BOOK XXIII. XXIX. 60-xxxi. 64 



away to keep. Asclepiades condemned it, and did 

 away with its use altogether — for it used to be given 

 even in fevers — yet he admits that it was beneficial 

 for the bites of the serpent called seps, and for 

 poisoning by opium or mistletoe. It made a warm 

 gargle for quinsy, with benefit to the ears also and 

 to the mouth and throat when atfected. For all 

 these purposes they now spray, getting better results, 

 with oxyalme, that is, with salt and fresh vinegar. 



XXX. Related to wine is sapa, which is must sapa. 

 boiled down until one third remains. That made 

 from white must is the better. It is used as an 

 antidote to cantharides, buprestis, pine caterpillars, 

 which are called pityocampae, salamanders, and to 



all poisonous bites. Taken in drink with onions it 

 brings away the after-birth and also the dead foetus. 

 Fabianus states that it is poisonous if a man drinks 

 it fasting just after a bath. 



XXXI. Next in order come the lees of these r.ees,(a)o) 

 several Hqu ids. The lees of wine then are so potent """* ' 

 that they are fatal to any who go down into the vats. 



A lamp let down makes a good test ; so long as it 

 goes out danger is indicated. Unrinsed lees are an 

 ingredient of medicines ; moreover, with an equal 

 weight of iris they make a hniment for phlegmatic 

 eruptions " ; dry or moist they are applied to the 

 stings of venomous spiders, to inflammation of 

 testicles or breasts, or of any part of the body ; or 

 a decoction may be made in wine with barley meal 

 and dust of frankincense. They are dried as well 

 before being parched.'' The test of their being 

 properly boiled is if, after cooHng, a touch seems to 

 burn the tongue. If kept in an uncovered place 

 wine lees very rapidly lose their power. Parching 



457 



