically to the part affected. Betony is taken on similar occasions, in old wine, unmixed.
CHAP. 78.—PERISTEREOS: SIX REMEDIES.
The name of peristereos809 is given to a plant with a tall stem, covered with leaves, and throwing out other stems from the top. It is much sought by pigeons, to which circumstance it owes its name. Dogs will never bark, they say, at persons who have this plant about them.
CHAP. 79.—REMEDIES AGAINST CERTAIN POISONS.
Closely approaching in their nature to these various kinds of poisons, are those which have been devised by man for his own destruction. In the number of antidotes to all these artificial poisons as well as to the spells of sorcery, the very first place must be accorded to the moly810 of Homer; next to which come the mithridatia,811 scordotis,812 and centaury. The seed of betony carries off all kinds of noxious substances by stool; being taken for the purpose in honied wine or raisin wine, or else pulverized, and taken, in doses of one drachma, in four cyathi of old wine: in this last case, however, the patient must bring it off the stomach by vomit and then repeat the dose. Persons who accustom themselves to take this plant daily, will never experience any injury, they say, from substances of a poisonous nature.
When a person has taken poison, one most powerful remedy is aristolochia,813 taken in the same proportions as those used for injuries inflicted by serpents.814 The juice, too, of cinquefoil is given for a similar purpose; and in both cases, after the patient has vomited, agaric is administered, in doses of one denarius, in three cyathi of hydromel.
CHAP. 80.—THE ANTIRRHINUM, ANARRHINON, OR LYCHNIS AGRIA: THREE REMEDIES.
The name of antirrhinum815 or anarrhinon is given to the lychnis agria,816 a plant which resembles flax in appearance, is destitute of root, has a flower like that of the hyacinth, and a seed similar in form to the muzzle of a calf. According to what the magicians say, persons who rub themselves with this plant improve their personal appearance thereby; and they may ensure themselves against all noxious substances and poisons, by wearing it as a bracelet.
CHAP. 81.—EUCLEA: ONE REMEDY.
The same is the case, too, with the plant to which they give the name of “euclea,”817 and which, they tell us, rubbed upon the person, will ensure a more extended consideration. They say, too, that if a person carries artemisia818 about him, he will be ensured against all noxious drugs, the attacks of wild beasts of every kind, and sunstroke even. This last plant is taken also in wine, in cases of poisoning by opium. Used as an amulet, or taken in drink, it is said to be particularly efficacious for injuries inflicted by frogs.
CHAP. 82.—THE PERICARPUM; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: TWO REMEDIES.
The pericarpum is a kind of bulbous plant. There are two varieties of it; one with a red819 outer coat, and the other,820 similar is appearance to the black poppy, and possessed of greater virtues than the first. They are both, however, of a warming nature, for which reason, they are administered to persons who have taken hemlock, a poison for which frankincense and panaces are used, chironion821 in particular. This last, too, is given in cases of poisoning by fungi.
CHAP. 83. (11.)—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE HEAD. NYMPHÆA HERACLIA: TWO REMEDIES.
But we shall now proceed to point out the various classes of remedies for the several parts of the body, and the maladies to which those parts are subject, beginning in the first place with the head.
The root of nymphæa heraclia822 effects the cure of alopecy, if they are beaten up together,823 and applied. The polythrix824 differs from the callitrichos825 in having white, rushlike suckers, larger leaves, and more numerous; the main stem,826 too, is larger. This plant strengthens the hair, prevents it from falling off, and makes it grow more thickly
CHAP. 84.—THE LINGULACA: ONE REMEDY.
