Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Elder
Page 176
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CHAP. 82.
THE CHAMELÆA: SIX REMEDIES.
The leaves of the chamelæa resemble those of the olive: they are bitter, however, and odoriferous. This plant is found growing in craggy localities, and never exceeds a palm in height. It is of a purgative nature, and carries off phlegm and bile; for which purposes, the leaves are boiled with twice the quantity of wormwood, and the decoction taken with honey. The leaves, applied to ulcers, have a detergent effect. It is said, that if a person gathers it before sunrise, taking care to mention that he is gathering it for the cure of white specks in the eyes, and then wears it as an amulet, it will effect a cure: as also that, gathered in any way, it is beneficial for the eyes of beasts of burden and cattle.
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CHAP. 83.
THE CHAMÆSYCE: EIGHT REMEDIES.
The chamæsyce has leaves similar to those of the lentil, and lying close to the ground; it is found growing in dry, rocky, localities. A decoction of it in wine is remarkably useful as a liniment for improving the sight, and for dispersing cataract, cicatrizations, films, and cloudiness of the eyes. Applied in a pledget of linen, as a pessary, it allays pains in the uterus; and used topically it removes warts and excrescences of all kinds. It is very useful also for hardness of breathing.
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CHAP. 84.
THE CHAMÆCISSOS: ONE REMEDY.
The chamæcissos has ears like those of wheat, with numerous leaves, and small branches, about five in number. When in blossom it might almost be taken for the white violet: the root of it is diminutive. For sciatica, the leaves of it are taken, seven days consecutively, in doses of three oboli, in two cyathi of wine: this is a very bitter potion, however.
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CHAP. 85.
THE CHAMÆLEUCE, FARFARUM, OR FARFUGIUM: ONE REMEDY.
The chamæleuce is known among us as the “farfarum” or “farfugium:” it grows on the banks of rivers, and has a leaf like that of the poplar, only larger. The root of it is burnt upon cypress charcoal, and, by the aid of a funnel, the smoke inhaled, in cases of inveterate cough.
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CHAP. 86.
THE CHAMÆPEUCE: FIVE REMEDIES. THE CHAM- CYPARISSOS: TWO REMEDIES. TIHE AMPELOPRASON; SIX RE- MEDIES. THE STACHYS: ONE REMEDY.
The chamæpeuce has a leaf which resembles that of the larch, and is useful more particularly for lumbago and pains in the back. The chamæcyparissos is a herb which, taken in wine, counteracts the venom of serpents of all kinds, and of scorpions.
The ampeloprason is found growing in vineyards; it has leaves like those of the leek, and produces offensive eructations. It is highly efficacious for the stings of serpents, and acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic. Taken in drink or applied externally, it arrests discharges of blood from the generative organs. It is prescribed also for females after delivery, and is used for bites inflicted by dogs.
The plant known as “stachys” bears a strong resemblance also to a leek, but the leaves of it are longer and more numerous. It has an agreeable smell, and in colour inclines to yellow. It promotes menstruation.
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CHAP. 87.
THE CLINOPODION, CLEONICION, ZOPYRON, OR OCIMOÏDES: THREE REMEDIES.
The clinopodion, cleonicion, zopyron, or ocimoïdes, resem- bles wild thyme in appearance. The stem of it is tough and ligneous, and it is a palm in height. It grows in stony soils, and the leaves are trained regularly around the stem, which resembles a bed-post in appearance. This plant is taken in drink, for convulsions, ruptures, strangury, and wounds inflicted by serpents: a decoction is also made of it, and the juice is similarly employed.
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CHAP. 88.
THE CLEMATIS CENTUNCULUS; THREE REMEDIES.
We shall now have to annex some plants, of a marvellous nature no doubt, but not so well known, reserving those of a higher reputation for the succeeding Books.
Our people give the name of “centunculus,” to a creeping plant that grows in the fields, the leaves of which bear a strong resemblance to the hoods attached to our cloaks. By the Greeks it is known as the “clematis,” Taken in astringent wine it is wonderfully effectual for arresting diarrhœa: beaten up, in doses of one denarius, in five cyathi of oxymel or of warm water, it arrests hæmorrhage, and facilitates the after-birth.
