BOOK XXII. Lxx. 142-145 



for fluxes of the eyes melilot or quinces must be 

 added. For suppurations lentils are applied with 

 pearl Ijarley. The juice of boiled-down lentils is 

 appHed to ulceratioiis of the mouth or of the genitals ; 

 for complaints of the anus rose oil or quinces must 

 be added, and when a stronger remedy is called for 

 pomegranate pcel witli a Httle honey as well. At this 

 point, to prevent this mixture from drying quickly beet 

 leaves also are added. Thorouglily boiled in vinegar 

 they are appHed also to scrofulous swelHngs, and to 

 superficial abscesses whether mature or maturing ; 

 in hydromel to chaps and with pomegranate peel to 

 gangrenes ; with pearl barley also to gouty feet, the 

 uterus, kidneys, chiH^lains, and to sores that are slow 

 in forming scars. For looseness of the stomach 

 thirty grains of lentils are swaHowed. In cholera " 

 too and dysentery lentils are more efficacious when 

 boiled in three waters ; when so used it is always 

 bettcr to roast them first and pound them, that they 

 may be administered in as fine a state as possible, 

 whether by themselves or with quinces, or else with 

 pears, or myi-tle, or wild endive, or dark beet, or plan- 

 tain. Lentils are injurious to the hnigs, in headache, 

 in aU pains of the sinews and in biHousness, nor 

 are they good for sleep ; boiled in sea-water however 

 tliey are beneficial for pustules, erysipelas, and 

 aifections of the breasts, while boiled in vinegar they 

 disperse indurations and scrofulous swehings. As a 

 stomachic they are sprinkled in drinks as is pearl 

 barley. They are good for burns if half-cooked in 

 water and then pounded and passed through a sieve 

 to remove the bran, honey being added presently as 

 the burn heals. They are boiled in vinegar and water 

 for sore throats. There is also a marsh lentil that 



397 



