The Medicine of Pliny and Gargilius Martialis

VIII. On Epiphora.

Snails without their shells, ground and applied to the forehead with frankincense pollen, are extremely effective. Warm honeyed wine applied on a cloth pad calms eye swelling. Cuttlefish powder is applied around the eyes in cases of epifora excessive watering of the eyes using mother’s milk. Pumpkin flesh cools wonderfully. White beet, ground, is applied to the forehead. Ground bulbs applied to the eyes have the same effect. The eyes are covered with green celery ground with bread. They are anointed with basil ground in excellent wine. Rue ground with pearl barley and applied soothes the pain. Dill root ground in wine is applied. A poppy stalk, either dry or green, ground with its fruit, is applied. Flax seed pounded with frankincense in water is applied around the eyes. Grains of wheat toasted on iron and ground in wine are applied around the eyes. Likewise, lentils boiled with quinces and ground together are used. Tender leaves of the lentisk tree lentiscus mastic tree, ground and applied to the forehead, suspend the flow of tears. Mandrake roots pounded with rose oil and ground in wine and tied around the area cure epifora and...