276 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XX. 



and calyx of the plant ; this being the only kind, in fact, into 

 the head of which the incision is made. This juice, like that 

 of any other plant, is received in wool ; 59 or else, if it is in 

 very minute quantities, it is scraped off with the thumb nail 

 just as it is from the lettuce, and so again on the following 

 day, with the portion that has since dried there. If obtained 

 from the poppy in sufficiently large quantities, this juice 

 thickens, after which it is kneaded out into lozenges, and dried 

 in the shade. This juice is possessed not only of certain sopo- 

 rific qualities, but, if taken in too large quantities, is productive 

 of sleep unto death even : the name given to it is " opium." 6( 

 It was in this way, we learn, that the father of P. Licinius 

 Csscina, a man of Praetorian rank, put an end to his life at 

 Bavilum 61 in Spain, an incurable malady having rendered 

 existence quite intolerable to him. Many other persons, too, 

 have ended their lives in a similar way. It is for this reason 

 that opium has been so strongly exclaimed against by Dia- 

 goras and Erasistratus ; for they have altogether condemned 

 it as a deadly poison, forbidding it to be used for infusions 

 even, as being injurious to the sight. Andreas says, in .addi- 

 tion to this, that the only reason why it does not cause instan- 

 taneous blindness, is the fact that they adulterate it at Alex- 

 andria. In later times, however, the use of it has not been 

 disapproved of witness the celebrated preparation known as 

 "diacodion." 62 Lozenges are also made of ground poppy- 

 seed, which are taken in milk as a soporific. 63 The seed is 

 employed, too, with rose-oil for head-ache ; and, in combination 

 with that oil, is injected into the ears for ear-ache. Mixed 

 with woman's milk, this seed is used as a liniment for 

 gout : the leaves, too, are employed in a similar manner. 

 Taken in vinegar, the seed is prescribed as a cure for erysipelas 

 and wounds. 



For my own part, however, I do not approve of opium 



89 This plan, Fee thinks, would not be attended with advantage. 



60 A name, probably, of Eastern origin, and now universally employed. 



61 " Bilbilis" has been suggested. 



62 Syrop of white poppies was, till recently, known as sirop of diaco- 

 dium. Opium is now universally regarded as one of the most important 

 ingredients of the Materia Medica. 



63 Poppy-seed, in reality, is not possessed of any soporific qualities what- 

 ever. This discovery, however, was only made in the latter part of the 

 last century, by the French chemist, Eosier. 



