332 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



The Romans made great use of thyme 

 in medicine. It was given as a sovereign re- 

 medy to melancholy persons, and to those 

 who were troubled in mind or lunatic, as also 

 to such as were afflicted with epilepsy, or 

 falling sickness. The very perfume and smell 

 of thyme was said to raise them out of a fit ; 

 however, they inform us, that thyme should 

 be used with proper moderation, as it is apt 

 to heat the body. It was likewise considered 

 an antidote against the poison of scorpions, 

 and all venemous creatures of the sea. 



The inhabitants of Seville use a decoction 

 of Thyme, in washing out and cleansing their 

 wine vessels, because of its grateful smell ; 

 and it is of no less service in giving a good 

 scent to those vessels in which they preserve 

 their grapes.* 



This plant was thought excellent in suffu- 

 migations to revive the spirits ; and by its 

 extraordinary fragrancy, it was deemed com- 

 fortable to the brain, and highly exhilarating 

 to the heart. A little thyme mixed with 

 wine, gives it a most grateful savour, and 

 both the smell and taste of it are very pene- 

 trating ; whence it becomes sudorific, inci- 

 ding, penetrating, healing, and opening; is 



# Raii Hist. Plant. 



