Leaves of tussilago[1431] are also used in water for this purpose; the seed of either kind of linozostis,[1432] sprinkled in the drink, or made into a decoction with chick-pease or wormwood: hyssop berries taken in water; the plant lichen,[1433] all other vegetables being carefully abstained from while it is being used; polythrix,[1434] taken in wine; and struthion,[1435] in honied wine.
CHAP. 77.—REMEDIES FOR BOILS.
There are boils also, known as “furunculi,”[1436] which make their appearance indiscriminately on all parts of the body, and are productive of the greatest inconvenience: sometimes indeed, when the constitution is exhausted, they are fatal in their effects. For their cure, leaves of pycnocomon[1437] are employed, beaten up with polenta,[1438] if the boil has not come to a head. They are dispersed also by an application of leaves of ephedron.[1439]
CHAP. 78.—REMEDIES FOR FISTULA.
Fistulas, too, insidiously attack all parts of the body, owing to unskilfulness on the part of medical men in the use of the knife. The smaller centaury[1440] is used for their cure, with the addition of lotions[1441] and boiled honey: juice of plantago[1442] is also employed, as an injection; cinquefoil, mixed with salt and honey; ladanum,[1443] combined with castoreum;[1444] cotyledon,[1445] applied hot with stag’s marrow; pith of the root of verbascum[1446] reduced to a liquid state in the shape of a lotion, and injected; root of aristolochia;[1447] or juice of tithymalos.[1448]