Latin Texts & Translations

The anagallis is called "corchoron" ^[Note] by some. There are

two kinds of it, the male ^[Note] plant, with a red blossom, and the female, ^[Note] with a blue flower. These plants do not exceed a palm in height, and have a tender stem, with diminutive leaves of a rounded form, drooping upon the ground. They grow in gardens and in spots covered with water, the blue anagallis being the first to blossom. The juice ^[Note] of either plant, applied with honey, disperses films upon the eyes, suffusions of blood ^[Note] in those organs resulting from blows, and argema ^[Note] with a red tinge: if used in combination with Attic honey, they are still more efficacious. The anagallis has the effect also of dilating ^[Note] the pupil; hence the eye is anointed with it before the operation of couching ^[Note] for cataract. These plants are employed also for diseases of the eyes in beasts of burden.

The juice, injected into the nostrils, which are then rinsed with wine, acts as a detergent upon the head: it is taken also, in doses of one drachma, in wine, for wounds inflicted by serpents. It is a remarkable fact, that cattle will refuse to touch the female plant; but if it should so happen that, deceived by the resemblance—the flower being the only distinguishing mark—they have accidentally tasted it, they immediately have recourse, as a remedy, to the plant called "asyla," ^[Note] but more generally known among us as "ferus oculus." ^[Note] Some persons recommend those who gather it, to prelude by saluting it before sunrise, and then, before uttering another word, to take care and extract the juice immediately if this is done, they say, it will be doubly efficacious.

As to the juice of euphorbia, we have spoken ^[Note] of its properties at sufficient length already. In cases of ophthalmia,

attended with swelling, it will be a good plan to apply wormwood beaten up with honey, as well as powdered betony.