Nor yet has the tree called “rhus”228 any Latin name, although it is employed in numerous ways. Under this name are comprehended a wild plant,229 with leaves like those of myrtle, and a short stem, which is good as an expellent of tapeworm; and the shrub230 which is known as the “currier’s plant,” of a reddish colour, a cubit in height, and about the thickness of one’s finger, the leaves of which are dried and used, like pomegranate rind, for curing leather.
Medical men also employ the leaves of these plants for the treatment of contusions, and for the cure of cœliac affections, and of ulcers of the rectum and phagedænic sores; for all which, purposes they are pounded with honey and applied with vinegar. A decoction of them is injected for suppurations of the ears. With the branches, boiled, a stomatice231 is also made, which is used for the same purposes as that prepared from mulberries;232 it is more efficacious, however, mixed with alum. This preparation is applied also to reduce the swelling in dropsy.