Latin Texts & Translations

Panaces, ^[Note] applied with honey, heals inflammatory tumours; an effect which is equally produced by plantago applied with salt, cinquefoil, root of persolata ^[Note] used in the same way as for scrofula; damasonium ^[Note] also, and verbascum ^[Note] pounded with the root, and then sprinkled with wine, and wrapped in a leaf warmed upon ashes, and applied hot. Persons of experience in these matters have asserted that it is of primary importance that the application should be made by a maiden, as also that she must be naked at the time, and fasting. The patient must

be fasting too, and the damsel must say, touching him with the back of her hand, ^[Note] "Apollo forbids that a disease shall increase which a naked virgin restrains." So saying, she must withdraw her hand, and repeat to the above effect three times, both of them spitting upon the ground each time.

Root, too, of mandragora ^[Note] is used for this purpose, with water; a decoction of root of scammony with honey; sideritis ^[Note] beaten up with stale grease; horehound with stale axlegrease; or chrysippios, ^[Note] a plant which owes its name to its discoverer—with pulpy figs.