BOOK XXIII. xLvi. 90-xLviii. 93 



a pessary. The fresh leaves are chewed aiid used 

 as a remedv for runiiini!; sores on the head, also for 

 sores in the moutli, gathcrings and" condyloniata. 

 A deeoction of the leaves is good for burns and 

 sprains. The leaves themselves, pounded and 

 appHed with the juice of the sparrow quince,'' turn the 

 hair red. The blossom applied with vinegar soothes 

 headache, and also, if burnt in a pot of unbaked clay 

 and applied either alone or with honey, heals 

 corroding sores and putrifying ulcers. The smell of 

 the blossom and of the oil induces sleep. Oil of must <^ 

 is astringent and cooling in the same way as oil of 

 oenanthe. 



XLVII. Oil of balsam is by far the most vahiable (c)bai.iam. 

 of all oils. as I have said ** in iny account of unguents. 

 It is efficacious for all snake bites, improves very 

 much clearness of vision, disperses films over the 

 eyes, and also eases difficulty of breathing and all 

 kinds of gatherings and indurations. It prevents 

 thickening of the blood and cleanses sores, being 

 very beneficial for ear troubles, headache, palsy, 

 convulsions and ruptures. Taken in milk it is an 

 antidote to aconite, and rubbing the body with it 

 reduces fevers that are accompanied by shivering. 

 It must, however, be used in moderation, since it 

 burns the flesh and aggravates complaints if there 

 be any excess. 



XLVTII. The nature of malobathrum " also and Maiobath. 

 the various kinds of it, have been described.-'^ It is ''""'■ 

 diuretic ; boiled s in wine it makes a very useful 

 apphcation for fluxes of the eyes ; appHed to the 



' Indian cinnamon. 



J See XII. 129. 



' With Dotlefsen'.s reading : " squeezed." 



475 



