Ghap. 97.] 
141 
preparation proves fatal by coagulating the blood — another 
deadly property which belongs to it ; and hence it is that the 
bodies of those who have been poisoned by it are covered with 
spots. It is sometimes used in combination with water as a me- 
dium for diluting certain medicaments. An emollient poultice 
is also prepared from this juice, for the purpose of cooling the 
stomach ; but the principal use made of it is as a topical ap- 
plication, to check defluxions of the eyes in summer, and to 
allay paius in those organs. It is employed also as an ingre- 
dient in eyesalves, and is used for arresting fluxes in other parts 
I of the body : the leaves, too, have a soothing effect upon all 
kinds of pains and tumours, and upon defluxions of the eyes. 
Anaxilaiis makes a statement to the effect, that if the 
I mamillse" are rubbed with hemlock during virginity, they will 
• always be hard and firm : but a better- ascertained fact is, that 
; applied''^® to the mamillse, it dries up the milk in women re- 
; cently delivered ; as also that, applied to the testes at the age 
I of puberty, it acts most effectually as an antaphrodisiac.*^^ As 
i to those cases in which it is recommended to take it internally 
; as a remedy, I shall, for my own part, decline to mention them. 
I The most powerful hemlock is that grown at Susa, in Parthia, 
I the next best being the produce of Laconia, Crete, and Asia.^^ 
1 In Greece, the hemlock of the finest quality is that of Megara, 
1 and next to it, that of Attica. 
CHAP. 96. CEETHMOS AGEIOS : ONE EEMEDY. 
Crethmos agrios,®^ applied to the eyes, removes rheum ; and, 
with the addition of polenta, it causes tumours to disappear. 
CHAP. 97. — moltbmna: one eemedy. 
Molybdaena®^ also grows everywhere in the fields, a plant 
commonly known as " plumbago."^^ It has leaves like those of 
lapathum,^^ and a thick, hairy root. Chewed and applied to the 
A very dangerous use of it, Desfontaines thinks. 
I Desfontaines says that it is still employed in various vfays when the 
! milk is in excess. 
I By causing those organs to waste away. 
The province of Asia Minor. 
" Wild crethmos." Generally identified with the Crithmum mariti- 
mnm of Linnaeus, Small samphire, or sea fennel, 
j ^- Or "lead plant." Identified with the Plumbago Europsea of Lin- 
naeus, Leadwort, or French dittander. gg^ B. xx. c. 85. 
