456 
pliny's natukal history. 
[Book XXX. 
to use nitre in tlie form of a liniment, is considered highly 
efficacious for the treatment of chronic diseases. 
In cases of tertian fever — so true it i& that suffering takes 
delight in prolonging hope by trying every remedy — it may be 
worth while to make trial whether the web of the spider called 
lycos" is of any use, applied, with the insect itself, to the 
temples and forehead in a compress covered with resin and wax ; 
or the insect itself, attached to the body in a reed, a form in 
which it is said to be highly beneficial for other fevers. Trial 
may be made also of a green lizard, enclosed alive in a vessel 
just large enough to receive it, and worn as an amulet ; a 
method, it is said, by which recurrent fevers are often dis- 
pelled. 
CHAP. 31. EEMEDIES FOR DROPSY. 
For the cure of dropsy, wool-grease, a piece about the size 
of a hazel-nut, is given in wine, with the addition of a little 
myrrh : some add goose-grease, steeped in myrtle wine. The 
filth that adheres to the udders of sheep is productive of a 
similar effect, as also the dried flesh of a hedge-hog, taken with 
the food. Matter vomited by a dog, we are assured, applied 
to the abdomen, will draw off the water that has accumulated 
there. 
CHAP. 32. (12). REMEDIES EOR ERYSIPELAS. 
For the cure of erysipelas, wool-grease is used, with pom- 
pholix^^ and oil of roses ; the blood^^ also extracted from a tick ; 
earth worms, applied in vinegar ; or else a cricket crushed be- 
tween the hands — the good efiect of this last being that the per- 
son who uses this precaution before the malady has made its 
appearance, will be preserved therefrom for a whole year. Care 
must be taken also that iron is used for the removal of the 
cricket, with some of the earth about its hole. Goose-grease 
is also emploj^ed for this purpose ; a viper's head, dried and 
burnt, and applied with vinegar ; or a serpent's slough, applied 
to the body, immediately after the bath, with bitumen and 
lamb suet. 
40 The "wolf" spider. See c. 17 of this Book. 
See B. xxxiv. c. 33. 
^2 Ajasson remarks that, in reality, this is not blood, but a kind of 
viscous liquid. 
