[1689] See B. v. c. 21.—B.
[1690] We may presume that Pliny supposed that the ancient links had been protected by some of the substances mentioned above, although this is not distinctly stated.—B. Or rather by some religious ceremony as above alluded to.
[1691] “Nocturnas lymphationes.”—B.
[1692] The actual cautery, as it is termed, is occasionally employed, in certain diseases, by the moderns, but I am not aware that it has been tried in hydrophobia.—B. This precaution is sometimes used by country practitioners, at all events.
[1693] I cannot agree with Delafosse in his remark that “this remedy also is much in use for cœliac and other affections at the present day.”—B. It is still recommended by old women in the country, for children more particularly.
[1694] There are two versions of this story. In B. xxv. c. 19, Pliny says that Achilles cured Telephus by the application of a plant, which from him received its name. According to the other account, the oracle had declared, that the wound of Telephus, which had been inflicted by Achilles, could only be cured by means of the same weapon which had caused it.—B.
[1695] All the statements in this Chapter are to be found in Dioscorides, B. v. c. 93.—B.
[1696] The scaly excrescences beaten from iron in the forges, Hardouin says.—B.
[1697] From the Greek ὕγρον πλαστρὸν.—B.