Pertinax

A note here that is pertinent to my album "Roman Herbal" in the Gallery . The plants I mention and show here are ancient and modern day medicines.some plants continue in use from that time to the present day ,though with altered use and perception of quality or indeed deeper understanding of ancient lore. The information on these plants in relation to toxicology is freely available in books and on the internet. Plants contain an awesome array of deadly and psychotropic agents, just because they are now subsumed into synthetic medicines does not deny potency. Galen comments on the Nightshade and its potent powers for example. So understand the power of nature and realise that Brigantia (or whoever your tutelary deity is, ancient or modern) is both preserver of life and destroyer of the meddlesome. The resource is for those respectful of nature, She is not a sweet lady but a Strong Mother

The Romans were well aware of the symptomatic problems of lead poisoning, particularly anemia and sought cures accordingly (the Roman Baths at Bath being the most celebrated -and effective having water with a high iron content and a massive mixed multiple trace mineral content ).Though intestinal parasites (also purged by sulphurous waters) would have had a much more direct and deadly effect . Votive offerings showing incontivertible evidence of anemic disfiguration have been found at shrine sites . The deadly pallor of slaves working in lead mines was noted and Vitruvius made specific comment on delivering water via earthenware pipes as opposed to lead "as lead seems to be injurous to the body", but it was cheap and malleable. Many forget that wine was often manufactured,stored and served in lead vessels and many foods were considered enhanced by the touch of lead. So 1. lead was present in the diet and cosmetics to a greater degree than might be thought 2. as usual the practical Romans observed effects even if unsure of cause, but deemed lead guilty by association. 3. they continued to use it regardless and had recourse to reasonably effective curative treatments. so -how much water did rich and poor drink? in comparison to say beer and wine. Medieval England was noted for "small beer" because everyone knew the water was lousy! Against this how deadly was lead in competition with helminth infestation? Remember the US military carried out post mortems on casualties in Vietnam, whilst many of even the youngest of American combat casualties showed a possibility of suggested cardiac problems in later life the vietcong casualties had 100% helminth infection-100% ! so digestive process would be affected and eventually mental health and cardio health. and lead was used happily till the 1950s in water supply here-everyone says how nicer the water tastes from lead pipes, its "soft", many older houses in the industrial ares still have lead pipes and the water supply is from North Wales where water drains from lead filled strata. Just some thoughts!

No I hold my hand up-I was waiting for you to correct me!

as Philip Marlowe would have said -"never let a broad call the shots". I do admire American slang.

Weve just had "the Ram has Touched the Wall" -this series gets better and better.

My Kendo teacher was very fast and very tough, smaller than me 5'10" to my 6"1", but lightning quick and you could not knock him off balance-and I am not light. When I visited him in Japan i realised he was taller and much heavier than his compatriats, maybe 2 or 3 stones heavier , so a big guy.The main thing about him was his stamina, you could not bully him off the floor no matter what- never mind his sword technique , so I suggest we look to builds like true wrestlers for an optimised gladiator. I would add that when fighting westerners weight came to be more important if technique was matched and sheer power without finesse was employed.

I report only the veritas of the Triclinium or would that be verite? I might attempt the sacrificial bullock recipe: this includes the religious preparations and is a big ceremonial-ties in with the Greaco-Roman superstition thread.

My review of Cruse's book will probably be posted in the next week on the main "home " part of the site, its still visible in its two part infancy in the Colesseum area.Have a look at that to "get your eye in" .My "Useful Herbs" album in the gallery is only just starting out but gives an ancient to modern link for materia medica, which is startlingly direct. I have to watch HBO Rome now !

I havent forgotten my vow to produce the "puppy" recipe but just for now remember they are best whilst still nursing-just like piglets

No it is absolutely correct. Goat dung and fermenting yeast for burns,scribes' excrement and fresh milk applied to boils. However titter ye not fellow Romans as the Egyptians also knew that plants from damp places cured afflictions found in those locales-the willow-source of salycillic acid and pain reliever (asprin as now is).They used purges rather a lot, but given the evidence of systemic parasite problems (helminths) this was a smart move along the Nile (They had drawn a parallel between silting of the Nile and "silting " of the gut). The Ebers papyrus 16/17 c BC is the source for the base information-thats a long time ago.Ive mentioned elsewhere onion and honey in beer as an anti inflammatory and eminently sensible combo.I am waiting for two books at present, the Pompeiian Herbal and a loaned copy of an early Islamic herbal (with commentaries) we shall see if there is anything new in the garden ( or under the sun). Cruse-Roman Medicine- Egyptian medicine section Oh yes-egyptian doctors were known for being a bit rough with patients,bedside manner was a bit abrupt.

E niente Viggen. I have placed a photo of Positano in my "sites/artifacts " album in the gallery because I love the place. If you havent been to Positano I urge you to visit for its sheer beauty, Ercolano, Oplontis, Paestum and Pompeii are not too far away. I was trying to find a hotel in Sant Agnello in the low season (next month) so I could photograph to my hearts content with few visitors about but everywhere seems to have shut down totally for winter. When I do get there -soon I hope -you will all be deluged with shots of Pompeiian interiors and graffitti .My number one aim will be to search out remains at Baiae. Neapolis and Paestum are greek colonia, Ercolano has a samnite foundation -Pompeii you all know . The road to positano/Amalfi from Sorrento/Castellmare de Stabia is one of a thousand car chases-Mr Charles Bronson in his noted cinematic vehicle "The Mechanic" drives around this area.The talented Mr Ripley was here. Escher the artist drew (literally) his inspration from the winding stairs and streets. Chez Black the restaurant right on the beach front below the Chiesa is one of the most civilised dining spots on the planet -oddly the Piazzetta on Capri (Capri Town) just a short trip across the sea is equally urbane.