The same is the case too with the lingulaca,827 a plant that grows in the vicinity of springs, and the root of which is reduced to ashes, and beaten up with hog’s lard. Due care must be taken, however, that it is the lard of a female, of a black colour, and one that has never farrowed. The application is rendered additionally efficacious, if the ointment is applied in the sun. Root, too, of cyclaminos is employed in the same manner for a similar purpose. A decoction of root of hellebore in oil or in water is used for the removal of porrigo. For the cure of head-ache, root of all kinds of panaces828 is used, beaten up in oil; as also aristolochia829 and iberis,830 this last being applied to the head for an hour or more, if the patient can bear it so long, care being taken to bathe m the meanwhile. The daucus, too, is curative of head-ache. Cyclaminos,831 introduced into the nostrils with honey, clears the head; used in the form of a liniment, it heals ulcers of the head. Peristereos,832 also, is curative of diseases of the head.
CHAP. 85.—THE CACALIA OR LEONTICE: THREE REMEDIES.
The name of “cacalia”833 or “leontice” is given to a plant with seed resembling small pearls in appearance, and hanging down between large leaves: it is mostly found upon mountains. Fifteen grains of this seed are macerated in oil, and the head is rubbed with the mixture, the contrary way to the hair.
CHAP. 86.—THE CALLITRICHOS: ONE REMEDY.
A sternutatory, too, is prepared from the callitrichos.834 The leaves of this plant are similar to those of the lentil, and the stems resemble fine rushes; the root is very diminutive. It grows in shady, moist localities, and has a burning taste in the mouth.
CHAP. 87.—HYSSOP: TEN REMEDIES.
Hyssop,835 beaten up in oil, is curative of phthiriasis and prurigo of the head. The best hyssop is that of Mount Taurus in Cilicia, next to which in quality is the produce of Pamphylia and Smyrna. This plant is injurious to the stomach: taken with figs, it produces alvine evacuations, and used in combination with honey, it acts as an emetic. It is generally thought that, beaten up with honey, salt, and cummin, it is curative of the stings of serpents.
CHAP. 88.—THE LONCHITIS: FOUR REMEDIES.
The lonchitis836 is not, as most writers have imagined, the same plant as the xiphion837 or phasganion, although the seed of it does bear a resemblance to the point of a spear. The lonchitis, in fact, has leaves like those of the leek, of a reddish colour near the root, and more numerous there than on the upper part of the stem. It bears diminutive heads, which are very similar to our masks of comedy, and from which a small tongue protrudes:838 the roots of it are remarkably long. It grows in thirsty, arid soils.
CHAP. 89.—THE XIPHION OR PHASGANION: FOUR REMEDIES.
The xiphion839 or phasganion, on the other hand, is found growing in humid localities. On first leaving the ground it has the appearance of a sword; the stem of it is two cubits in length, and the root is fringed like a hazel nut.840
This root should always be taken up before harvest, and dried in the shade. The upper part of it, pounded with frankincense, and mixed with an equal quantity of wine, extracts fractured bones of the cranium, purulent matter in all parts of the body, and bones of serpents,841 when accidentally trodden upon; if is very efficacious, too, for poisons. In cases of head-ache, the head should be rubbed with hellebore, boiled and beaten up in olive oil, or oil of roses, or else with peucedanum steeped in olive oil or rose oil, and vinegar. This last plant, made lukewarm, is very good also for hemicrania842 and vertigo. It being of a heating nature, the body is rubbed with the root as a sudorific.
CHAP. 90.—PSYLLION, CYNOÏDES, CRYSTALLION, SICELICON, OR CYNOMYIA; SIXTEEN REMEDIES. THRYSELINUM: ONE REMEDY.
Psyllion,843 cynoïdes, crystallion, sicelicon, or cynomyia, has a slender root, of which no use is made, and numerous thin branches, with seeds resembling those of the bean, at the extremities.844 The leaves of it are not unlike a dog’s head in shape;845 and the seed, which is enclosed in berries, bears a resemblance to a flea—whence its name “psyllion.” This plant is generally found growing in vineyards, is of a cooling nature, and is extremely efficacious as a dispellent. The seed of it is the part made use of; for head-ache, it is applied to the forehead and temples with rose oil and vinegar, or else with oxycrate; it is used as a liniment for other purposes also. Mixed in the proportion of one acetabulum to one sextarius of water, it is left to coagulate and thicken; after which it is beaten up, and the thick solution is used as a liniment for all kinds of pains, abscesses, and inflammations.
