BOOK XXXIV. XXVII. ii4-xx\'iii. n6 



two of Cyprian verdiirris, two of the copperas called 

 flower of copper, one of misy ^ and six of safFron ; all 

 these ingredients are pounded in Thasian vinegar 

 and made up into pills, that are an outstanding 

 specitic against incipient glaucoma and cataract, 

 and also against films on the eyes or roughnesses 

 and white ulcerations in the eye and affections of 

 the eyelids. Verdigris in a crude state is used as an 

 ingredient in plasters for wounds also. In combina- 

 tion with oil it is a marvellous cure for ulcerations of 

 the mouth and gums and for sore lips, and if wax 

 is also added to the mixture it cleanses them and 

 makes them form a cicatrix. Verdigris also eats away 

 the callosity of fistulas and of sores round the anus, 

 either applied by itself or with gum of Hammon,^ or 

 inserted into the fistula in the manner of a salve. 

 Verdigris kneaded up with a third part of turpentine 

 also removes leprosy. 



XX\'III. There is also another kind of verdigris 

 called from the Greek worm-like verdigris, made by 

 grinding up in a mortar of true cyprian copper w ith a 

 pestle of the same metal equal weights of alum and 

 salt or soda with the very strongest white vinegar. 

 This preparation is only made on the very hottest days 

 of the year, about the rising of the Dogstar. The 

 mixture is ground up until it becomes of a green 

 colour and shrivels into what looks like a cluster of 

 small worms, whence its name. To remedy any 

 that is blemished, the urine of a young boy to twice 

 the quantity of vinegar that was used is added to the 

 mixture.^ Used as a drug, worm-verdigris has the 

 same effect as santerna which we spoke of as used for xxxiii. 

 soldering gold ; both of them fiave the same ^^" 

 properties as verdigris Native worm-verdigris is 



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