camels which were sent to us from Bengazi, when we were about to
leave Grenna, were kept muzzled during the whole time of their
stay in those parts where the plant was known to be produced.
With regard to the effects of the silphium upon bipeds, (we mean
those of the human race,) a few extracts from Pliny will fully suffice
to convince us that it does not yield in omnipotence even to the
famed halm of Gilead; or to that well known specific, and sovereign
remedy for all complaints, distinguished by the humble title of Eau
de Cologne. Certes, (observes this author, in concluding the remarks
which we have quoted below upon the wonderful efficacy of his
specific,) “ if I should take in hand to particularize of the vertues
that laser hath, being mingled with other matter in confections, I
should never make an end and the reader will probably be somewhat
of his opinion, before he has waded through half the wondrous
qualities attributed to the omnipotent silphium. We give them in
the good old English version of Holland*.
» The leaves of the plant, steeped in white wine, were, it seems, a most extraordinary
specific* ; and “ the root is singular” (it is Pliny who speaks) “ for to cleare the windpipes,
and to take away all the asperitie and roughness in these parts ; and being applied
in the form of a liniment it helpeth imposthumat inflamations proceeding from the rank-
nesse and ebullition of blood. A liniment thereof made with wine and oile is a most
familiar and agreeable medecine for the black and blue marks remaining after stripes;
b u t i f t h e s a m e -with-some adition of wax be reduced into a cerot it helpeth the kings
evill. As for the liquor laser (continues our naturalist) issuing from Silphium, in that
manner as I have shewed, it is holden for one of thè most singular gifts that nature hath
bestowed upon: the world, and entereth into many excellent confections and compositions.
Of itselfe alone, it reduceth those to their natural health.who are starven and benumbed
■ Nam folia ad espurganda« vulvas pellendosque emortuos partus decoquuutur In vino albo odorato, qt
bibatur mensura acetaboli a balineis,—Adde—Laser, e silphio produens faminis datar in vivo. Et lanis
mollibus admovetur vulvse ad menses ciendos.—(Hist. Nat. Lib. xxii. c. xxiii.)
We may add that the silphium was offered by the people of
Cyrene to their first king, Battus, whom they deified, as the most
with extreme cold. « Taken in drinke it allaieth the accidents and grief of the nerves.
A great restorative it is with méat, and quickly sëtteth thém on foot who have lien long
and been brought low by sicknesse : for laser, if it be applied ill due time, is as good as
a potentiall cauterie to raise a blister: outwardly applied no man maketh doubt but it
is of singular operation and worketh many effects. ' Taken in drinke it doth extinguish
the venome left in the bodie, either by poisoned dart or serpents’ sting: and if the
wounds be annointed with the same dissolved in water it is the better ; but particularly
for the pricks of scorpions it would be applied with oile. Being laid*too, with rue or
honey, or by itselfe alone, (so that the place be annointed over it with some viscous gum
to keepe it too, that it run not off,) it is excellent for the carbuncle and the biting of dogs.
Being incorporate with sal-nitre and well wrought withall beforehand, and so applied, it
taketh away the hard horns and dead corns arising in the feet, which commonly bee
polled in latin morticini. Tempered with wine, and saffron or pepper, if it be but with
miçe-dung and vinegre, it is a good incarnative in ulcers; and an excellent drawer.to
the outward parts for to fill up the skin and make a bodie fat. A good fomentation
there is made of it and wine for to bath kibed heels ; for which purpose it is boiled in
pyle and so applyed.
(t In like manner it serveth to soften hard callosities in any place whatsoever : and for
the foresaid corns of the feet especially, if they be scraped and scarrified before, it is of
great efficacee. Singular it is against unwholesome waters, pestilent tracts, and contagious
aires; as in times suspected of infection. Soveraigne it is for the cough, the fall
of the uvulaj and an old jaundice or overflowing of the gall; for the dropsie also, and
horsenesse of the throat ; for presently it scowreth the pipes, cleareth the voice againe,
and maketh it audible. I f it be infused and dissolved in water and -vinegre, and so
ppplyed with a spunge, it assuageth the gout. Taken in a broth, or thin supping, it is
good for the pleurisie, especially if the patient propose to drinke wine after it. Being
çovered all over with wax to the quantitie of one a cich pease it is given very well in case
of contractions and shrinking of sinews, and namely to such as carrie their heads backward
perforce, by occasion of some crick or cramp. For the squinançe it is good to
gargarize. therewith. Semblably it is given with leeks and vinegre to those that
wheaze in their chest and be short-winded, and have an old cough sticking long
by them : likewise with vinegre alone to such as have supped off and drunke quailed
* Ciceris magnitudine cera circunlitum.