The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
A similar plant is that known to the Greeks by the name of “andrachle
agria,”[910] and by the people of Italy as the “illecebra.” Its
leaves, though small, are larger than those of the last-named plant,
but growing on a shorter stem. It grows in craggy localities, and is
gathered for use as food. All these plants have the same properties,
being cooling and astringent. The leaves, applied topically, or the
juice, in form of a liniment, are curative of defluxions of the eyes:
this juice too acts as a detergent upon ulcers of the eyes, makes new
flesh, and causes them to cicatrize; it[911] cleanses the eyelids also
of viscous matter. Applied to the temples, both the leaves and the
juice of these plants are remedial for head-ache; they neutralize the
venom also of the phalangium; and the greater aizoüm, in particular, is
an antidote to aconite. It is asserted, too, that those who carry this
last plant about them will never be stung by the scorpion.
These plants are curative of pains in the ears; which is the case
also with juice of henbane, applied in moderate quantities, of
achillea,[912] of the smaller centaury and plantago, of peucedanum
in combination with rose-oil and opium, and of acoron[913] mixed
with rose-leaves. In all these cases, the liquid is made warm, and
introduced into the ear with the aid of a syringe.[914] The cotyledon
is good, too, for suppurations in the ears, mixed with deer’s marrow
made hot. The juice of pounded root of ebulum[915] is strained through
a linen cloth, and then left to thicken in the sun: when wanted for
use, it is moistened with oil of roses, and made hot, being employed
for the cure of imposthumes of the parotid glands. Vervain and
plantago are likewise used for the cure of the same malady, as also
sideritis,[916] mixed with stale axle-grease.
CHAP. 104.—A REMEDY FOR DISEASES OF THE NOSTRILS.
Aristolochia,[917] mixed with cyperus,[918] is curative of polypus of
the nose.[919]
CHAP. 105.—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE TEETH.
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