Chap. 15.] THE NETTLE. 403 



they are awakened.®^ Applied with salt, the nettle is used to 

 heal the bites of dogs, and beaten up and applied topically, it 

 arrests bleeding®^ at the nostrils, the root in particular. Mixed 

 with salt, also, it is employed for the cure of cancers and foul 

 ulcers ; and, applied in a similar manner, it cures sprains and 

 inflamed tumours, as well as imposthumes of the parotid glands 

 and denudations of the bones. The se^d of it, taken with 

 boiled must, dispels hysterical suffocations, and, applied topi- 

 cally, it arrests mucous discharges of the nostrils. Taken with 

 hydromel, after dinner, in doses of two oboli, the seed pro- 

 duces a gentle vomit f^ and a dose of one obolus, taken in 

 wine, has the effect of dispelling lassitude. The seed is pre- 

 scribed also, parched, and in d©ses of one acetabulum, for 

 affections of the uterus ; and, taken in boiled®^ must, it is a 

 remedy for flatulency of the stomach. Taken in an electuary, 

 with honey, it gives relief in hardness of breathing, and 

 clears the chest by expectoration : applied with linseed, it is a 

 cure for pains in the side, with the addition of some hyssop 

 and a little pepper. The seed is employed also in the form of 

 a liniment for affections of the spleen, and, parched and taken 

 with the food, it acts as a laxative in constipation of the bowels. 

 Hippocrates^^ says that the seed, taken in drink, acts as a pur- 

 gative upon the uterus ; and that taken, parched, with sweet 

 wine, in doses of one acetabulum, or applied externally with 

 juice of mallows, it alle\iates pains in that organ. He 

 states also that, used with hydromel and salt, it expels intes- 

 tinal worms, and that a liniment made of the seed will restore 

 the hair when falling off. Many persons, too, employ the seed 

 topically, with old oil, for diseases of the joints, and for gout, 

 or else the leaves beaten up with bears' -grease : the root, too, 

 pounded in vinegar, is no less useful for the same purposes, as 



82 The process of " urtication." alluded to in Note ''. 



83 Fee considers this extremely doubtful. 



8* An abominable refinement (if we may us'e the term) in gluttony, 

 "which would appear to have been practised among the Romans ; though 

 Fee thinks it possible that such a practice may have been considered ad- 

 visable in the medical treatment of certain maladies. Be this as it may, 

 the system of using vomits has prevailed to some extent in this country, 

 and during the present century, too, among persons in the fashionable 

 world, when expected to play their part at several entertainments in one 

 evening. 



^•'^ " Sapa" Grnpe-juice boiled down to one-third, 



85 De ilorb. Mul.' text. '17. 



D D 2 



