BOOK XXVI. VIII. 17-1X. 19 



instrument into the throat. He rightly condemned 

 emetics also, which were at that time employed 

 unduly often. He disapproved also of administer- 

 ing draughts that are injurious to the stomach, a 

 criticism which is to a great extent a sound one. 

 That is why I always point out in the first place 

 those remedies that are beneficial to the stomach. 



IX. Above all Asclepiades was helped by Magian snpfrsn- 

 deceits, which prevailed to such a degree that 

 they were strong enough to destroy confidence in all 

 herbal remedies. It was beheved that by the 

 plant aethiopis rivers and pools are dried up ; 

 that by the touch of onothuris " all things shut are 

 opened ; that if achaemenis is thrown on the ranks 

 of an enemy the hnes turn their backs in panic ; that 

 latace was wont to be given by the Persian king to 

 his envoys, so that wherever they went they 

 might enjoy an abundant supply of everything, with 

 much similar nonsense. Where then were these 

 plants when the Cimbri and the Teutones raised 

 their awful war yells, or when Luculhis with a few 

 legions laid low so many kings of the Magi ? Or 

 why have Roman generals always made victualling 

 a first care in their wars ? Why did Caesars 

 soldiers at Pharsalia feel hunger, if abundant plenty 

 could have been given them by the happy property 

 of a single plant ? Would it not have been better 

 for Scipio Aemilianus to open the gates of Carthage 

 by a plant than to shake the defences for so many 

 years with battering-rams ? Let the Pomptine 

 marshes be drained today by the plant merois, and 

 much land be recovered for Italy near Rome. But * 

 as for the medical prescription found in the same 

 Democritus,'^ to ensure the begetting of beautiful, 



279 



