iioiiect ana lert m soaK ror twcnty-iour Hours. Half of this solutioil he drank, and applied tlie remainder in hot fomentations. The result was an apparently complete cure in the space of two months. In 1901, as reported in the •' Daily Mail " of November 14 in that year, Lady Margaret Marsham obtained similar results from infused violet leaves. She was suffering from cancer of the throat, but it was asserted that a fort- night of the violet treatment completely cured her. j^. CANCER A^D VIOLETS. ^Ilemarkal)le Story of Alleged Cui^e at Ovt: *hd^ Liverpool f ff ^ ^ A Livei-T>ool telegram gives information of what is claimed to be a ease of cancer cured by the application of violet leaves. Nearly eighteen months ago a Mrs. Cottam, an elderly lady living in Edinburgh-i;piid, Liverpool, suf- ■ fered from a growth on tlie right breast. Several | doctcTb declared it to be cancer and incurable Six months ago she started treatment by a Liverpool medical botanist, who applied violet leaves internally and externally. There have lately been signs that ih.^ growth was separating ' from the healthy tissue, and a week ago it fell | ^ut. There was no hemorrhage. The patient is steadily inigmjing. ' CROSBY'S IMPROVED EDITION. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, ENLARGED WITH THREE HUNDRED JND SIXTY-NINE MEDICINES MADE OF ENGLISH HERBS, NOT IN ANY FORMER IMPRESSIOM OF CULPEPER'S BRITISH HERBAL, CONTAINING An Astrologo-Physical Discourse on the various Herbs of this Nation and also a complete Method of Physic, whereby Man may preserve his Body in Health, or cure iiin>self whensick, -with such Remedies only as grow ia England, being the best adapted for English Constitutions: ILLUSTRATED WITH Correct Copper Plates of the most Useful and Remarkable PlaJiis TO WHICH IS ADDED THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, AND A PRESENT FOR THE LADIES, Containing the best Remedies for everj- Disease incident to the Human Body By Dr. PARKINS, Author of the Holy Temple of Wisdom, &c. The Lord hath created Medicines out of the Earth ; and he that is wise wiU not abhor them. Ecclcnastiais, xxxviii. 4, LONDON : Printed by J. & E. Hodsoii, Cross Street, Hatton Garden, For B. CROSBY & Co. Stationer's Court, Paternoster Row, Sold also by every Bookseller in the United Kingdom. 1809. Price on Fine Paper, witli coloured Plates, "s. 6d. boards. On SraiiU Paper, with plain Plates, 53. bound. ..1 GENERAL CONTENTS. Preface < . t Explantion of the Temperaments of the Herbs ix Of the Principal Virtues.......... xi Alphabetical Tabic of Herbs and Plants .... . . .... xiv General Index xxiti TheEnglish Phj'sician enlarged ..,,,- 1 Directions for making Syrups, &c 349 A curious Fii^ure of the Heavens 365 A most shocking Disease 365 A most remarkable Cure 368 Tables for gathering Herbs and Plants . ,. .370 -to find the beginning and ending of the Planetary Hour -. . .. .... 37% to find the Planetary Hour every Day in the Week 375 Explanation of the Tables. 376 The Family Physician 379 A Present for the Ladies 387 Table of Diseases . . , , . . . - ...,,....»-<,... 390 CONTENTS OF Dircctio7is for in akin g Syrvfs, ^c. SECT, I. The way of gatlipring, drying, and pre« ^^ud the contrary ; diseases of c? by the herbs of ?- and the contrary. Sixthly, Tlicrc is a way to cure diseases, some- times by sympathy, and so every planet cures his own disease, as the sun and moon by their herbs cure the eyes ; Tj the spleen, 1/ the liver, c? the gall and diseases of choler, and ^ diseases in the instruments of generation. Seventhly, Young students would do themselves much good, if they would only take the trouble to view the virtues of the herbs, &c. in this book^ and then compare them with these rules : they will, to their exceeding great content, find them all agreeable to them, and will thereby see the reason why such an herb conduceth to the cure of such a disease. Eighthly, 1 have given you the whole key to- physic under the herbs ^Vormwood and Carduus Benedictus, if yon please to make a good and profitable use of this said key, together with all and every one of these most excellent rules here- inbefore mentioned, and by giviii:)- a proper atten- tioQ. to all of them, you will liiid them true A 4 Till THE PREFACE. lbron2;1iout this book, by Mliicb means you 'will also be most fully enabled to ^^ive a reason for your jutlfrement to him that askcth you. Hereby you .see what reason may be given for medicines, and also what great necessity there is for every phy- sician to be an