BOOK XXII. xLix. 104-106 



cations of the decoction in oil. It is used in like 

 manner for callosities, and for corns on the feet, which 

 must first be pared down. It is of especial vahie 

 against bad waters, unhealthy districts or unhealthy 

 weather, and is used for cough, affections of the 

 uvula, chronic biliousness, dropsy, and hoarseness ; 

 for immediately cleai-ing the throat it restores the 

 voice. Diluted with vinegar and water and appHed 

 with a sponge it soothes gouty Umbs. It is given 

 in gruel to patients with pleurisy who are going to 

 drink wine, and in pills the size of a chick pea, coated 

 with wax, to sufFerers from cramp and tetanus." 

 For quinsy it is used as a gargle ; for wheezing and 

 chronic cough it is given with leek in vinegar, and 

 with vinegar to those who have swallowed curdled 

 milk.'' With wine it is given for tubercular atfec- 

 tions of the hypochondria and for epilepsy, in hydro- 

 mel for paralvsis of the tongue. Boiled down with 

 honey it is used as Hniment for sciatica and lumbago. 

 I sliould not approve of the advice of the authorities, 

 who say that an aching hollow tooth should be 

 plugged with a stopping of laser and wax, because 

 of the startling proof provided by the man who, as a 

 result of this, threw himself down from a height. The 

 truth is that it enrages bulls to have their muzzles 

 rubbed with it, and mixed with wine it makes 

 serpents burst, so very greedy are they for the wine. 

 For this reason I should not advise the teeth to be 

 cleaned with it, although it is recommended to do so 

 with laser and Attic honey. The uses of laser 

 mixed with other ingredients it woukl be an endless 

 task to record, and I am deaHng with remedies each 

 of one substance,'^ for in these their essential nature is 

 manifest, In compounds, however, there is usuahy 



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