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

For the cure of spleen diseases, the fish known as the sole277 is applied to that part; the torpedo,278 also, or else a live turbot;279 it being then set at liberty in the sea. The sea-scorpion,280 killed in wine, is a cure for diseases of the bladder and for urinary calculi; the stone, also, that is found in the tail281 of this last fish, taken in drink, in doses of one obolus; the liver of the enhydris;282 and the ashes of the fish called “blendius;”283 taken with rue. In the head, too, of the fish called “bacchus,”284 there are found certain small stones, as it were: these, taken in water, six in number, are an excellent cure for urinary calculi. They say, too, that the sea-nettle,285 taken in wine, is very useful for this purpose, as also the pulmo marinus,286 boiled in water. The eggs of the sæpia have a diuretic effect, and carry off pituitous humours from the kidneys. Ruptures and convulsions are very effectually treated by taking river-crabs,287 bruised in asses’ milk more particularly; and urinary calculi by drinking sea-urchins pounded, spines and all, in wine; the due proportion being one semisextarius of wine for each urchin, and the treatment being continued till its good effects are visible. The flesh, too, of the sea-urchin, taken as food, is very useful as a remedy for the same malady.

Scallops288 also, taken as food, act detergently upon the bladder: the male fish is by some persons called “donax,” and by others “aulos,” the female being known as “onyx.”289 The male scallop has a diuretic effect: the flesh of the female is sweeter than that of the male, and of an uniform colour. The eggs, too, of the sæpia promote the urinary secretions, and act detergently upon the kidneys.