494 PLINY'S NATTJEAL HISTORY. [Book XXIII. 



cures phthiriasis n contracted in a long illness, and removes 

 roughness of the skin upon the face. Oil of sesame is curative 

 of pains in the ears, spreading ulcers, and the cancer 12 known 

 as *' cacoethes." Oil of lilies, which we have previously 13 

 mentioned as being called oil of Phaselis and oil of Syria, is 

 extremely good for the kidneys and for promoting perspiration, 

 as also as an emollient for the uterus, and as tending to bring 

 internal tumours to a head. As to oil of Selga, we have al- 

 ready w spoken of it as being strengthening to the tendons ; 

 which is the case, also, with the herbaceous 15 oil which the 

 people of Iguvium 16 sell, on the Flaminian Way. 



CHAP. 50. -EL^lOMELI : TWO BEMEDIES. OIL OF PITCH I TWO 

 REMEDIES. 



Elaeomeli, which, as we have already 17 stated, exudes from 

 the olive-trees of Syria, has a flavour like that of honey, but 

 not without a certain nauseous taste. It relaxes the bowels, 

 and carries off the bilious secretions more particularly, if taken 

 in doses of two cyathi, in a semisextarius of water. After 

 drinking it, the patient falls into a torpor, and requires to be 

 aroused every now and then. Persons, when about to drink 

 for a wager, are in the habit of taking 18 a cyathus of it, by way 

 of prelude. Oil of pitch 19 is employed for the cure of cough, 

 and of itch in cattle. 



CHAP. 51. THE PALM : NINE REMEDIES. 



Next in rank after the vine and the olive comes the palm. 

 Dates fresh-gathered have an inebriating 20 effect, and are pro- 

 ductive of head-ache ; when dried, they are not so injurious. 

 It would appear, too, that they are not wholesome to the sto- 

 mach ; they have an irritating 21 effect on coughs, but are very 



11 Fee is of opinion that applied to the body it would exterminate 

 vermin. 



12 Malignant cancer, 13 In B. xxi. c. 11. u In B. xv. c. 7. 



15 Similar, probably, to the narcotic oil, or baume tranquitte of the French. 



16 See B. xv. c. 7. " In B. xv. c. 7. 



18 Probably because its oleaginous properties would tend to prevent im- 

 bibition and absorption, while its narcotic qualities would in some degree 

 neutralize the strength of the wine. Almonds have a somewhat similar 

 effect. 



19 " Pissinum." See B. xv. c. 7. 20 This is not the fact. 



21 On the contrary, they are used at the present day as a pectoral ; and 

 many so-called pectoral simps are prepared from them. 



