456 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XXX. 



to use nitre in the form of a liniment, is considered highly 

 efficacious for the treatment of chronic diseases. 



In cases of tertian fever so true it is that suffering takes 

 delight in prolonging hope by trying every remedy it may be 

 worth while to make trial whether the web of the spider called 

 " lycos" 40 is of any use, applied, with the insect itself, to the 

 temples and forehead in a compress covered with resin and wax ; 

 or the insect itself, attached to the body in a reed, a form in 

 which it is said to be highly beneficial for other fevers. Trial 

 may be made also of a green lizard, enclosed alive in a vessel 

 just large enough to receive it, and worn as an amulet ; a 

 method, it is said, by which recurrent fevers are often dis- 

 pelled. 



^CHAP. 31. REMEDIES FOR DROPSY. 



For the cure of dropsy, wool-grease, a piece about the size 

 of a hazel-nut, is given in wine, with the addition of a little 

 myrrh : some add goose-grease, steeped in myrtle wine. The 

 filth that adheres to the udders of sheep is productive of a 

 similar effect, as also the dried flesh of a hedge-hog, taken with 

 the food. Matter vomited by a dog, we are assured, applied 

 to the abdomen, will draw off the water that has accumulated 

 there. 



CHAP. 32. (12). REMEDIES FOR ERYSIPELAS. 



Eor the cure of erysipelas, wool-grease is used, with pom- 

 pholix 41 and oil of roses ; the blood 42 also extracted from a tick ; 

 earth worms, applied in vinegar ; or else a cricket crushed be- 

 tween the hands the good effect of this last being that the per- 

 son who uses this precaution before the malady has made its 

 appearance, will be preserved therefrom for a whole year. Care 

 must be taken also that iron is used for the removal of the 

 cricket, with some of the earth about its hole. Goose-grease 

 is also employed for this purpose ; a viper's head, dried and 

 burnt, and applied with vinegar ; or a serpent's slough, applied 

 to the body, immediately after the bath, with bitumen and 

 lamb suet. 



40 The "wolf" spider. See c. 17 of this Book. 



41 SeeB.xxxiv. c. 33. 



42 Ajasson remarks that, in reality, this is not blood, but a kind of 

 TISCOUS liquid. 



