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The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6) cover

The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)

Chapter 304: CHAP. 74.—REMEDIES FOR ERYSIPELAS.
By the Elder Pliny
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This volume catalogs remedies derived from forest trees and wild plants, presenting systematic entries for dozens of species with prescribed treatments and applications. It enumerates specific uses for resins, barks, leaves, berries, and sap, and gives instructions on preparation, dosage, and testing of potency. The text also records variations among species, regional observations on growth and harvesting, and anecdotes on how certain plants were discovered or associated with animals and human practices. Overall it functions as a practical herbal compendium combining botanical description with medicinal recipes and empirical notes.

CHAP. 74.—REMEDIES FOR ERYSIPELAS.

For the cure of erysipelas, aizoüm1413 is used, or else pounded leaves of hemlock, or root of mandragora;1414 this last being cut into round slices like cucumber and suspended over must,1415 after which it is hung up in the smoke, and then pounded in wine or vinegar. It is a good plan too to use fomentations with myrtle wine: two ounces of mint beaten up in vinegar with one ounce of live sulphur, form a mixture sometimes employed; as also soot mixed with vinegar.

There are several kinds of erysipelas, one in particular which attacks the middle of the body, and is known as “zoster:”1416 should it entirely surround the body, its effects are fatal. For this disease, plantago1417 is remedial, mixed with Cimolian1418 chalk; vervain, used by itself; or root of persolata.1419 For other kinds of erysipelas of a spreading nature, root of cotyledon1420 is used, mixed with honied wine; aizoüm also,1421 or juice of linozostis,1422 in combination with vinegar.