Acoron[1613] is very useful for internal complaints of females; as also the two varieties of conyza,[1614] and crethmos.[1615] Either kind of anthyllis,[1616] taken in wine, is remarkably good for uterine affections, griping pains in that organ, and retardations of the after-birth. Callithrix,[1617] applied as a fomentation, is curative of affections of the vagina: it removes scaly eruptions[1618] also of the head, and, beaten up in oil, it stains the hair. Geranion,[1619] taken in white wine, or hypocisthis[1620] in red, arrests all uterine discharges. Hyssop modifies hysterical suffocations. Root of vervain, taken in water, is a most excellent remedy for all accidents incident to, or consequent upon, delivery. Some persons mix bruised cypress seed with peucedanum[1621] in red wine. Seed, too, of psyllion,[1622] boiled in water and taken warm, has a soothing effect upon all defluxions of the uterus. Symphyton,[1623] bruised in wine, promotes menstruation. Juice of scordotis,[1624] in the proportion of one drachma to four cyathi of hydromel, accelerates delivery. Leaves of dittany are given for the same purpose, in water, with remarkable success. It is a well-known fact, too, that these leaves, to the extent of a single obolus even, will bring away the fœtus instantaneously, even when dead, without the slightest inconvenience to the patient. Pseudodictamnum[1625] is productive of a somewhat similar effect, but not in so marked a degree: cyclaminos,[1626] too, attached as an amulet; cissanthemos,[1627] taken in drink; and powdered betony, in hydromel.
CHAP. 91.—ARSENOGONON: ONE MEDICINAL PROPERTY. THELYGONON: ONE MEDICINAL PROPERTY.
Arsenogonon[1628] and thelygonon are plants, both of them, with clusters resembling the blossoms of the olive, but paler, and a white seed like that of the poppy. By taking thelygonon in drink, they say, the conception of female issue is ensured. Arsenogonon differs from it in the seed, which resembles that of the olive, but in no other respect. By taking this last plant in drink, male issue may be ensured—that is, if we choose to believe it. Some persons, however, assert that both plants resemble ocimum,[1629] but that the seed of arsenogonon is double, and resembles the testes in appearance.
CHAP. 92.—MASTOS: ONE REMEDY.
Aizoüm, which we have spoken of under the name of digitellus,[1630] is the great specific for diseases of the mamillæ. The milk is increased by taking erigeron[1631] in raisin wine, or else sonchos[1632] boiled with spelt. The plant known as “mastos,”[1633] applied topically, removes the hairs from the mamillæ,[1634] which make their appearance after child-birth: it has the effect also of dispersing scaly crusts[1635] upon the face, and other cutaneous affections. Gentian also, nymphæa heraclia[1636] employed in a liniment, and root of cyclaminos,[1637] remove all blemishes of the skin. Seeds of cacalia,[1638] mixed with melted wax, plump out the skin of the face and make wrinkles disappear. Root of acoron,[1639] also, removes all spots upon the skin.
CHAP. 93.—APPLICATIONS FOR THE HAIR. LYSIMACHIA. OPHRYS.
Lysimachia[1640] imparts a blonde tint[1641] to the hair, and the hypericon,[1642] otherwise called “corisson,” makes it black. The same too, with ophrys,[1643] a plant with indentations, which resembles the cabbage, but has only two leaves. Polemonia,[1644] too, boiled in oil, imparts blackness to the hair.
As for depilatories, I reckon them in the number of cosmetics, fit for women only, though men use them now-a-days. For this purpose archezostis[1645] is looked upon as highly efficacious, as also juice of tithymalos,[1646] applied with oil every now and then in the sun, or after pulling out the hairs. Hyssop, applied with oil, heals itch-scab in beasts, and sideritis[1647] is particularly useful for quinzy in swine.
But let us now turn to the remaining plants of which we have to speak.
Summary.—Remedies, narratives, and observations, one thousand and nineteen.