Chap. 36.] EEMEDIES FOE AFFECTIONS OF THE SII?-EWS. 457 

 CHAP. S3. EEMEDIES FOE CARBUNCLES. 



Carbuncles are removed by an application of pigeons' dung, 

 either alone or in combination with linseed and oxj'inel ; or 

 of bees that have died in the honej'. A sprinkling of polenta 

 upon the sores is also used. For carbuncles and other sores of 

 the generative organs, wool-grease is used as a remedy, with 

 refuse of lead ; and for incipient carbuncles, sheep's dung is 

 employed. Tumours and all other affections that stand in need 

 of emollients are treated most effectually with goose-grease ; 

 that of cranes, too, is equally efficacious. 



CHAP. 34. REMEDIES FOE BOILS. 



For boils the following remedies are prescribed ; a spider, 

 applied before mentioning the insect by name, care being 

 taken to remove it at the end of two days ; a shrew-mouse, 

 suspended by the neck till it is dead, care being taken not 

 to let it touch the earth when dead, and to pass it three 

 times around the boil, both operator and patient spitting on the 

 floor each time ; poultry-dung, that of a red colour in particular, 

 applied fresh with vinegar ; the crop of a stork, boiled in wine ; 

 flies, an uneven number of them, rubbed upon the patient with 

 the ring^^ finger ; the filth from sheep's ears ; stale mutton 

 suet, with ashes of women's hair ; ram suet also, with ashes of 

 burnt pumice and an equal quantity of salt. 



■ CHAP. 35. REMEDIES FOR BURNS. 



For burns, the ashes of a dog's head are used ; ashes of 

 burnt dormice, with oil; sheep's dung, with wax; ashes also 

 of burnt snails, an application so effectual, as not to leave a 

 scar even. Yiper's fat, too, is used, and ashes of burnt pigeons' 

 dung, applied with oil. 



CHAP. 36. REMEDIES FOE AFFECTIONS OF THE SINEWS. 



For nodosities in the sinews, the ashes of a viper's head are 

 applied, with oil of Cyprus ;^^ or else earth-worms, with honey. 

 Pains in the sinews should be treated with an application of 

 grease ; the body of a dead amphisbasna, worn as an amulet ; 

 vulture's grease, dried with the crop of the bird and beaten up 

 with stale hog's lard ; or else ashes of the head of a horned 



43 "Digitus niedicus " — "The physician's finger," properly. Why 

 the fourth finger, or that utxt to the little iiugcr, was thus called, it seems 

 impossible to say. ■** JSee B. xii. c. 51. 



