128 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



the sting of scorpions, and for the dropsy : with honey 

 and oil, it was used for the quinsy and diseases of the 

 windpipe. It was said to cure dimness and other imper- 

 fections of the eyes, the ringworm, tetter, &c. as well as 

 the swelling kernels behind the ears. 



The juice of wild cucumber-leaves dropped with vinegar 

 into the ears, was thought a good remedy for deafness. 

 A decoction of the fruit being sprinkled in any place, 

 will drive away mice; it was also said to cure the gout, 

 &c. : indeed, so many virtues were attributed to it by the 

 ancients, that if we were to give credit to them, we must 

 wonder that they had any complaint uncured. 



The elaterium of the present day is so variously pre- 

 pared, that it is to be met with in the shops from a cream 

 colour, to nearly black. The lighter it is, generally the 

 more active. The best is of a light grey colour, brittle, 

 but with difficulty powdered, having no smell, and a 

 bitter taste. As prepared by some chemists, a quarter of 

 a grain will be a sufficiently active dose, while the same 

 extract prepared by another, may be taken in doses of two 

 or three grains, without acting more violently. 



It produces a most copious secretion of serous fluid 

 from the bowels, and by that means often gives the 

 greatest relief to dropsical patients, where other medi- 

 cines have been taken without any benefit. By some 

 authors it is considered as a remedy which ought only to 

 be resorted to in desperate cases ; but we may confidently 

 state, that when given with caution, it may often be em- 

 ployed in dropsical cases. It is advisable to give it in 

 the form of powder, with some more mild medicine, as 

 the sulphate, or supertartrate of potash. Medical Botany. 



The Romans had many superstitious opinions respect- 

 ing these wild cucumbers. Wives who wished for 

 children wore them tied round their bodies; and they 

 were brought into houses by the midwife, but carried 

 out, in the greatest haste, after child-birth. 



