Chap. 87.] HYSSOP. 133 



manner for a similar purpose. A decoction of root of helle- 

 bore in oil or in water is used for the removal of porrigo. For 

 the cure of head-ache, root of all kinds of panaces 20 is used, 

 beaten up in oil ; as also aristolochia 21 and iberis, 22 this last being 

 applied to the head for an hour or more, if the patient can 

 bear it so long, care being taken to bathe in the meanwhile. 

 The daucus, too, is curative of head-ache. Cyclaminos, 23 intro- 

 duced into the nostrils with honey, clears the head; used in 

 the form of a liniment, it heals ulcers of the head. Periste- 

 reos, 24 also, is curative of diseases of the head. 



CHAP. 85. THE CACALIA OR LEONTICK I THREE REMEDIES. 



The name of " cacalia" 25 or " leontice" is given to a plant 

 with seed resembling small pearls in appearance, and hang- 

 ing down between large leaves : it is mostly found upon 

 mountains. Fifteen grains of this seed are macerated in oil, 

 and the head is rubbed with the mixture, the contrary way to 

 the hair. 



CHAP. 86. THE CALL1TRICHOS I ONE REMEDY. 



A sternutatory, too, is prepared from the callitrichos. 26 The 

 leaves of this plant are similar to those of the lentil, and the 

 stems resemble fine rushes ; the root is very diminutive. It 

 grows in shady, moist localities, and has a burning taste in the 

 mouth. 



CHAP. 87. HYSSOP : TEN REMEDIES. 



Hyssop, 27 beaten up in oil, is curative of phthiriasis and 



20 See c. 11 of this Book. 



21 See c. 54 of this Book. 22 See c. 49 of this Book. 

 23 See c. 67 of this Book. * Or Vervain. 



25 Sprengel identified this plant at first with the Buplevnim longifolium' 

 of Linnaeus, the Long-leaved hare's ear, but at a later period with the 

 Mercurialis tomentosa, the Woolly mercury. Fee suggests the Cacalia 

 petasites or albifrons, though with diffidence. ,Littr6 gives the Cacalia ver- 

 bascifoiia of Sibthorp. 



26 See c. 83 of this Book ; also B. xxii. c. 30, and B. xxvii. c. 111. 



27 There has been much discussion on the identification of the Hyssopum 

 of the ancients, their descriptions varying very considerably. It has been 

 suggested that that of the Egyptians was the Origanum JEgyptianum ; that 

 of the Hebrews, the Origanum Syriacum ; that of Dioscorides, the Origa- 

 num Smyrnaeum; and that of the other Greek writers, the Teucrium pseudo- 

 hyssopus, or else the Thymbra verticillata and spicata. Fee is inclined to 

 identity that here mentioned by Pliny with the Thymbra spicata of Lin- 

 naeus, and the Garden hyssop of Dioscorides, with the Hyssopus officinalis 



