168 
PLINY* S NATURAL HISTOBT. [Book XXVI. 
plant which grows in meadows and corn-fields, with a white 
odoriferous flower. The stem is diminutive, and is beaten up 
in old wine. 
CHAP. 25, — CHALCETTJM ; TWO EEMEDIES. MOLEMONIUM ; 
ONE EEMEDY. 
Chalcetum^ also is the name of a plant, which is pounded 
with grape husks and applied topically, for the cure of liver 
complaints. Root of betony acts as a gentle emetic, taken in 
the same way as hellebore, in doses of four drachmae in 
raisin wine or* honied wine. Hyssop, too, is beaten up with 
honey for similar purposes ; but it is more efficacious if nas- 
turtium or irio^ is taken first. 
Molemonium^ is used as an emetic, being taken in doses of one 
denarius ; the same, too, with sillybum.^ Both of these plants 
have a milky juice, which thickens like gum, and is taken with 
honey in the proportions above-mentioned, being particularly 
good for carrying off bile. On the other hand, vomiting is 
arrested by the use of wild cummin or powdered betony, 
taken in water. Crudities and distaste for food are dispelled, 
and the digestion promoted by employing daucus,^^ powdered 
betony'^ taken in hydromel, or else plantago boiled like 
greens. Hiccup is arrested by taking hemionium^^ or aristo- 
iochia,^' and asthma by the use of clymenus.^* Eor pleurisy 
and peripneumony, the greater centaury is used, or else 
hyssop, taken in drink. Juice of peucedanum is also good 
' for pleurisy. 
known, but of the two, would prefer the Lychnis dioica of Linnaeus, the 
White lychnis, or White campion. 
6 C. fiauhin identifies it with the Valeriana locusta of Linnaeus, Corn 
yalerian. Corn-salad, or Lamb's lettuce. Fee considers its identity as still 
unknown. See B. xviii. c. 10. 
^ Perhaps the same as the Limonium of B. xxv. c. 61. 
9 See B. xxii. c. 42 ; one of the Sonchi, probably, which contain a 
milky juice. Littre gives the Sonchus palustris of Linnaeus. 
10 See B. xxv. c. 64. 
11 The Betonica officinalis of Linneeus. 
12 Either the Asplenium ceterach of Linnaeus, Spleenwort, Ceterach, or 
Miltwaste, or the A. hemionitis of Linnaeus, Mule's fern. See B. xxvii. c. 17. 
13 See B. xxv. c. 54. i'^ See B. xxv. c. 33. 
15 See B. xxv. c. 70. 
