BOOK XXIV. cxx. 184-187 



traction of the uterus, the treatment is fomentation 

 and the sitz bath. Injections are also of value. It 

 checks scaly eruptions on the face. Splenic troubles 

 are cured by a local application of a decoction to 

 which soda has been added ; the decoction may 

 also be made with vinegar. Such a decoction is also 

 good for the Hver. In cases of difficult child-birth 

 Diocles prescribed an acetabulum of its crushed seed 

 in nine cyathi of concentrated must ; three-quarters 

 were to be drunk, then the patients were to bathe in 

 hot water, next, as they were sweating in the bath, 

 he gave further half of what remained, and then 

 the rest after the bath. In this way the maximum 

 benefit was obtained. A decoction in hydromel 

 of fenugreek meal with barley or hnseed was used 

 by the same physician to make a pessary for violent 

 pains in the uterus ; he combined this treatment 

 with a plaster at the base of the abdomen. He 

 treated leprous sores and freckles with equal parts 

 of sulphur and fenugreek meal, the skin having been 

 prepared beforehand with soda, appljung the mixture 

 several times a day and not allowing the patient to be 

 rubbed with it. Theodorus treated leprous sores 

 with fenugreek and one-fourth part of cleaned 

 cress steeped in the strongest vinegar. Timon 

 prescribed as an emmenagogue a draught of half 

 an acetabulum of fenugreek seed with nine cyathi 

 of concentrated must and water, and there is no 

 doubt that a decoction of it is very good for 

 ulcerated uterus and intestines, as the seed is 

 for the joints and hypochondria. If, however, it 

 is boiled down with mallows, and honey wine be after- 

 wards added, a draught is praised as a pre- 

 eminent remedy for troubles of the uterus and 



