The same is the case, too, with the plant to which they give the name of “euclea,”[817] and which, they tell us, rubbed upon the person, will ensure a more extended consideration. They say, too, that if a person carries artemisia[818] about him, he will be ensured against all noxious drugs, the attacks of wild beasts of every kind, and sunstroke even. This last plant is taken also in wine, in cases of poisoning by opium. Used as an amulet, or taken in drink, it is said to be particularly efficacious for injuries inflicted by frogs.
CHAP. 82.—THE PERICARPUM; TWO VARIETIES OF IT: TWO REMEDIES.
The pericarpum is a kind of bulbous plant. There are two varieties of it; one with a red[819] outer coat, and the other,[820] similar is appearance to the black poppy, and possessed of greater virtues than the first. They are both, however, of a warming nature, for which reason, they are administered to persons who have taken hemlock, a poison for which frankincense and panaces are used, chironion[821] in particular. This last, too, is given in cases of poisoning by fungi.
CHAP. 83. (11.)—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE HEAD. NYMPHÆA HERACLIA: TWO REMEDIES.
But we shall now proceed to point out the various classes of remedies for the several parts of the body, and the maladies to which those parts are subject, beginning in the first place with the head.
The root of nymphæa heraclia[822] effects the cure of alopecy, if they are beaten up together,[823] and applied. The polythrix[824] differs from the callitrichos[825] in having white, rushlike suckers, larger leaves, and more numerous; the main stem,[826] too, is larger. This plant strengthens the hair, prevents it from falling off, and makes it grow more thickly
CHAP. 84.—THE LINGULACA: ONE REMEDY.
The same is the case too with the lingulaca,[827] a plant that grows in the vicinity of springs, and the root of which is reduced to ashes, and beaten up with hog’s lard. Due care must be taken, however, that it is the lard of a female, of a black colour, and one that has never farrowed. The application is rendered additionally efficacious, if the ointment is applied in the sun. Root, too, of cyclaminos is employed in the same manner for a similar purpose. A decoction of root of hellebore in oil or in water is used for the removal of porrigo. For the cure of head-ache, root of all kinds of panaces[828] is used, beaten up in oil; as also aristolochia[829] and iberis,[830] this last being applied to the head for an hour or more, if the patient can bear it so long, care being taken to bathe m the meanwhile. The daucus, too, is curative of head-ache. Cyclaminos,[831] introduced into the nostrils with honey, clears the head; used in the form of a liniment, it heals ulcers of the head. Peristereos,[832] also, is curative of diseases of the head.
CHAP. 85.—THE CACALIA OR LEONTICE: THREE REMEDIES.
The name of “cacalia”[833] or “leontice” is given to a plant with seed resembling small pearls in appearance, and hanging down between large leaves: it is mostly found upon mountains. Fifteen grains of this seed are macerated in oil, and the head is rubbed with the mixture, the contrary way to the hair.