But to all these remedies the plant known as “lichen,” from its efficacy as a cure, is held in preference. It is found growing among rocks, and has a single broad leaf[1053] near the root, and a single long stem, with small leaves hanging from it. This plant has the property also of effacing brand marks, being beaten up with honey for that purpose. There is another kind[1054] of lichen also, which adheres entirely to rocks, like moss, and which is equally used as a topical application. The juice of it, dropt into wounds, or applied to abscesses, has the property of arresting hæmorrhage: mixed with honey, it is curative of jaundice, the face and tongue being rubbed with it. Under this mode of treatment, the patient is recommended to wash in salt water, to anoint himself with oil of almonds, and to abstain from garden vegetables. For the cure of lichen, root of thapsia[1055] is also used, bruised in honey. CHAP. 11.—QUINZY. For the treatment of quinzy, we find argemonia[1056] recommended, in wine; a decoction of hyssop, boiled with figs, used as a gargle; peucedanum,[1057] with an equal proportion of sea-calf’s rennet; proserpinaca,[1058] beaten up in the pickle of the mæna[1059] and oil, or else placed beneath the tongue; as also juice of cinquefoil, taken in doses of three cyathi. Used as a gargle, juice of cinquefoil is good for the cure of all affections of the fauces: verbascum,[1060] too, taken in wine, is particularly useful for diseases of the tonsillary glands. CHAP. 12. (5.)—SCROFULA. For the cure of scrofula[1061] plantago is employed, chelidonia[1062] mixed with honey and axle-grease, cinquefoil, and root of persolata[1063]—this last being applied topically, and covered with the leaf of the plant—artemisia,[1064] also, and an infusion of the root of mandragora[1065] in water. The large-leaved sideritis,[1066] cleft by the left hand with a nail, is worn attached as an amulet: but after the cure has been effected, due care must be taken to preserve the plant, in order that it may not be set again, to promote the wicked designs of the herbalists and so cause the disease to break out afresh; as sometimes happens in the cases already mentioned,[1067] and others which I find stated, in reference to persons cured by the agency of artemisia or plantago. Damasonion,[1068] also known as alcea, is gathered at the summer solstice, and applied with rain-water, the leaves being beaten up, or the root pounded, with axle-grease, so as to admit, when applied, of being covered with a leaf of the plant. The same plan is adopted also for the cure of all pains in the neck, and tumours on all parts of the body. CHAP. 13.—THE PLANT CALLED BELLIS: TWO REMEDIES. Bellis[1069] is the name of a plant that grows in the fields, with a white flower somewhat inclining to red; if this is applied with artemisia,[1070] it is said, the remedy is still more efficacious. CHAP. 14.—THE CONDURDUM.