Chap. 97.] MOLYBDJ31S-A. 141 



preparation proves fatal by coagulating the blood another 

 deadly property which belongs to it ; and hence it is that the 

 bodies of those who have been poisoned by it are covered with 

 spots. It is sometimes used in combination with water as a me- 

 dium for diluting certain medicaments. An emollient poultice 

 is also prepared from this juice, for the purpose of cooling the 

 stomach ; but the principal use made of it is as a topical ap- 

 plication, to check defluxions of the eyes in summer, and to 

 allay pains in those organs. It is employed also as an ingre- 

 dient in eyesalves, and is used for arresting fluxes in other parts 

 of the body : the leaves, too, have a soothing effect upon all 

 kinds of pains and tumours, and upon defluxions of the eyes. 



Anaxilaiis makes a statement to the effect, that if the 

 mamillaB 77 are rubbed with hemlock during virginity, they will 

 always be hard and firm : but a better-ascertained fact is, that 

 applied 78 to the mamillge, it dries up the milk in women re- 

 cently delivered ; as also that, applied to the testes at the age 

 of puberty, it acts most effectually as an antaphrodisiac. 79 As 

 to those cases in which it is recommended to take it internally 

 as a remedy, I shall, for my own part, decline to mention them. 

 The most powerful hemlock is that grown at Susa, in Parthia, 

 the next best being the produce of Laconia, Crete, and Asia. 80 

 In Greece, the hemlock of the finest quality is that of Megara, 

 and next to it, that of Attica. 



CHAP. 96. CEETHMOS AGEIOS I ONE EEMEDY/. 



Crethmos agrios, 81 applied to the eyes, removes rheum ; and, 

 with the addition of polenta, it causes tumours to disappear. 



CHAP. 97. MOLYBMNA I ONE EEMEDY. 



Molybdaena 82 also grows everywhere in the fields, a plant 

 commonly known as " plumbago." 82 It has leaves like those of 

 lapathum, 83 and a thick, hairy root. Chewed and applied to the 



77 A very dangerous use of it, Desfontaines thinks. 

 ' 8 Desfontaines says that it is still employed in various ways when the 

 milk is in excess. 



79 By causing those organs to waste away. ^ 



80 The province of Asia Minor. 



81 " Wild crethmos." Generally identified with the Crithmum mariti- 

 mum of Linnseus, Small samphire, or sea fennel. 



82 Or "lead plant." Identified with the Plumbago Europcea of Lin- 

 nseus, Leadwort, or French dittander. 83 g ee B, xx> c< $5, 



