ASPHODEL. 39 



a cure for the ring-worm, &c. We are 

 informed, that Chrysermus the physician 

 boiled the root in wine, and by it cured the 

 swellings of the kernels behind the ears ; 

 and that Sophocles used it, both boiled and 

 raw, with good success against the gout. 

 Simnus esteemed it the best diuretic drink 

 for the gravel, when boiled in wine. Hippo- 

 crates prescribed the seeds of the asphodel 

 against the hardness of the spleen, and the 

 flux which proceeds from that cause. He 

 also applied the root, pounded, as a liniment 

 for horses, or dogs, &c. afflicted with the 

 mange ; which, it is said, would both effect 

 a cure, and restore the hair. 



The ancients used a liniment made of the 

 leaves, for wounds occasioned by serpents, 

 and other venomous creatures ; and the juice 

 of the root, mixed with oil, was applied to 

 burns and scalds, &c. Immense tracts of 

 land in Apulia are covered with asphodel, 

 and it is said to afford good nourishment to 

 sheep.* The onion-leaved asphodel grows 

 also in the natural state, both in Spain and 

 the South of France. 



Dodoens, who nourished at the coin- 



# Symonds in Young's Annals. 



