Cbap. 53,] 
THE BHODODENDRON. 
37 
dilating and drying up fistulas, and, by its expansive powers, 
opening an entrance for the necessary medicaments. The 
ashes of paper prepared from the papyrus are reckoned among 
the caustics : those of the plant, taken in wine, have a 
narcotic effect. The plant, applied topically in water, removes 
callosities of the skin. 
CHAP. 52. THE EBONY *. EIVE REMEDIES. 
The ebony- tree does not grow in Egypt even, as we have 
already stated, and it is not our intention to speak here of the 
medicinal properties of the vegetable productions of foreign cli- 
mates. Still, however, the ebony must not be omitted, ou 
account of the marvels related of it. The saw-dust of this 
wood, it is said, is a sovereign remedy for diseases of the eyes, 
and the pulp of the wood, rubbed upon a whetstone moistened 
with raisin wine, dispels all films which impede the sight. 
The root too, they say, applied with water, is curative of 
white specks in the eyes, and, with the addition of root of 
dracunculus, in equal proportions, and of honey, of cough. 
Medical men reckon ebony also in the number of the caustics. 
CHAP. 53 THE KHODODENDKON : ONE REMEDY. 
The rhododendron^^ has not so much as found a Latin name 
among us, its other names being " rhododaphne "^"^ and 
'^nerium.^' It is a marvellous fact, but the leaves of this 
plant are poisonous to quadrupeds ; while for man, if taken in 
wine with rue, they are an effectual preservative against the 
venom of serpents. Sheep too, and goats, it is said, if they 
drink water in which the leaves have been steeped, will die 
immediately. 
These statements as to the virtues of the ashes of papyrus, F^e says, 
are absurd. 
20 See B. xii. e. 8. Desfontaines is inclined to identify the tree here 
spoken of with the Diospyros ehenaster of Koenig. 
21 See c. 91 of this Book ; the Artemisia dracunculus of Linnaeus. 
22 u Erodentia.'' Fee remarks upon the singularity, that with this 
property attributed to it, it should be recommended for diseases of the eyes. 
^ The rose-tree." Our rose-bay or oleander. 24 Kose-laurel." 
2^ See B. xvi. c. 33. It is, Fee says, an energetic poison, but as in- 
jurious to man as it is to animals. 
