BOOK XXIII. Lvi. 105-LV11. 107 



LVI. Citrons, either the fruit or the pips, are atrons. 

 taken in wine to counteract poisons. They make 

 the breath pleasant if the mouth be washed with a 

 decoction of theni, or with the juice extracted from 

 them. Their pips are prescribed to be eaten by 

 women for the nausea of pregnancy, the fruit itself, 

 moreover, is eaten for weakness of the stomach, but 

 not very easily without vincgar." 



LVII. It would be waste of time to go over Pome- 

 again ** the nine varieties of pomegranates. The '^,n!'J'''i,leT'^ 

 sweet ones, which I have also called <^ apyrena, are /~'" ''''«'«• 

 considered to be injurious to the stomach ; they 

 cause flatulence, and do harm to the teeth and gums. 

 Those however which resemble these closely in 

 taste, called by me '^ vinous pomegranates, have 

 small pips and are understood to be a Httle more use- 

 ful. They are astringent to the bowels and stomach, 

 provided that moderation is observed and surfeit 

 avoided. In fever even these are strictly forbidden, 

 although no pomegranates at all ought really to be 

 allowed, as neither pulp of the seeds nor the juice 

 is anything but injurious. They are equally to be 

 avoided when there is vomiting and bringing up of 

 bile. In these nature has shown us a grape and, 

 not mere must, but actually wine ready made. 

 Both are enclosed in a rather rough skin, which 

 in the case of the bitter ^ fruit is much used. 

 It is popular knowledge that skins are thoroughly 

 tanned by it ; hence physicians call it the leather 

 apple. They tell us that it is diuretic, and that a 

 decoction in vinegar with the addition of gall-nut 

 strengthens loose teeth. It is in request for easing 



" See XIII. § 113. " Perhaps " acid." 



485 