Aristolochia is used as a remedy for wounds in the head; it has the property, too, of extracting fractured bones, not only from other parts of the body, but the cranium in particular. The same, too, with plistolochia.
Thryselinum846 is a plant not unlike parsley; the root of it, eaten, carries off pituitous humours from the head.
CHAP. 91. (12.)—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE EYES.
It is generally thought that the greater centaury847 strengthens the sight, if the eyes are fomented with it steeped in water; and that by employing the juice of the smaller kind, in combination with honey, films and cloudiness may be dispersed, marks obliterated, and small flies removed which have got into the eye. It is thought also that sideritis is curative of albugo in beasts of burden. As to chelidonia,848 it is marvellously good for all the affections above mentioned. Root of panaces849 is applied, with polenta,850 to defluxions of the eyes; and for the purpose of keeping them down, henbane-seed is taken, in doses of one obolus, with an equal proportion of opium, in wine. Juice, too, of gentian is used as a liniment, and it sometimes forms an ingredient in the more active eyesalves,851 as a substitute for meconium. Euphorbia,852 applied in the form of a liniment, improves the eyesight, and for ophthalmia juice of plantago853 is injected into the eyes.
Aristolochia disperses films upon the eyes; and iberis,854 attached to the head with cinquefoil, is curative of defluxions and other diseases of the eyes. Verbascum855 is applied topically to defluxions of the eyes, and vervain is used for a similar purpose, with rose oil and vinegar. For the treatment of cataract and dimness of sight, cyclaminos is reduced to a pulp and divided into lozenges. Juice, too, of peucedanum, as already mentioned,856 mixed with meconium and oil of roses, is good for the sight, and disperses films upon the eyes. Psyllion,857 applied to the forehead, arrests defluxions of the eyes.
CHAP. 92. (13.)—THE ANAGALLIS, OR CORCHORON; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: SIX REMEDIES.
The anagallis is called “corchoron”858 by some. There are two kinds of it, the male859 plant, with a red blossom, and the female,860 with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice861 of either plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, suffusions of blood862 in those organs resulting from blows, and argema863 with a red tinge: if used in combination with Attic honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the effect also of dilating864 the pupil; hence the eye is anointed with it before the operation of couching865 for cataract. These plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of burden.
The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head: it is taken also, in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by serpents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch the female plant; but if it should so happen that, deceived by the resemblance—the flower being the only distinguishing mark—they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called “asyla,”866 but more generally known among us as “ferus oculus.”867 Some persons recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take care and extract the juice immediately; if this is done, they say, it will be doubly efficacious.
As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken868 of its properties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia, attended with swelling, it will be a good plan to apply wormwood beaten up with honey, as well as powdered betony.
CHAP. 93.—THE ÆGILOPS: TWO REMEDIES.
The fistula of the eye, called “ægilops,” is cured by the agency of the plant of the same name,869 which grows among barley, and has a leaf like that of wheat. The seed is pounded for the purpose, and applied with meal; or else the juice is extracted from the stem and more pulpy leaves, the ears being first removed. This juice is incorporated with meal of three-month wheat, and divided into lozenges.
CHAP. 94.—MANDRAGORA, CIRCÆON, MORION, OR HIPPOPHLOMOS; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: TWENTY-FOUR REMEDIES.
Some persons, too, were in the habit of employing mandragora for diseases of the eyes; but more recently, the use of it for such a purpose has been abandoned. It is a well-ascertained fact, however, that the root, beaten up with rose oil and wine, is curative of defluxions of the eyes and pains in those organs; and, indeed, the juice of this plant still forms an ingredient in many medicaments for the eyes. Some persons give it the name of “circæon.”870 There are two varieties, the white871 mandragora, which is generally thought to be the male plant, and the black,872 which is considered to be the female. It has a leaf narrower than that of the lettuce, a hairy stem, and a double or triple root, black without and white within, soft and fleshy, and nearly a cubit in length.
