BOOK XX. XXIII. 51-54 



bruises on the body, even if they have swollen into 

 blisters. Moreover, Hippocrates thinks that garhc 

 fumigations bring away the after-birth ; by its ash 

 mixed with oil he used to restore to health running 

 sores on the head. To asthmatics it is given cooked, 

 thoiigh some have given it raw. Diocles prescribed 

 it with centaury for dropsy, or in a spHt fig as a 

 purge, a more efficient one being fresh garUc taken 

 in neat wine witli coriander ; pounded garUc too 

 has by some been given in milk to asthmatics. 

 Praxagoras again mixed it with wine as a remedy 

 for the jaundice, and with oil and pottage for iUac 

 passion « ; the latter prescription he also used as a 

 liniment for scrofula. The ancients used also to 

 give it raw to madmen, Diocles gave it well boiled for 

 phrenitis.* Pounded and drunk with vinegar and 

 water it is useful as a gargle for quinsy. By three 

 pounded heads with vinegar tooth-ache is reheved, 

 as it is by rinsing the teeth with a decoction, and 

 inserting garlic itself into the hollow teeth. GarHc 

 juice, mixed with goose-grease, is also dropped into 

 the ears. GarHc, in drink or injected with vinegar 

 and soda, checks phthiriasis and scurf, catarrhs Hke- 

 wise if boiled with milk, also beaten up or mixed with 

 soft cheese ; it reHeves hoarseness also if taken thus. 

 or in gruel of peas or beans. On the whole, however, 

 it is more useful cooked than raw, boiled than roasted. 

 Thus prepared it is also more beneficial to the voice. 

 When cooked in oxymel <^ it expels tape-worms and 

 other parasites of the intestines ; in pottage it cures 

 tenesinus. Well boiled it is used as ointment for 

 pains in the temples ; cooked, and then beaten up 

 with honey, it makes an ointment for bHsters. For 

 a cough a decoction is taken with stale grease, or 



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