Ἁλσὶ διασμηχθεὶς ὄναιτ' ἂν οὑτοσί

[sc. A saying] in reference to those committing follies; metaphorically from jars and wine, into which salt is thrown so that it won't turn and smell like vinegar too easily. Since we are accustomed to treat men deranged by strong drink with olive oil mixed with salt. So then Strepsiades is not settled, but delirious even, refusing to honor the terms of the agreement; that is how he used the metaphor. This man is therefore not speaking randomly when he says he might be improved if [the other] were soaked in salt. It is as if he were making a statement about a wineskin, which become better when rubbed with salt. At the same time we treat madmen with salt and olive oil and they are helped. Alternatively he is mocking him for being stupid;¹ for thick kinds of hides are softened with salted lard and then are stretched out. So "he might be helped", he says, if he were cured of his thickness.