SECT. XXIII.—THE PREPARATION OF THE BLOOD OF THE SEA-TORTOISE.
The blood of the sea-tortoise is to be prepared for keeping in this way. Having stretched the tortoise with its belly upwards on a wooden or earthen vessel, cut off its head quickly, and when its blood is coagulated, divide it into many parts with a reed, put a sieve upon the vessel in place of a lid and lay it up in the sun. When dried take it and use for bites of vipers, as aforesaid; two drachms with one cyathus of vinegar, on the second day four drachms with two cyathi of vinegar, and on the third eight drachms with three cyathi of vinegar.
Commentary. This section is copied from Aëtius (xiii, 24.) In our translation we have followed the text of Aëtius, that of our author being manifestly corrupt.