astrol(\gian. Notliing now remains but that you daii}' labour to glorify God, and see that you also duly answer the great e/)d of your creation, in your several stations and situations in life, and do good to yourselves first, by daily in- creasing your knowledge; and afterwards by heal- ing the sickness and bodil}- infirmities of your neigh- bours. Some such characters as these, I hope are now to be found in this nation ; to such shall 1 remain a Friend, and that you may all receive much bene- fit from my work, is the sincere wish of j'our ever Faithful and Sincere Friend, Dr. parkins .Little Gonerhy, near Grattthamj Lincolnshire, AN EXPLANATION OF ' THE TEMPERAMENTS OF THE HERBS- I. ALL medicines simply considered in themselyes are either hot, cold, moist, dry or temperate. The qualities of medicines are considered in respect of man, not of themselves ; for those simples are called hot, ^vhich heat our bodies; those cold, -which cool them; and those temperate, which work no change at all in them, in respect to either heat, cold, dryness, or mois- ture. And these may be temperate, as being neither hot nor cold; yat may be moist or dry; or being neither moist nor dry, yet may be hot or cold : or lastly, being neither hot, cold, moist nor dry. IL In temperature there is no degree of difference, the differences of the other qualities are divided into four degrees, beginning at temperature; so that a medicine may be said to be hot, cold, moist or dry, in the first, second, third or fourth degree. The use of temperate medicines is in those cases where there is no apparent excess of the first qualities, to pre- serve the body temperate, to conserve strength, and to repair decayed nature. And observe, that those medicines which we call cold, are not so called because that they are really cold in themselves, but because the degree of their heat falls below the heat of our bodies, and so only in respect of our temperature are said to be cold, while they are in themselves really hot ; for without heat there could be no vegetation, springing, nor life. III. Such as are hot in the first degree, are of equal heat with our bodies, and they only add a natural heat thereto, if it be cooled by nature or by accident, thereby cherisWng the natural heat when weak, and restoring it ■when it is wanting. A 5 TEMPER AMr.NTs OF THE lIERnS. r Tliiir use is, I. To make the offending humours thiir^ that thoy may be expelled i)y sweat or perspiration. 2. By outward apjilication to abate inflammations and tever3 by opcMiiil isa plant of Saturn 42 Birch Tree, is under Venus 43 Birds-foot belongs to Sa- turn - 44 Bishop's Weed, or Bulwort, is under Venus - 44 Bistort, isunder Saturn 43 One Blade is an herb of the Sun - 47 Br;mible, or Black-berry bush, a plant of Venus in Aries 48 Blite£^ AS ALSO ■VVIIAT PLAXET GOVEUKETII Tlimr. XV Blites are under (Ire dominion of VENU9 - 49 Borage and Bugloss are under JuriTER, - 50 Blue-botlle, and Blue-blow, arc under Saturn 51 Brankursine and Bear's breech, are under the Moon 52 Briony, is under Mars 53 Jirooklime, is under Mars 54 Butcher's Broom and Bruscus^, are under Maks - 56 Broom and Broom rape, are under Mars - 5T Bucks-horn Plantane, is under Saturn - 58 Buckshorn is under Saturn 59 Bu»le,or Brown Bugle, is under Venus - 60 Burnet, an herb of the Sun Q2 Butter-bur, an herb of the Sbn 63 Burdock, an herb of Venus 64 Bittersweet, see Amara dulcis Spanish ljUi;loss,-see Alkauet Bruisewort, »ec Sopewort Bare-foot, see lilack Hellebore Baklnioney, see Gentian Brimstone-wort, see Fennel l^arba-aron, see Cuckow point B.^lsam herb, see Costmary Bull's-foot, see Colt's foot Blessed Thistle, see Carduus Be- nedictus Bipennuia, sec Burnet Bastard Aj^rimony, see Water Agriniouy C. Cabbages and Colcworts, are heriis of the Moon 65 The Sea Cole«ort, the Moon owns it - 6T Calamint, or Mountain Mint, is an herb of Mercury 67 Camomile is underthe Sun. 69 Water Caltrops, or Caltrops, are under the government of the Moo\ - TO Campions Wild, are under tlie Sun - L Carduus Benedictus, is an herb- of Mars - 62 Carrots are under Mercury IS '^' Carraway is under JMercury *'"■ 74 Celandine, an herb of the Sun 75 The lesser Celandine is under Mars - 77 TKe ordiuary small Centaurj', is an herb of the Sun TS The Cherry-tree is under Ve- ^' Nus - SO W inter Cherry, a plant of Ve- nus - 80 Chervil Carefoliuni is under Ju- piter - H'i Sweet Chervil and Sweel Cicely are under Jupiter 82 CliesnutTree is under Jupiter t^ 83 Earth Chesnutsand CiperjSuts, are under