Ch«p. 29.] ABSINTHIUM MAELNDM. 235 



The steam of a decoction of wormwood is curative of affec- 

 tions of the ears ; and when they are attacked with running 

 sores, a liniment of wormwood bruised with honey is applied. 

 Three or four sprigs of wormwood, with one root of Gallic 

 nard, taken in six cyathi of water, act as a diuretic and as 

 an emmenagogue ; indeed, if taken with honey, or employed 

 as a pessary with wool, it has especial virtues as an emmena- 

 gogue. In combination with honey and nitre it is useful for 

 quinzy, and an infusion of it in water is good for epinyctis. 

 A topical application is made of it for recent wounds, provided 

 always they have not been touched with water : it is em- 

 ployed also for ulcers upon the head. In combination with 

 Cyprian wax or figs, it is highly recommended as a plaster for 

 the iliac regions : it is curative also of prurigo, but it must 

 never be administered in fevers. Taken in drink, it is a pre- 

 ventive of sea sickness; and, worn attached to the body, 

 beneath an apron, it arrests inguinal swellings. The smell of 

 it^ induces sleep, a similar effect being produced by placing 

 it under the pillow unknown to the party. Kept among 

 clothes it preserves them from worms, and used as a liniment, 

 with oil, or burnt as a fumigation, it has the effect of driving 

 away gnats. 



Writing ink, mixed with an infusion of wormwood, effectually 

 protects the writings from the attacks of mice. Ashes of 

 wormwood, mixed with rose unguent, stain the hair black. 



CHAP. 29. ABSLNTHTUM MAKLNUM OE SEEIPHUM. 



There is a sea wormwood^ also, known as " seriphum" by 

 some, the most esteemed being that of Taposiris in Egypt. 

 Those initiated in the mysteries of Isis carry a branch of it in 

 the hand. It has a narrower leaf than the preceding plant, 

 and is not so bitter ; it is injurious to the stomach, has a 

 laxative effect upon the bowels, and expels intestinal worms. 

 It is taken in drink with oil and salt ; or else an infusion of it 

 is taken in a pottage made of meal of three -month wheat. 

 When employed as a decoction, a handful is used to one sexta- 

 rius of water, the mixture being boiled down to one half. 



- This, Fee observes, is not the case. 



^ The Artemisia maritima of Linnaeus, Sea ■wormwood : see B. xxxii. 

 c. 31. 



