518 
Flint's natural histoky. 
[Book XXXI. 
boils. It is useful, also, for inflammations of tlie testes ; and, 
in combination with axle-grease, for pituitous eruptions on all 
parts of the body. Eor the cure of bites inflicted by dogs, it 
is used with resin, the application being made at first with vine- 
gar. With lime and vinegar, it is us€d as a liniment for stings 
inflicted by serpents, as, also, for ulcerations, whether phage- 
dsenic, putrid, or serpiginous; in cases, too, of dropsy, it is 
employed both internally and externally, beaten up with figs. 
Taken internally as a decoction, in doses of one drachma, with 
rue, dill, or cummin, it eflectually removes griping pains in 
the bowels. An external application of it, with oil and vine- 
gar, is highly refreshing to persons exhausted with fatigue ; 
and it is equally beneficial for shudderings and cold shiverings, 
the feet and hands of the patient being well rubbed with it, 
mixed with oil. It allays the itching sensations attendant 
upon jaundice, more particularly when it is administered to 
the patient while perspiring, with vinegar. Taken internally 
in oxycrate, it is an antidote to the poison of fungi ; and, taken 
with water, it acts beneficially, as an emetic, in cases where the 
buprestis has been swallowed. 
To persons who have taken bull's blood, nitrum is admi- 
nistered, in combination with laser.^^ Mixed with honey and 
cow's milk, it is curative of ulcers upon the face. For the cure 
of burns, it is applied pounded, being first parched till it turns 
black. For pains in the bowels and kidneys, and for rigidities 
of the limbs and pains in the sinews, it is used in the form of 
an injection. For the cure of paralysis of the tongue, it is 
applied to that organ with bread, and to asthmatic patients it is 
administered in a ptisan. Flower of nitrum, used in combi- 
nation with equal proportions of galbanum and turpentine 
respectively, is curative of chronic coughs ; the mixture being 
taken in pieces the size of a bean. JSTitrum^^ itself, boiled and 
melted with tar, is given to patients to swallow, for quinzy. 
Flower of nitrum, mixed with oil of Cyprus, and applied 
in the sun, is a soothing liniment for pains in the joints. Taken 
internally with wine, it is curative of jaundice. It acts as 
a carminative also ; and it arrests bleeding at the nose, the 
^•^ Viewed by the ancients as a poison, when taken warm ; but errone- 
ously, as we have more than once remarked. 
96 See B. xix. c. 15. 
Nitre bails are still given to the patient to suck, in cases of sore 
throat. '^^ See B. xii, c. 51. 