Venus 84 Chickweed, under the Moon 8-t Chick Pease, or Cicers, is under ^' Venus - S5 Cinquefoil, an herb of Jupiter f^ S6 Cives, Chives, and Chivet, are under Ma us - 88 Clarv, or Clear Eyes, is under the Moon - 88 W ild Clary, or Christ's Eye, is ander the Moon 89 Clevxis and Gh'ivers, are undav the Moon - 90 Clown's Woundwort s under Saturn 91 Cocks-Head is under Ven. 92 Columbines, are under Ven, 93 Coltsfoot, or Coughwojt, is un- der Ven. 94 Coml'rey is an herb of Sat. 95 Coralvvort, under the Moon 9ti Costmary, is under J up. 97 Cudweed, or Cottou Wood, is an herb of Veiv. 98 Com blips, are under Ven. 99 Crab's Claw ii under Ven, 100 Black Cresses, under ;Mars 100 Sciatica Cresses, binder Sat. lOL 'VYatcB XVI A TABLE OF Tlir IIEUBS ; Water Cresses, are under the Moon H)'3 Cros-i-woit is under Sat. 103 CrowfoDt, is undrr Mars. 104 Cuckowpint, or Calves foot, is under Mahs 105 "^ Cucumbers, are under the Moon 107 Cateraeh, see Spleenwort Carpenter's herb, soe Self heal Caiuniock, see Rest-harrow Corn Rose, see Poppy Champetys, see Cirouud Pine Callians, si-e Orchis CalminI, see Nep Cuckovv Mowers, see Ladies Smock Christmas Herb, see Black HpHi bore Call me to you, sec Heart's Ease Crane's Rill, see Dove's-foot Crop, sre Darnt'l Middle Consoiind, Comfrey, or herb Carpenter, see Bujile Corn Flowers, see Blue Bottle ' Cummin Royal, and Lthiopian Cummin seed, for both, see Bishop's Weed Clovewort, see Avens Catsfoot, see Alehoof D Daisies are governed by Ven. and under Can. 108 Dandelion is under Jup. 109 Darnel is urider iSAX. 110 Dill is under Meb. Ill Devils bit is under Ven. 112 Docks are under Jup. 112 Dodder of Thyme, and other Dodders, are under Sat. 113 Dog's Grass is under Jup. 115 Doves Foot is a Martial Plant 116 Duck's Meat, Cancer claims the herb, and the Moon will be lady of it 117 Dow n or Cotton Thistle, is un- der Mars 117 Dragon.', is a plant of Mars 118 Great round leaved Dock, or Bastard Rhul)arb G.irden Patience, see Monk's Rhubarb Deer's Weed, see Wold and Weld Diltan.ler, see Pepper Wort Do:;'s -itone, see Orchis Dewberr, Bush, fcee Gooseber- ry bu>li Crop Wort, see Filipendula DiMitaria, see Coral W Ort Dragon Wort, see Bistort Doji's and (ioafs Arrach, see Arrach wild and stinking E Elder Tree, is under Ven. 119 Dwarf Elder is utider Yen. 119 Elm Tree is under Sat. 120 Indive Vs under V EN. ISl"' Elecamp .ue is under Mf.r. 122 Eringo is a venereal plant 12S Eye-Bright, the Sun tlaiius dominion over it, aud it is un- dt r the Lion 125 Epitliimum, see Dodder of Th\me Earth Is'uts, see Earth Chesnuts English Serpentary, see Bistort Eupatorium, .see Water Agri- mony Fern is under Mer. 126 Water Fern is under Sat. 12T Featherfew is under Ven. 127 Fennel is an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo 129 Sow Fennel and Ilog's Fennel are herbs of Mer. l.SO Figwort is under Ven. 131 Filipendula is nnder Ven. 132 Fig-Tree is under Jvt, 133 The AS ALSO WHAT PLANET GOVERXETU THEM. Xvii The yellow Water Flag, or Flower-de-luce, is under the Moon 134 Flax-weed is Hnder ^Iars 1^5 Flea Wort is under Sat. 130 Flux-weed is under Sat. 137 Flower-de-luco, Mo iv 138 Fluellin, or Lluellin, is a Lu- nar herb 139 "Foxglove is under Vex. 141 Fumitory is under Sat. 142 Furz Bush is under Mars, 144 Felwort, see Gentian Frog's foot, see Crow's foot Fresh Water Soldier, see Craus' Claws Foal's foot, see Colt's foot Five finger, or five leaved grass, see Cinq lie foil Fig-»\ort, seethe lesser Celan- dine Flower-gentle, Florimen, and Velvet Flower, see Auiaran- thus G ^ Garlick is under Sat. 144 Gentian is under Mars 145 Glove Gilliflnwers are under the doiniiiiou of Jup. 147 •i Germander, is under Mer. 147 Stinking Gladwin is under Sat. 548 Goldenrod, Ven. claims it 150 Gout wort, or Herb Gerrard, Sat. rules it 151 Gromwell, tiiree sorts are un der Ven. 151 Gooseberry bKsh, under Ven. 152 Winter Green is under Sat. 153 Groundsel is unJer Ve.v. 154 Garden Patience, see Monk's Rhubarb Goat-stoues, see Orchis Gofts, see Furz Bush Quick-grass, or Couch-grass, see Dog's-grass Gold knobs, Gold Cups, see Cow foot Goose-grass, or Goose-share, see Clevers Ground nuts, see Earth Chesnuts Gill-go-by Ground, and Gill creep-by Ground, see Ale- hoof. H Hercules All-heal, see All-heal Hercules Woundwort, see All- heal Hearts-ease is Saturnine 155 Harts-tongue, under Jup. 156 Hazel-nut is under Mr;u. 157 Hawk-need is under Sat. 158 Hawthorn is under Mars. 159 Hemlock is under Sat. 160 Hemp is under Sat. 161 Henbane is under Sat. 162 Hedge hyssop, under Mars 