BOOK XXIV. Lviii. 97-Lx. loi 



the vision ; it is especially useful for making the 

 patient sneeze, and also for troubles of the spleen 

 and Hver. The same plant taken in hydromel in 

 doses of one denarius by weight cures asthma and 

 pleurisy and all pains in the side. 



Dog's-bane is a shrub having a leaf like that of ivy Dog's-bane 

 but softer ; the tendrils are shorter, and the seed is 

 pointed, grooved, dow^ny, and strong smelling. If | 



ffiven in their food this seed in water kills doffs and 

 all other quadrupeds. 



LIX. Rosemary has been mentioned ah-eady.'' Hosemaiy. 

 There are two kinds of it ; one is barren, and the other 

 has a stalk and a resinous seed called cachrys. The 

 leaves have the smell of frankincense. A local 

 application of the fresh root heals wounds, prolapsus 

 of the anus, condylomata,'' and haemorrhoids. The 

 juice both of the shrub and of the root cures jaun- 

 dice and such conditions as call for cleansing. It 

 sharpens the eyesight. The seed is given in drink for 

 chronic complaints of the chest and with wine and 

 pepper for uterine trouble ; it is an emmenagogue, 

 and with darnel meal is applied locally for gout ; an 

 application also clears away freckles, and is used when 

 a calorific or sudorific is called for, also for sprains ; 

 milk is increased when it, and when the root, is taken 

 in wine. The herb itself is applied with vinegar 

 to scrofuloiis sores, and with honey is good for a 

 cough. 



LX. There are, as I have said, many kinds o( Cachrys. 

 cachrys.'' But the one growing on rosemary, the 

 plant just described, is resinous if rubbed. It 

 neutralizes poisons, and the venom of all creatures 

 except snakes. It promotes perspiration, dispels 

 coUc, and produces a rich supply of milk. 



73 



