494 pliny's NATUEAL HISTOET. [Book XXIII. 



cures phthiriasis ^^ contracted in a long illness, and removes 

 roughness of the skin upon the face. Oil of sesame is curative 

 of pains in the ears, spreading ulcers, and the cancer ^^ known 

 as '' cacoethes.'* Oil of lilies, which we have previously ^^ 

 mentioned as being called oil of Phaselis and oil of Syria, is 

 extremely good for the kidneys and for promoting perspiration, 

 as also as an emollient for the uterus, and as tending to bring 

 internal tumours to a head. As to oil of Selga, we have al- 

 ready ^* spoken of it as being strengthening to the tendons ; 

 which is the case, also, with the herbaceous ^^ oil which the 

 people of Iguvium ^^ sell, on the Tlaminian Way. 



CHAP. 50. EL^OMELI : TWO EEMEDIES. OIL OF PITCH : TWO 



EEMEDIES. 



Elaeomeli, which, as we have already ^^ stated, exudes from 

 the olive-trees of Syria, has a flavour like that of honey, but 

 not without a certain nauseous taste. It relaxes the bowels, 

 and carries off the bilious secretions more particularly, if taken 

 in doses of two cyathi, in a semisextarius of water. After 

 drinking it, the patient falls into a torpor, and requires to be 

 aroused every now and then. Persons, when about to drink 

 for a wager, are in the habit of taking ^^ a cyathus of it, by way 

 of prelude. Oil of pitch ^^ is employed for the cure of cough, 

 and of itch in cattle. 



CHAP. 51. THE PALM : NINE EEMEDIES. 



"Next in rank after the vine and the olive comes the palm. 

 Dates fresh-gathered have an inebriating ^^ effect, and are pro- 

 ductive of head-ache ; when dried, they are not so injurious. 

 It would appear, too, that they are not wholesome to the sto- 

 mach ; they have an irritating ^^ effect on coughs, but are very 



^^ Fee is of opinion that applied to the body it would exterminate 

 vermin. 



^2 Malignant cancer, ^3 In B, xxi. c. 11. i* In B. xv. c. 7. 



^5 Similar, probably, to the narcotic oil, or banme tranquille of the French. 



16 See B. XV. c. 7. ^' In B. xv. c. 7. 



1® Probably because its oleaginous properties would tend to prevent im- 

 bibition and absorption, while its narcotic qualities would in some degree 

 neutralize the strength of the wine. Almonds have a somewhat similar 

 eflfect. 



19 " Pissinum." See B. xv. c.^7. 20 This is not the fact. 



21 On the contrary, they are used at the present day as a pectoral ; and 

 many so-caUed pectoral sirops are prepared from them. 



