Chap. 82.] 
THE CHAMELJ5:A. 
53 
of those of mint, but in their colour and indentations they 
resemble those of the oak. According to some, the leaves are 
serrated, and it was these, they say, that first suggested the 
idea of the saw v^^ the flower of it borders closely upon purple. 
This plant is gathered in rough craggy localities, when it is 
replete with juice ; and, whether taken'-^^ internally or applied 
topically, it is extremely efficacious for the stings of venomous 
serpents, diseases of the stomach, inveterate coughs, collections 
of phlegm in the throat, ruptures, convulsions, and pains 
in the sides. It diminishes the volume of the spleen, and acts 
as a diuretic and emmenagogue ; for which reasons it is very 
useful in incipient dropsy, the usual dose being a handful of 
the sprigs boiled down to one third in three heminae of water. 
Lozenges too are made of it for the above-named purposes, by 
bruising it in water. In combination with honey, it heals 
abscesses and inveterate or sordid ulcers ; a wine^^ too is pre- 
pared from it for diseases of the chest. The juice of the leaves, 
mixed with oil, disperses films on the ej^es ; it is taken also, in 
vinegar, for diseases of the spleen j employed as a friction, it is 
of a warming nature. 
CHAP. 81. THE CHAM^DAPHNE: FIVE EEMEDIES. 
The chamsedaphne^^ consists of a single diminutive stem, 
about a cubit in height, the limbs of it being smaller than 
those of the laurel. These leaves ^ ^ The seed, which is 
of a red colour, and attached to the leaves, is applied fresh for 
head- ache, is of a cooling nature for burning heats, and is 
taken for griping pains in the bowels, with wine. The juice of 
this plant, taken in wine, acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic ; 
and applied as a pessary in wool, it facilitates laborious deliveries. 
CHAP. 82. — THE CHAMEL^A : SIX EEMEDTES. 
The leaves of the chameleea^^ resemble those of the olive ; 
they are bitter, however, and odoriferous. This plant is found 
28 An invention attributed to Daedalus, in B. vii. c. 57. 
2& The Teuerium chamaedrys is a bitter plant, which has been success- 
fully used for fever, and it acts as a tonic and vermifuge. Beyond these, 
it has no medicinal properties whatever. See B. xiv. e, 19. 
31 Qj. u ground-laurel." Fee considers this to be identical with the 
Alexandrian laurel, mentioned in B. xv. c. 39. It is no longer used in 
medicine, but the roots of a plant of kindred nature, the Buscus aculeatus, 
or butcher's broom, are diuretic. 
32 Or "ground olive.'* See B. xiii. c. 35. 
