Chap. 49.] LASER. 433 



the effect, also, of neutralizing the venom of serpents and of 

 poisoned weapons, and, applied with water, it is in general use 

 for the cure of wounds. In combination with, oil, it is only 

 used as a liniment for the stings of scorpions, and with barlej'- 

 meal or dried figs, for the cure of ulcers that have not come to 

 a head. It is applied topically, also, to carbuncles, with rue 

 or honey, or else by itself, with some viscous substance to 

 make it adhere; for the bites of dogs, also, it is similarly em- 

 ployed. A decoction of it in vinegar, with pomegranate rind, 

 is used for excrescences M of the fundament, and, mixed with 

 nitre, for the corns commonly known as " morticini." 54 In 

 cases of alopecy which have been first treated with nitre, it 

 makes the hair grow again, applied with wine and saffron, or 

 else pepper or mouse-dung and vinegar. For chilblains, fo- 

 mentations are made of it with wine, or liniments with oil ; 

 as also for callosities and indurations. For corns on the feet, 

 if pared first, it is particularly useful, as also as a preservative 

 against the effects of bad water, and of unhealthy climates or 

 weather. It is prescribed for cough, too, affections of the 

 uvula, jaundice o long standing, dropsy, and hoarseness, having 

 the effect of instantly clearing the throat and restoring the 

 voice. Diluted in oxycrate, and applied with a sponge, it 

 assuages the pains in gout. 



It is given also in broth x to patients suffering from pleurisy, 

 when about to take wine ; and it is prescribed for convulsions 

 and opisthotony, in pills tfbout as large as a chick-pea, coated 

 with wax. For quinsy, it is used as a gargle, and to patients 

 troubled with asthma or inveterate cough, it is given with 

 leeks in vinegar ; it is prescribed, also, with vinegar, after 

 drinking butter-milk. 66 It is recommended with wine for con- 

 sumptive affections of the viscera and epilepsy, and with hy- 

 dromel for paralysis of the tongue ; with a decoction of honey, 

 it forms a liniment for sciatica and lumbago. 



For my own part, I should not recommend, 57 what some 

 authors advise, to insert a pill of laser, covered with wax, in 

 a hollow tooth, for tooth-ache ; being warned to the contrary 



53 What Pliny here says of Laser, Dioscorides, 13. iii. c. 94, says of the 

 root of Silphium. ' 5 * "Dead" corns. 



55 Or postage " In sorbition.e." 

 58 Prouably to prevent it turning sour on the stomach. 

 57 Dioscorides, however, gives this advice, B. iii. c. 94. 

 VOL. IV. r * 