161 Black-Hellebore, an herb of Sat. 165 Herb Robert is under Vhn. 166 Herb Truelove isunder Ven.167 Hyssop is under Jup. 168 ' Hopsare under Mars. 169 Horehound is under Mer. 170 Horse-tail is unJer Sat. 172 Housleek is under Jup. 173 Hound's Tongue is under Mer. 174 Holly, Holm, or Hulver bush, is under Sat. 175 Honey-suckles, see Meadow- trefoil Honey-suckle, see Woodbine Small Housleek, see Stone-crop Heliotropi-im, see Turnsole Hook-head, see Self-neal Horse-rhadish, see Raadish Herb Two-peuce, see Money- wort Horse-strange, and Horsea strong, see Hog's Fennel Horse -hoof, see Golt"s-font Holy Thi3ile,see Carduus Bene- d ictus Hart's horn, Hcrba-stella, Her- ba stellaria. Herb-eye, and Herb-ivy, see Buckthorn Heart sickle, see Blue-botile Herb William, see Blue-bottle Herb STlll A TABLE OF THE HEnB Herb ^Viliam, f^cc Bish(»i)'s- wccd Hpib Rennet, see Avens HorFC-pai^lev, see Alexander IlauDuid!-, see Alelioof llepatoriuin, sec ^Vate^ Agri- St. John's Wort is under the Sun, and the sign Leo 176 Ivy is under Sat. 177 Juniper-bush is a Solar heb ITS St. James's-w ort, see Ilng-wort Juray, see Darnel Jarus, see Cuckow-point Ground-ivy, see Ale-hoof K Xidncy-wort is under Vew. 179 Jvnapweed is under Sat. 180 Knot-grass is under Sat. 182 King's Clover, see IMelilot ^ KnigJit's Pound-wort, see Crab- claws Knee-holm, Knee-hoUy, Knee- hulver, see Dutcher's Broom Ladies Mantle, is governed by Yen. 183 Lavender, Mer. owns it 184 Lavender - cotton, Mercury governs it 185 Ladies Smock, the JMoos go- verns it 185 ■ Lettuce, the Moox owns it ISO "Water Lily, white and yellow are under the MooM 1S7 Lilly of the Valley, Goi; al Lilly, May Lilly, and Lilly Confancy, are under Mer. White Liliics are governed by the Moon IS'g -i fciquorice^ Mercury governs i* 189 Liverwort, is under .Tup. Iff9 Loose-strife, under the Moox liiO Loose-strife, with spiked heads of )lo.wers, is an herb of tiic Moon 191 Lovage, an herb of the Sun Vj2 Lung-wort, an herb of Juriruu 193 Love in Idleness, see Ileart's- ease Loeher's Coulons, see Crowfoot Lappa Major, see Burdock Ladies Seal, see Briony Languc dc bcuf, see Borage and Bugloss M Moral, see Amara Dulcis Madder, an herb of Mars 194 Maiden-hair, or Wall-rnci is under Mercury 195 Golden Maiden-hair, an herb of Mercury 196 ' Mallows and Marshmallowj, are under Venus 196 Maple-tree, is nndcr Jup. Wild, Bastard, and Grove Mar- joram, are under Mercury ib. ' Sweet Marjoram, an herb of Mercury '200 ^Marigolds, are herbs of the Sun 20 r Master-wort, an herb of Mer- cury 202 Sweet Maudlin, an herb of J up. see Costmary INIedlar, is under Saturn 203 Melilot, or King's Clover, is under Mercury 204 French and Dog's Mercury, are under Venus 205- ■-'Mint, an herb of Ven. 20S Misselto, under the Sun 210 Money-wort, under Ven. 212 Moon- wort, the Moon owns it 21S Mosses, Saturn owns them 214' Mother-wort, under Ven. 213- Mousar- AS ALSO WHAT PLANET GOVERNETH THEM". XIX Mouse-ear, under Mo ox 251 Mugwort, under Venus 216 Mulbcrry-tiee, Mercury owns it 218 -'IMullein, S vttjrn owns it 218 '■^ Mustard, is under Mars 220 Hedge Mustard, Mars owns it 221 Mcdick-fetcli, see Cock's head Mjrrlis, see Chervil Macedonian parsley seed,, see Alexander N- Nailwort ISrERCURY 222 Nep Catmint, under Ve\Us223 Nettles are under Mars 224 -^Nightshade, under S \t. 225 Bead Nettles, see Archangel O '^ Oak, Jup. owns it 227 -- Oats, Mer. 228 One Blade, Su.v owns it ib. Orchis., is under Venus 229 ""* Onions, are under Mars- ib. Orpine, the Moon owns it 230 One berry, herb True-love, is under Venus^ 166 Grgains, Origanum, see wild Marjoram Osmond Royal, see Water Fern Ox-tongue, see Bugloss Oyster-loit, see liistort Orach and Oragi, see Garden Arrach Opoponax-wort, see AH. heal Orchanet, see Alkanet Peach-Tree belongs to Ven. "^ 235 Pear-Tree, Venus 236 >^ Pellitory of Spain under MIjr- cury 23T Pellitory of the Wall, Mercu- ry owns it 238 Penny-royal, Venus owns it '.