210 Aster History; MAcrer 
heat, or with gathered humors it develops ulcers within itself; 
ulcers which the Graecian calls exanthimata. These chamomilla 
expels,—using the green plant boiled in oil. But if the green plant 
be lacking let the dry be steeped in vinegar, and let him wash the 
head with it. And there is no better remedy for the bowels (w- 
guen instead of inguen, MS.).” 
As a whole, this chapter on Anthemis consists of most of Dios- 
corides’ properties for Anthemis taken through the medium of 
Pliny. Most of the remarks made by either which are not strictly 
statements of medical properties fail to appear in Macer. Macer 
expands part of the above matter taken from Pliny and rearranges it 
entirely ; and adds a good deal, perhaps in part from some other 
Greek writer, and distinguished above by Roman type. The last 
addition, the use for exanthimata, sounds as if made not from any 
Greek author but from folk-medicine of Calabria. The snake-bite 
addition may have come to his Anthemis from the related Aster 
Atticus as original source. The indications suggest that Macer 
did not, in preparing this chapter, have any copy of Dioscorides’ 
chapter on Anthemis to compare, at least not as ours are now. 
Neither Dioscorides nor Pliny devote any chapter to Chamaemelum 
separately ; it occurs with them simply as a synonym for Anthems. 
67. Pyrerurum (= Anthemis Pyrethrum L.), in the main quite 
distinct in Macer’s description, lines 2086-2108, but with one 
remarkable similarity to its relative Aster, its recommendation for 
epileptic boys as an amulet : 
Suspensum collo pueris prodesse caducis 
Creditur et solo succurrere fertur odore. 
51. SENECIO (= Senecio vulgaris L.). Macer begins, “ Enigeron 
Graeci, nos Senecion vocitamus”; some MSS. have Senation, and 
Irigeon; one editor prints Origeron: meaning the Erigeron of 
Dioscorides 4, 95, qorypuwy, t.e., “old man of the spring,” from 
the white pappus showing so soon. Pliny recommends it for the 
eyes, scrofulous sores, griping pains, and sciatica. Macer’s eer 
mendations follow Pliny in the main, using it for tumors and - 
struma ; he adds, ‘some forbid to drink, others, as Pliny, direct 
it.” As if copying from some unknown Greek writer who | : 
blended its properties with those of Aster ad inguen, Macer adds, 
