Chap. 28.] REMEDIES FOR SCROFULA, 37 



tical with that of sea-weed ; the third, whiter, and with a 

 variegated surface ; the fourth, more like puraice in appear- 

 ance, and closely resembling rotten sponge. The best of all is 

 that which nearly borders upon a purple hue, and is known qs 

 the '^ Milesian" kind : the whiter it is, the less highly it is 

 esteemed. 



The properties of halcyoneum are ulcerative and detergent : 

 when required for use, it is parched and applied without oil. 

 It is quite marvellous how efficiently it removes leprous sores, 

 lichens, and freckles, used in combination with lupines and 

 two oboli of sulphur. It is employed, also, for the removal 

 of marks upon the eyes." Andreas^^ has recommended for the 

 cure of leprosy ashes of burnt crabs, with oil ; and Attalus,-^^ 

 fresh fat of tunny. 



CHAP. 28. REMEDIES FOR SCROFULA, IMPOSTHUMES OP THE PA- 

 ROTID GLANDS, QUINSY, AND DISEASES OF THE FAUCES. THE 

 M^NA : THIRTEEN REMEDIES. THE SEA-SCOLOPENDRA : TWO 

 REMEDIES. THE SAURUS : ONE REMEDY. SHELL-FISH : ONE 

 REMEDY. THE SILURUS I FIFTEEN REMEDIES. 



Ulcerations of the mouth are cured by an application of 

 brine in which maenae*" have been pickled, in combination with 

 calcined heads of the fish, and honey. For the cure of scro- 

 fula, it is a good plan to prick the sores with the small bone 

 that is found in the tail of the fish known as the sea-frog ;^^ 

 care being taken to avoid making a wound, and to repeat the 

 operation daily, until a perfect cure is efi'ected. The same 

 property, too, belongs to the sting of the pastinaca, and to the 

 sea-hare, applied topically to the sores : but in both cases due 

 care must be taken to remove them in an instant. Shells of 

 sea-urchins are bruised, also, and applied with vinegar ; shells 

 also of sea-scolopendrae,^^ applied with honey ; and river-crabs 

 pounded or calcined, and applied with honey. Bones, too, of 

 the saepia, triturated and applied with stale axle-grease, are 

 marvellously useful for this purpose. 



^'^ " Oculorum cicatrices." ^s gee end of B. xx. 



39 See end of B. viii. *» See B. is. c. 42. 



*^ See B. ix. cc 40, 67. The Bamberg MS. has here "rhine," (the 

 fish again mentioned in Chapter 53 of this Book) instead of "rana; ' a 

 reading which Sillig rejects. Hardouin conjectures that "raia" is the 

 correct reading, the sea-frog having no sting or stickle in the tail. 



" See B. ix. c. 67. 



