BOOK XXIII. xLvin. 93-Li. 97 



forehead it iiuluces sleep, more effectively if the 

 nostrils also be smeared with it, or if it be taken in 

 water. A leaf placed under the tongue improves 

 the sweetness of the mouth and breath, and simi- 

 larly, if placed among clothes it imparts a pleasant 

 smeU. 



XLIX. Oil of henbane is useful as an emolHent but various 

 injurious to the sinews « ; indeed if drunk it causes °' ^ *" ' 

 derangement of the brain. Therminum, or oil of 

 lupins, is emoUient, being very similar in its effects to 

 rose oil. Oil of narcissus was mentioned ^ along 

 with the flower. Oil of radishes removes phthiriasis 

 caused by chronic ilhiess and smoothes roughness of 

 the skin on the face. Oil of sesame cures ear-ache, 

 spreading sores, and those called malignant. Oil of 

 liUes, which I have also called <■ Syrian oil, is very 

 useful for the kidneys, for promoting perspiration, 

 for softening the uterus, and for i)ringing internal 

 abscesses to a head. Oil of Selga '^ I have said ^ to 

 be beneficial to the sinews, as is also the grass-green 

 oil that the people of Iguvium sell along the 

 Flaminian way. 



L. Ohve honey, which I have said^ exudes in ouve hmte:. 

 Syria from the olive trees themselves, has a taste hke 

 honey, relaxes the bowels, though not without 

 nausea, and brings away bile in particular if two 

 cyathi be given in a hemina of water. Those who 

 have drunk it become torpid and need to be roused 

 at short intervals.? Those about to take part in 

 drinking bouts take a cyathus of it beforehand. Oil 

 of pitch is used for cough, and for itch in cattle. 



LL Next in honour to the vine and the oHve Pnimsana 

 comes the palm. Fresh dates are intoxicating, 

 though causing headache less when dried, and they 



477 



