Chap. 53.] THE BHODODEND^ON. 37 



dilating and drying up fistulas, and, by its expansive powers, 

 opening an entrance for the necessary medicaments. The 

 ashes ^^ of paper prepared from the papyrus are reckoned among 

 the caustics : those of the plant, taken in wine, have a 

 narcotic effect. The plant, applied topically in water, removes 

 callosities of the skin. 



CHAP. 52. THE EBONY I FIVE REMEDIES. 



The ebony- tree '^^ does not grow in Egypt even, as we have 

 already stated, and it is not our intention to speak here of the 

 medicinal properties of the vegetable productions of foreign cli- 

 mates. Still, however, the ebony must not be omitted, on 

 account of the marvels related of it. The saw-dust of this 

 wood, it is said, is a sovereign remedy for diseases of the eyes, 

 and the pulp of the wood, rubbed upon a whetstone moistened 

 with raisin wine, dispels all films which impede the sight. 

 The root too, they say, applied with water, is curative of 

 white specks in the eyes, and, with the addition of root of 

 dracunculus, ^^ in equal proportions, and of honey, of cough. 

 Medical men reckon ebony also* in the number of the caustics.'^ 



CHAP. 53 — THE RHODODENDKON : ONE REMEDY, 



The rhododendron"^ has not so much as found a Latin name 

 among us, its other names being " rhododaphne "-* and 

 **nerium." It is a marvellous fact, but the leaves^' of this 

 plant are poisonous to quadrupeds ; while for man, if taken in 

 wine with rue, they are an effectual preservative against the 

 venom of serpents. Sheep too, and goats, it is said, if they 

 drink water in which the leaves have been steeped, will die 

 immediately. 



^' These statements as to the virtues of the ashes of papyrus, F^e says, 

 are absurd. 



2° See B. xii. c. 8. Desfontaines is inclined to identify the tree here 

 spoken of with the Diospyros ebenaster of Koenig. 



2^ See c. 91 of this Book ; the Artemisia dracunculus of Linnaeus. 



2* '* Erodentia." Fee remarks upon the singularity, that with this 

 property attributed to it, it should be recommended for diseases of the eyes. 



23 The "rose-tree." Our rose-bay or oleander. ^4 ''Rose-laurel." 



^^ See B. xvi. c. 33. It is, Fee says, an energetic poison, but as in- 

 jurious to man as it is to animals. 