<''■" 240 Peony, masculine and feminine, i^- the Sun owns- them 244 Pepper - Wort, a Martiai^ herb 244 Periwinkle, Venus owns it 244 St. Peter's-wort, under the Sun 2-15 Pimpernel is a Solar herb 246 Ground Pine, Mars owns it < 247 Plantain is under Ven. 249 *^ Plumbs are under Vev. 250 '^ Polipody of the Oak, an herb of Saturn 251 PDplar-Tree, under Sat, 2.53 *^ Poppy, ^vhite and black, and i-^ the wild Poppy, or Corn rose, the Moon rules 254 Purslain, under the Moon 257 *^ Primroses ai'e under VE>r. 258 Privet, the Moon rules 258 Park-le.aves, see Tutsan Prick-Madam, see Stone-croy> Prunel, see Self-heal Pansy, see Heart's case Piss-a-bed,. see Dandelion. Priest-pintle, see Cuckovv-point Poults, see Crowfoot Peagles, see Cowslips Pig-nut, see Earth-Chesnuts Pile-wort, see the lesser Celau^ dine Petesitis, see Butter bur Pimpinella, see Burnet Pettigree, see Butcher's broom Passions, see Bistort Porticaria, or Peach-wort, or Plumbago, see Arsmart Black potherd, see Alexander Wild Parsley, see Alexander Panacea, see All-heal Queeii' XX A TABLE OF THE HERBS; Q Queen of the Meadows, Mea- dow sweet, or Mend sweet, Vknus claims V59 •■^ Quiace-tree, Sat. owns it 2G0 R Rhadish and Horse rhadish are under Mars 262 Ragwort, under Yen. 263 Ruttle-grass, red and jellow, both are under the Moon 264 Rest harrow, or Cammock, are under Mars 265 Rocket is under Mars 266 "Winter rocket, or Winter-cress is under V enus 2G7 Red roses are under Jupiter Daoiusk roses are under Ven. White roses are under the Moon 5:68 Rosa solis, or Sun-dew, the Sun rules it 272 Rosemary, under the Sun 27J Rhubarb, or rhaphontick. Mars claims it 273 Garden Patience, or Monk's Rhubarb, or Bastard Ilhu- barb, M ars governs them ih. Weadow Rue Sun 278 Garden Rue is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo 2?9 Rupture wort is SArvRXiys 281 Rushes are under Saturn 282 Rye, Venus ib. Ramp and Wake Robin, see Cuckow pint Red Fatchintf, see Cockhead Rush Leeks, see Lives Ruscus, see Butcher's Broom Saftron, an herb of the Sun 282 ' Sage, an herb of Jup. 283 Wood Sage, under Vi:n. 281 Solomon's Seal, Saturn own? 2S5 Samphire an herb of Jup. 287 Sanicle, an lierb of Ven. ib. Sarjicens consound, or Saracens Wound-wort, Sat. governs 9h9 Sauce-alone, or .Tack by the hedge, an herb of Mer. 290 Winter and Summer Savory, Mer. governs them ib. Savine, Mars owns it 219 The common whi*e Saxifrage, the Moon governs 292 Burnet Saxifrage, tlie MooN governs it 293 Scabious, three sorts, Mercu- ry owns them 294 ScurvN-grass, under Jup. 296 Self heal, and Sickle-wort, are under Venus 297 Service-tree is under the do- minion of Saturn 29S Shepherd's purse is under Sat. ib. Smallage, an herb of Mer. 299 Sope-wori is under Ven. ib. Sorrel is under Ve\us 300 Wood Sorrel is under Yen. 301 Sow-thistl.- is under Ven. 302 Southernwood is a Mercvrial plant ib. Spignel i? under Venus 303 Spleen- wort h under Sat. 304 Star-ttistle is under Mars 303 Strawberries are under Ven. 306 Succory is under Jupiter 307 Stone-crop, small Housleek, is under the Moon 308 Septswil, see Toimentil Silverv\ood, see Wild Tansy Slag^ervvood and Stammerwort and Segrum, see Itagwort Satyrion, see Oichis Sciigrceu AS ALSO ^VHAT PLANET GOVERNETn TIIEM. XX I Sengrpen, see Ilouslcek Setter-wort, and Setter-grass, see Black Hellebore S«lphar-wort, see Sow Fennel Sea-holly, see Eringo Starch-wort, see Cuckow-pint Swcth, see Gives Saligot, see Caltrops Sickle-wort, sec Bugloss Sanguinare and Swine-cresses, see Buckthorn Syamus, see Blue-bottle Snakeweed, see Bistort Sparagus, or Spcrage, see As- paragus Serpent's Tongue, soa Adder's Tongue Spanish Bugloss, see Alkanet Heart Trt foil, is under Sun 322 Pearl Trefoil, is under the do- minion of the Moon ib. . Tut-san, or Park-leaves, aa herb of the Sun ib. Three Faces in one Hood, see Heart s Ease Throat-wort, see Fig-wort Cotton Thistle, see Down Tooth-wort, toothed, and Dog- tooth Violet, see Coral- wort Tribus Aquaticus, and Tribus Mecinus, see Water Caltrops Tanias, see Briony Twa-blade, see Bifoyl Turnhoof, sec Alehoof T English Tobacco, is a Martial plant 308 Tamarisk-tree, is governed by Sat. 309 Garden Tansy, is under Vef. Wild Tansy," Ven, rules it 311 Thistles, Mars rules them 312 Melancholy Thistle, is under CAPRiC()RjV,and therefore un- der Sat. and Mars ib. Our Lady's Tliistle, is under Jup. 313 "Wooll), or Cotton Thistle is .a plant of Mars 314 Fullers Thistle, or Teasle, is an herb of V en. ib- Treacle and Mithridate Mustard are herbs of Wars 315 Black Thorn, or Sloe Bush 316 Thorough-wax, or Thorough- leaf unoer Sat. 317 Thjme, Vets. 318 Thyme (Mother of) is under Ven. ib. Termentil, or septfoil, is an herb of the Sun. 319 Turnsole, oi eliotropium, an herb of the Sun 321 Meadow Trefoil, or Honey- suckles, under Mer. ib. Garden Valerian, under the go-^ vernment of Mer. 323 Vervain, is under Ven, 325* The Vine is under Ven. 326- Violets, are under Ven. 32T' Vipers Bugloss, an herb of the Sun. 328 Black and White Vine, Wild, or Wood Vine, see Briony W Wall Flowers, or Winter Gilli- flowers, the Moon rules them 359 ^^ aluut, under the Sun 330 *•" Wold, Weld, or Dyer's