Both kinds bear a fruit about the size of a hazel-nut, enclosing a seed resembling the pips of a pear in appearance. The name given to the white plant by some persons is “arsen,”873 by others “morion,”874 and by others again, “hippophlomos.” The leaves of it are white, while those of the other one875 are broader, and similar to those of garden lapathum876 in appearance. Persons, when about to gather this plant, take every precaution not to have the wind blowing in their face; and after tracing three circles round it with a sword, turn towards the west and dig it up.877 The juice is extracted both from the fruit and from the stalk, the top being first removed; also from the root, which is punctured for the purpose, or else a decoction is made of it. The filaments, too, of the root are made use of, and it is sometimes cut up into segments and kept in wine.
It is not the mandragora of every country that will yield a juice, but where it does, it is about vintage time that it is collected: it has in all cases a powerful odour, that of the root and fruit the most so. The fruit is gathered when ripe, and dried in the shade; and the juice, when extracted, is left to thicken in the sun. The same is the case, too, with the juice of the root, which is extracted either by pounding it or by boiling it down to one third in red wine. The leaves are best, kept in brine; indeed, when fresh, the juice of them is a baneful poison,878 and these noxious properties are far from being entirely removed, even when they are preserved in brine. The very odour of them is highly oppressive to the head, although there are countries in which the fruit is eaten. Persons ignorant of its properties are apt to be struck dumb by the odour of this plant when in excess, and too strong a dose of the juice is productive of fatal effects.
Administered in doses proportioned to the strength of the patient, this juice has a narcotic effect; a middling dose being one cyathus. It is given, too, for injuries inflicted by serpents, and before incisions or punctures are made in the body, in order to ensure insensibility to the pain.879 Indeed, for this last purpose, with some persons, the odour of it is quite sufficient to induce sleep. The juice is taken also as a substitute for hellebore, in doses of two oboli, in honied wine: hellebore, however, is more efficacious as an emetic, and as an evacuant of black bile.
CHAP. 95.—HEMLOCK: THIRTEEN REMEDIES.
Hemlock,880 too, is a poisonous plant, rendered odious by the use made of it by the Athenian people, as an instrument of capital punishment: still,881 however, as it is employed for many useful purposes, it must not be omitted. It is the seed that is noxious, the stalk being eaten by many people, either green, or cooked882 in the saucepan. This stem is smooth, jointed like a reed, of a swarthy hue, often as much as two cubits in height, and branchy at the top. The leaves are like those of coriander, only softer, and possessed of a powerful odour. The seed is more substantial than that of anise, and the root is hollow and never used. The seed and leaves are possessed of refrigerating properties; indeed, it is owing to these properties that it is so fatal, the cold chills with which it is attended commencing at the extremities. The great remedy883 for it, provided it has not reached the vitals, is wine, which is naturally of a warming tendency; but if it is taken in wine, it is irremediably fatal.
A juice is extracted from the leaves and flowers; for it is at the time of its blossoming that it is in its full vigour. The seed is crushed, and the juice extracted from it is left to thicken in the sun, and then divided into lozenges. This preparation proves fatal by coagulating the blood—another deadly property which belongs to it; and hence it is that the bodies of those who have been poisoned by it are covered with spots. It is sometimes used in combination with water as a medium for diluting certain medicaments. An emollient poultice is also prepared from this juice, for the purpose of cooling the stomach; but the principal use made of it is as a topical application, to check defluxions of the eyes in summer, and to allay pains in those organs. It is employed also as an ingredient in eyesalves, and is used for arresting fluxes in other parts of the body: the leaves, too, have a soothing effect upon all kinds of pains and tumours, and upon defluxions of the eyes.
