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

For the cure of gout and of diseases of the joints, oil is useful in which the intestines of frogs have been boiled. Ashes, too, of burnt bramble-frogs312 are similarly employed, with stale grease; in addition to which, some persons use calcined barley, the three ingredients being mixed in equal proportions. It is recommended too, in cases of gout, to rub the parts affected with a sea-hare,313 fresh caught, and to wear shoes made of beaver’s skin, Pontic beaver more particularly, or else of sea-calf’s314 skin, an animal the fat of which is very useful for the purpose: the same being the case also with bryon, a plant of which we have already spoken,315 similar to the lettuce in appearance, but with more wrinkled leaves, and destitute of stem. This plant is of a styptic nature, and, applied topically, it tends to modify the paroxysms of gout. The same, too, with sea-weed, of which we have also spoken already;316 due precaution being taken not to apply it dry.

Chilblains are cured by applying the pulmo marinus;317 ashes of sea-crabs with oil; river crabs,318 bruised and burnt to ashes and kneaded up with oil; or else fat of the silurus.319 In diseases of the joints, the paroxysms are modified by applying fresh frogs every now and then: some authorities recommend that they should be split asunder before being applied. The liquor from mussels320 and other shell-fish has a tendency to make flesh.