CHAP. 77.—LYCIUM: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
The best lycium,[318] they say, is that prepared from the thorn of that name, known also as the “Chironian pyxacanthus,”[319] and mentioned by us when speaking of the trees of India, the lycium of those regions being generally looked upon as by far the best. The branches and roots, which are intensely bitter,[320] are first pounded and then boiled for three days in a copper vessel, after which the woody parts are removed, and the decoction is boiled again, till it has attained the consistency of honey. It is adulterated with various bitter extracts,[321] as also with amurca of olive oil and ox-gall. The froth or flower[322] of this decoction is used as an ingredient in compositions for the eyes: and the other part of it is employed as a cosmetic for the face, and for the cure of itch-scabs, corroding sores in the corners of the eyes, inveterate fluxes, and suppurations of the ears. It is useful too for diseases of the tonsillary glands and gums, for coughs, and for discharges of blood from the mouth, being generally taken in pieces the size of a bean. For the cure of discharges from wounds, it is applied to the part affected; and it is similarly used for chaps, ulcerations of the genitals, excoriations, ulcers, whether putrid, serpiginous, or of recent date, hard excrescences[323] of the nostrils, and suppurations. It is taken also by females, in milk, for the purpose of arresting the catamenia when in excess.
The Indian lycium is distinguished from the other kinds by its colour, the lumps being black outside, and, when broken, red within, though they turn black very quickly.[324] It is bitter and remarkably astringent, and is employed for all the purposes above mentioned, diseases of the generative organs in particular.
CHAP. 78.—SARCOCOLLA: TWO REMEDIES.
Some authors are of opinion that sarcocolla[325] is a tearlike gum which exudes from a kind of thorn;[326] it is similar to powdered incense in appearance, has a sweet flavour with a slight degree of bitter, and is of the consistency of gum. Pounded in wine, it arrests defluxions, and is used as a topical application for infants more particularly. This substance too becomes black[327] when old; the whiter it is, the more highly it is esteemed.
CHAP. 79.—OPORICE: TWO REMEDIES.
We are indebted too to the medicinal properties of trees for one very celebrated medicament, known as “oporice.”[328] This preparation is used for dysentery and various affections of the stomach; the following being the method of preparing it. Five quinces, seeds and all, with the same number of pomegranates, one sextarius of sorbs, a similar quantity of Syrian rhus,[329] and half an ounce of saffron, are boiled in one congius of white grape-juice at a slow heat, till the whole mixture is reduced to the consistency of honey.
CHAP. 80.—THE TRIXAGO, CHAMÆDRYS, CHAMÆDROPS, OR TEUCRIA: SIXTEEN REMEDIES.
We shall now add to these plants, certain vegetable productions to which the Greeks have given names belonging to trees, so that it would be doubtful whether they themselves are not trees as well.