386 plint's natural history. [Book XXIX. 



roses ; or else mixed with ground parsley-seed and polenta, and 

 applied with honied wine. The yolk of a single egg, swallowed 

 raw hy itself without being allowed to touch the teeth, is 

 remarkably good for cough, defluxions of the chest, and irrita- 

 tions of the fauces. It is used, too, both internally and ex- 

 ternally, in a raw state, as a sovereign cure for the sting of the 

 hsemorrhois ;" and it is highly beneficial for the kidneys, for 

 irritations and ulcerations of the bladder, and for bloody expec- 

 torations. For dysentery, the yolks of five eggs are taken raw 

 in one semi-sex tarius of wine, mixed with the ashes of the shells, 

 poppy-juice, and wine. 



For coeliac fluxes, it is recommended to take the yolks of 

 eggs, with like proportions of pulpy raisins and pomegranate 

 rind, in equal quantities, for three consecutive days; or else 

 to follow another method, and take the yolks of three eggs, 

 with three ounces of old bacon and honey, and three cyathi of 

 old wine ; the whole being beaten up to the consistency of 

 honey, and taken in water, when needed, in pieces the size of 

 a hazel nut. In some cases, too, the yolks of three eggs are 

 fried in oil, the whole of the egg having been steeped a day 

 previously in vinegar. It is in this way that eggs are used for 

 the treatment of spleen diseases ; but for spitting of blood, they 

 should be taken with three cyathi of must. Yolk of egg is used, 

 too, for the cure of bruises of long standing, in combination 

 with bulbs and honey. Boiled and taken in wine, yolks of 

 eggs arrest menstruation : applied raw with oil or wine, they 

 dispel inflations of the uterus. Mixed with goose-grease and 

 oil of roses, they are useful for crick in the neck; and they 

 are hardened over the fire, and applied warm, for the cure of 

 maladies of the rectum. For condylomata, eggs are used in 

 combination with oil of roses ; and for the treatment of burns, 

 they are hardened in water, and set upon hot coals till the 

 shells are burnt, the yellow being used as a liniment with oil 

 of roses. 



Eggs become entirely transformed into yolk, on being re- 

 moved after the hen has sat upon them for three days ; in 

 which state they are known by the name of ** sitista."'^ The 

 chicks that are found within the shell are used for strengthen - 



73 See B. XX. c. 23. 



'^ Hermolaiis suggests "schista," "divided," and Dalecbamps proposes 

 "synchyta," "mixed." The reading is very doubtful. 



