BOOK XX. xc. 24S-XC1. 248 



boiled in vvine. VVhen burnt it keeps away all such 

 creatures bv its smell. and is an espeeially potent 

 antidote for the poison of marine creatures. For 

 headache a decoction in vinegar is ajiplied to the 

 temples and forehead. rose oil being added : so also 

 for phrenitis and lethargus." For griping and 

 strangury. for quinsy and vomiting, four drachmae 

 are taken in water. For hver complaints ** four 

 oboH of the leaves are given. and the same in vinegar 

 for splenie troubles. For spitting of blood it is 

 pounded in two cyathi of oxymel. 



XCl. Wild sisymbrium,'^ called by some thym- ^isymbrUim. 

 braeum, grows no higher than a foot. The sisym- 

 brium growing in watery districts resembles cress, 

 and both "^ are efficacious for the stings of such 

 creatures as hornets ; the kind growing on dry soil 

 has a plcasant scent and is used for wreaths. The 

 leaf is narrower. They both reHeve headache as 

 well as fluxes from the eyes, according to the testi- 

 mony of Phihnus. Some add bread, but others l^oil 

 it in wine bv itself. It heals night rashes and spots 

 on women's faces within four days if appHed at night 

 and taken away during the day. \'oniiting, hic- 

 cough, griping and fluxes of the stomach it checks 

 whether taken in food or drunk as juice. It should 

 not be eaten by pregnant women unless the foetus 

 be dead, since even an application of it produces 

 abortion. Taken with wine it is diuretic, the wild 



" For these sce pp. xiii-xiv. 



' For this use of desiderium see XXII. § 108, XXIII. 

 §61, XXVII. § 136. 



" A water cress. 



'^ Apparently the two kinds of sisymbrium mentioned, but 

 there is much to be said for Mayhoffs tritumque, " when 

 pounded." 



145 



