Chap. 14.] BEMEDIES DEBITED FROM THE DOG. 391 



there is added to it erysisceptrum, 95 xylobalsamum, 96 palm 

 elate, 97 and calamus, each in the same proportion as the grease ; 

 the whole being gently boiled some two or three times in wine. 

 This preparation is made in winter, as in summer it will never 

 thicken, except with the addition of wax. There are nume- 

 rous other remedies, also, derived from the goose, as well as 

 from the ravun ; 98 a thing I am much surprised at, seeing that 

 both the goose and the raven " are generally said to be in a 

 diseased state at the end of summer and the beginning of 

 autumn. 



CHAP. 14. (4.) REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE DOG. 



We have already 1 spoken of the honours earned by the 

 geese, when the Gauls were detected in their attempt to scale 

 the Capitol. It is for a corresponding reason, also, that punish- 

 ment is yearly inflicted upon the dogs, by crucifying them alive 

 upon a gibbet of elder, between the Temple of Juventas 2 and 

 that of Summanus. 3 



In reference to this last-mentioned animal, the usages of our 

 forefathers compel us to enter into some further details. They 

 considered the flesh of sucking whelps to be so pure a meat, 

 that they were in the habit of using them as victims even in 

 their expiatory sacrifices. A young whelp, too, is sacrificed to 

 Genita Mana ; 4 and, at the repasts celebrated in honour of the 

 gods, it is still the usage to set whelps' flesh on table ; at the 

 inaugural feasts, too, of the pontiffs, this dish was in com- 

 mon use, as we learn from the Comedies 5 of Plautus. It is 

 generally thought that for narcotic 6 poisons there is nothing 

 better than dogs' blood ; and it would appear that it was this 

 animal that first taught man the use of emetics. Other me- 



95 See B. xxiv. c. 69. 96 See B. xii. c. 54. 97 See B. xii. c. 62. 



98 No MS., it would appear, gives "oorvis" here, the reading being 

 "capris," " goats." Ajasson, however, is most probably right in his sug- 

 gestion that "corvis" is the correct reading. 



9a See B. x. c. 15. l In B. x. c. 26. 



2 Or Youth, in the Eighth Region of the City. 



3 See B. ii. c. 53. 



4 An ancient divinity, who is supposed to have presided over childbirth. 

 See Plutarch, Queest. Rom. 52. 



5 In the Saturio probably, quoted by Festus, and now lost. The 

 aborigines of Canada, and the people of China and Tartary, hold whelpa* 

 flesh in esteem as a great delicacy, 



6 "Toxica," 



