CHAP. 112.—THE RODARUM: THREE REMEDIES.
We have already[424] made mention of the rumpotinus, when speaking of the vine-growing[425] trees. Near the tree, when not accompanied by the vine, there grows a plant, known to the Gauls as the “rodarum.”[426] It has a knotted stem like the branch of a fig-tree, and the leaves, which are very similar to those of the nettle, are white in the middle, though in process of time they become red all over. The blossom of it is of a silvery hue. Beaten up with stale axle-grease, due care being taken not to touch it with iron, this plant is extremely useful for tumours, inflammations, and gatherings; the patient, however, on being anointed with it must spit three times on the right side. They say too, that as a remedy it is still more efficacious, if three persons of three different nations rub the right side of the body with it.
CHAP. 113.—THE PLANT CALLED IMPIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The plant called “impia”[427] is white, resembling rosemary in appearance. It is clothed with leaves like a thyrsus, and is terminated by a head, from which a number of small branches protrude, terminated, all of them, in a similar manner. It is this peculiar conformation that has procured for it the name of “impia,” from the progeny thus surmounting the parent. Some persons, however, are of opinion that it is so called because no animal will touch it. Bruised between two stones it yields an effervescent juice, which, in combination with wine and milk, is remarkably efficacious for quinzy.
There is a marvellous property attributed to this plant, to the effect that persons who have once tasted it will never be attacked by quinzy; for which reason it is given to swine: those among them, however, which refuse to take it will be sure to die of that disease. Some persons too are of opinion that if slips of it are put into a bird’s nest, they will effectually prevent the young birds from choking themselves by eating too voraciously.
CHAP. 114.—THE PLANT CALLED VENUS’ COMB: ONE REMEDY.
From its resemblance to a comb, they give the name of “Venus’ comb”[428] to a certain plant, the root of which, bruised with mallows, extracts all foreign substances from the human body.
CHAP. 115.—THE EXEDUM. THE PLANT CALLED NOTIA: TWO REMEDIES.
The plant called “exedum”[429] is curative of lethargy. The herbaceous plant called “notia,” which is used by curriers for dyeing leather a bright, cheerful colour, and known by them under various names—is curative of cancerous ulcers; I find it also stated that, taken in wine or in oxycrate, it is extremely efficacious for stings inflicted by scorpions.