Grapes fresh gathered are productive of flatulency, and disturb the stomach and bowels; hence it is that they are avoided in fevers, in large quantities more particularly. Indeed, they are very apt to produce oppression of the head, and to bring on the malady known as lethargy.[2849] Grapes which have been gathered, and left to hang for some time, are much less[2850] injurious, the exposure to the air rendering them beneficial even to the stomach, and refreshing to the patient, as they are slightly cooling, and tend to remove nausea and qualmishness.
CHAP. 7.—VARIOUS KINDS OF PRESERVED GRAPES: ELEVEN REMEDIES.
Grapes which have been preserved in wine or in must are trying to the head. Next to the grapes which have been left to hang in the air, are those which have been kept in chaff; but as to those which have been preserved among grape husks, they are injurious[2851] to the head, the bladder, and the stomach, though at the same time they arrest looseness of the bowels, and are extremely good for patients troubled with spitting of blood. When preserved in must, they are worse even in their effects than when kept among husks; boiled[2852] must, too, renders them injurious to the stomach. It is the opinion of medical writers, that grapes kept[2853] in rain-water are the most wholesome of all, even though they are by no means agreeable eating; for the benefit of them is particularly experienced in burning pains of the stomach, biliousness arising from a disordered liver, vomiting of bile, and attacks of cholera, as also dropsy and burning fevers.
Grapes kept in earthen pots sharpen the taste, the stomach, and the appetite; it is thought, however, that they are rendered a little heavy[2854] by the exhalations from the husks with which they are covered.[2855] If vine-blossoms are given to poultry, mixed with their food, they will never touch the grapes.[2856]
CHAP. 8.—CUTTINGS OF THE VINE: ONE REMEDY.
Such cuttings of the vine as have borne grapes, have an astringent effect, when they are preserved in earthen[2857] pots, more particularly.
CHAP. 9.—GRAPE-STONES: SIX REMEDIES.
Grape-stones, also, have a similar[2858] property; it is through them that wine is so apt to produce head-ache. Parched and then pounded, they are beneficial for the stomach; and this powder is sprinkled, like polenta, in the beverage of patients suffering from dysentery, cœliac affections, and derangements of the stomach. A decoction of them is useful, also, as a fomentation for itch-scabs and prurigo.