For diseases of the fundament and for excoriations plantago is remarkably efficacious; for condylomata, cinquefoil; and for procidence of the rectum, root of cyclaminos,[1294] applied in vinegar. The blue anagallis[1295] reduces procidence of the rectum, while, on the contrary, that with a red flower has a tendency to bear it down. Cotyledon[1296] is a marvellous cure for condylomatous affections and piles; and root of acoron,[1297] boiled in wine and beaten up, is a good application for swelling of the testes. According to what Cato[1298] says, those who carry about them Pontic[1299] wormwood, will never experience chafing between the thighs.
(9.) Some persons add pennyroyal to the number of these plants: gathered fasting, they say, and attached to the hinder part of the body, it will be an effectual preservative against all pains in the groin, and will allay them in cases where they already exist.
CHAP. 59.—INGUINALIS OR ARGEMO.
Inguinalis[1300] again, or, as some persons call it, “argemo,” a plant commonly found growing in bushes and thickets, needs only to be held in the hand to be productive of beneficial effects upon the groin.
CHAP. 60.—REMEDIES FOR INFLAMED TUMOURS. CHRYSIPPIOS: ONE REMEDY.
Panaces,[1301] applied with honey, heals inflammatory tumours; an effect which is equally produced by plantago applied with salt, cinquefoil, root of persolata[1302] used in the same way as for scrofula; damasonium[1303] also, and verbascum[1304] pounded with the root, and then sprinkled with wine, and wrapped in a leaf warmed upon ashes, and applied hot. Persons of experience in these matters have asserted that it is of primary importance that the application should be made by a maiden, as also that she must be naked at the time, and fasting. The patient must be fasting too, and the damsel must say, touching him with the back of her hand,[1305] “Apollo forbids that a disease shall increase which a naked virgin restrains.” So saying, she must withdraw her hand, and repeat to the above effect three times, both of them spitting upon the ground each time.
Root, too, of mandragora[1306] is used for this purpose, with water; a decoction of root of scammony with honey; sideritis[1307] beaten up with stale grease; horehound with stale axle-grease; or chrysippios,[1308] a plant which owes its name to its discoverer—with pulpy figs.