208 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XXVI. 



the same is the case with root of cyclaminos, 26 either used by 

 itself, or in combination with vinegar or honey. This last root 

 is useful also for the cure of steatomatous tumours, and hyssop 

 for that of running ulcers ; an effect equally produced by peu- 

 cedanum, 26 a plant which exercises so powerful an influence upon 

 fresh wounds, as to cause exfoliation even of the bones. The two 

 varieties of anagallis 27 are possessed of similar properties, and 

 act as a check upon the corrosive sores known as " nomae" and 

 upon defluxions; they are useful also in cases of recent wounds, 

 those of aged people in particular. Fresh leaves of niandra- 

 gora, 28 applied with cerate, are curative of apostemes and 

 sordid ulcers: the root too is used, with honey or oil, for wounds. 



Hemlock, incorporated with flour of winter wheat 29 by the 

 agency of wine as also the plant aizoum 30 is curative of her- 

 petic eruptions, and corrosive or putrid sores. Erigeron* 1 

 is employed for ulcers which breed maggots. Boot of astra- 

 galus 32 is used for the cure of recent wounds or of ulcers of 

 long standing ; and upon these last either kind of hypocisthis 33 

 acts as a detergent. Seed of leontopodium, 34 bruised in water 

 and applied with polenta, 35 extracts pointed weapons from the 

 flesh : a result equally produced by using seed of pycnocomon. 36 

 The tithymalos characias 37 supplies its juice for the cure of gan- 

 grenes, phagedaenic sores, and putrid ulcers; or else a decoction 

 is made of the branches with polenta and oil. Roots of or- 

 chis 38 have a similar effect ; in addition to which, applied, 

 either dry or fresh gathered, with honey and vinegar, they are 

 curative of the ulcer known as " cacoethes." Onothera 39 also, 

 used by itself, is curative of ulcers when rapidly gaining head. 



The people of Scythia employ scythice 40 for the treatment 

 of wounds. For carcinoma, argemonia, 41 applied with honey, 

 is extremely efficacious. For sores that have prematurely 

 closed, root of asphodel is boiled, in manner already 42 stated, 



25 See B. xxv. c. 67. 26 See B. xxv. c. 70. 



27 See B. xxv. c. 92. 28 See B. xxv. c. 94. 



29 "Siligo." See B. xviii. c. 20. 30 See B. xxv. c. 102. 



31 See B. xxv. c. 106. 33 See c. 29 of this Book. 



33 See c. 31 of this Book. 34 See B. xxvii. c. 72. 



35 See B. xxviii. c. 14. 36 See c. 36 of this Book. 



37 See c. 39 of this Book. 38 See c. 62 of this Book. 



39 See c. 69 of this Book. 



40 Our "liquorice," see B. xxv. c. 43. 



41 See B. xxv. c. 66. * 2 In B. xxii. c. 33. 



