Chaps. 17-38.

Chap. 17.—The Bechion, Known Also as Salvia: Four Remedies.

There is another bechion [Generally identified with the Phlomos, or Verbascum lychnitis mentioned in B. xxv. c. 74.] also, known to some persons as “salvia,” [“Sage.” See B. xxv. c. 73.] 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. [See B. ix. c. 43, and B. xxxii. c. 53.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 73.] is used in water, with rue; powdered betony is also taken in warm water. Juice of scordotis [See B. xx. c. 27.] 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. [See R. xviii. c. 29. Fée observes that none of these prescriptions would be countenanced at the present day.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 54.] is taken in drink, or dried agaric is chewed, a draught of undiluted wine being taken every now and then. Nymphæa heraclia [See B. xxv. c. 37.] is also applied topically in these cases, and juice of peucedanum. [See B. xxv. c. 70.] For burning pains in the stomach psyllion [See B. xxv. c. 90.] is applied, or else cotyledon [See B. xxv. c. 101.] beaten up with polenta, or aizoüm. [See B. xxv. c. 102.]

Chap. 19.—Molon or Syron. Amomum.

Molon [Possibly the same plant as the “Moly” of B. xxv. c. 8. If so, as Fée says, it would appear to belong to the genus Allium, or garlic.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 84.] or agaric, taken in doses of three oboli, in warm water or asses’ milk.

For hardness of breathing an infusion of cissanthemos [See B. xxv. c. 68.] 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, [See introduction to Vol. III.] bruised and administered in five cyathi of honied wine: amomum, [See B. xii. c. 28. Fée says that none of these so-called remedies would now be recognised.] too, is equally useful for that purpose. For liver diseases in particular, teucria [See B. xxv. c. 20.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 92.] are wonderfully efficacious for liver complaints. Patients who eat the plant called “capnos” [See B. xxv. c. 99.] discharge the bile by urine. Acoron [See B. xxv. c. 100.] is also remedial for diseases of the liver, and daucus [See B. xxv. c. 64.] is useful for the thorax and the pectoral organs.

Chap. 20.—The Ephedra or Anabasis: Three Remedies.

The ephedra, [Probably the Equisetum silvaticum of Linnæus, our Wild horse-tail. He is in error in saying that it climbs the trunks of trees; a mistake also made by Dioscorides, B. iv. c. 46, who calls it “hippuris.” It is said by some to be a strong diuretic. Littré, however, gives as its synonym the Ephedra fragilis of Linnæus.] 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 [The Geum urbanum of Linnæus, the Common avens, or herb bennet. It was probably unknown to the Greeks.] is a plant with thin, diminutive roots, black, and aromatic. [Its root has a smell like that of cloves, for which reason it is sometimes known as “Caryophyllata.”] 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 [In B. xxv. c. 48.] 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 [Sprengel identifies it with the Plumbago of B. xxv. c. 22. Fée is not of that opinion, and agrees with Matthioli in considering it to be the Aster tripolium of Linnæus, the Sea starwort. Littré gives the Statice limonium of Linnæus.] 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, [See B. xx. c. 25.] 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. [In B. xxi. c. 21.]

Chap. 23.—The Gromphæna.

Gromphæna [Sprengel and Desfontaines identify it with the Amaranthus tricolor; Fée is strongly of opinion that it has not been correctly identified.] 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 [Clusius and Sprengel identify it with the Lychnis silvestris of Linnæus, the Wild lychnis or Viscous catchfly. Fée considers it to be unknown, but of the two, would prefer the Lychnis dioica of Linnæus, the White lychnis, or White campion.] 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 [C. Bauhin identifies it with the Valeriana locusta of Linnæus, Corn valerian, Corn-salad, or Lamb’s lettuce. Fée considers its identity as still unknown.] 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 [See B. xviii. c. 10.] is taken first.

