Chap. 28.] ABSINTHIUM. 233 



instance, so called from a city in Gaul, and the Pontic, 87 which 

 comes from Pontus, where the cattle are fattened upon it a 

 diet which causes them to be destitute of gall. 88 The Pontic 

 wormwood, we may remark, is of the finest quality, superior to 

 that of Italy, 89 and much more bitter ; the pith, however, of the 

 Pontic wormwood is sweet. As to its general utility, a plant 

 so commonly found and applied to such numerous uses, people 

 are universally agreed ; but with the Romans more particularly 

 it has been always held in the highest esteem, from the fact of 

 its being employed in their religious ceremonials. Thus, for 

 instance, upon the Latin 90 Festival, it is the custom to have a 

 race of four-horsed chariots in the Capital, and for the conqueror 

 to be presented with a draught of wormwood ; from the circum- 

 stance, no doubt, that our forefathers were of opinion that good 

 health was the most valuable reward they could bestow upon 

 his skill. 



This plant is very strengthening to the stomach, and hence 

 it is that wines are flavoured with it, as already 91 stated. A 

 decoction of it in water is also taken, the following being 

 the method employed in preparing it. Six drachmae of the 

 leaves are boiled, with the branches, in three sextarii of rain 

 water, and the preparation is then left to cool in the open air a 

 day and a night. Salt, too, should be added to it. When old, it 

 is utterly useless. A dilution of wormwood steeped in water 

 is also used, such being the name 92 given to this method of 

 preparing it. This dilution is made by leaving the vessel 

 covered up for three days, any kind of water being used. 

 Pounded wormwood is but rarely employed, and the same 

 with the extracted juice of the seed. 93 In cases, however, 

 where it is extracted, the seed is subjected to pressure as soon 

 as it begins to swell, after which it is soaked for three days 

 in water, if used fresh, and seven, if dry. It is then boiled 

 in a copper vessel, in the proportion of ten heminae to forty- 

 five sextarii of water, after which it is strained off and boiled 



87 The Artemisia Pontica of Linnaeus, Little wormwood, or Eoman 

 wormwood. 88 See B. xi. c. 75. 



89 The Artemisia absinthium of Linnaeus, Common wormwood. 



90 Upon which occasion a sacrifice was offered on the Alban Mount. 

 See further as to this Festival, in B. iii. c. 2. 



91 In B. xiv. c. 19. Wine of wormwood is still used medicinally. 



92 "Dilutum." An infusion. 



99 It contains a small quantity of essential oil. 