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CHAP. 89.
THE CLEMATIS ECHITES, OR LAIINE.
The Greeks have other varieties also of the clematis, one of which is known as “echites” or “lagine,” and by some as the “little scammony.” Its stems are about two Feet in height, and covered with leaves: in general appearance it is not unlike scammony, were it not that the leaves are darker and more diminutive; it is found growing invineyards and cultivated soils. It is eaten as a vegetable, with oil and salt, and acts as a laxative upon the bowels. It is taken also for dysentery, with linseed, in astringent wine. The leaves of this plant are applied with polenta for defluxions of the eyes, the part affected being first covered with a pledget of wet linen. Applied to scrofulous sores, they cause them to suppurate, and if some axle-grease is then applied, a perfect cure will be effected. They are applied also to piles, with green oil, and are good for phthisis, in combination with honey. Taken with the food, they increase the milk in nursing women, and, rubbed upon the heads of infants, they promote the rapid growth of the hair. Eaten with vinegar, they act as an aphrodisiac.
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CHAP. 90.
THE EGYPTIAN CLEMATIS, DAPHNODES, OR POLY- GONOÏDES: TWO REMEDIES.
There is another kind also, known as the “Egyptian” clematis, otherwise as “daphnoïdes” or “polygonïdes:” it has a leaf like that of the laurel, and is long and slender. Taken in vinegar, it is very useful for the stings of serpents, that of the asp in particular.
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CHAP. 91. (16.)
DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THE DRACONTIUM.
It is Egypt more particularly that produces the clematis known as the “aron,” of which we have already made some mention when speaking of the bulbs. Respecting this plant and the dracontium, there have been considerable differences of opinion. Some writers, indeed, have maintained that they are identical, and Glaucias has made the only distinction between them in reference to the place of their growth, assuming that the dracontium is nothing else than the aron in a wild state. Some persons, again, have called the root “aron,” and the stem of the plant “dracontium:” but if the dracontium is the same as the one known to us as the “dracunculus,” it is a different plant altogether; for while the aron has a broad, black, rounded root, and considerably larger, — large enough, indeed, to fill the hand, — the dracunculus has a reddish root of a serpentine form, to which, in fact, it owes its name.
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CHAP. 92.
THE AON: THIRTEEN REMEDIES.
The Greeks themselves, in fact, have established an immense difference between these two plants, in attributing to the seed of the dracunculus certain hot, pungent properties, and a fetid odour so remarkably powerful as to be productive of abortion, while upon the aron, on the other hand, they have bestowed marvellous encomiums. As an article of food, however, they give the preference to the female plant, the male plant being of a harder nature, and more difficult to cook. It carries off, they say, all vicious humours from the chest, and powdered and taken in the form either of a potion or of an electuary, it acts as a diuretic and emmenagogue. Powdered and taken in oxymel, it is good for the stomach; and we find it stated that it is administered in ewe’s milk for ulcerations of the intestines, and is sometimes cooked on hot ashes and given in oil for a cough. Some persons, again, are in the habit of boiling it in milk and administering the decoction; and it has been used also in a boiled state as a topical application for defluxions of the eyes, contusions, and af
fections of the tonsillary glands. * * * prescribes it with oil, as an injection for piles, and recommends it as a liniment, with honey, for freckles.
Cleophantus has greatly extolled this plant as an antidote for poisons, and for the treatment of pleurisy and peripneumony, prepared the same way as for coughs. The seed too, pounded with olive oil or oil of roses, is used as an injection for pains in the ears. Dieuches prescribes it, mixed in bread with meal, for the cure of coughs, asthma, hardness of breathing, and purulent expectorations. Diodotus recommends it, in combination with honey, as an electuary for phthisis and diseases of the lungs, and as a topical application even for fractured bones. Applied to the sexual parts, it facilitates delivery in all kinds of animals; and the juice extracted from the root, in combination with Attic honey, disperses films upon the eyes, and diseases of the stomach. A decoction of it with honey is curative of cough; and the juice is a marvellous remedy for ulcers of every description, whether phagedænic, carcinomatous, or serpiginous, and for polypus of the nostrils. The leaves, boiled in wine and oil, are good for burns, and, taken with salt and vinegar, are strongly purgative; boiled with honey, they are useful also for sprains, and used either fresh or dried, with salt, for gout in the joints.
