Illustrated history of ancient literature, oriental and classicalQuackenbos, John D. (John Duncan)
History
Illustrated history of ancient literature, oriental and classical
Quackenbos, John D. (John Duncan)
Classical literature -- History and criticism; Oriental literature -- History and criticism
HYDROPHOBIA.
“Canine madness is fatal to man during the heat of the Dog-star, and
proves so in consequence of those who are bitten having a deadly
horror of water. For this reason, during the thirty days that the star
exerts its influence, we try to prevent the disease in dogs; or, if
they are attacked by it, give them hellebore.
We have a single remedy against the bite, which has been but lately
discovered—the root of the wild rose, which is called dog-rose.
Columella informs us that if, on the fortieth day after the birth of
a pup, the last bone of the tail is bitten off, the sinew will follow
with it; after which the tail will not grow, and the dog will never
become rabid.”
REMEDIES FOR TOOTHACHE, ETC.
“Toothache is alleviated by scarifying the gums with bones of the
sea-dragon, or by rubbing the teeth once a year with the brains of a
dog-fish boiled in oil. It is a very good plan, too, for the cure of
toothache, to lance the gums with the sting of the ray. This sting
is pounded and applied to the teeth with white hellebore, having
the effect of extracting them without the slightest difficulty. A
decoction is made of a single frog boiled in two-thirds of a pint of
vinegar, and the teeth are rinsed with it. It is generally thought
that this recipe applies more particularly to the double teeth, and
that the vinegar prepared as above mentioned is remarkably useful for
strengthening them when loose. Ashes, also, of burnt crabs make an
excellent dentifrice.
There is a small frog which ascends trees, and croaks aloud there; if
a person suffering from cough spits into its mouth and then lets it
go, he will experience a cure. For cough attended with spitting of
blood, it is recommended to beat up the raw flesh of a snail, and to
drink it in hot water.”—RILEY.
=Martial= (43-117 A.D.).—The chief poet of Domitian’s reign was
Martial, master of the Latin epigram. Born in Spain, Martial came
to Rome in Nero’s time and began the study of law. But finding it
uncongenial, he adopted literature as a profession, and rose to
distinction under Titus and Domitian, his sordid flattery of the latter
securing him wealth and honors.
The epigrams of Martial are pithy, pointed with satire, and not without
elegance; but the pleasure of reading them is constantly interrupted by
coarse allusions and even downright obscenity. Hence it has been justly
said that Martial taught vice while reproving it. His poems, however,
contain valuable pictures of Roman manners.
THE BEAU.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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