Molemonium [Perhaps the same as the Limonium of B. xxv. c. 61.] is used as an emetic, being taken in doses of one denarius; the same, too, with sillybum. [See B. xxii. c. 42; one of the Sonchi, probably, which, contain a milky juice. Littré gives the Sonchus palustris of Linnæus.] 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, [See B. xxv. c. 64.] powdered betony [The Betonica officinalis of Linnæus.] taken in hydromel, or else plantago boiled like greens. Hiccup is arrested by taking hemionium [Either the Asplenium ceterach of Linnæus, Spleenwort, Ceterach, or Miltwaste, or the A. hemionitis of Linnæus, Mule’s fern. See B. xxvii. c. 17.] or aristolochia, [See B. xxv. c. 54.] and asthma by the use of clymenus. [See B. xxv. c. 33.] For pleurisy and peripneumony, the greater centaury is used, or else hyssop, taken in drink. Juice of peucedanum [See B. xxv. c. 70.] is also good for pleurisy.

Chap. 26.—Halus or Cotonea: Five Remedies.

The plant halus, [For the identity of this plant, see B. xxvii. c. 24.] 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 [See B. xix. c. 50, and B. xx. c 61.] 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, [See B. xxiv. c. 80] 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 [See c. 18 of this Book.] as for cough, assuages sciatica and pains in the vertebræ: the same, too, with powdered stœchas [Identified with the Lavendula stœchas of Linnæus, the French lavender.] 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, [“Vas”.] 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, [In search of pheasants. See B. vi. c. 4.] 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, [See B. xxv. c. 27.] 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, [See B. xxv. c. 28.] too, is given in wine for dysentery, or two fingers’ length of root of verbascum, [See B. xxv. c. 73.] in water; seed of nymphæa heraclia, [See B. xxv. c. 37.] in wine; the upper root of xiphion, [See B. xxv. c. 89.] 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 [See B. xviii. c. 29.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 84.] stated. For tenesmus, root of nymphæa heraclia is taken in wine, or else psyllion [See B. xxv. c. 90.] in water, or a decoction of root of acoron. [See B. xxv. c. 100.] Juice of aizoüm [See B. xxv. c. 102.] arrests diarrhœa and dysentery, and expels round tape-worm. Root of symphytum, [See B. xxvii. c. 24.] taken in wine, arrests diarrhœa and dysentery, and daucus [See B. xxv. c. 84.] has a similar effect. Leaves of aizoüm [See Note 1143 above.] beaten up in wine, and dried alcea [See B. xxvii. c. 6.] powdered and taken in wine, are curative of griping pains in the bowels.

Chap. 29.—The Astragalus: Six Remedies.

Astragalus [Sprengel identifies it with the Phaca Bætica, Spanish bastard vetch; but the flowers of that plant, as Fée remarks, are yellow. He considers it to be the Lathyrus tuberosus of Linnæus, the Pease earth-nut. Littré gives the Orobus sessilifolius of Sibthorp.] 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 [“Rubrum,” and not “nigrum,” which was also what we call “red” wine.] 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. [Fée is unable to identify it. The Galeopsis ladanum of Linnæus, the Red dead-nettle, has been suggested, but on insufficient grounds, probably.] 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 [See B. xii. c. 37.] is obtained in Cyprus, it being found adhering to the beard of the goats there; the most esteemed, however, is that of Arabia. [It is still brought from the islands of Greece, but no longer from Arabia.] 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, [Τοξὸν.] 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. [In B. xii. c. 37.]

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, [“False-dittany,” or “bastard dittany.” See B. xxv. c. 53.] acts astringently on the bowels. Hypocisthis, [The Cytinus hypocisthis of Linnæus.] by some known also as “orobethron,” is similar to an unripe pomegranate in appearance; it grows, as already stated, [In B. xxiv. c. 28.] 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, [See B. xviii. c. 17, and B. xxii. c. 67.] 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 [See B. xiv. c. 5.] wine, the proportion being five spoonfuls to three cyathi of wine.

Chap. 32.—Laver or Sion: Two Remedies.

