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CHAP. 75.—IRIO, OR ERYSIMUM, BY THE GAULS CALLED VELA: FIFTEEN REMEDIES.

When treating of the cereals, we have already stated1 that the irio, which strongly resembles sesame, is also called "erysimon " by the Greeks: the Gauls give it the name of "vela." It is a branchy plant, with leaves like those of rocket, but a little narrower, and a seed similar to that of nasturtium. With honey, it is extremely good for cough and purulent expectorations: it is given, also, for jaundice and affections of the loins, pleurisy, gripings of the bowels, and cœliac affections, and is used in liniments for imposthumes of the parotid glands and carcinomatous affections. Employed with water, or with honey, it is useful for inflammations of the testes, and is extremely beneficial for the diseases of infants. Mixed with honey and figs, it is good for affections of the fundament and diseases of the joints; and taken in dink, it is an excellent antidote to poisons. It is used, also, for asthma,2 and with stale axle- grease for fistulas; but it must not be allowed to touch the interior of them.

1 In B. xviii. c. 22. Racine, in his letters to Boileau, speaks of a chorister of Notre Dame, who recovered his voice by the aid of this plant.

2 It is still used, Fée says, for coughs.

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