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

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

Chapter 309: CHAP. 79.—REMEDIES FOR ABSCESSES AND HARD TUMOURS.
By the Elder Pliny
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About This Book

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. 79.—REMEDIES FOR ABSCESSES AND HARD TUMOURS.

Abscesses and inflammations are cured by an application of leaves of argemonia.1449 For indurations and gatherings of all descriptions a decoction of vervain or cinquefoil in vinegar is used; leaves or root of verbascum;1450 a liniment made of wine and hyssop; root of acoron,1451 a decoction of it being used as a fomentation; or else aizoüm.1452 Contusions also, hard tumours, and fistulous abscesses are treated with, illecebra.1453

All kinds of foreign substances which have pierced the flesh are extracted by using leaves of tussilago,1454 daueus,1455 or seed of leontopodium1456 pounded in water with polenta.1457 To suppurations, leaves of pycnocomon1458 are applied, beaten up with polenta, or else the seed of that plant, or orchis.1459 An application of root of satyrion1460 is said to be a most efficacious remedy for deep-seated diseases of the bones. Corrosive ulcers and all kinds of gatherings are treated with sea-weed,1461 used before it has dried. Root, too, of alcima1462 disperses gatherings.