Latin Texts & Translations

There is also found in the islands of Nisyros and of Rhodes, a shrub of smaller size, but fill as thorny, known by some as the erysisceptrum, ^[Note] by others as the adipsatheon, and by the Syrians as the diaxylon. The best kind is that which is the least ^[Note] ferulaceous in the stem, and which is of a red colour, or inclining to purple, when the bark is removed. It is found growing in many places, but is not everywhere odoriferous. We have already ^[Note] stated how remarkably sweet the odour of it is, when the rainbow has been extended over it.

This plant cures fetid ulcers of the mouth, polypus ^[Note] of the nose, ulcerations or carbuncles of the generative organs, and chaps; taken in drink it acts as a carminative, and is curative of strangury. The bark is good for patients troubled with discharges of blood, and a decoction of it acts astringently on the bowels. It is generally thought that the wild plant is productive of the same effects.