Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-10-31
ANCIENT FISH CURES
uEOlclNAI VIRTUES THAT USED TO
DECK THE FlNNV TRIBE.

Perch Was Valued In Germany For
It's Curative Properties, and Carp
Was Held In High Esteem In Old
Enc2and-The Physician OF Fishes
Fishing literature prior to the days
and writings of Izaak Walton opens
ND points of interest which are unique.
Not the least interesting are the con-
slant references of the early writers 10
the medicinal virtues of fish. or course
many of the salt and fresh water fish,
pc mentioned by the old writers are
not recognized in the waters of today
hut the fresh water perch, carp. tench
and eel are yet recognized, and 1t IS III
connection with these fish that some
OF the quaintest ideas as to their me-
dicinal virtues have prevailed.
The Germans have a comparative
proverb which says. More wholesome
than a perch OF the Rhine" and it is
certain that from the earliest times
this familiar fish has been esteemed as
one of the best gastronomic prouuc-
tions of fresh water. 1t has also been
ascribed medicinal virtues. GeSner says
that physicians value the perch SO
much that they recommend ii TO be
freely eaten by wounded men, women
in childbed and those suffering from
dangerous fevers. Aldrovandus praises
II and mentions that the two otooliths
Ground bones') found in the head or
the perch are marvelously good LOT
stone in the bladder.
That the carp was esteemed in olden
times in England is certain. Dame
Berners, writing in her quaint Urea
tysee of Eysshynge Myth an Angle
published in 1896. says, The carpe De
q deyntous fish. but there ben few in
Englopge." Being "deyntOus e.,
"dainty"-it must have been good hsh
at that time to eat. 1t has certainly
lost its character since then.
In the art of healing the carp plays a
respectable part. One old writer speaks
of the fat of the carp as being or NIL
raculous power for the alienation or
"hot rheumatism" The manner or us
application was by frequent rubbing
on the painful part, and the effect was
said TO be eminently notifying ana
sanitary. The triangular bones in the
throat of the carp on being ground TO
powder and applied to a wound or
bleeding nose were said to act as styp-
tic. The gall was also said to have
been used for sore eyes, and above
the ewes" says an old Ksculaplus'
1.-TWO little bones exist, semicircular III
shape. which are diligently preserved
by noble females against the lunaucai
disease"
In the Haven Of Health carp are
also comprised in 1.-The ten sortes OF
fsche which are reckoned as principal
in the preservation of health" and
adds the quaint old writer, this hsn
is of great wholesomeness and great
value, and its tongue is very pleasant
to carping ladies"
A kind of first cousin Of the carp Is
what is known as the barbel. Sucf
ancients as Juvenal, AlbertuS and oth
ers of that ilk evidence that it was
known and esteemed by the Roman
gourmet. Plutarch mentions curious
fact in its natural history. DR.. Bad
ham in his Prose Haleutcs' trans
lates this passage as follows: The roc
of the barbel is very poisonous. Anto
MO Gazius took two bOluseS ana thu'
describes his sensa tons: AT first l fel
no inconvenience, but some hours nav
ing elapsed | began to be disagreeabl!
affected, and as my stomach swelle'
and could not be brought down b!
anise and carminativeS | was soon IN
state of great depression and distress.
II appears that his cOuntenance wa
pallid, like man in a swoon. Deaoi'
coldness ensued, and violent choler'
and vomiting came on. The Daroe
(Barbus vulgaris) of today has survives
such poisonous qualities. Its hesh ma
the taste OF stewed white blottng pa
ner. and its roe is as innocuouS a
bread pills.
All the same, good Julyana Berner
shared the bad opinion Of the earle
writers. She says: The barbyll IS
swete fish, but it is Quashy met
and NERVOUS for mannys bodye. Flo
comynly he ynyth an introduction I
We febris (fever), and if We be etc
rave he may cause Of mannys deth
whych hath often beene scene.
The tench which has been Introduce
into some parts of this country is a
olive Creenish carp which has been 70
long time termed in England the ''phy
stefan of fishes" According to scor
or more of authorities, ancient an
modern. the thick slime with which
Is covered exerts healing effect on a
wounds or diseases in which II ca
come in contact on or in other fishes
Whence this belief originated is nc
known. but one instance OF exact OF
servation Is well worthy of credencF
Mr.. Wrigh; In his book on "F1shes an
Fishing" tells how a minnOw accider
tally hooked in the water Of an aquf
rum in which it was swimming, o
breaking loose, Immediately descende
three parts Of the way down the wa
ter and swiftly approached its nose
the side of the tench which was II
companion in the aquarium. 1t rut
bed it's nose for few seconds agalns
the tench and then again swan abou
as lively as before. TO this testim(
ny Mr.. Wright adds: 1--WE (my frien
and l who were watching the perform
ance) were both of the opinion that
IS really no fable as to the tench bein
the 4Esculapius of fishes, for here wa
an example before our eyes OF ts
being wounded and Immediately IL
stinct directing 1t to seek remedy"
One piscatorial truth is known to a
who fish for pike or pickerel The pix
(esoxlucius) will ravenously seize {
his prey the fry of almost every fsl
including his own species. and all IL