Inguinalis[1300] again, or, as some persons call it, “argemo,” a plant commonly found growing in bushes and thickets, needs only to be held in the hand to be productive of beneficial effects upon the groin. CHAP. 60.—REMEDIES FOR INFLAMED TUMOURS. CHRYSIPPIOS: ONE REMEDY. Panaces,[1301] applied with honey, heals inflammatory tumours; an effect which is equally produced by plantago applied with salt, cinquefoil, root of persolata[1302] used in the same way as for scrofula; damasonium[1303] also, and verbascum[1304] pounded with the root, and then sprinkled with wine, and wrapped in a leaf warmed upon ashes, and applied hot. Persons of experience in these matters have asserted that it is of primary importance that the application should be made by a maiden, as also that she must be naked at the time, and fasting. The patient must be fasting too, and the damsel must say, touching him with the back of her hand,[1305] “Apollo forbids that a disease shall increase which a naked virgin restrains.” So saying, she must withdraw her hand, and repeat to the above effect three times, both of them spitting upon the ground each time. Root, too, of mandragora[1306] is used for this purpose, with water; a decoction of root of scammony with honey; sideritis[1307] beaten up with stale grease; horehound with stale axle-grease; or chrysippios,[1308] a plant which owes its name to its discoverer—with pulpy figs. CHAP. 61. (10.)—APHRODISIACS AND ANTAPHRODISIACS. Nymphæa heraclia, used as already stated,[1309] acts most powerfully as an antaphrodisiac; the same too if taken once every forty days in drink. Taken in drink fasting, or eaten with the food, it effectually prevents the recurrence of libidinous dreams. The root too, used in the form of a liniment and applied to the generative organs, not only represses all prurient desires, but arrests the seminal secretions as well; for which reason, it is said to have a tendency to make flesh and to improve the voice.[1310] The upper part of the root of xiphion,[1311] taken in wine, acts as an aphrodisiac. The same is the case too with the wild crethmos,[1312] or agrios as it is called, and with horminum,[1313] beaten up with polenta.[1314] CHAP. 62.—THE ORCHIS OR SERAPIAS: FIVE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. SATYRION.