BOOK XXI. Lxxi. 119-LXX111. 121 



LXXI. The root of the rush in tliree heminae of 

 water, boiled down to one third, is a cure for coughs. 

 The seed roasted and taken in water cheeks dian-hoea 

 and excessive menstruation. The rush, however, 

 called holoschoenus brings on headaches. The 

 nearest parts to the root are chewed as a remedy for 

 the bites of spiders. I find that there is also one 

 other kind of rush, called euripice. Its seed is said 

 to induce sleep, but the dose must be kept small, or 

 coma will result. 



LXXII. Incidentally I will also mention medicines Medidnes 

 obtained from the scented rush, for one pUice where rushf^^^ 

 such a rush grows is in Coelesyria, as I have related 

 in the appropriate place." The most esteemed, 

 however, comes from Nabataea, known also as 

 teuchitis ; the next best is the Babylonian, and the 

 worst comes from Africa, being without any scent.*" 

 It is round, afFecting the tongue with tlie stinging 

 taste of sour wine." The genuine kind, on being 

 rubbed, gives out a smell of roses, and the broken 

 bits are red. Dispersing flatulence, it is good for 

 the stomach, and for those who vomit bile. It allays 

 hiccoughs, promotes belching, is diuretic, and a 

 remedy for bladder troubles. For female com- 

 plaints a decoction is made. With dry resin it is 

 appUed to sufferers from opisthotonic tetanus because 

 of its warming properties. 



LXXIII. The rose is both astringent and cooling. Medrdnai 

 There are separate uses for its petals, flowers and ^JJ^ ""^ '" 

 heads. The parts of the petals which are white are 



" The phrase in Dioscorides, fieTa noa-rjs (v.l. ttoXMjs) 

 TTvpcoaeco? made Urlichs suggest virosae, " foiil." But May- 

 hoff defends vinosae, comparing XIII. § 113, XXIII. § 106 

 and XXVII. § 28. 



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