BOOK XX. XL. 104-XU1. 108 



adding flour also for pains in the joints. Boiled in 

 vvine and applied to the belly they soften hardness 

 of the abdomen. For dysentery they are given in 

 wine dihited with rain-water, for internal spasnis in 

 pills of the size of a bean compounded with silphium. 

 For sweating they are bruised and appHed. They 

 are good for the sinews, and therefore are given to 

 paralytics. Red bulbs, mixed with honey and salt, 

 heal sprains of the foot very quickly. Megarian 

 bulbs are a strong aphrodisiac ; garden bulbs taken 

 with concentrated must or raisin wine help deUvery ; 

 wild bulbs compounded with silpliium and swallowed 

 in pills reheve intestinal wounds and aflPections. The 

 seed of the last is taken in wine against the bite of 

 venomous spiders. The bulbs themselves are ap- 

 plied in vinegar against the bites of serpents. The 

 ancients used to give the seed in drink to persons 

 raving mad. The flowers of bulbs pounded up 

 remove spots on the legs and patches produced by 

 fire. Diocles thinks that the eyes are weakened by 

 them. He adds that when boiled they are less useful 

 than roasted, and that according to the strength 

 of every variety they are difficult of digestion. 



XLI. The Greeks call bulbine a plant with leaves Buibine. 

 hke those of leeks and with a red bulb. This is 

 said to be wonderfully good for wounds, provided 

 that they are recent. The bulb called the emetic 

 from its effects has dark leaves, longer than those 

 of other kinds. 



XLII. Asparagus is reported to be one of the Aspara^us. 

 most beneficial foods to the stomach, Indeed if 

 cummin is added it disperses flatulence of the stomach 

 and colon ; it improves vision also, moves the bowels 

 gently, benefits pains in the chest and spine as well 



63 