Anaxilaüs makes a statement to the effect, that if the mamillæ884 are rubbed with hemlock during virginity, they will always be hard and firm: but a better-ascertained fact is, that applied885 to the mamillæ, it dries up the milk in women recently delivered; as also that, applied to the testes at the age of puberty, it acts most effectually as an antaphrodisiac.886 As to those cases in which it is recommended to take it internally as a remedy, I shall, for my own part, decline to mention them. The most powerful hemlock is that grown at Susa, in Parthia, the next best being the produce of Laconia, Crete, and Asia.887 In Greece, the hemlock of the finest quality is that of Megara, and next to it, that of Attica.
CHAP. 96.—CRETHMOS AGRIOS: ONE REMEDY.
Crethmos agrios,888 applied to the eyes, removes rheum; and, with the addition of polenta, it causes tumours to disappear.
CHAP. 97.—MOLYBDÆNA: ONE REMEDY.
Molybdæna889 also grows everywhere in the fields, a plant commonly known as “plumbago.”889 It has leaves like those of lapathum,890 and a thick, hairy root. Chewed and applied to the eye from time to time, it removes the disease called “plum-bum,”891 which affects that organ.
CHAP. 98.—THE FIRST KIND OF CAPNOS, KNOWN ALSO AS CHICKEN’S FOOT: ONE REMEDY.
The first kind of capnos,892 known also as “chicken’s foot,”893 is found growing on walls and hedges: it has very thin, straggling branches, with a purple blossom. It is used in a green state, and the juice of it disperses films upon the eyes; hence it is that it is employed as an ingredient in medicinal compositions for the eyes.
CHAP. 99.—THE ARBORESCENT CAPNOS: THREE REMEDIES.
There is another kind894 of capnos also, similar both in name and properties, but different in appearance. It is a branchy plant, is extremely delicate, has leaves like those of coriander, is of an ashy colour, and bears a purple flower: it grows in gardens, and amid crops of barley. Employed in the form of an ointment for the eyes, it improves the sight, producing tears in the same way that smoke does, to which, in fact, it owes its name. It has the effect also of preventing the eyelashes, when pulled out, from growing again.
CHAP. 100.—THE ACORON OR AGRION: FOURTEEN REMEDIES.
The acoron895 has leaves similar to those of the iris,896 only narrower, and with a longer stalk; the roots of it are black, and not so veined, but in other respects are similar to those of the iris, have an acrid taste and a not unpleasant smell, and act as a carminative. The best roots are those grown in Pontus, the next best those of Galatia, and the next those of Crete; but it is in Colchis, on the banks of the river Phasis, and in various other watery localities, that they are found in the greatest abundance. When fresh, they have a more powerful odour than when kept for some time: these of Crete are more blanched than the produce of Pontus. They are cut into pieces about a finger in length, and dried in leather bags897 in the shade.
There are some authors who give the name of “acoron” to the root of the oxymyrsine;898 for which reason also some prefer giving that plant the name of “acorion.” It has powerful properties as a calorific and resolvent, and is taken in drink for cataract and films upon the eyes; the juice also is extracted, and taken for injuries inflicted by serpents.
CHAP. 101.—THE COTYLEDON: TWO VARIETIES OF IT: SIXTY-ONE REMEDIES.
The cotyledon899 is a small herbaceous plant, with a diminutive, tender stem, and an unctuous leaf, with a concave surface like that of the cotyloïd cavity of the thigh. It grows in maritime and rocky localities, is of a green colour, and has a rounded root like an olive: the juice of it is remedial for diseases of the eyes.
There is another900 kind also of the same plant, the leaves of which are of a dirty green901 colour, larger than those of the other, and growing in greater numbers about the root, which is surrounded with them just as the eye is with the socket. These leaves have a remarkably astringent taste, and the stem is of considerable length, but extremely slender. This plant is employed for the same purposes as the iris and aizoüm.
CHAP. 102.—THE GREATER AIZOÜM, ALSO CALLED BUPHTHALMOS, ZOÖPHTHALMOS, STERGETHRON, HYPOGESON, AMBROSION, AMERIMNON, SEDUM MAGNUM, OR DIGITELLUS: THIRTY-SIX REMEDIES. THE SMALLER AIZOÜM, ALSO CALLED ERITHALES, TRITHALES, CHRYSOTHALES, ISOËTES OR SEDUM: THIRTY-TWO REMEDIES.
