Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Elder

by Pliny the Elder

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  CHAP. 68.

  THE CYCLAMINOS CISSANTHEMOS: FOUR REMEDIES.

  There is also another kind of cyclaminos, known by the additional name of “cissanthemos;” the stems of it, which are jointed, are good for nothing. It is altogether different from the preceding plant, and entwines around the trunks of trees. It bears a berry similar to that of the ivy, but soft; and the flower is white and pleasing to the sight. The root is never used. The berries are the only part of it in use, being of an acrid, viscous taste. They are dried in the shade, after which they are pounded and divided into lozenges.

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  CHAP. 69.

  THE CYCLAMINOS CHAMÆCISSOS: THREE REMEDIES.

  A third kind of cyclaminos has also been shown to me, the additional name of which is “chamæcissos.” It consists of but a single leaf, with a branchy root, formerly employed for killing fish.

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  CHAP. 70.

  PEUCEDANUM: TWENTY-EIGHT REMEDIES.

  But in the very first rank among these plants, stands peucedanum, the most esteemed kind of which is that of Arcadia, the next best being that of Samothrace. The stem resembles that of fennel, is thin and long, covered with leaves close to the ground, and terminating in a thick black juicy root, with a powerful smell. It grows on umbrageous mountains, and is taken up at the end of autumn. The largest and tenderest roots are the most esteemed; they are cut with bone-knives into slips four fingers in length, and left to shed their juice in the shade; the persons employed taking the precaution of rubbing the head and nostrils with rose-oil, as a preservative against vertigo.

  There is also another kind of juice, which adheres to the stems, and exudes from incisions made therein. It is considered best when it has arrived at the consistency of honey: the colour of it is red, and it has a strong but agreeable smell, and a hot, acrid taste. This juice, as well as the root and a decoction of it, enters into the composition of numerous medicaments, but the juice has the most powerful properties of the two. Diluted with bitter almonds or rue, it is taken in drink as a remedy for injuries inflicted by serpents. Rubbed upon the body with oil, it is a preservative against the attacks of those reptiles.

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  CHAP. 71. (10.)

  EBULUM : SIX REMEDIES.

  A fumigation, too, of ebulum, a plant known to every one, will put serpents to flight.

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  CHAP. 72.

  POLEMONIA: ONE REMEDY.

  The root of polemonia even worn as an amulet only, is particularly useful for repelling the attacks of scorpions, as also the phalangium and other small insects of a venomous nature. For injuries inflicted by the scorpion, aristolochia is also used, or agaric, in doses of four oboli to four cyathi of wine. For the bite of the phalangium, vervain is employed, in combination with wine or oxycrate: cinquefoil, too, and daucus, are used for a similar purpose.

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  CHAP. 73.

  PHLOMOS OR VERBASCUM: FIFTEEN REMEDIES.

  Verbascum has the name of “phlomos” with the Greeks. Of this plant there are two principal kinds; the white, which is considered to be the male, and the black, thought to be the female. There is a third kind, also, which is only found in the woods. The leaves of these plants are larger than those of the cabbage, and have a hairy surface: the stem is upright, and more than a cubit in height, and the seed black, and never used. The root is single, and about the thickness of the finger. The two principal kinds are found growing in champaign localities. The wild verbascum has leaves like those of elelisphacus, but of an elongated form; the branches are ligneous.

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  CHAP. 74.

  THE PHLOMIS: ONE REMEDY. THE LYCHNITIS OR THRYALLIS.

  There are also two varieties of the phlomis, hairy plants, with rounded leaves, and but little elevated above the surface of the earth. A third kind, again, is known as the “lychnitis” by some persons, and as the “thryallis” by others: it has three leaves only, or four at the very utmost, thick and unctuous, and well adapted for making wicks for lamps. The leaves of the phlomos which we have mentioned as the female plant, if wrapped about figs, will preserve them most efficiently from decay, it is said. It seems little better than a loss of time to give the distinguishing characteristics of these three kinds, the effects of them all being precisely the same.

  For injuries inflicted by scorpions, an infusion of the root is taken, with rue, in water. Its bitterness is intense, but it is quite as efficacious as the plants already mentioned.

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  CHAP. 75.

  THE THELYPHONON OR SCORPIO: ONE REMEDY.

