202 PLINY'S NATUEAL HISTOEY. [Book XXXIV. 



and fleshjT- excrescences in ulcers. The decoction of it, by the 

 contact solely, is curative of swellings of the uvula. It is laid 

 with linseed upon plasters which are used for relieving pains. 

 The whitish kind is preferred to the violet in one instance 

 only, for the purpose of being blown into the ears, through a 

 tube, to relieve deafness. Applied topically by itself, it heals 

 wounds ; but it leaves a discoloration upon the scars. It has 

 been lately discovered, that if it is sprinkled upon the mouths 

 of bears and lions in the arena, its astringent action is so 

 powerful as to deprive the animals of the power of biting. 



CHAP. 33. (13.) — POMrnoLYX. 



The substances called pompholyx^^ and spodos^- are also 

 found in the furnaces of copper-smelting works; the difference 

 between them being, that pompholyx is disengaged by wash- 

 ing, while spodos is not washed. Some persons have called the 

 part which is white and very light *' pompholyx," and say that 

 it is the ashes of copper and cadmia ; whereas spodos is darker 

 and heavier, being a substance scraped from the walls of the 

 furnace, mixed with extinguished sparks from the metal, and 

 sometimes with the residue of coals. When vinegar is combined 

 with it, pompholyx emits a coppery smell, and if it is touched 

 with the tongue, the taste is most abominable. It is useful as 

 an ingredient in ophthalmic preparations for all diseases of the 

 eyes, as also for all the purposes for which spodos is used; 

 this last only differing from it in its action being less power- 

 ful. It is also used lor plasters, when required to be gently 

 cooling and desiccative. For all these purposes it is more 

 efficacious when it has been moistened with wine 



CHAP. 34. — spodos; five eemedies. 

 The Cyprian spodos^^ is the best. It is formed by fusing 



■^^ It is difficult to ascertain the exact nature of the substances treated 

 of in this Chapter. i\jasson has some judicious remarks upon them, iu 

 which he points out what appear to be inconsistencies in the account given 

 of them, and of their relation to each other. — B. Ajasson says that there 

 is no doubt that a mammose or terreous carbonate of copper is meant 

 under these names. These substances are no longer known, but our tutty, 

 or impure oxide of zinc, bears some resemblance to tliem. 



32 See B. xix. c. 4, and Chapters 34 and 52 of this Book. 



23 A Greek word, signifying •' ashes," or the residuum after combus- 

 tion.— B. 



