Chap. 35.] THE SCOEIA OF SILVER. 117 



It has certain restringent and refrigerative effects upon bodies, 

 and, like molybdaena, of which we shall make further mention 

 wlien speaking^^ of lead, is used as an ingredient in making 

 plasters, those more particularly which are to promote the 

 cicatrization of wounds. It is employed also for the cure of 

 tenesmus and dysentery, being injected in the form of a clyster 

 with myrtle-oil. It forms an ingredient, too, in the medica- 

 ments known as *'liparae,"^^ for the removal of fleshy excres- 

 cences in sores, ulcerations arising from chafing, or running 

 ulcers on the head. 



The same mines also furnish us with the preparation known 

 as *' scum of silver."^^ There are three^^ varieties of it ; the 

 best, known as ''chrysitis ;" the second best, the name of 

 which is '' argyritis ;" and a third kind, which is called 

 ** molybditis." In most instances, too, all these tints are to 

 be found in the same cake.^^ 



The most approved kind is that of Attica ; the next being 

 that which comes from Spain. Chrysitis is the produce of 

 the metallic vein,*° argyritis is obtained from the silver itself, 

 and molybditis is the result of the smelting of lead,"*^ a work 

 that is done at Puteoli ; to which last circumstance, in fact, mo- 

 lybditis owes its name.'*'- All these substances are prepared in 

 the following manner : the metal is first melted, and then al- 

 lowed to flow from a more elevated receiver into a lower. From 

 this last it is lifted by the aid of iron spits, and is then twirled 

 round at the end of the spit in the midst of the flames, in 

 order to make it all the lighter. Thus, as may be easily per- 



35 In B. xxxiv. c. 53. 



^^ Cerates, adipose or oleaginous plasters. See B. xxiii. c. 81. 



»■' " Spuma argenti." This he uses as a general name for fused oxide 

 of lead, the Litharge of commerce. 



3^ Ajasson thinks it possible that the " chrysitis," or "golden" litharge, 

 may have been the yellow deutoxide of lead ; the argyritis, or "silver" 

 litharge, the white variety of the same deutoxide ; and the " molybditis," 

 or " leaden" litharge, a general name for sulphuret of lead and silver ; of 

 lead and antimony ; of lead, antimony, and bismuth ; and of lead, anti- 

 mony, and copper. Or perhaps, he thinks, they may have been the respec- 

 tive names of yellow or golden litharge, white or silver litharge, and terne. 

 With the latter opinion Delafosse seems to coincide. 



39 " Tubuhs." These cakes were probably made in a tubular form. 



40 "Vena ;" meaning the ore probably in its raw state, and mixed with 

 earth. All these distinctions are probably unfounded. 



*^ See B. xxxiv. c. 53. i'^ Of " Puteolana." 



