Chap. 58.] TAKIOUS KINDS OF MEAL. 441 



the water in which it has been boiled. In the grain 

 known^^ as spelt, there is a small worm found, similar in ap- 

 pearance to the teredo :^ if this is put with wax into the hol- 

 low of carious teeth, they will come out, it is said, or, indeed, 

 if the teeth are only rubbed with it. Another name given 

 to olyra, as already^* mentioned, is ** arinca :" with a decoc- 

 tion of it a medicament is made, known in Egypt as ^'athera," 

 and extremely good for infants. For adult persons it is em- 

 ployed in the form of a liniment. 



CHAP. 58. THE YAEIOUS KINDS OF MEAL: TWE5fTY-EIGIIT 



liEilEDIES. 



Earley--meal, raw or boiled, disperses, softens, or ripens ga- 

 therings and inflammatory tumours ; and for other purposes 

 a decoction of it is made in hydromel, or with dried figs. If 

 required for pains in the liver, it must be boiled with oxycrate 

 in wine. When it is a matter of doubt whether an abscess 

 should be made to suppurate or be dispersed, it is a better 

 plan to boil the meal in vinegar, or lees of vinegar, or else 

 with a decoction of quinces or pears. For the bite of the 

 millepede,^ it is emploj-ed with honey, and for the stings of 

 serpents, and to j^revent suppurations, with vinegar. To pro- 

 mote suppuration, it should be used with oxycrate, with the 

 addition of Gallic resin. For gatherings, also, that have come 

 to a head, and ulcers of long standing, it must be employed 

 in combination with resin, and for indurations, with pigeons' 

 dung, dried figs, or ashes. For inflammation of the tendons, 

 or of the intestines and sides, or for pains in the male organs and 

 denudations of the bones, it is used with poppies, or melilote ; 

 and for scrofulous sores, it is used with pitch and oil, mixed 

 with the urine of a youth who has not reached the years of pu- 

 berty. It is employed also with fenugreek for tumours of 

 the thoracic organs, and in fevers, with honey, or stale grease. 



For suppurations, however, wheat-meal is much more sooth- 



99 See B. xviii. c. 19. 



1 See B. xvi. c. 80. This insect, or weevil, Fee says, is the Calandra 

 granaria. It strongly resembles the Avorm or maggot found in nuts, it 

 can be of no efficacv whatever for the removal of carious tcetli. 



i* In B. xviii. c."20. 2 s^e B. xviii. c. 13. 



^ Or multipede. For these purposes, an Fee says, it is of no use 

 Vi^hatcver. 



