Chap. 63.] FIGS, 503 



them, and for the purposes of an eramenagogue. With meal 

 of fenugreek and vinegar, it is applied topicallj^ for gout ; it 

 acts also as a depilatory," heals eruptions of the ej-elids, 

 lichens and itch-scabs, and relaxes the] bowels. The milk of 

 the lig-tree is naturally curative of the stings of hornets, 

 wasps, and similar insects, and is remarkably useful for wounds 

 inflicted by scorpions. Mixed with axle-grease it removes 

 warts. With the leaves and figs still green an application is 

 made for scrofulous '^ and other sores of a nature which requires 

 emollients or resolvents. The leaves, too, used by themselves, 

 are productive of a similar effect. In addition to this, they 

 are employed for other purposes, as a friction for lichens, for 

 example, for alopecy, and other diseases which require caustic 

 applications. The young shoots of the brandies are used as 

 an application to the skin in cases of bites inflicted by dogs. 

 With honej' they are applied to the ulcers known as honey- 

 comb ulcers ;'^ mixed with the leaves of wdld poppies they ex- 

 tract'^ splinters of bones; and the leaves beaten up in vinegar 

 are a cure for bites inflicted by dogs. The young white shoots 

 of the black '^ fig are applied topically, wdth w^ax, to boils, and 

 bites inflicted by the shrew-mouse : and tlie aslies of their 

 leaves are used for the cure of gangrenes and the reduction of 

 fleshy excrescences. 



Ripe figs are diuretic and laxative ; they promote the per- 

 spiration, and bring out pimples ; hence it is that they are un- 

 w^holesome in autumn, the perspirations which they excite 

 being always attended with shivering. They are injurious 

 also to the stomach, though for a short time only ; and it is 

 generally thought that they spoil the voice. The figs which 

 are the last to ripen are more wholesome than the first, but 

 those which are drugged'"' for the purpose of ripening them 

 are never wholesome. This fruit invigorates the young, and 

 improves the health of the aged and retards the formation of 

 wrinkles ; it allays thirst, and is of a cooling nature, for 



"2 Being of a caustic nature, it might have this effect, Fee tliinks. It 

 is, however, no longer employed in medicine. He is also of opinion that 

 the juice of the fig-tree mij^ht be useful in making cheese. 



'3 Here, also, the caustic nature of their juices might render them 

 useful. 



'^ " Ceria :" now known in surgery as " favus." 



■^5 This and the next statement are equally untrue. 



'6 See B. XV. c. 19. '' " Sledicatte." See B. xvi. c. 51. 



