Chap. 106.] 
THE EESEDA. 
265 
CHAP. 105. — rhacoma: thirty- six eemedies. 
Ehacoma^^ is imported from the regions situate beyond 
Pontus.^^ The root of it is similar to black costus/^ but 
smaller and somewhat redder, inodorous, and of a hot, astrin- 
gent flavour ; when pounded, it yields a colour like that of 
wine,®^ but inclining to saffron. Applied topically, it reduces 
abscesses and inflammations, and heals wounds : used with 
raisin wine, it allays defluxions of the eyes; with honey, ecchy- 
mosis; and with vinegar, livid marks upon the skin. Eeduced 
to powder, it is sprinkled upon malignant ulcers, and is given 
internally for spitting of blood, in doses of one drachma, in 
water. Eor dysentery and coeliac afi*ections, if unattended 
with fever, it is administered in wine ; but if there is fever, in 
water. It is pounded more easily when it has been steeped in 
water the night before. A decoction of it is given, in doses 
of two drachmae, for ruptures, convulsions, contusions, and falls 
with violence. 
In cases of pains in the chest, a little pepper and myrrh is 
added. When the stomach is deranged, it is taken in cold 
water ; and the same in cases of chronic cough, purulent ex- 
pectorations, liver complaint, affections of the spleen, sciatica, 
diseases of the kidney s, . asthma, and hardness of breathing. 
Pounded and taken in doses of three oboli, in raisin wine, or 
used in the form of a decoction, it cures irritations of the tra- 
chea : applied with vinegar, it acts as a detergent upon lichens. 
It is taken in drink, also, for flatulency, cold shiverings, chilly 
fevers, hiccup, gripings of the bowels, herpetic ulcerations, 
oppressions of the head, vertigo attended with melancholy, 
lassitude accompanied with pain, and convulsions. 
CHAP. 1 06. THE EESEDA : TWO REMEDIES, 
In the vicinity of Ariminum, there is a well-known plant 
called reseda it disperses abscesses and all kinds of in- 
flammations. Those who employ it for these purposes, add 
S2 The reading of this word is very doubtful. It is generally supposed 
to be the Rheum Rhaponticum of Linnaeus, Pontic rhubarb. 
The shores of the Euxine. 
81 See B. xii. c. 25. 
85 <'Fulvum," probably, "tawny-coloured," not white, red, or black; 
see B. xiv. cc. 11, 18. 
86 Possibly the Reseda alba of Linnaeus. 