Of the plant known as aizoüm902 there are two kinds; the larger of which is sown in earthen pots. By some persons it is known as “buphthalmos,”903 and by others as “zoöphthalmos,” or else as “stergethron,” because it forms an ingredient in the composition of philtres. Another name given to it is “hypogeson,” from the circumstance that it generally grows upon the eaves904 of houses: some persons, again, give it the names of “ambrosion” and “amerimnon.” In Italy it is known as “sedum magnum,”905 “oculus,” or “digitellus.” The other kind906 of aizoüm is more diminutive, and is known by some persons as “erithales”907 and by others as “trithales,” from the circumstance that it blossoms three times in the year. Other names given to it are “chrysothales”908 and “isoëtes:”909 but aizoüm is the common appellation of them both, from their being always green.
The larger kind exceeds a cubit in height, and is somewhat thicker than the thumb: at the extremity, the leaves are similar to a tongue in shape, and are fleshy, unctuous, full of juice, and about as broad as a person’s thumb. Some are bent downwards towards the ground, while others again stand upright, the outline of them resembling an eye in shape. The smaller kind grows upon walls, old rubbish of houses, and tiled roofs; it is branchy from the root, and covered with leaves to the extremity. These leaves are narrow, pointed, and juicy: the stem is a palm in height, and the root is never used.
CHAP. 103.—THE ANDRACHLE AGRIA OR ILLECEBRA: THIRTY-TWO REMEDIES.
A similar plant is that known to the Greeks by the name of “andrachle agria,”910 and by the people of Italy as the “illecebra.” Its leaves, though small, are larger than those of the last-named plant, but growing on a shorter stem. It grows in craggy localities, and is gathered for use as food. All these plants have the same properties, being cooling and astringent. The leaves, applied topically, or the juice, in form of a liniment, are curative of defluxions of the eyes: this juice too acts as a detergent upon ulcers of the eyes, makes new flesh, and causes them to cicatrize; it911 cleanses the eyelids also of viscous matter. Applied to the temples, both the leaves and the juice of these plants are remedial for head-ache; they neutralize the venom also of the phalangium; and the greater aizoüm, in particular, is an antidote to aconite. It is asserted, too, that those who carry this last plant about them will never be stung by the scorpion.
These plants are curative of pains in the ears; which is the case also with juice of henbane, applied in moderate quantities, of achillea,912 of the smaller centaury and plantago, of peucedanum in combination with rose-oil and opium, and of acoron913 mixed with rose-leaves. In all these cases, the liquid is made warm, and introduced into the ear with the aid of a syringe.914 The cotyledon is good, too, for suppurations in the ears, mixed with deer’s marrow made hot. The juice of pounded root of ebulum915 is strained through a linen cloth, and then left to thicken in the sun: when wanted for use, it is moistened with oil of roses, and made hot, being employed for the cure of imposthumes of the parotid glands. Vervain and plantago are likewise used for the cure of the same malady, as also sideritis,916 mixed with stale axle-grease.
CHAP. 104.—A REMEDY FOR DISEASES OF THE NOSTRILS.
CHAP. 105.—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE TEETH.
The following are remedies for diseases of the teeth: root of panaces,920 chewed, that of the chironion in particular, and juice of panaces, used as a collutory; root, too, of henbane, chewed with vinegar, and root of polemonia.921 The root of plantago is chewed for a similar purpose, or the teeth, are rinsed with a decoction of the juice mixed with vinegar. The leaves, too, are said to be useful for the gums, when swollen with sanious blood, or if there are discharges of blood therefrom. The seed, too, of plantago is a cure for abscesses in the gums, and for gum-boils. Aristolochia has a strengthening effect upon the gums and teeth; and the same with vervain, either chewed with the root of that plant, or boiled in wine and vinegar, the decoction being employed as a gargle. The same is the case, also, with root of cinquefoil, boiled down to one third, in wine or vinegar; before it is boiled, however, the root should be washed in sea or salt water: the decoction, too, must be kept a considerable time in the mouth. Some persons prefer cleaning the teeth with ashes of cinquefoil.
