Chap. 33.] MEDICINAL USES OF MILK. 319 



tamus was the first inventor of the practice of letting blood, a 

 fact to which we have 66 made allusion on a previous occasion : 

 it is found, too, in the greatest numbers in the parts above the 

 prefecture of Sais. 



The hide, reduced to ashes and applied with water, is cura- 

 tive of inflamed tumours, and the fat, as well as the dung, 

 used as a fumigation, is employed for the cure of cold agues. 

 With the teeth of the left side of the jaw, the gums are 

 scarified for the cure of tooth-ache. The skin of the left side of 

 the forehead, attached to the groin, acts as an antaphrodisiac; and 

 an application of the ashes of the same part will cause the hair 

 to grow when lost through alopecy. The testes are taken in 

 water, in doses of one drachma, for the cure of injuries inflicted 

 by serpents. The blood is made use of by painters. 



CHAP. 32. FIVE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE LYNX. 



To foreign countries, also, belongs the lynx, which of all 

 quadrupeds is possessed of the most piercing sight. It is said 

 that in the Isle of Carpathus a most powerful medicament is 

 obtained by reducing to ashes the nails of the lynx, together 

 with the hide ; that these ashes, taken in drink, have the 

 effect of checking abominable desires in men; and that, if they 

 are sprinkled upon women, all libidinous thoughts will be 

 restrained. They are good too for the removal of itching 

 sensations in any part of the body. The urine of the lynx is 

 a remedy for strangury ; for which reason the animal, it is 

 said, is in the habit of rooting up the ground and covering it 

 the moment it is voided. 67 It is mentioned, too, that this urine 

 is an effectual remedy for pains in the throat. Thus much 

 with reference to foreign animals. 



CHAP. 33. (9.) REMEDIES FURNISHED IN COMMON BY ANIMALS 

 OF THE SAME CLASS, WHETHER WILD OR TAME. FIFTY-FOUR 

 MEDICINAL USES OF MILK, WITH OBSERVATIONS THEREON. 



We will now return to our own part of the wcrld, speaking, 

 first of all, of certain remedies common to animals in general, 

 but excellent in their nature ; such as the use of milk, for 

 example. The most beneficial milk to every creature is the 

 mother's 68 milk. It is highly dangerous for nursing women to 



66 In B. viii. c. 40. 67 See E. viii. c. 57. 



68 Except, of course, when the mother is in a state of disease. 



