CHAP. 18.—MUST: FIFTEEN REMEDIES.
The various kinds of must2895 have different properties; some of them being black, some white, and others of intermediate shades of colour. There is a difference, too, between the kinds of must from which wine is made, and those from which raisin wine is prepared. The various degrees of care and attention on the part of the maker, render the differences that already exist, quite innumerable; we shall therefore content ourselves with taking a general view only of their medicinal uses.
Every kind of must is unwholesome to the stomach, but of a soothing nature to the venous system. Taken off at a draught, immediately after the bath, must is fatal2896 in its effects. It acts as an antidote2897 to cantharides and stings inflicted by serpents, those of the hæmorrhois and the salamandra2898 in particular. It is productive of head-ache, and is prejudicial to the throat, but it is good for the kidneys, liver, and inner coat of the bladder, by reason of its lubricating properties. It is particularly effectual also in cases of injuries inflicted by the insect known as the “buprestis.”2899
Taken with oil as a vomit, it neutralizes the bad effects of opium,2900 milk that has curdled upon the stomach, hemlock, dorycnium,2901 and other poisons.2902 For all these purposes, however, white must is not so efficacious, while must prepared from raisins of the sun has a more pleasant flavour, and is productive of a less degree of oppression to the head.