Root of verbascum922 is also boiled in wine, and the decoction used for rinsing the teeth. The same is done too with hyssop and juice of peucedanum, mixed with opium; or else the juice of the root of anagallis,923 the female plant in particular, is injected into the nostril on the opposite side to that in which the pain is felt.
CHAP. 106.—ERIGERON, PAPPUS, ACANTHIS, OR SENECIO: EIGHT REMEDIES.
Erigeron924 is called by our people “senecio.” It is said that if a person, after tracing around this plant with an implement of iron, takes it up and touches the tooth affected with it three times, taking care to spit each time on the ground, and then replaces it in the same spot, so as to take root again, he will never experience any further pain in that tooth. This plant has just the appearance and softness of trixago,925 with a number of small reddish-coloured stems: it is found growing upon walls, and the tiled roofs of houses. The Greeks have given it the name of “erigeron,”926 because it is white in spring. The head is divided into numerous downy filaments, which resemble those of the thorn,927 protruding from between the divisions of the head: hence it is that Callimachus has given it the name of “acanthis,”928 while others, again, call it “pappus.929”
After all, however, the Greek writers are by no means agreed as to this plant; some say, for instance, that it has leaves like those of rocket, while others maintain that they resemble those of the robur, only that they are considerably smaller. Some, again, assert that the root is useless, while others aver that it is beneficial for the sinews, and others that it produces suffocation, if taken in drink. On the other hand, some have prescribed it in wine, for jaundice and all affections of the bladder, heart, and liver, and give it as their opinion that it carries off gravel from the kidneys. It has been prescribed, also, by them for sciatica, the patient taking one drachma in oxymel, after a walk; and has been recommended as extremely useful for griping pains in the bowels, taken in raisin wine. They assert, also, that used as an aliment with vinegar, it is wholesome for the thoracic organs, and recommend it to be grown in the garden for these several purposes.
In addition to this, there are some authorities to be found, which distinguish another variety of this plant, but without mentioning its peculiar characteristics. This last they recommend to be taken in water, to neutralize the venom of serpents, and prescribe it to be eaten for the cure of epilepsy. For my own part, however, I shall only speak of it in accordance with the uses made of it among us Romans, uses based upon the results of actual experience. The down of this plant, beaten up with saffron and a little cold water, is applied to defluxions of the eyes; parched with a little salt, it is employed for the cure of scrofulous sores.
CHAP. 107.—THE EPHEMERON: TWO REMEDIES.
The ephemeron930 has leaves like those of the lily, but smaller; a stem of the same height, a blue flower, and a seed of which no use is made. The root is single, about the thickness of one’s finger, and an excellent remedy for diseases of the teeth; for which purpose it is cut up in pieces, and boiled in vinegar, the decoction being used warm as a collutory. The root, too, is employed by itself to strengthen the teeth, being inserted for the purpose in those that are hollow or carious.
Root of chelidonia931 is also beaten up with vinegar, and kept in the mouth. Black hellebore is sometimes inserted in carious teeth; and a decoction of either of these last-mentioned plants, in vinegar, has the effect of strengthening loose teeth.
CHAP. 108.—THE LABRUM VENEREUM: ONE REMEDY.
Labrum Venereum932 is the name given to a plant that grows in running streams.933 It produces a small worm,934 which is crushed by being rubbed upon the teeth, or else enclosed in wax and inserted in the hollow of the tooth. Care must be taken, however, that the plant, when pulled up, does not touch the ground.
CHAP. 109.—THE BATRACHION, RANUNCULUS, OR STRUMUS; FOUR VARIETIES OF IT: FOURTEEN REMEDIES.
