Chap. 106.] THE RESEDA. 265 



CHAP. 105. RHACOMA: THIRTY- six REMEDIES. 



Rhacoma 82 is imported from the regions situate beyond 

 Eontus. 83 The root of it is similar to black costus,* 4 but 

 smaller and somewhat redder, inodorous, and of a hot, astrin- 

 gent flavour ; when pounded, it yields a colour like that of 

 wine, 85 but inclining to saffron. Applied topically, it reduces 

 abscesses and inflammations, and heals wounds : used with 

 raisin wine, it allays defluxions of the eyes; with honey, ecchy- 

 mosis; and with vinegar, livid marks upon the skin. Reduced 

 to powder, it is sprinkled upon malignant ulcers, and is given 

 internally for spitting of blood, in doses of one drachma, in 

 water. For dysentery and cceliac affections, if unattended 

 with fever, it is administered in wine ; but if there is fever, in 

 water. It is pounded more easily when it has been steeped in 

 water the night before. A decoction of it is given, in doses 

 of two drachmae, for ruptures, convulsions, contusions, and falls 

 with violence. 



In cases of pains in the chest, a little pepper and myrrh is 

 added. When the stomach is deranged, it is taken in cold 

 water ; and the same in cases of chronic cough, purulent ex- 

 pectorations, liver complaint, affections of the spleen, sciatica, 

 diseases of the kidneys, asthma, and hardness of breathing. 

 Pounded and taken in doses of three oboli, in raisin wine, or 

 used in the form of a decoction, it cures irritations of the tra- 

 chea : applied with vinegar, it acts as a detergent upon lichens. 

 It is taken in drink, also, for flatulency, cold shiverings, chilly 

 fevers, hiccup, gripings of the bowels, herpetic ulcerations, 

 oppressions of the head, vertigo attended with melancholy, 

 lassitude accompanied with pain, and convulsions. 



CHAP. 1 06. THE RESEDA : TWO REMEDIES. 



In the vicinity of Ariminum, there is a well-known plant 

 called " reseda :" 86 it disperses abscesses and all kinds of in- 

 flammations. Those who employ it for these purposes, add 



82 The reading of this word is very doubtful. It is generally supposed 

 to be the Rheum Rhaponticum of Linnaeus, Pontic rhubarb. 



83 The shores of the Euxine. 

 **> See B. xii. c. 25. 



85 " Fulvum," probably, " tawny-coloured," not white, red, or black ; 

 see B. xiv. cc. 11, 18. 



86 Possibly the Reseda alba of Linnaeus. 



