Chap. 66.] PLUMS. 507 



coction of the root, boiled in wine, is good for tooth-aclie. 

 The winter wild fig, boiled in vinegar and pounded, is a cure 

 for impetigo : tlie branches are first barked for the purpose 

 and then scraped ; these scrapings, which are as fine as saw- 

 dust, being applied topically to the parts aftected. 



There is also one medicinal property of a marvellous nature 

 attributed to the wild fig : if a youth who has not arrived at 

 puberty breaks off a branch, and then with his teeth tears off 

 the bark swelling with the sap, the pith of this branch, we are 

 assured, attached as an amulet to the person before sunrise, 

 will prevent the formation of scrofulous sores. A branch of 

 this tree, attached to the neck of a bull, however furious, ex- 

 ercises such a marvellous effect upon him as to restrain his 

 ferocity, ^^ and render him quite immoveable. 



CHAP. 65. THE HERB ERINEON *. THEEE REMEDIES. 



It will be as well to speak here, in consequence of the simi- 

 larity of name,^- of the herb which is known to the Greeks as 

 the " erineon." This plant^^ is a palm in height, and has 

 mostly five small stems : in appearance it resembles ocimum, 

 and bears a white flower, with a small, black, seed. Beaten up 

 with Attic honey, it is a cure for defluxions of the eyes. In 

 whatever way it is gathered, it yields a considerable abun- 

 dance of sweet, milky, juice. With the addition of a little 

 nitre, this plant is extremely useful for pains in the ears. The 

 leaves of it have the property of neutralizing poisons. 



CHAP. 66. PLUMS : POUR OBSERVATIONS UPON THEM. 



The leaves^^ of the plum, boiled in wine, are useful for the 

 tonsillary glands, the gums, and the uvula, the mouth being 

 rinsed with the decoction every now and then. As for the 

 fruit itself, it is relaxing'^ to the bowels ; but it is not very 



91 Plutarch, Sympos. ii. 7, tells the same absurd story. 



92 To " erineon," the Greek for wild fig. 



93 Supposed to be the Campanula rapunculus of Linnaeus, the ram- 

 pion ; though Fee expresses some doubts. Guilandiu has suggested the 

 iJieracium Sabaudum of Linnaeus, an opinion which Fee thinks not alto- 

 gether destitute of probability. 



91 The leaves of this tree contain a large proportion of tannin, to 

 which they owe their astringent properties. 



9= Prunes, the produce of the plum-tree, called the plum of Saint Julien, 

 are still used as a purgative. 



