CHAP. 49.—REMEDIES FOR CALCULI AND DISEASES OF THE BLADDER.
For diseases of the bladder and calculi (affections which, as already observed,[1234] produce the most excruciating torments), polemonia[1235] is highly efficacious, taken in wine; agaric also, and leaves or root of plantago, taken in raisin wine. Betony, too, is very good, as already observed, when speaking[1236] of diseases of the liver. This last plant is used also for hernia, applied topically or taken in drink: it is remarkably efficacious too for strangury. For calculi some persons recommend betony, vervain, and milfoil, in equal proportions in water, as a sovereign remedy. It is universally agreed that dittany is curative of strangury, and that the same is the case with cinquefoil, boiled down to one third in wine: this last plant is very useful, too, taken internally and applied topically, for rupture of the groin.
The upper part of the root of xiphion[1237] has a diuretic effect upon infants; it is administered also in water for rupture of the groin, and is applied topically for diseases of the bladder. Juice of peucedanum[1238] is employed for hernia in infants, and psyllion[1239] is used as an application in cases of umbilical hernia. The two kinds of anagallis[1240] are diuretic, and a similar effect is produced by a decoction of root of acoron,[1241] or the plant itself bruised and taken in drink; this last is good too for all affections of the bladder. Both the stem and root of cotyledon[1242] are used for the cure of calculi; and for all inflammations of the genitals, myrrh is mixed in equal proportions with the stem and seed. The more tender leaves of ebulum,[1243] beaten up and taken with wine, expel calculi of the bladder, and an application of them is curative of diseases of the testes. Erigeron,[1244] with powdered frankincense and sweet wine, is curative of inflammation of the testes; and root of symphytum,[1245] applied topically, reduces rupture of the groin. The white hypocisthis[1246] is curative of corroding ulcers of the genitals. Artemisia[1247] is prescribed also in sweet wine for the cure of calculi and of strangury; and root of nymphæa heraclia,[1248] taken in wine, allays pains in the bladder.