BOOK XX. VIII. 16-1X. 19 



t)ie suppurations called by the Greeks (XTToarrjiJLara. 

 The juice obtained by boiUng down the whole pulp 

 along with the sceds makes loose teeth firm and stops 

 toothache, and a boiled mixture of it with wine stops 

 inflammation" of the eyes. An application of the 

 pounded leaves with fresh cypress leaves, or of the 

 fruit alone, roasted in a clay pot, reduced to powder 

 and added to goose grease, is a cure for wounds. 

 Moreover, when fresh, with shreds of its bark it cools 

 gout and inflammations of the head, especially of 

 babies, and erysipelas * by the appUcation to the part 

 affected of the same shreds, or of the seeds. The 

 juice from scrapings, mixed with rose-oil and vinegar, 

 makes a Uniment which cools the heat of fevers. 

 The dust of the dried fruit appUed to burns is wonder- 

 fuUy heaUng. Chrysippus the physician disapproved 

 of gourds as food, but there is a general agreement 

 that they are very beneficial to the stomach, and 

 also for ulceration of the intestines and bladder. 



IX. The turnip " too has its medicinal properties. 

 A hot appUcation cures chilblains, besides preventing 

 the feet from boing chiUed. A hot decoction of it is 

 good even for ct)ld gout, and raw turnip, pounded and 

 mixed with salt. for every ailment of the feet. The 

 seed, made into Uniment or drunk in wine, is said 

 to protect against snake bites and poisons ; many 

 moreover hold that taken in wine and oil it serves 

 as an antidote. Democritus entirely disapproved 

 of the turnip as a food on the ground that it causes 

 flatulence ; Diocles, however, praised it highly, main- 

 taining that it is also aphrodisiac. Dionysius agrees, 

 holding that its effect is greater when it is seasoned 

 with rocket, and that, when roasted and made into an 

 ointment with grease, it is good for pain in the joints. 



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