Cabbage goo – drug of Cato

Cato the Elder, author of the work De agri cultura, recommended the use of cabbage to compress wounds, swelling, burns and even bone dislocations. In turn, for arthritis, he recommended chopped, raw cabbage mixed with coriander and cured cabbage mixed with vinegar and honey.

Cato also mentions a drug called “total cleansing”, which is a very potent blend of ham, beetroot, oysters, fish, scorpion, snails, lentils, and various other ingredients. Everything is mixed with wine. The blend was said to have a surprisingly good taste and a strong laxative effect.