CHAP. 92. (13.)—THE ANAGALLIS, OR CORCHORON; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: SIX REMEDIES.
The anagallis is called “corchoron”[858] by some. There are two kinds of it, the male[859] plant, with a red blossom, and the female,[860] with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice[861] of either plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, suffusions of blood[862] in those organs resulting from blows, and argema[863] with a red tinge: if used in combination with Attic honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the effect also of dilating[864] the pupil; hence the eye is anointed with it before the operation of couching[865] for cataract. These plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of burden.
The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head: it is taken also, in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by serpents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch the female plant; but if it should so happen that, deceived by the resemblance—the flower being the only distinguishing mark—they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called “asyla,”[866] but more generally known among us as “ferus oculus.”[867] Some persons recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take care and extract the juice immediately; if this is done, they say, it will be doubly efficacious.
As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken[868] of its properties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia, attended with swelling, it will be a good plan to apply wormwood beaten up with honey, as well as powdered betony.