Chap. 82.] THE CHAMEL^A. 53 



of those of mint, but in their colour and indentations they 

 resemble those of the oak. According to some, the leaves are 

 serrated, and it was these, they say, that first suggested the 

 idea of the saw : 28 the flower of it borders closely upon purple. 

 This plant is gathered in rough craggy localities, when it is 

 replete with juice ; and, whether taken 29 internally or applied 

 topically, it is extremely efficacious for the stings of venomous 

 serpents, diseases of the stomach, inveterate coughs, collections 

 of phlegm in the throat, ruptures, convulsions, and pains 

 in the sides. It diminishes the volume of the spleen, and acts 

 as a diuretic and emmenagogue ; for which reasons it is very 

 useful in incipient dropsy, the usual dose being a handful of 

 the sprigs boiled down to one third in three heminae of water. 

 Lozenges too are made of it for the above-named purposes, by 

 bruising it in water. In combination with honey, it heals 

 abscesses and inveterate or sordid ulcers : a wine 30 too is pre- 

 pared from it for diseases of the chest. The juice of the leaves, 

 mixed with oil, disperses films on the eyes ; it is taken also, in 

 vinegar, for diseases of the spleen j employed as a friction, it is 

 of a warming nature. 



CHAP. 81. THE CHABLEDAPHNE : FIVE KEMEDIES. 



The chamaedaphne 31 consists of a single diminutive stem, 

 about a cubit in height, the limbs of it being smaller than 

 those of the laurel. These leaves * * * The seed, which is 

 of a red colour, and attached to the leaves, is applied fresh for 

 head- ache, is of a cooling nature for burning heats, and is 

 taken for griping pains in the bowels, with wine. The juice of 

 this plant, taken in wine, acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic ; 

 and applied as a pessary in wool, it facilitates laborious deliveries. 



CHAP. 82. THE CHAMEL^EA : SIX REMEDIES. 



The leaves of the chamelsea 32 resemble those of the olive ; 

 they are bitter, however, and odoriferous. This plant is found 



28 An invention attributed to Daedalus, in B. vii. c. 57. 



29 The Teucrium chamaedrys is a bitter plant, which has been success- 

 fully used for fever, and it acts as a tonic and vermifuge. Beyond these, 

 it has no medicinal properties whatever. 30 See B. xiv. c, 19. 



si o r ground-laurel." Fee considers this to be identical with the 

 Alexandrian laurel, mentioned in B. xv. c. 39. It is no longer used in 

 medicine, but the roots of a plant of kindred nature, the Ruscus aculeatus, 

 or butcher's broom, are diuretic. 



3 - Or ''ground olive.'* See B. xiii. c. 35. 



