CHAP. 58.—REMEDIES FOR DISEASES OF THE TESTES AND OF THE FUNDAMENT.

Scordion[1] reduces swellings of the testes. Henbane is curative of diseases of the generative organs. Strangury is cured by juice of peucedanum,[2] taken with honey; as also by the seed of that plant. Agaric is also used for the same purpose, taken in doses of three oboli in one cyathus of old wine; root of trefoil, in doses of two drachmæ in wine; and root or seed of daucus,[3] in doses of one drachma. For the cure of sciatica, the seed and leaves of erythrodanum[4] are used, pounded; panaces,[5] taken in drink; polemonia,[6] employed as a friction; and leaves of aristolochia,[7] in the form of a decoction. Agaric, taken in doses of three oboli in one cyathus of old wine, is curative of affections of the tendon known as "platys"[8] and of pains in the shoulders. Cinquefoil is either taken in drink or applied topically for the cure of sciatica; a decoction of scammony is used also, with barley meal; and the seed of either kind of hypericon[9] is taken in wine.

For diseases of the fundament and for excoriations plantago is remarkably efficacious; for condylomata, cinquefoil; and for procidence of the rectum, root of cyclaminos,[10] applied in vinegar. The blue anagallis[11] reduces procidence of the rectum, while, on the contrary, that with a red flower has a tendency to bear it down. Cotyledons[12] is a marvellous cure for condylomatous affections and piles; and root of acoron,[13] boiled in wine and beaten up, is a good application for swelling of the testes. According to what Cato[14] says, those who carry about them Pontic[15] 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.

1. See B. xxv. c. 27. In reality it is of an irritating nature.

2. See B. xxv. c. 70.

3. See B. xxv. .64.

4. Or madder; see B. xix. c. 17. The seed and leaves are no longer employed in medicine; the root has been employed in modern times, Fée says, but with no success.

5. See B. xxv. c. 11, et seq.

6. See B. xxv. c. 28.

7. See B. xxv. c. 54.

8. Or "broad" tendon. The Tendon Achillis.

9. See ec. 53 and 54 of this Book.

10. See B. xxv. c. 67.

11. See B. xxv. c. 92.

12. See B. xxv. c. 101.

13. See B. xxv. c. 100.

14. The rust c.159. He says that it must be carried under the ring.

15. See B.xxvii.c.28.