[33.] And especially rue with vinegar, &c.) Almeloveen and Linden read, praecipueque ex aceto; vitare autem oportet rutam, et ne supinus dormiat. This is making Celsus condemn what all physicians almost have approved, and therefore with Constantine and Ronsseus, I read praecipueque ex aceto rutam: vitare etiam oportet ne supinus dormiat: which Morgagni prefers. Ep. i. p. 27.
[34.] At such seasons as it returns.) I have here followed the correction offered by Morgagni his for hi which last would manifestly destroy our author’s meaning, as may appear from the general sense of the whole sentence—Instead of the present translation it would be, by those upon whom it returns.
[35.] Sarcophagus, or flesh-eating.) This is found at Assos, a city of Troas. Dead bodies interred in it are said to be consumed in forty days, bones and every thing, except the teeth. Plin. l. xxxvi. c. 17.
[36.] Asian stone.) Dioscorides says this ought to be of the colour of the pumice, spongy, light, and easily friable. Lib. v. c. 916.
[37.] Acopon, according to the derivation of the word, signifies something that relieves lassitude, which was rubbed upon the joints.—Our author exhibits some forms of them lib. v. cap. 24. where their consistence varies.—P. Ægineta for acopa orders four parts of oil to one of wax, lib. vii. cap. 17.—In later ages the word was used in a more extensive sense, for compositions of the consistence of oil, or as a liniment even when the intention was not to relieve fatigue.
[38.] Most agreeable to his humour.) That is, Celsus supposes a man in good health, who is his own master, to be confined to no laws, lib. i. cap. i. but upon account of a preceding illness he must return to that gradually.
NOTES TO BOOK V.
[1.] Chalcitis.) Pliny lib. xxxiv. cap. 2. says, this was an ore of copper, and found in Cyprus. Dioscorides describes the best chalcitis as resembling copper, easily friable, having shining veins. Lib. v. cap. 889.
[2.] Gum, when mentioned alone in any of the ancient authors, is understood to be the same with what now bears the name of gum Arabic.