Chap. 19.] PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO WINE. 46!) 



already exist, quite innumerable ; we shall therefore conteut 

 ourselves with taking a general view only of their medicinal 

 uses. 



Every kind of must is unwholesome to the stomach, but of 

 a soothing nature to the venous system. Taken off at a draught, 

 immediately after the bath, must is fatal 61 in its effects. It 

 acts as an antidote 65 to cantharides and stings inflicted by ser- 

 pents, those of the haemorrhois and the salamandra 66 in parti- 

 cular. It is productive of head-ache, and is prejudicial to the 

 throat, but it is good for the kidneys, liver, and inner coat of 

 the bladder, by reason of its lubricating properties. It is par- 

 ticularly effectual also in cases of injuries inflicted by the in- 

 sect known as the " buprestis." 67 



Taken with oil as a vomit, it neutralizes the bad effects of 

 opium, 68 milk that has curdled upon the stomach, hemlock, do- 

 rycnium, 69 and other poisons. 70 For all these purposes, how- 

 ever, white must is not so efficacious, while must prepared 

 from raisins of the sun has a more pleasant flavour, and is 

 productive of a less degree of oppression to the head. 



CHAP. 19. PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO WINE. 



We have already 71 described the various kinds of wine, the 

 numerous differences which exist between them, and most of 

 the properties which each kind possesses. .There is no subject 

 that presents greater difficulties than this, or, indeed, a more 

 varied field for discussion, it being extremely difficult to pro- 

 nounce whether wine is more generally injurious in its effects, 

 or beneficial. And then, in addition to this, how very uncer- 

 tain is it, whether, the moment we have drunk it, it will be 

 productive of salutary results, or turn out no better than so 

 much poison ! However, it is only with reference to its medi- 

 cinal properties, chat we are now about to speak of it. 



64 See c. 30 of this Book. Of course there is little or no truth in this 



63 In reality it has no such effect. 66 See B. x. c. 86. 



67 See B. xxii. c. 36, and B. xxx. c. 10. 



68 In cases of poisoning by opium or hemlock, the use ot it, 1 ee says, 

 would be prejudicial. 



See B. xxi. c. 105. 70 "Toxwa." 



<i In B. xiv. cc. 8, 9, 10. It is impossible, with any degree of accu- 

 racy, to discuss the properties of these various wines, as they no longer 

 exist. 