  The thelyphonon is a plant known as the “scorpio” to some, from the peculiar form of its roots, the very touch of which kills the scorpion: hence it is that it is taken in drink for stings inflicted by those reptiles. If a dead scorpion is rubbed with white hellebore, it will come to life, they say. The thelyphonon is fatal to all quadrupeds, on the application of the root to the genitals. The leaf too, which bears a resemblance to that of cyclaminos, is productive of a similar effect, in the course of the same day. It is a jointed plant, and is found growing in unbrageous localities. Juice of betony or of plantago is a preservative against the venom of the scorpion.

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  CHAP. 76.

  THE PHLYNION, NEURAS, OR POTERION ; ONE REMEDY.

  Frogs, too, have their venom, the bramble-frog in particular, and I myself have seen the Psylli, in their exhibitions, irritate them by placing them upon flat vessels made red hot, their bite being fatal more instantaneously than the sting even of the asp. One remedy for their poison is the phrynion, taken in wine, which has also the additional names of “neuras” and “poterion:” it bears a small flower, and has numerous fibrous roots, with an agreeable smell.

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  CHAP. 77.

  THE ALISMA, DAMASONION, OR LYRON: SEYENTEEN REMEDIES

  Similar, too, are the properties of the alisma, known to some persons as the “danmasonion,” 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 stern, slender, a cubit in height, and terminated by a spreading head. 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, 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 lias certain venomous properties, as an anitidote to which we have the cynorrhodos, of which we have spoken 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.

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  CHAP. 78.

  PERISTEREOS: SIX REMEDIES.

  The name of peristereos 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.

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  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 moly of Homer; next to which
come the mithridatia, scordotis, and centaury. The seed of betony carries offail 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, taken in the same proportions as those used for injuries inflicted by serpents. 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.

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  CHAP. 80.

  THE ANTIRREHINUM, ANARRHlNON, OR LYCHNIS AGRIA: THREE REMDIES.

  The name of antirrhinum or anarrhinon is given to the lychnis agria, 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.

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  CHAP. 81.

  EUCLEA: ONE EBMEDY.

  The same is the case, too, with the plant to which they give the name of “euclea,” and which, they tell us, rubbed upon the person, will ensure a more extended consideration. They say, too, that if a person carries artemisia 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.

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  CHAP. 82.

  TIE PERICARPUM; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: TWO REMEDIES.

  The pericarpum is a kind of bulbous plant. There are two varieties of it; one with a red outer coat, and the other, similar in 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, chironion in particular. This last, too, is given in cases of poisoning by fungi.

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  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 heraclia effects the cure of alopecy, if they are beaten up together, and applied. The polythrixs differs from the callitrichos in having white, rushlike suckers, larger leaves, and more numerous; the main stem, too, is larger. This plant strengthens the hair, prevents it from falling off, and makes it grow more thickly.

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  CHAP. 84.

  THE LINGULACA : ONE REMEDY.

  The same is the case too with the lingulaca, 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. Tile 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. Fur the cure of head-ache, root of all kinds of panaces is used. beaten up in oil; as also aristolochia and iberis, 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 in the meanwhile. The daucus, too, is curative of head-ache. Cyclasninos, intro- duced into the nostrils with honey, clears the head: used in the form of a liniment, it heals ulcers of the head. Peristereos, also, is curative of diseases of the head.

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  CHAP. 85.

  THE CACALIA OR LEONTICE: THREE REMEDIES.

  The name of “cacalia” 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.

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  CHAP. 86.

  THE CALLITRICHOS: ONE REMEDY.

  A sternutatory, too, is prepared from the callitrichos. 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.

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  CHAP. 87.

  HYSSOP: TEN REMEDIES.

  Hyssop, 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 cum- min, it is curative of the stings of serpents.

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  CHAP. 88.

  THE LONCHITIS : FOUR REMEDIES.

  The lonchitis is not, as most writers have imagined, the same plant as the xiphion 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: the roots of it are remarkably long. It grows in thirsty, arid soils.

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  CHAP. 89.

  THE XIPHION OR PHASGANION: FOUR REMEDIES.

  The xiphion 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.

  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, when accidentally trodden upon; it 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 hemicrania and vertigo. It being of a heating nature, the body is rubbed with the root as a sudorific.

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  CHAP. 90.

  PSYLLION, CYNOÏDES, CRYSTALLION, SICELICON, OR CYNOMYIA; SIXTEEN REMEDIES. TIRYSELINUM: ONE REMEDY.

  Psyllion, 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. The leaves of it are not unlike a dog’s head in shape; 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.