Chap. 49.] OIL OF HENBANE. 493 



is very beneficial to the eyesight, disperses films upon the eyes, 

 assuages hardness of breathing, and acts emolliently upon all 

 kinds of gatherings and indurations. It has the effect, also, 

 of preventing the blood from coagulating, acts as a detergent 

 upon ulcers, and is remarkably beneficial for diseases of the 

 ears, head-ache, trembling, 5 spasms, and ruptures. Taken in 

 milk, it is an antidote to the poison of aconite, and used as a 

 liniment upon the access of the shivering fits in fevers, it modi- 

 fies their violence. Still, however, it should be used but spa- 

 ringly, as it is of a very caustic nature, and, if not employed in 

 moderation, is apt to augment the malady. 



CHAP. 48. MALOBATHRTJM : FIVE REMEDIES. 



"We have already 6 spoken, also, of the nature of maloba- 

 thrum, and the various kinds of it. It acts as a diuretic, and, 

 sprinkled in wine upon the eyes, it is used very advantageously 

 for defluxions of those organs. It is applied also to the fore- 

 head, for the purpose of promoting sleep; but it acts with 

 still greater efficacy, if the nostrils are rubbed with it, or if it 

 is taken in water. The leaves, placed beneath the tongue, 

 impart a sweetness to the mouth and breath, and put among 

 clothes, they produce a similar effect. 



CHAP. 49. OIL OF HENBANE I TWO REMEDIES. OIL OF LUPINES I 



ONE REMEDY. OIL OF NARCISSUS I ONE REMEDY. OIL OF 

 RADISHES I FIVE REMEDIES. OIL OF SESAME I THREE REMEDIES. 

 OIL OF LILIES I THREE REMEDIES. OIL OF SELGA : ONE REMEDY. 

 OIL OF IGUVIUM : ONE REMEDY. 



Oil of henbane 7 is of an emollient nature, but it is bad for 

 the nerves ; taken in drink, it disturbs the brain. Thermi- 

 num, 8 or oil of lupines, is emollient, and very similar to oil of 

 roses in its effects. As to oil of narcissus, we have already * 

 spoken of it when describing that flower. Oil of radishes I0 



5 " Tremulis." 



6 In B. xii. c. 59. "Whatever malobathrum may have been, this was an 

 artificial oil, no doubt, 



7 " Hyoscyaminum." A fixed oil with narcotic properties, and most 

 probably, highly dangerous in its effects. 



8 From the Greek OkppoQ, a lupine, 

 s In B. xxi. c. 75. 



10 A fixed oil, charged with a small proportion of essential oil. 



