Telephion[2010] resembles purslain in the stem and leaves. From the root of it there spring seven or eight small branches, covered with thick, fleshy leaves; it grows in cultivated spots, and among vines in particular. It is used as an application for freckles, being removed as soon as dry; it is employed, also, for white morphew,[2011] being applied some six hours each night or day, and the treatment continued for about three months: after removing it, barley-meal should be applied. Telephion is healing, also, for wounds and fistulas.
CHAP. 111.—THE TRICHOMANES. FIVE REMEDIES.
The trichomanes[2012] is a plant that resembles the adiantum,[2013] except that it is more slender and of a darker colour; the leaves of it, which are similar to those of the lentil, lie close together, on opposite sides, and have a bitter taste. A decoction of this plant, taken in white wine, with the addition of wild cummin, is curative of strangury. Bruised and applied to the head, it prevents the hair from falling off, and, where it has come off, restores it: pounded and applied with oil, it effects the cure of alopecy. The mere taste of it is provocative of sneezing.
CHAP. 112.—THE THALICTRUM: ONE REMEDY.
The thalictrum[2014] has leaves like those of coriander, only somewhat more unctuous, and a stem resembling that of the poppy.[2015] It is found growing everywhere, in champaign localities more particularly. The leaves, applied with honey, heal ulcers.
CHAP. 113.—THLASPI AND PERSICON NAPY: FOUR REMEDIES.
Of thlaspi there are two kinds; the first[2016] of which has narrow leaves, about a finger in length and breadth, turned towards the ground, and divided at the point. It has a slender stem, half a foot in length, and not wholly destitute of branches; the seed, enclosed in a crescent-shaped capsule,[2017] is similar to a lentil in shape, except that it has a jagged appearance, to which, in fact, it owes its name;[2018] the flower is white, and the plant is found near footpaths and in hedges. The seed, which has an acrid flavour, carries off bile and pituitous secretions, by vomit and by alvine evacuation, the proper dose being one acetabulum. It is used, also, for sciatica, in the form of an injection, this treatment being persevered in until it has induced a discharge of blood: it acts also as an emmenagogue, but is fatal to the fœtus.
The other thlaspi, known by some as “Persicon napy,”[2019] has broad leaves and large roots, and is also very useful as an injection for sciatica. Both plants are very serviceable for inguinal complaints; it being recommended that the person who gathers them should mention that he is taking them for diseases of the groin, for abscesses of all kinds, and for wounds, and that he should pluck them with one hand only.
CHAP. 114.—THE TRACHINIA: ONE PROPERTY.
What sort of plant the trachinia[2020] is, the authorities do not state. I think that the assurance given by Democritus must be false: for it would be nothing less than a prodigy, for a plant, attached as an amulet, to consume the spleen in so short a time as three days.