366 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTOKT. [Book XXVIII. 



Mouse-dung, on the other hand, applied in the form, of a 

 liniment, acts as an antaphrodisiac. The lights of a wild boar or 

 swine, roasted, are an effectual preservative against drunken- 

 ness ; they must, however, be eaten fasting, and upon the 

 same day. The lights of a kid, too, are productive of the 

 same effect. 



CHAP. 81. (20.) EEMAEKABLE FACTS EELATIVE TO ANIMALS. 



In addition to those already mentioned, there are various 

 other marvellous facts related, with reference to these animals. 

 "When a horse-shoe becomes detached from the hoof, as often 

 is the case, if a person takes it up and puts it by, it will act as 

 a remedy for hiccup the moment he calls to mind the spot 

 where he has placed it. A wolf's liver, they say, is similar to 

 a horse's hoof in appearance ; and a horse, they tell us, if 

 it follows in the track of a wolf, will burst 15 asunder beneath 

 its rider. The pastern-bones of swine have a certain tendency 

 to promote discord, it is said. In cases of fire, if some of the 

 dung can be brought away from the stalls, both sheep and 

 oxen may be got out all the more easily, and will make no at- 

 tempt to return. The flesh of a he-goat will lose its rank 

 smell, if the animal has eaten barley-bread, or drunk an in- 

 fusion of laser 16 the day on which i't was killed. Meat that 

 lias been salted while the moon was on the wane, will never 

 be attacked by worms. In fact, so great has been the care 

 taken to omit no possible researches, that a deaf hare, we find, 

 will grow fat 17 sooner than one that can hear ! 



As to the remedies for the diseases of animals If a beast of 

 burden voids blood, an injection must be used of swine's dung 

 mixed with wine. For the maladies of oxen, a mixture of suet 

 is used with quicksilver, and wild garlic boiled ; the whole 

 beaten up and administered in wine. The fat, too, of a fox 

 is employed. The liquor of boiled horse-flesh, administered in 

 their drink, is recommended for the cure of diseased swine : 

 and, indeed, the maladies of all four-footed beasts may be effec- 



15 He has already stated, in c. 44, that a horse will become torpid if it 

 follows in the track of a wolf; for which statement, according to Ajasson, 

 there appears to be some foundation. 



16 See B. xix. c. 15. 



17 This is not unlikely ; for it has no alarms to make it grow thin. 



