133 



It was from the juice of these cucumbers 

 that they procured the medicine called elate- 

 rium, .which, Theophrastus states, could be 

 kept good two hundred years ; and for fifty 

 years it would be so strong and full of virtue, 

 that it would put out the light of a candle or 

 lamp. Pliny says, " to try good elaterium, it 

 is set near to a lighted candle, which it causes 

 to sparkle upwards and downwards." 



Elaterium was used not only as a pur- 

 gative, but against the sting of scorpions, 

 and for the dropsy : with honey and oil, it 

 was used for the quinsy and diseases of the 

 windpipe: it was said to cure dimness and 

 other imperfections of the eyes, the ring- 

 worm, tetter, &c. as well as the swelling 

 kernels behind the ears. 



The juice of wild cucumber leaves dropped 

 with vinegar into the ears, was thought a good 

 remedy for deafness. A decoction of the 

 fruit being sprinkled in any place, will drive 

 away mice; it was also said to cure the 

 gout, &c.; indeed, so many virtues were 

 attributed to it by the ancients, that if we 

 were inclined to give credit to them, it would 

 cause our wonder to find they had any com- 

 plaint uncured. 



The Romans had also many superstitious 

 opinions respecting these wild cucumbers. 



