Chap. 71.] STOMATICE. 509 



stated, 2 mulberry- trees of a peculiar kind, being of a nature 

 that is truly marvellous ; for, if the outer bark is peeled off, 

 they emit a great abundance of juice ; but if a deeper inci- 

 sion is made, they are found to be quite dry. 3 This juice is 

 an antidote to the venom of serpents, is good for dysentery, 

 disperses inflamed tumours and all kinds of gatherings, heals 

 wounds, and allays both head-ache and ear-ache : it is taken 

 in drink for affections of the spleen, and is used as a liniment 

 for the same purpose, as also for fits of shivering. This juice, 

 however, very soon breeds worms. 



Among ourselves, too, the juice which exudes from the 

 mulberry-tree is employed for an equal number of purposes : 

 taken in wine, it neutralizes the noxious effects of aconite 4 and 

 the venom of spiders, relaxes the bowels, and expels tape- 

 worm and other animals which breed in the intestines ; 5 the 

 bark of the tree, pounded, has also a similar effect. The 



vt-s, boiled in rain-water with the bark of the black fig and 

 the vine, are used for dyeing the hair. 



The juice of the fruit has a laxative effect! immediately upon 

 the bowels, though the fruit itself, for the moment, acts bene- 

 ficially upon the stomach, being of a refreshing nature, but pro- 

 ductive of thirst. If no other food is taken upon them, mul- 

 berries 6 are of a swelling tendency. The juice of unripe mul- 

 berries acts astringently upon the bowels. The marvels which 

 are presented by this tree, and of which we have made some 

 mention 7 when describing it, would almost appear to belong 

 to a creature gifted with animation. 



CHAP. 71. THE MEDICAMENT CALLED STOMATICE, AKTEEIACE, OB 



PANCHRESTOS. FOUK REMEDIES. 



From the fruit of the mulberry a medicament is prepared, 

 called " pauchrestos," 8 " stomatice," or " arteriace :" the fol- 

 lowing is the method employed. Three sextarii of the juice 



2 In B. xiii. cc, 14, 15, where he calls it a fig-tree. He alludes to the 

 sycamore. 3 See B. xvi^c. 72. 



4 This statement is entirely unfounded. 



6 Considering that the ,leaves and bark are rich in tannin and gallic 

 acid, it might be worth while to ascertain if there is any truth in this 

 assertion. 



6 Hut Horace says, Sat. B. ii. s. 4, 1. 22, that mulberries are remark- 

 ably wholesome as a dessert. 7 In B. xvi. c. 41. 



b "All-healing," "mouth-medicine," and "medicine for the trachea." 



