462 PLINr's NATUllAL llISTOliY. [Buok XXIII. 



though at the same time they arrest looseness of the bowels, 

 and are extremely good for patients troubled with spitting of 

 blood. When preserved in must, they are worse even in their 

 effects than when kept among husks; boiled^*' must, too, ren- 

 ders them injurious to the stomach. It is the opinion of medical 

 writers, that grapes kept^^ in rain-water are the most whole- 

 some of all, even though they are by no means agreeable eating; 

 for the benefit of them is particularly experienced in burning 

 pains of the stomach, biliousness arising from a disordered liver, 

 vomiting of bile, and attacks of cholera, as also dropsy and 

 burning fevers. 



Grapes kept in earthen pots sharpen the taste, the stomach, 

 and the appetite; it is thought, however, that they are ren- 

 dered a little heavy ^^ by the exhalations fi'om the husks with 

 which they are covered. ^^ If vine-blossoras are given to 

 poultry, mixed with their food, they will never touch the 

 grapes.^* 



CHAP. 8. CUTTINGS OF THE VINE : ONE KEMEDY. 



Such cuttings of the vine as have borne grapes, have an 

 astringent effect, when they are preserved in earthen ^ pots, 

 more particularly. 



CHAP. 9. GRAPE- STONES : SIX EEMEDIES. 



Grape-stones, also, have a similar -* property ; it is through 

 them that wine is so apt to produce head-ache. Parched and 

 then pounded, they are beneficial for the stomach ; and this 

 powder is sprinkled, like polenta, in the beverage of patients 

 suffering from dysentery, coeliac affections, and derangements 

 of the stomach. A decoction of them is useful, also, as a fo- 

 mentation for itch-scabs and prurigo. 



20 " Sapa :" must boiled down to one-third. 



21 This, as Fee remarks, is quite impossible ; grapes put in rain-water 

 would spoil immediately, and become totally unfit to eat. 



2^ By the transformation, namely, of the juices into alcohol. 



23 See B. xiv. c. 3. 



2* A notion quite unfounded, as Fee remarks. See B. xiv. c. 18. 



25 A prejudice equally destitute of foundation, 



26 Grape-stones have an astringent effect, and Fee states that in modern 

 times an oil is extracted from thorn of an agreeable flavour, and applicable 

 to many economical purposes. They are no longer used in medicine. 



