12 
plint's natural HISTOBT. [Book XXIV. 
CHAP. 16. SPOl^DYLrUM : SEVENTEEN EEMEDIES. 
At the same time we have also spoken of spondylium ; an 
infusion of which is poured upon the head in cases of phrenitis 
and lethargy, and of head-ache of long standing. Combined 
with old oil, it is taken in drink for affections of the liver, 
jaundice, epilepsy, hardness of breathing, and hysterical 
suffocations, maladies for which it is equally serviceable in the 
shape of a fumigation. It relaxes the bowels, and with rue it 
is applied to ulcers of a serpiginous nature. The juice which 
is extracted from the blossom is a most useful injection for 
suppurations of the ears ; but the mom.ent it is extracted it 
should be covered np, as flies and other insects of a similar 
nature are remarkably fond of it. 
Scrapings of the root, introduced into the interior of fistulas, 
have a caustic effect upon their callosities ; and they are some- 
times used, in combination with the juice, as an injection for 
the ears. The root itself also is prescribed for jaundice, and 
for diseases of the liver and uterus. If the head is rubbed 
with the juice, it will make the hair curl."^^ 
CHAP. 1 7. SPHAGNOS, SPHACOS, OE BRTON *. FIVE REMEDIES. 
Sphagnos, sphacos, or bryon, grows, as we have already 
stated, in Gaul. A decoction of it, employed as a sitting-bath, 
is useful for affections of the uterus : mixed with nasturtium, 
and beaten up in salt water, it is good for the knees and for 
swellings in the thighs. Taken in drink with wine and dried 
resin, it acts very powerfully as a diuretic. Pounded in wine 
with juniper berries, and taken in drink, it draws off the water 
in dropsy. 
CHAP. 18. THE TEKEBINTH : SIX EEMEDIES. 
The leaves and root of the terebinth'* are used as applica- 
"^^ In B. xii. c. 58. It is no longer used in medicine, though possessed 
of properties of considerable energy. Fee says that most of the assertions 
here made respecting it are unfounded. 
^2 An absurdity, Fee remarks. 
In B. xii. c. 50. Various lichens probably were called by this name. 
No use is made of them in modern medicine. * 
See B. xiii. c. 12. The leaves and root of the terebinth or turpentine- 
tree have some medicinal properties, owing to their resin or essential oil ; 
but no use is made of them in modern medicine. 
