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CHAP. 62.—THE GALLIDRAGA: ONE REMEDY.

Xenocrates gives the name of "gallidraga"1 to a plant which resembles the leucacanthus,2 and grows in the marshes. It is a prickly plant, with a tall, ferulaceous stem, surmounted with a head somewhat similar to an egg in appearance. When this head is growing, in summer, small worms,3 he says, are generated, which are put away in a box for keeping, and are attached as an amulet, with bread, to the arm on the side on which tooth-ache is felt; indeed it is quite wonderful, he says, how soon the pain is removed. These worms, however, are of no use after the end of a year, or in cases where they have been allowed to touch the ground.

1 Identified by Hardouin and Desfontaines with the Dipsacus pilosus of Linnæus, the Shepherd's rod, or small white teasel. Fée is doubtful on the subject.

2 See B. xxii. c. 18.

3 See B. xxv. c. 28.

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