SECT. XXXIII.—ON THE PITYOCAMPA, OR PINE-CATERPILLAR.
When pine-caterpillar is drunk, there is straightway pain of the mouth and palate, strong inflammation of the tongue, pain of the stomach and intestines, with a prurient sensation of tension; and there is a fiery heat of the whole body, and anxiety. Such cases are to be relieved in like manner as those who have drunk cantharides; but in their case, instead of plain oil we may substitute the ointment of apples.
Commentary. Our author, and indeed all the others, only copy from Dioscorides.
Sprengel mentions several species of erucæ which infest pine-trees, such as the leparis monacha, lasiocampa pini, &c. (Notæ in Dioscor.) Virey remarks, that among the Romans there was an express law forbidding the administration of the hairy caterpillar of the pine, as it produces the most serious symptoms, and even loss of life, by its hairs. (Hist. des Mœurs des Anim.)