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
The milk is increased in females by eating the glauciscus[374] in its
own liquor, or else smarides[375] with a ptisan, or boiled with fennel.
Ashes of calcined shells of the murex or purple, applied with honey,
are an effectual cure for affections of the mamillæ; river-crabs,
too, and sea-crabs, applied topically, are equally good. The meat
of the murex, applied to the mamillæ, removes hairs[376] growing
upon those parts. The squatina,[377] applied topically, prevents the
mamillæ from becoming too distended. Lint greased with dolphin’s[378]
fat, and then ignited, produces a smoke which acts as an excitant
upon females suffering from hysterical suffocations; the same, too,
with strombi,[379] left to putrefy in vinegar. Heads of perch or
of mænæ,[380] calcined and mixed with salt, oil, and cunila,[381]
are curative of diseases of the uterus: used as a fumigation, they
bring away the afterbirth. Fat,[382] too, of the sea-calf, melted by
the agency of fire, is introduced into the nostrils of females when
swooning from hysterical suffocations; and for a similar purpose, the
rennet of that animal is applied as a pessary, in wool.
The pulmo marinus,[383] attached to the body as an amulet, is an
excellent promoter of menstruation; an effect which is equally
produced by pounding live sea-urchins, and taking them in sweet wine.
River-crabs,[384] bruised in wine, and taken internally, arrest
menstruation. The silurus,[385] that of Africa[386] more particularly,
used as a fumigation, facilitates parturition, it is said. Crabs, taken
in water, arrest menstruation; but used with hyssop, they act as an
emmenagogue, we are told. In cases, too, where the infant is in danger
of suffocation at the moment of delivery, a similar drink, administered
to the mother, is highly efficacious. Crabs, too, either fresh or
dried, are taken in drink, for the purpose of preventing abortion.
Hippocrates[387] prescribes them as a promoter of menstruation, and
as an expellent of the dead fœtus, beaten up with five[388] roots of
lapathum and rue and some soot, and administered in honied wine. Crabs,
boiled and taken in their liquor, with lapathum[389] and parsley,
promote the menstrual discharge, and increase the milk. In cases of
fever, attended with pains in the head and throbbing of the eyes, crabs
are said to be highly beneficial to females, given in astringent wine.
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