BOOK XXIV. XXIV. 40-xxviii. 42 



voiis tremors, opisthotonic tetanus, paralysis, pains 

 in the sinews, and most effectively for itch-scab in 

 dogs and beasts of burden. 



XXV. There is also pissasphaltos, that is pitch J'issasphat- 

 combined with bitumen, found in a natural state in 



the territory of Apollonia ; " it is sometimes made 

 artificially. It is a specific for itch-scab in cattle and 

 for the sores caused by the young on the teats of their 

 mothers. The best part ^ of it is that which floats on 

 the surface when it is boiled. 



XXVI. Zopissa, as I have said,'' is scraped off ships, Zopissa. 

 wax being soaked in sea brine. The best is taken 

 from ships after their maiden voyage. It is also 

 added to poultices to disperse gatherings. 



XXVII. A decoction in vinegar of pitch pine '^ 

 makes an efficacious wash for aching teeth. | 



XXVIII. Of the lentiiLk tree the seed, bark and rhe lentisk 

 gum-drops are diuretic, and astringent to the bowels. 



A decoction of them is a useful fomentation for creep- 

 ing sores. It makes a hniment for moist sores and also 

 for ervsipelas, and it rinses the gums. The leaves are 

 rubbed on the teeth when ^" they ache ; loose teeth 

 are rinsed with the decoction, which also dyes the 

 hair. The gum-drops are good for troubles of the 

 seat, when there is a call for a drying and warming 

 remedy. The decoction too of the gum is useful for 

 the stomach, being carminative and diuretic, and is 



' See XVI. § 56. Has pice cum been lost before cera ? See 

 ibid. : zopissam vocari derasam navibus maritimis picem cum 

 cera. 



•^ Mayhoff from Pliny Junior : " Pitch pine cut into shavings 

 and boiled in vinegar." 



* In the MSS. the preposition in is found before itmidis, 

 where it is not wanted, and omitted before dolore, where it is. 

 Perhaps it got misplaced in the archetype. 



35 



