BENEFICIAL INSECTS 215 



amount of food to entomophagous peoples, so has this ex- 

 tensive order of insects been drawn upon largely by the 

 medical profession, qualified or pseudo, in their search for 

 remedies. Ladybirds were formerly considered a very 

 efficacious remedy for colic and measles, and homoeopathy 

 has introduced the seven -spotted ladybird, Coccinella 

 septem-punctata, to the Materia Medica. A mashed lady- 

 bird introduced into the cavity of a decayed and aching 

 tooth is stated, by some authorities, to relieve the pain 

 immediately. 



The leather beetles are notorious as household pests 

 rather than as contributors to the Materia Medica. In 

 modern medicine they play no part, but they were much 

 esteemed by the Egyptians. Both Galen and Dioskorides 

 refer to Tomicus typographus as a vesicator. The same 

 beetle, called in Arabic " Dudchabath elsanawbar," is used 

 by the Arab physicians for opening abscesses on account of 

 the fact that the powdered insect will rot flesh which is 

 exposed long enough to its action. 



The mandibles of the European stag beetle, Lucanus 

 cervus, under the name of "horns of Scarabsei," were formerly 

 employed in cases of pain and convulsions, whilst an in- 

 fusion of these beetles is recommended by Schroeder to be 

 dropped into the ears as a remedy for pain in these organs. 



The medicinal virtues attributed to the dung beetles are 

 many and varied. Pliny says that the eyesight of those 

 who gaze on the green scarabseus is rendered much more 

 piercing, and that, on this account, the insect is in great 

 demand by engravers of precious stones to steady their 

 sight. According to Schroeder, a preparation of Byrrhus 

 pilula is an efficient remedy for haemorrhoids and certain 

 eye diseases. A beetle of the genus Copris is used medi- 

 cinally in China. Mouffet, in his Theatrum Insectorv/m, 

 describing a scarab engraven on an emerald to be used as an 

 amulet, says : " It keeps away likewise the headache, which 

 truly is no small mischief, especially to great drinkers." 