Weed, under Mars 331 Wheat, is under Ven. 332 ■■ The Willow-tree, is governed by the Moon 333 Woad, is umler Sat. 334 W oodhine, or Honey-suckle, a plant of Mer. 335 Wormwood an herb of Mars *" 336 Whitlow-grass, Mer. 337 Wall-penny - royal, or Wall- pcnny-wort, see Kidney-wort Wine \XII A TABLE or Tlir HERBS. ■Winc-lionv-ltiish, see Cioos-e- berrv-busli ^Vllins, i-ee the I'm/. I)iish W;it('i-flag, fccc jcUoM I'lower- dc-luce AVall-wort, see Elder-tree ^^ray, see Darnel ■\Vadi112; J'()H(l-w eed, see Crabs- ('law, and ^\ ater-sea-j;ree-ii 'SVater-niit, and W atcr-chrsmit, gee Caltroops Water Pimperuel, sec Brook- lime Worts, and Wliorllc-bcrrios, see IJil-berries Wind-tlTwer, see Aneaione A\ Oody Ni}|;lit-sliade, see Ama- ru 13 III CIS Ilerniles Wound'wort, see All- heal Yarrow, called Nose bleed, MH- foil, and Tli(ni-;and-leaf, is uiidertheinllueDccof \ EN= '3-iU INDEX. A A Reracily for an Asthma and sliordiess of Breath — 381 A Cvire for the falling down of the Almonds of the Ears 383 A Remedy for St. Anthony's Fire — — ib. For an Ague — — ib. A Cure for an Asthma — — ib, B JHLoAv to Cure a Bruise or Scald outwardly — 383 Bruise inwardly — — 384 IIoAV to make Balsam of Life — — 385 A Cure for a Burn or Scald — 3SG A Remedy for a Costive Body • ib. How to stop Bleeding — — — ?&. • with or by Words 384 How to make Bread Sauce — — 388 Forced Meat Balls — — ib. Straughton's Bitters — — 382 — Friar's Balsam — — ib, c A Cure for the Chincough — 382 How to make Paste for Cheesecakes 388 Cheesecakes — ib, Rice Cheesecakes — — n,, a Crust for raised Pies — — io. Cup Custards 389 Shrewsbury Cakes — fj, a Plumb Cake ib. • Currant Pudding 387 To help the Courses that is stopped 385 A Remedy for a Consumption ib. How to make Egg Sauce E A Cure for the Heartburn 38T Eye Water — _ 330 F How to take away Red Spots or Pimples from the Face 385 G How to make Godfrey's Cordial — _ 382 An excellent Cure for'the Stone and Gravel — 386 SSI INDEX. I& J. 388 How to mnkc Ircing for Tarts — — How to Cure the Black Jaundice — , „ .. .~ '*!;'* , Yellow Jauiuiice without Medicine — — ib. K er 1 Carduu* Benedictus and Wormwood A valuable Key to Physic under the Herbs) _ _ 72, 33G L A moft valuable Treasure for Pregnant Ladies — — A most valuable Treasure for all Young Ladies M How to make minced Pies without Meat — A Cure for a Canker in the Mouth o The essential Virtues of the Oil of Carawayseeds ■ of Juniper Berries 152 _ — — 1G2 388 384 -French Beans -Onions A Cure for the Stoppage of Urine Scurvy in the Gums w How to Cure "Warts — Hev/ to kill Worms in the Body of Man 379 380 -of Rosemary ■ '!>• How to make Potatoc Pudding ^S7 -Dr. Parkins' Kve ^^ater ^_^ — Salve for all Wounds 3<8 — Remedy for loss of Appetite — 3S0 — for Ci^ 3S9 389 A Cure for the Piles or sores — — -^"^ Compound Tincture of Sena, commonly called Daffy's Elixir 381 386 384 How to make Turlington's Balsam of Life — — 385 383 — 385 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Amara Dulcis. ^ (h. d. 2.) CoNSTDEUiNG that different names are given to the same herb indifferent parts of the country, and that the com- mon name which it bears in one county is not knoAvn in another ; great pains have here been taken to select all the various names by Avhich each herb is distinguished. Besides Amara Dulcis, this is also called Mortal, Bitter- sweet, Woody Night-shade, and Felon-wort. Descripf.'] It grows up with woody stalks even to a man's height, and sometimes higher. The leaves fall oiF at the approach of Winter, and spring out of the same stalks at Spring-time. The branch is compassed about with a whitish bark, and hath a pith in the middle of it. The main branch divideth itself into many small ones with claspers, laying hold on what is next to them, as vines do. It bears many leaves, they grow in no order at all, or at least in no regular order. The leaves are longish, though somewhat broad, and pointed at the ends : many of them have two little leaves growing at the end of their foot-ftalk; some have but one, and some none. The leaves are of a pale green colour ; the flow- ers are of a purple colour, or of a perfect blue like to violets, and they stand many of them together in knots; the berries are green at first, but when they are ripe they are very red ; if you taste them, you shall find them just as the crabs which are in Sussex, called bitter sweets, viz. sweet at first, and bitter afterwards. Place.l They grow commonly almost throughout Eng- land, especially in moist and shady places. Time,'] The leaves