BOOK XXIII. XL. 80-xLi. 83 



and makes worse the spreadinjr of sores. It makes 

 the throat sore," and tends to neutralize all poisons, 

 especially white lead and gypsum, if taken in 

 hydromel or a decoction of dried figs for opium 

 poisoning, in water for the poison of cantharides, 

 buprestis, salamander and pine caterpillar, and by 

 itself as an emetic to get rid of any of the poisons 

 mentioned above. It is a restorative after fatigue 

 and severe chills. Six cyathi drunk warm, especially 

 if boiled with rue,cure gripings and drive out worms 

 from the intestines. A hemina-dose drunk with wine 

 and warm water, or with bark^y water, loosens the 

 bowels ; useful to make plasters for wounds, it 

 removes spots from the face. Injected into the 

 nostrils of oxen until they belch, it relieves fiatulence. 

 It is more warming, however, to the body if it be old 

 oil, disperses better profuse sweats, reduces better 

 indurations, being of help in cases of lethargus and 

 also when the disease is on the decline. With an 

 equal portion of honey taken from the hive without 

 smoke. it is of some use for improving the vision. It 

 is a remcdy for headache and with water reduces 

 high fever. If okl oil cannot be obtained, new is 

 boiled down to hasten the properties of age. 



XLI. Castor oil is taken with an equal quantity of castoroii. 

 vvarni water to open the bowels. It is said to act 

 especially upon the hypochondria.* It is good also 

 for diseases of the joints, for all indurations, for the 

 uterus, the ears and burns ; with the ashes moreover 

 of the murex shell for inflammation of the anus, 

 and likewise for the itch. It improves the com- 

 plexion, and through its fertilizing power it pro- 

 motes the growth of the hair. The seed from which 

 it is made no living creature will touch. The wicks 



469 



