Pliny the Elder, The Natural History, BOOK XXIII. THE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE CULTIVATED TREES., CHAP. 37.

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CHAP. 37.—AMURCA OF OLIVES: TWENTY-ONE REMEDIES.

As to the amurca of olives, we might appear to have said enough on the subject already,¹ taking Cato as our guide; it remains, however, to speak of the medicinal uses of this substance. It is extremely serviceable as a strengthener of the gums,² and for the cure of ulcers of the mouth; it has the effect, also, of strengthening loose teeth in the sockets, and an application of it is good for erysipelas and spreading ulcers. For chilblains, the amurca of the black olive is the best, as also as a fomentation for infants; that of the white olive is used, with wool, as a pessary for affections of the uterus. Of both kinds, however, the amurca is much more serviceable when boiled; this being done in a vessel of Cyprian copper, to the consistency of honey. Thus prepared, it is used, according to the necessities of the case, with either vinegar, old wine, or honied wine, for the treatment of maladies of the mouth, teeth, and ears, and for running ulcers,³ diseases of the generative organs, and chaps on various parts of the body. It is employed topically, for the cure of wounds, in a linen pledget, and for sprains, in wool: as a medicament, it is of great utility, more particularly when old, as in such case it effects the cure of fistula.⁴

It is used as an injection for ulcerations of the fundament, the generative organs, and the uterus, and is employed topically for incipient gout and diseases of the joints. Boiled down again, with omphacium,⁵ to the consistency of honey, it extracts decayed teeth; and, in combination with a decoction of lupines and the plant chamæleon,⁶ it is a marvellous cure for itch in beasts of burden.⁷ Fomentations of amurca in a raw state⁸ are extremely good for gout.

1 B. xv. c. 8.

2 Fée thinks that it would exercise quite a contrary effect. Marc of olives is no longer used in medicine.

3 It would produce no good effect in the treatment of ulcers.

4 Fée remarks that it would have no such effect.

5 See B. xii. c. 60.

6 See B. xxii. c. 21.

7 Fée thinks that it might prove useful in this case.

8 Unboiled.

The Natural History. Pliny the Elder. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A. London. Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 1855.

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Pliny the Elder, The Natural History
John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A., Ed.

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CHAP. 37.—AMURCA OF OLIVES: TWENTY-ONE REMEDIES.

Pliny the Elder, The Natural History John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A., Ed.

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Table of Contents:

CHAP. 37.—AMURCA OF OLIVES: TWENTY-ONE REMEDIES.

Pliny the Elder, The Natural History
John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A., Ed.