Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-10
ANCIENT FISH CURES
MEDICINAL VIRTUES THAT USED TO
DECK THE FlNNY TRIBE.


Perch Was Valued In Germany For
/ Its Curative Properties, and Carr
Was Held In High Esteem In Old
EnEIand-The Physician of Fishes
Fishing literature prior to the days
and writings of Izaak Walton opens
up points of interest which are unique
Not the least interesting are the con-
slant references of the early writers to
| the medicinal virtues of fish. OF course
many of the salt and fresh water fish
es mentioned by the old writers are
not recognized in the waters of today,
but the fresh water perch, carp, tench
and eel are yet recognized, and it is in
connection with these fish that some
of the quaintest ideas as TO their me-
dicinal virtues have prevailed.
The Germans have 4 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 produc-
lions of fresh water. 1t has also been
ascribed medicinal virtues. Gesner says
that physicians value the perch so
much that they recommend it to be
freely eaten by wounded men, women
in childbed and those suffering from
dangerous fevers. Aldrovandus praises
it and mentions that the two Otooliths
Ground bones'O found in the head of
the perch are marvelously good for
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 be
deyntous fish. but there ben few in
Englonge." Being "deyntous"-i. e.,
"dainty"-it must have been a good fish
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 of mi
raculous power for the alienation of
hot rheumatism The manner of its
application was by frequent rubbing
on the painful part. and the effect was
said to be eminently modifying and
salutary. 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 eyes" says an old Esculapius.
1.-TWO little bones exist. semicircular in
shape, which are diligently preserved
by noble females against the lunatical
disease"
In the Haven of Health" carp are
also comprised in the ten sortes of
fsche which are reckoned as principal
in the preservation of health" and,
adds the quaint old writer, this fish
is of great wholesomeness and great !
value, and it's tongue is very pleasant |
to carping ladies'"
\ kind of first cousin of the carp is
what is known as the barbel. Such |
as Juvenal. Albertus and 9th
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 Haleutics' trans |
lates this passage as follows: THE roe |
Of the barbel is very poisonous. Anto- |
MO GaZius took two bOluses and thus
describes his sensa tions: AT first l felt |
no Inconvenience. but some hours hav-
ng elapsed l began to be disagreeably |
affected. and as my stomach swelled |
ND could not be brought down by |
mise and carminatives | was soon in u
;tate of great depression and distress.
It appears that his cOuntenance was
lallid. like Il man in Il swOon. Deadly
.oldness ensued. and violent cholera
md vomiting came on. The barbel |
Earbus vulgaris) of today has survived
uch poisonous qualities. Its flesh has
he taste of stewed white blotting pa
,er, ando its roe is as innocuous as
,read pills.
All the same, good Julyana Berners
hared the bad opinion of the earlier
writer's. She says: The barbyll is a
'wete fish, but it is quashy mete
nd perylous for mannys bodye. For
he ynyth an Introduction to
re febris (feVer). and if ye be eten