CHAP. 93.—THE PEPLIS, SYCE, MECONION, OR MECON APHRODES:
THREE REMEDIES.
The peplis, [Note] known by the various names of "syce," [Note]
"meconion," and "mecon aphrodes," is a shrub-like plant,
springing from a single, diminutive, root. The leaves of it
resemble those of rue, but are a little larger; the seed, which
lies beneath the leaves, is round, and smaller than that of the
white poppy. It is ordinarily gathered in vineyards, at
harvest-time, and is dried with the seed on, receivers being
placed beneath to catch it as it falls. This seed, taken in drink,
purges the bowels, and carries off bile and pituitous secretions:
one acetabulum, taken in three heminæ of hydromel, is a
middling dose. It is sprinkled also upon meat and other articles
of food, as a laxative medicine.
