BOOK XX. Lx.x.x. 2og-Lx.\xi. 213 



an antidote for the stings of scorpions. Some give 

 this property only to the dark variety, if its heads 

 or leaves be pounded up. 



LXXXI. There is also a type of purslane, called Enpiwrhia 

 peplis, being not much more beneficial than the ^^^' **" 

 cultivated variety, of which are recorded remarkable 

 benefits; that the poison of arrows and of the 

 serpents haemorrhois and prester are counteracted 

 if pepHs be taken as food, and if it be appUed to 

 the wound, the poison is drawn out; Hkewise the 

 poison of henbane if pepUs be taken in raisin 

 wine, after extraction of the juice. When the plant 

 itself is not available, its seed has a similarly bene- 

 ficial effect. It also counteracts the impurities of 

 water, and if pounded and apphed in wine it cures 

 headache and sores on the head ; other sores it heals 

 if chewed and applied with honey. So prepared it is 

 applied also to the cranium of infants, and to an um- 

 bilical hernia ; for eye-fluxes in persons of all ages, 

 with pearl barley, to the forehead and temples, but to 

 the eyes themselves in milk and honey ; also, if the 

 eyes should faU forwards," pounded leaves are appUed 

 with bean husks, to bUsters with pearl barley, salt 

 and vinegar. Sores in the mouth and gumboils are 

 reUeved by chewing it raw ; tooth-ache Ukewise 

 and sore tonsils by the juice of the boiled plant, to 

 which some have added a Uttle myrrh. But ** to 

 chew it makes firm loose teeth, strengthens the voice 

 and keeps away thirst. Pains at the back of the 

 neck are reUeved by it with equal parts of gaU nut, 

 Unseed and honey, complaints of the breasts with 

 honey or CimoUan " chalk, while asthma is aUeviated 

 by a draught of the seed with honey. Taken in 

 salad it strengthens the stomach. It is appUed with 



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