CHAP. 33.—REMEDIES FOR INTESTINAL HERNIA, AND FOR DISEASES OF THE RECTUM. THE WATER-SNAKE: ONE REMEDY. THE HYDRUS: ONE REMEDY. THE MULLET: ONE REMEDY. THE PELAMIS: THREE REMEDIES.
For the cure of intestinal hernia the sea-hare is applied, bruised with honey. The liver of the water-snake,[290] and that of the hydrus,[291] bruised and taken in drink, are remedial for urinary calculi. Sciatica is cured by using the pickle of the silurus[292] as a clyster, the bowels being first thoroughly purged. For chafing of the fundament, an application is made of heads of mullets and surmullets, reduced to ashes; for which purpose they are calcined in an earthen vessel, and must be applied in combination with honey. Calcined heads, too, of the fish known as mænæ[293] are useful for the cure of chaps and condylomata; as also heads of salted pelamides,[294] reduced to ashes, or calcined cybium,[295] applied with honey.
The torpedo,[296] applied topically, reduces procidence of the rectum. River-crabs,[297] reduced to ashes, and applied with oil and wax, are curative of chaps of the fundament: sea-crabs, too, are equally useful for the purpose.