CHAP. 28.—ARMENIUM; ONE REMEDY.
Armenia sends us the colouring substance which is known
to us by its name. [Note] This also is a mineral, which admits of
being dyed, like chrysocolla, [Note] and is best when it most closely
resembles that substance, the colour being pretty much that of
cæruleum. In former times it was sold at thirty sesterces per
pound; but there has been found of late in the Spanish
provinces a sand which admits of a similar preparation, and
consequently armenium has come to be sold so low as at six
denarii per pound. It differs from cæruleum in a certain
degree of whiteness, which causes the colour it yields to be
thinner in comparison. The only use made of it in medicine
is for the purpose of giving nourishment to the hair, that of
the eyelids in particular.