But it is the phycos thalassion, or sea-weed,1343 more particularly, that is so excellent a remedy for the gout. It resembles the lettuce in appearance, and is used as the basis in dyeing tissues with the purple of the murex.1344 Used before it becomes dry, it is efficacious as a topical application not only for gout, but for all diseases of the joints. There are three kinds of it; one with a broad leaf, another with a longer leaf of a reddish hue, and a third with a crisped leaf, and used in Crete for dyeing cloths.1345 All these kinds have similar properties; and we find Nicander prescribing them in wine as an antidote to the venom of serpents even. The seed also of the plant which we have spoken of as “psyllion,”1346 is useful for the cure of gout: it is first steeped in water, and one hemina of the seed is then mixed with two spoonfuls of resin of Colophon, and one spoonful of frankincense. Leaves of mandragora,1347 too, are highly esteemed for this purpose, beaten up with polenta.

(11.) For swellings of the ankles, slime,1348 kneaded up with oil, is wonderfully useful, and for swellings of the joints the juice of the smaller centaury; this last being remarkably good also for diseases of the sinews. Centauris,1349 too, is very useful; and for pains in the sinews of the shoulder-blades, shoulders, vertebræ, and loins, an infusion of betony is taken in drink in the same way as for diseases of the liver.1350 Cinquefoil is applied topically to the joints, and a similar use is made of the leaves of mandragora, mixed with polenta,1351 or else the root, beaten up fresh with wild cucumber1352 or boiled in water. For chaps upon the toes, root of polypodion1353 is used; and for diseases of the joints, juice of henbane with axle-grease; amomum,1354 with a decoction of the plant; centunculus,1355 boiled; or fresh moss steeped in water, and attached to the part till it is quite dry.

The root, too, of lappa boaria,1356 taken in wine, is productive of similar effects. A decoction of cyclaminos1357 in water, is curative of chilblains, and all other affections resulting from cold. For chilblains, cotyledon1358 is also employed with axle-grease, leaves of batrachion,1359 and juice of epithymum.1360 Ladanum,1361 mixed with castoreum,1361 and vervain applied with wine, extract corns from the feet.