Chap. 31.] MIST. 199 



tringently upon the gums, the uvula, and the tonsillary glands. 17 

 It is applied in wool, as a pessary, for affections of the uterus : 

 and with leek juice it is formed into plasters for diseases of 

 the genitals. This substance is macerated for forty days in 

 vinegar, in an earthen vessel luted with dung ; after which it 

 acquires a saifron colour. When this composition is mixed with 

 an equal proportion of cadmia, it forms the medicament known 

 as " psoricon. 1 ' 18 If two parts of chalcitis are combined witli 

 one of cadmia, the medicament becomes more active ; and it is 

 rendered still more powerful if vinegar is used instead of wine. 

 Tor all these purposes, calcined chalcitis is the most efficacious. 



ciiAr. 30. SORT : THREE REMEDIES. 



The sory 19 of Egypt is the most esteemed, being considered 

 much superior to that of Cyprus, Spain, and Africa; although 

 some prefer the sory from Cyprus for affections of the eyes. 

 But from whatever place it comes, tho best is that which has 

 the strongest odour, and which, when triturated, becomes 

 greasy, black, and spongy. It is a substance so unpleasant to 

 the stomach, that some persons nro made sick merely by its 

 smell. This is the case more particularly with the sory from 

 Egypt. That from other countries, by trituration, acquires 

 the lustre of misy, and is of a more gritty consistency. Held 

 in the mouth, and used as a collutory, it is good for toothache. 

 It is also useful for malignant ulcers of a serpiginous nature. 

 It is calcined upon charcoal, like chalcitis. 



CHAP. 3 MIST : THIRTEEN" REMEDIES. 



Some persons have stated, that misy 20 is formed by the cal- 

 cination of the mineral, in trenches ;* 1 its fine yellow powder 

 becoming mixed with the ashes of the burnt fire-wood. 

 The fact is, however, that though obtained from the mineral, 

 it is already formed, and in compact masses, which require 



17 "We have a similar account of its medicinal virtues given us by Dios- 

 corides ; Cclsus also enumerates chalcitis among the corrosives, or cauteries, 

 44 qua) exeduut corpus." lie also recommends it for alfections of the 

 eyes. 11. 18 4 * Sore ointment." 



ly Sec Note 16 above. 



20 Sec Note 15 above. Ilardouin calls this substance "yellow cop- 

 peraa," or 4 * Koman vitriol." 



21 " In scrobibus." The mineral alluded to is Chalcitis, mentioned iu 

 Chapter 2. 13. 