Laver, [The Sium of B. xxii. c. 41.] 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, [Probably the Potamogeton natans of Linnæus, Broad-leaved pondweed, or some kindred plant. Its name signifies “the neighbour of rivers.”] 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, [C. Bauhin and Sprengel identify the plant here described with the Potamogeton pusillum of Linnæus; but Fée considers it extremely doubtful.] like horse-hair, [A species of Equisetum would seem to be meant; indeed, Littré gives the Equisetum telmateia.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 19.] also arrests looseness of the bowels; an effect equally produced by the statice, [Fée thinks that this may possibly be the Statice Armeria of Linnæus, Sea thrift, or Sea gilly-flower.] 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 [Considered by Sprengel to be the Cyclaminos chamæcissos of B. xxv. c. 69, which he identifies with the Convallaria bifolia of Linnæus, the Little lily of the valley, or May lily. Fabius Columna and Brotero consider it to be the Dentaria trifolia, Three-leaved toothwort.] is a plant with a single [This is incorrect, if it is the Lily of the valley.] leaf, and a large knotted root: taken with the food, it is curative of coeliac affections and dysentery.

Leontopodion, [“Lion’s paw,” “white plant,” or “rock-spear.” Probably the Leontice leontopetalum of Linnæus, Lion’s paw, or Lion’s leaf. See B. xxvii. c. 72.] 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, [“Lymphatica somnia.”] it is said, in the sleep.

Lagopus [“Hare’s foot.” Possibly the Trifolium arvense of Linnæus, Hare’s foot trefoil.] 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, [See B. xxv. c. 54.] in the proportion of one victoriatus [See Introduction to Vol. III. Fée remarks that none of the assertions in the present Chapter are confirmed by modern experience.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 38.] or agaric, taken, in doses of two drachmæ, with a little salt, in water, or else in three oboli of honied wine. Cyclaminos, [See B. xxv. c. 67.] also, is a purgative, either taken in water or used as a suppository; the same, too, with chamæcissos, [See B. xxiv. cc. 49, 84, and B. xxv. c. 69.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 70.] 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, [Identical with the Orobanche of B. xviii. c. 44, the Cuscuta Europæa of Linnæus, Dodder, Hell-weed, or Devil’s guts; or else the Cuscuta minor, or epithymum of Linnæus. See also B. xxii. cc. 78, 80.] which is the blossom of a sort [He is in error here.] 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.” [Hardouin suggests “hypopheos,” as “springing up under the Pheos” or Stœbe, mentioned in B. xxii. c. 13.] 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. [See B. xxi. c. 19.] 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 [It has a root originally, but the root withers as soon as it has attached itself to the stem of the plant to which it clings.] 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 [See B. xxv. c. 37. Holland says, on the contrary, that it is a binding plant.] is taken for similar purposes, in astringent wine.

Chap. 36.—Pycnocomon; Four Remedies.

Pycnocomon, [“Thick hair.” It is generally identified with the Leonurus marrubiastrum of Linnæus. Columna makes it to be the Scabiosa succisa of Linnæus, the Devil’s bit scabious, and Brunsfeld the Angelica silvestris of Linnæus, Wild angelica.] 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. [See B. xxi. c. 60.] 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, [See B. xxv. c. 98.] too, carries off bile by the urine.

Chap. 37.—Polypodion: Three Remedies.

Polypodion, [“Many-footed.” The Polypodium vulgare of Linnæus, the Common polypody.] 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 [It is for this reason that it is called “reglisse,” or “liquorice,” in some parts of France. It contains a proportion of saccharine matter, which acts as a purgative.] 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, [“Pulticula.”] 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 [This fancy is solely based on the accidental resemblance of the name.] of the nose. It has neither seed [He very incorrectly says this of all the ferns. See B. xxvii. cc. 17, 48, and 55.] nor flower.

Chap. 38.—Scammony; Eight Remedies.

Scammony, [The produce of the Convolvulus scammonia of Linnæus, the Scammony bind-weed. The scammony of Aleppo is held in the highest esteem, and is very valuable. That of Smyrna also is largely imported.] 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, [See the following Chapters.] 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 [This assertion is erroneous; it has all its properties in fall vigour immediately after extraction, and retains them for an indefinite period.] 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.