BOOK XXII. Li. iii-Liii. 114 



more gentle the passage of the breath, so that 

 neither inhalation nor exhalation is violently broken. 

 Each of us niay make trial for hiniself. There is 

 no one who does not find that by food can be softened 

 his anger, grief, sadness, and every violent emotion 

 of the mind. Accordingly I must take notice not 

 only of things which give healing to our bodies, but 

 also of those which heal our character. 



LII. Hydromel is also said to be useful for coughs, 

 but when warmed it provokes vomiting. With oil it 

 is beneficial in cases of white-lead poisoning, also 

 with milk, especially asses' milk, for henbane, and, 

 as I have said," for poisoning by hahcacabum. It 

 is poured into the ears, and into fistulas of the 

 genitals. It is applied with soft bread to the uterus, 

 to sudden swellings, to sprains and to all complaints 

 needing soothing treatment. The use of matured 

 hydromel has been condemned by recent authorities 

 as being less harmless than water and keeping less 

 well than wine. When however it has been kept 

 for a long time, it turns into a wine which, as all are 

 agreed, is most injurious to the stomach and bad 

 for the sinews.* 



LIII. The best honey wine is always made with 

 old wine, it and honey combining very easily, which 

 never happens when the wine is sweet.*^ Made out 

 of dry wine it causes no flatulence in the stomach, 

 nor does it do so when the honey is boiled, and the 

 usual inconvenience with honey wine, a sense of 

 fullness, is not experienced. It also revives a failing 

 appetite. Drunk cold it relaxes the bowels ; taken 

 warm it binds them in most cases, and puts on flesh. 

 Many have lived to a very great age on no other 

 food but a mash made with honey wine, as in the 



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