RADISH. 109 



opened and anatomized, to ascertain the 

 maladies of which men died. 



The Romans admired radishes as a winter 

 sauce to their meat; but it was observed, 

 that they injure the teeth, and yet, says 

 Pliny, they will polish ivory, which is the 

 tooth of an elephant. 



Radishes were considered good against 

 poison. Nicander affirms that they are good 

 for those who have eaten poisonous mush- 

 rooms. They were said to be a defence 

 against the scorpion's venomous sting. The 

 ancients relate, that if a man rub his hands 

 well, either with the juice of the roots or 

 the seeds, he may handle scorpions safely; 

 and that, if you only lay a radish on one of 

 these reptiles, it will cause its death. 



Philostonicus prescribed them for those 

 who were continually relaxed by reason of a 

 weak stomach. The chewing of radishes 

 was recommended to those who were given 

 to drowsiness, and inclined to lethargy. The 

 seeds parched, and mixed with honey, were 

 given to cure short breathing. 



Radishes abound with a penetrating ni- 

 trous juice, which makes them diuretic, and 

 cleansing to the intestines and viscera. They 

 have somewhat, also, in their outer skin, 