shoot out about the latter end of March if the temperature of the air be ordinary ; it fiovr- ereth in Julj^, and the seeds are ripe soon after, usually in the next month. B 2 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the planet INIcr- cury, and a notable herbol" his, if it be rightly gathered under his inlliience. It is excellent to remove witchcraft both in men and beasts, as also all sudden diseases what- soever. Being tied round about the neck, is one of the most admirable remedies for the vertigo or dizziness in the head that is ; and that is the reason (as Tragus saith) the people in Germany commonly hang it about their cattle's necks, when they fear any such evil hath betided thera : Country people commonly use to take the berries of it, and having bruised them, they apply them to felons, and thereby soon rid their fingers of such troublesojue guests. Having now shewn you the external use of the herb, we shall speak a word or two of the internal, and so conclude. Take notice, it is a Mercurial herb, and therefore of very subtle parts, as indeed all Mercurial plants are; therefore take a pound of the wood and leaves together, bruise the wood, put it into a pot, and put to it three pints of white wine ; put on the pot-lid and shut it close; and lot it infuse hot over a gentle fire twelve hours ; then strain it out, and you have a most excellent drink to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, to help difficulty of breathing, bruises and falls, ind congealed blood in any part of the body ; it helps the yellow-jaundice, the dropsy and black jaundice, and to cleanse women newly brought to bed. You may drink a. quarter of a pint of the infusion every morning. It purgeth the body very gently, and not churlishly, as some hold. And when you tind good by this, remcm- berme. All-heal. S (h. d. 3.) It is called All-heal, Hercules's All-heal, and Ilercules's Wound-wort, because it is supposed that Hercules learned the herb and its virtues from Chiron, when he learned physic of him. Some call it Panay, and others Opo- pane-wort. Descript.'] Its root is long, thick, and exceeding full of juice, of a hot and biting taste, the leaves arc great and large, and winged almost like ash-tree leaves, but THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 5 tliat they are somcthiug hairy, each leaf consisting of five or six pair of such wings set one against the other upon foot-stalks, broad below, but narrow towards the end / one of the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom than the other, of a fair, yellowish, fresh green colour ; they are of a bitterish taste, being chewed in the mouth. From among these ariseth up a stalk, green in colour, round in form, great and strong in magnitude, live or six feet in altitude, with many joints, and some leaves thereat : Towards the top come forth umbles of small yellow flowers,- after which are passed away, you may find whitish, yellow, short flat seeds, bitter also in taste. Flace.~\ Having given you the description of the herb from the bottom to the top, give me leave to tell you, that there are other herbs called by this name ; but be- cause they are strangers in England, I give only the de- scription of this, which is easily to be had in the gardens of divers places. lime.'] Although Gerrard saith. That they flower from the beginning of May to the end of December, ex- perience teacheth them that keep it in their gardens, that it flowers not till the latter end of the Summer, and sheds its seed presently after. Government and Virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars, hot, biting, and cholerick ; and remedies what evils Mars afflicts the body of men with, by sympathy, as vipers flesh attracts poison, and the loadstone iron. It kills the worms, helps the gout, cramps, and convulsions, provokes urine, and helps all joint-aches. It helps all cold griefs of the head, the vertigo, falling sickness, the. lethargy, the wind cholick, obstructions of the liver and spleen, stone in the kidneys and bladder. It provokes the terms, expells the dead birth : It is excellent good for the griefs of the sinews, itch, stone, and tooth-ach, the biting of mad dogs and venomous beasts, and purgeth cholcr very gently. Alkanet. $ (tern, m, 2.) Besides the common name, it is called Orchaaet, aari Spanish Bgloss, and by apothecaries, Enchusa. B 2 4 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, Deicn'pt.'] Of llio many sorts of this licrb there is but one knuwu to grow coiiimonl) in this nation; of which one fakt's this (lc>.crii)tion : It. hath a great and thfck root, ol a reddish colour, long, narrow, iiairy leaves, green like the leaves of Bugloss, which lie very thick upon the, ground ; the stalks rioo up compassed round about, tluck with leaves, which arc lesser and narrower ilian thelor- mer ; they are tender, and slender, tiie liowers arc hol- low, small, and of a reddish colour, the seed is grayish. Place-I It grows in Kent near Kochester, and in many places in the West Country, both in L'evon^hirc and Cornwall. 