Hippocrates has prescribed the leaves, either fresh or dried, with honey, as a topical application for abscesses. Two drachmæ of the seed or root, in two cyathi of wine, are a sufficient dose to act as an emmenagogue, and a similar quantity will have the effect of bringing away the after-birth, in cases where it is retarded. Hippocrates used to apply the root also, for the purpose. . They say too, that in times of pestilence the employment of aron as an article of food is very beneficial. It dispels the fumes of wine; and the smoke of it burnt drives away serpents, the asp in particular, or else stupefies them to such a degree as to reduce them to a state of torpor. These reptiles also will fly at the approach of persons whose bodies have been rubbed with a preparation of aron with oil of laurel: hence it is generally thought a good plan to administer it in red wine to persons who have been stung by serpents. Cheese, it is said, keeps remarkably well, wrapped in leaves of this plant.
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CHAP. 93.
THE DRACUNCLUS; TWO REMEDIES.
The plant which I have spoken of as the dracunculus, is taken out of the ground just when the barley is ripening, and at the moon’s increase. It is quite sufficient to have this plant about one, to be safe from all serpents; and it is said, that an infusion of the larger kind taken in drink, is very useful for persons who have been stung by those reptiles: it is stated also that it arrests the catamenia when in excess, due care being taken not to let iron touch it. The juice of it too is very useful for pains in the ears.
As to the plant known to the Greeks by the name of “dracontion,” I have had it pointed out to me under three dif- ferent forms; the first having the leaves of the beet, with a certain proportion of stem, and a purple flower, and bearing a strong resemblance to the aron. Other persons, again, have described it as a plant with a long root, embossed to all appearance and full of knots, and consisting of three stems in all; the same parties have recommended a decoction of the leaves in vinegar, as curative of stings inflicted by serpents. The third plant that has been pointed out to me has a leaf larger than that of the cornel, and a root resembling that of the reed. This root, I have been assured, has as many knots on it as the plant is years old, the leaves, too, being as many in number. The plant is recommended also for the stings of serpents, administered either in wine or in water.
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CHAP. 94.
THE ARISAXOS: THREE REMEDIES.
There is a plant also called the “arisaros,” which grows in Egypt, and is similar to the aron in appearance, only that it is more diminutive, and has smaller leaves; the root too is smaller, though fully as large as a good-sized olive. The white arisaros throws out two stems, the other kind only one. They are curative, both of them, of running ulcers and burns, and are used as an injection for fistulas. The leaves, boiled in water, and then beaten up with the addition of oil of roses, arrest the growth of corrosive ulcers. But there is one very marvellous fact connected with this plant — it is quite sufficient to touch the sexual parts of any female animal with it to cause its instantaneous death.
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CHAP. 95.
THE MILLEFOIJUM OR MYRIOPHYLLON; SEVEN REMEDIES.
The myriophyllon, by our people known as the “mille- folium” has a tender stem, somewhat similar to fennel-giant ill appearance, with vast numbers of leaves, to which circum- stance it is indebted for its name. It grows in marshy localities, and is remarkably useful for the treatment of wounds. It is taken in vinegar for strangury, affections of the bladder, asthma, and falls with violence; it is extremely efficacious also for tooth-ache.
In Etruria, the same name is given to a small meadow- plant, provided with leaves at the sides, like hairs, and particularly useful for wounds. The people of that country say that, applied with axle-grease, it will knit together and unite the tendons of oxen, when they have been accidentally severed by the plough-share.
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CHAP. 96.
