CHAP. 34.—THE ACANTHUS, PÆDEROS, OR MELAMPHYLLOS: FIVE REMEDIES.
The acanthus [Note] is a plant that grows in cities, and is used
in ornamental gardening. It has a broad, long leaf, and is
used as a covering for the margins of ornamental waters and of
parterres in gardens. [Note] There are two varieties of it; the one
that is thorny [Note] and crisped is the shorter of the two; the
other, which is smooth, [Note] is by some persons called "pæderos," [Note] and by others "melamphyllos." [Note] The root of this
last is remarkably good for burns and sprains; and, boiled with
the food, a ptisan more particularly, it is equally good for
ruptures, spasms, and patients who are in apprehension of
phthisis. The root is also beaten up and applied warm for
hot gout.
