?hap. 66,] PLUMS. 507 



joction of the root, boiled in wine, is good for tooth-ache. 

 The winter wild fig, boiled in vinegar and pounded, is a cure 

 for impetigo : the branches are first barked for the purpose 

 and then scraped ; these scrapings, which are as fine as saw- 

 dust, being applied topicall} r to the parts affected. 



There is also one medicinal property of a marvellous nature 

 attributed to the wild fig : if a youth who has not arrived at 

 pubert}* breaks off ti branch, and then with his teeth tears off 

 the bark swelling with the sap, the pith of this branch, we are 

 assured, attached as an amulet to the person before sunrise, 

 will prevent the formation of scrofulous sores. A branch of 

 this tree, attached to the neck of a bull, however furious, ex- 

 ercises such a marvellous effect upon him as to restrain his 

 ferocity, 91 and render him quite immoveable. 



CHAP. 65. THE HEKB ERINEON I THREE REMEDIES. 



It will be as well to speak here, in consequence of the simi- 

 larity of name, 92 of the herb which is known to the Greeks as 

 the " erineon." This plant 93 is a palm in height, and has 

 mostly five small stems : in appearance it resembles ocimum, 

 and bears a white flower, with a small, black, seed. Beaten up 

 with Attic honey, it is a cure for defluxions of the eyes. In 

 whatever way it is gathered, it yields a considerable abun- 

 dance of sweet, milky, juice. With the addition of a little 

 nitre, this plant is extremely useful for pains in the ears. The 

 leaves of it have the property of neutralizing poisons. 



CHAP. 66. PLUMS I FOUR OBSERVATIONS UPON THEM. 



The leaves 94 of the plum, boiled in wine, are useful for the 

 tonsillary glands, the gums, and the uvula, the mouth being 

 rinsed with the decoction every now and then. As for the 



fruit itself, it is relaxing 95 to the bowels ; but it is not very 



, 



91 Plutarch, Sympos. ii. 7, tells the same absurd story. 



92 To " erinoon," the Greek for wild fig. 



93 Supposed to be the Campanula rapunculus of Linnaeus, the ram- 

 pion ; though Fee expresses some doubts. Guilandin has suggested the 

 Uieraciura Sabaudum of Linnaeus, an opinion which Fee thinks not alto- 

 gether destitute of probability. 



94 The leaves of this tree contain a large proportion of tannin, to 

 which they owe their astringent properties. 



95 Prunes, the produce of the plum-tree, called the plum of Saint Julien, 

 are still used as a purgative. 



