200 PLINT'S IfATURAL HISTOKT. [Book XXXIV. 



force to detach them. The best is that which comes from 

 the manufactories of Cyprus, its characteristics being, that 

 when broken, it sparkles like gold, and when triturated, it 

 presents a sandy or earthy appearance, like chalcitis. Misy 

 is used in the process of refining gold. Mixed with oil of 

 roses, it is used as an injection for suppurations of the ears, 

 and, in combination with wool, it is applied to ulcers of the 

 head. It also removes inveterate granulations of the eye-lids, 

 and is particularly useful for affections of the tonsils, quinsy, 

 and suppurations. For these maladies, sixteen drachmae 

 should be mixed with one semisextarius of vinegar, and boiled 

 with the addition of some honey, until it becomes of a viscous 

 consistency; in which state it is applicable to the different 

 purposes above mentioned. When its action is wanted to be 

 modified, a sprinkling of honey is added. A fomentation of 

 misy and vinegar removes the callosities of fistulous ulcers ; 

 it also enters into the composition of eye-salves. It arrests 

 haemorrhage, prevents tlie spreading of serpiginous and putrid 

 ulcers, and consumes fleshy excrescences. It is particularly 

 useful for diseases of the male generative organs, and acts as 

 a check upon menstruation. 



CHAP. 32. CHALCANTHUM, OR SHOEMAKERS* BLACK : SIXTEEN 



REMEDIES. 



The Greeks, by the name^^ which they have given to it, 

 have indicated the relation between shoemakers' black ^^ and 

 copper; for they call it '' chalcanthum."*^ Indeed there is no 

 substance'^^ so singular in its nature. It is prepared in Spain, 

 from the water of wells or pits which contain it in dissolu- 

 tion. This water is boiled with an equal quantity of pure 

 water, and is then poured into large wooden reservoirs. 



2^ Xa\Kov d'vOoQ. " Flower of copper." — B. 



2* *' Atraraentum sutorium." It was thus called from its being used 

 for colouring leather. Under tliis name he probably includes greea 

 •vitriol, or sulphate of the protoxide of iron, and blue vitriol, or sulphate, 

 and hydro-trisulphate of copper, the former of which is, properly, our 

 copperas. See Eeckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 181, et. seq. Boliris Edi- 

 tion. See also Note 10 above. 



"^ In reality, the " chalcanthum" of Dioscorides was the small scales 

 separated from molten copper by the application of water. See Chapters 

 24 and 25 above. 



2^ Of this kind, probably. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 182. 