The plant known to the Greeks as “batrachion,”935 we call ranunculus.936 There are four varieties of it,937 one of which has leaves somewhat thicker than those of coriander, nearly the size of those of the mallow, and of a livid hue: the stem of the plant is long and slender, and the root white; it grows on moist and well-shaded embankments. The second938 kind is more foliated than the preceding one, the leaves have more numerous incisions, and the stems of the plant are long. The third939 variety is smaller than the others, has a powerful smell, and a flower of a golden colour. The fourth940 kind is very like the one last mentioned, but the flower is milk-white.
All these plants have caustic properties: if the leaves are applied unboiled, they raise blisters like those caused by the action of fire; hence it is that they are used for the removal of leprous spots, itch-scabs, and brand marks upon the skin. They form an ingredient also in all caustic preparations, and are applied for the cure of alopecy, care being taken to remove them very speedily. The root, if chewed for some time, in cases of tooth-ache, will cause941 the teeth to break; dried and pulverized, it acts as a sternutatory.
Our herbalists give this plant the name of “strumus,” from the circumstance of its being curative of strumous942 sores and inflamed tumours, for which purpose a portion of it is hung up in the smoke. It is a general belief, too, with them, that if it is replanted, the malady so cured will reappear943—a criminal practice, for which the plantago is also employed. The juice of this last-mentioned plant is curative of internal ulcerations of the mouth; and the leaves and root are chewed for a similar purpose, even when the mouth is suffering from defluxions. Cinquefoil effects the cure of ulcerations and offensive breath; psyllium944 is used also for ulcers of the mouth.
CHAP. 110.—REMEDIAL PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE BREATH: TWO KINDS OF THEM.
We shall also here make mention of certain preparations for the cure of offensive breath—a most noisome inconvenience. For this purpose, leaves of myrtle and lentisk are taken in equal proportions, with one half the quantity of Syrian nut-galls; they are then pounded together and sprinkled with old wine, and the composition is chewed in the morning. In similar cases, also, ivy berries are used, in combination with cassia and myrrh; these ingredients being mixed, in equal proportions, with wine.
For offensive odours of the nostrils, even though attended with carcinoma, the most effectual remedy is seed of dracontium945 beaten up with honey. An application of hyssop has the effect of making bruises disappear. Brand marks946 in the face are healed by rubbing them with mandragora.947
Summary.—Remedies, narratives, and observations, twelve hundred and ninety-two.
Roman authors quoted.—C. Valgius,948 Pompeius Lenæus,949 Sextius Niger950 who wrote in Greek, Julius Bassus951 who wrote in Greek, Antonius Castor,952 Cornelius Celsus,953 Fabianus.954
Foreign authors quoted.—Theophrastus,955 Apollodorus,956 Democritus,957 Juba,958 Orpheus,959 Pythagoras,960 Mago,961 Menander962 who wrote the “Biochresta,” Nicander,963 Homer, Hesiod,964 Musæus,965 Sophocles,966 Xanthus,967 Anaxilaüs.968
Medical authors quoted.—Mnesitheus,969 Callimachus,970 Phanias971 the physician, Timaristus,972 Simus,973 Hippocrates,974 Chrysippus,975 Diocles,976 Ophelion,977 Heraclides,978 Hicesius,979 Dionysius,980 Apollodorus981 of Citium, Apollodorus982 of Tarentum, Praxagoras,983 Plistonicus,984 Medius,985 Dieuches,986 Cleophantus,987 Philistion,988 Asclepiades,989 Crateuas,990 Petronius Diodotus,991 Iollas,992 Erasistratus,993 Diagoras,994 Andreas,995 Mnesides,996 Epicharmus,997 Damion,998 Sosimenes,999 Tlepolemus,1000 Metrodorus,1001 Solon,1002 Lycus,1003 Olympias1004 of Thebes, Philinus,1005 Petrichus,1006 Micton,1007 Glaucias,1008 Xenocrates.1009