The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
For the cure of spleen diseases, the fish known as the sole[277]
is applied to that part; the torpedo,[278] also, or else a
live turbot;[279] it being then set at liberty in the sea. The
sea-scorpion,[280] killed in wine, is a cure for diseases of the
bladder and for urinary calculi; the stone, also, that is found in the
tail[281] of this last fish, taken in drink, in doses of one obolus;
the liver of the enhydris;[282] and the ashes of the fish called
“blendius;”[283] taken with rue. In the head, too, of the fish called
“bacchus,”[284] there are found certain small stones, as it were:
these, taken in water, six in number, are an excellent cure for urinary
calculi. They say, too, that the sea-nettle,[285] taken in wine, is
very useful for this purpose, as also the pulmo marinus,[286] boiled
in water. The eggs of the sæpia have a diuretic effect, and carry off
pituitous humours from the kidneys. Ruptures and convulsions are very
effectually treated by taking river-crabs,[287] bruised in asses’ milk
more particularly; and urinary calculi by drinking sea-urchins pounded,
spines and all, in wine; the due proportion being one semisextarius of
wine for each urchin, and the treatment being continued till its good
effects are visible. The flesh, too, of the sea-urchin, taken as food,
is very useful as a remedy for the same malady.
Scallops[288] also, taken as food, act detergently upon the bladder:
the male fish is by some persons called “donax,” and by others “aulos,”
the female being known as “onyx.”[289] The male scallop has a diuretic
effect: the flesh of the female is sweeter than that of the male, and
of an uniform colour. The eggs, too, of the sæpia promote the urinary
secretions, and act detergently upon the kidneys.
CHAP. 33.—REMEDIES FOR INTESTINAL HERNIA, AND FOR DISEASES OF THE
RECTUM. THE WATER-SNAKE: ONE REMEDY. THE HYDRUS: ONE REMEDY. THE
MULLET: ONE REMEDY. THE PELAMIS: THREE REMEDIES.
For the cure of intestinal hernia the sea-hare is applied, bruised with
honey. The liver of the water-snake,[290] and that of the hydrus,[291]
bruised and taken in drink, are remedial for urinary calculi. Sciatica
is cured by using the pickle of the silurus[292] as a clyster, the
bowels being first thoroughly purged. For chafing of the fundament,
an application is made of heads of mullets and surmullets, reduced
to ashes; for which purpose they are calcined in an earthen vessel,
and must be applied in combination with honey. Calcined heads, too,
of the fish known as mænæ[293] are useful for the cure of chaps and
condylomata; as also heads of salted pelamides,[294] reduced to ashes,
or calcined cybium,[295] applied with honey.
The torpedo,[296] applied topically, reduces procidence of the rectum.
River-crabs,[297] reduced to ashes, and applied with oil and wax, are
curative of chaps of the fundament: sea-crabs, too, are equally useful
for the purpose.
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