Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

List., Sch., _et al._ _adversus ægritudinem_. Barthius: _Quam ægritudinem?_ etc., etc. Tor. _plurifarias_! Reinsenius: _ad arcendum morbum_, etc., etc. Hum. _scilicet quamcunque hoc est ..._ etc., etc., etc. G.-V. _si voles_. V. This innocent little superstition about the curative qualities of the female nettle causes the savants to engage in various speculations. Nettles are occasionally eaten as vegetables on the Continent. XVIII [109] ENDIVES AND LETTUCE _INTUBA ET LACTUCÆ_ ENDIVES [are dressed] WITH BRINE, A LITTLE OIL AND CHOPPED ONION, INSTEAD OF THE REAL LETTUCE [1] IN WINTER TIME THE ENDIVES ARE TAKEN OUT OF THE PICKLE [2] [and are dressed] WITH HONEY OR VINEGAR. [1] Hum. _pro lactucis uere_; Tor. _p. l. accipint_; G.-V. _p. l. vero_ (separated by period)--all indicating that endives are a substitute for lettuce when this is not available. [2] Cf. {Rx} No. 27, also Nos. 22 and 23. [110] LETTUCE SALAD, FIELD SALAD _AGRESTES LACTUCÆ_ [1] [Dress it] WITH VINEGAR DRESSING AND A LITTLE BRINE STOCK; WHICH HELPS DIGESTION AND IS TAKEN TO COUNTERACT INFLATION [2]. [1] Tor. _sic_; Hum. _agri l._; Tac. _id._; Sch. and G.-V. have _acri_ as an adjective to vinegar, the last word in the preceding formula. [2] List. and Hum. continuing: "And this salad will not hurt you"; but Tor., Sch. and G.-V. use this as a heading for the following formula. [111] A HARMLESS SALAD _NE LACTUCÆ LÆDANT_ [And in order that the lettuce may not hurt you take (with it or after it) the following preparation] [1] 2 OUNCES OF GINGER, 1 OUNCE OF GREEN RUE, 1 OUNCE OF MEATY DATES, 12 SCRUPLES OF GROUND PEPPER, 1 OUNCE OF GOOD HONEY, AND 8 OUNCES OF EITHER ÆTHIOPIAN OR SYRIAN CUMIN. MAKE AN INFUSION OF THIS IN VINEGAR, THE CUMIN CRUSHED, AND STRAIN. OF THIS LIQUOR USE A SMALL SPOONFUL MIX IT WITH STOCK AND A LITTLE VINEGAR: YOU MAY TAKE A SMALL SPOONFUL AFTER THE MEAL [2]. [1] Tac. and Tor. _Ne lactucæ lædant_ [take it] _cum zingiberis uncijs duabus_, etc. Hum., List., G.-V. _cumini unc. II._ They and Sch. read the _cum_ of Tac. and Tor.