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

Chapter 308: CHAP. 78.—REMEDIES FOR FISTULA.

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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. 78.—REMEDIES FOR FISTULA.

Fistulas, too, insidiously attack all parts of the body, owing to unskilfulness on the part of medical men in the use of the knife. The smaller centaury 1440 is used for their cure, with the addition of lotions 1441 and boiled honey: juice of plantago 1442 is also employed, as an injection; cinquefoil, mixed with salt and honey; ladanum,1443 combined with castoreum;1444 cotyledon,1445 applied hot with stag’s marrow; pith of the root of verbascum 1446 reduced to a liquid state in the shape of a lotion, and injected; root of aristolochia;1447 or juice of tithymalos.1448