Chap. 32.] LEES OF VINEGAR. 483 



of lichens and cutaneous eruptions ; they are applied also in a 

 similar manner to leprous sores and running ulcers. Taken 

 in drink, they act as an antidote to the poison of fungi, and 

 more particularly if they are undiluted ; boiled and then rinsed, 

 they are used in preparations for the eyes. They are employed 

 also topically for diseases of the testes and generative organs, 

 and are taken in wine for strangury. "When wine-lees have 

 lost their strength, they are still useful for cleansing the body 

 and scouring clothes, in which case they act as a substitute 

 for gum acacia. 40 



CIIAP. 32. LEES OF VINEGAR I SEVENTEEN REMEDIES. 



The lees of vinegar, 41 as a matter of course, considering the 

 material from which they are derived, are much more acrid 

 than those of wine, and more caustic in their effects. This 

 substance prevents the increase of suppuration, and, employed 

 topically, is good for the stomach, intestines, and regions of 

 the abdomen. It has the property also of arresting fluxes of 

 ihose parts, and the catamenia when in excess ; it disperses 

 "nflamed tumours which have not come to a head, and is a cure 

 !br quinsy. Applied with wax, it is curative of erysipelas. 

 It reduces swellings of the mamillae when gorged with milk, 

 and removes malformed nails. Employed with polenta, it is 

 very efficacious for the cure of stings inflicted by the serpent 

 called cerastes; 42 and in combination with melanthium, 43 it 

 heals bites inflicted by crocodiles and dogs. 



Vinegar lees, too, by being subjected to the action of fire, 

 acquire additional strength. 44 Mixed in this state with oil of 

 mastieh, and applied to the hair, they turn 46 it red in a single 

 night. Applied with water in linen, as a pessary, they act as a 

 detergent upon the uterus. 



40 See B. x-xiv. c. 67. 



41 Their properties are similar to those of wine-lees, but they are no 

 longer used m medicine. The statements here made by our author, Fee 

 remarks, are entirely fabulous. 



42 Or horned serpent. See B. xi. c. 45. 



43 See B. xx. c, 71. 



44 This, as Fee observes, is probably the case. 



46 It must be remembered that red hair was greatly admired by the 

 Romans. 



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