THE PSEUDOBUNION: FOUR REMEDIES
The pseudobunion has the leaves of the turnip, and grows in a shrub-like form, about a palm in height; the most esteemed being that of Crete. For gripings of the bowels, strangury, and pains of the thoracic organs, some five or six sprigs of it are administered in drink.
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CHAP. 97.
THE MYRRHIS, MYRZA, OR MYRIRHA: SEVEN REMEDIES.
The myrrhis, otherwise known as the myriza or myrrha, bears a strong resemblance to hemlock in the stem, leaves, and blossom, only that it is smaller and more slender: it is by no means unpleasant to the palate. Taken with wine, it acts as an emmenagogue, and facilitates parturition: they say too that in times of pestilence it is very wholesome, taken in drink. It is very useful also for phthisis, administered in broth. It sharpens the appetite, and neutralizes the venom of the phalangium. The juice of this plant, after it has been macerated some three days in water, is curative of ulcers of the face and head.
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CHAP. 98.
THE ONOBRYCHIS: THREE REMEDIES.
The onobrychis has leaves like those of the lentil, only somewhat longer; the blossom is red, and the root small and slender. It is found growing in the vicinity of springs. Dried and reduced to powder, and sprinkled in white wine, it is curative of strangury, and arrests looseness of the bowels. The juice of it, used as a friction with oil, acts as a sudorific.
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CHAP. 99. (17.)
CORACESTA AND CALLICIA.
While I am treating of plants of a marvellous nature, I am induced to make some mention of certain magical plants — for what, in fact, can there be more marvellous than they? The first who descanted upon this subject in our part of the world were Pythagoras and Democritus, who have adopted the accounts given by the Magi. Coracesta and callicia, according to Pythagoras, are plants which congeals water. I find no mention made of them, however, by any other author, and he himself gives no further particulars relative to them.
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CHAP. 100.
THE MINSAS OR CORINTHIA: ONE REMEDY.
Pythagoras gives the name of minsas too, or corinthia, to another plant; a decoction of which, used as a fomentation, will effect an instantaneous cure of stings inflicted by serpents, according to him. He adds too, that if this decoction is poured upon the grass, and a person happens to tread upon it, or if the body should chance to be sprinkled with it, the result is fatal beyond all remedy; so monstrously malignant are the venomous properties of this plant, except as neutralizing other kinds of poison.
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CHAP. 101.
THE APROXIS: SIX REMEDIES.
Pythagoras makes menti
on, too, of a plant called aproxis, the root of which takes fire at a distance, like naphtha, of which we have made some mention, when speaking of the marvellous productions of the earth. He says too, that if the human body happens to be attacked by any disease while the cabbage is in blossom, the person, although he may have been perfectly cured, will be sensible of a recurrence of the symptoms, every time that plant comes into blossom; a peculiarity which he attributes to it in common with wheat, hemlock, and the violet.
I am not ignorant, however, that the work of his from which I have just quoted is ascribed to the physician Cleemporus by some, though antiquity and the unbroken current of tradition concur in claiming it for Pythagoras. It is quite enough, however, to say in favour of a book, that the author has deemed the results of his labours worthy to be published under the name of so great a man. And yet who can believe that Cleemporus would do this, seeing that he has not hesitated to publish other works under his own name?
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CHAP. 102.
THE AGLAOPHOTIS OR MARMARITIS. THE ACHLE- MENIS OR HIPPOPHOBAS. THE THEOBROTION OR SEMNION. THE ADAMANTIS. THE ARIANIS. THE THŒRIONARCA. THE, ÆTHIOPIS OR MEROIS. THE OPHIUSA. THE THALASSEGLE OR POTAM- AUGIS. THE THEANGELIS. THE GELOTOPHYLLIS. THE HESTI- ATORIS OR PROTOMEDIA. THE CASIGNETES OR DIONYSONYMPHAS. THE HELIANTHES OR HELIOCALLIS. HERMESIAS. THE ÆSCHY- NOMENE. THE CROCIS. THE ŒNOTHERIS. THE ANACAMPIS- EROS.