7V///e.] They flower in July, and beginning of August, and the seed is ripe soon after, but the root is in its piiine as carrots and parsnips are, before the hert) runs up to stalk. Govei'nment and Virtues'] It is an herb under the domi- nion of Venus, and indeed one of her dai lings, though somewhat hard to come by. It helps old ulcers, hot in- flammations, burnings by common fire, and St. Antho- ny's lire, by antipathy to Mars ; for these uses, your best way is to make it into an ointment ; also if you make a vinegar of i(, as you make vinegar of roses, it helps the morphy and leprosy ; if you apply the herb to the privi- ties, it draws forth the dead child. It helps the yellow- jaundice, spleen, and gravel in the kidneys. Dioscorides saith, it helps such as are bitten by venomous beasts, ■whether it be taken inwardly, or applied to the w ound ; nay, he saith further, if any that haih newly eaten it, do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the serpent instantly dies. It stays the llux of (he belly, kills worms, helps the fits of the mother. Its deco6tion made in wine, and drank, strengthens the back, and easeth tiic pains thereof. It helps bruises and falls, and is as gallant a remedy to drive out tlie small pox and measles as any is ; an oint- ment made of it, is excellent for green wounds, pricks or thrusts. Adder's Tongue. ]> and s. (t. d. 2.) Tuts little plant is likewise called Serpent's Tongue, and although common in our meadows, requires diligence to gather it. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 5 Descript.'] This herb hath but one leaf, which grows with the stalk a finger's length above the ground, being flat and of a fresh green colour; broad like VVattr Pian- tane, but less, without any rib in it ; from the bottom of which leaf, on the inside, riseth up ordinarily one^ some- times two or three slender stalks, the upper half whereof is somewhat bigger, and dented with small dents of a yellowish green colour, like the tongue of an adder serpent (only this is as useful as they are formidable.) The rools continue all the year. Place."] It grows in moist meadows, and such like places ; but must be diligently searched for before it can be dis- covered, as it is entirely buried among the grass. Time.'] It is to be found in May or April, for it quickly perisheth with a little heat. Government and Firlues,] It is an herb under the domi- nion of the Moon and Cancer, and therefore if the weak- ness of the retentive faculty be caused by an evil inllu. ence of Saturn in any part of the body governed by the Moon, or under the dominion of Cancer, this herb cures it by sympathy. It cures these diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the influence of Saturn, by antipathy. It is temperate in respect of heat, but dry in the second degree. The juice of the leaves drank with the distilled water of Horse-tail, is a singular remedy for all manner of wounds in the breasts, bowels, or other parts of the body, and is given with good success unto those that are troubled with casting, vomiting, or bleeding at the mouth or nose, or otherwise downwards. The said juice given in the distilled water of Oaken-buds, is very good for women who have their usual courses, or the whites flowing dowu too abundantlj'. It helps sore eyes. Of the leaves in- fused or boiled in oil, omphacine, or unripe olives, set ia the sun for certain days, or the green leaves sufficiently boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent green balsam, not only for green and fresh wounds, but also for old and inveterate ulcers, especially if a little fine clear turpentine be disolved therein. It also stayeth and re- fresheth all inllaiumatiuus that arise upon pains by hurt* ftud wounds. B 3 Q THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. What parts ol the body are under each planet anJ sign, and also what disease, may be found in my Holy Temple of Wisdouj. Lastly, To avoid blotting paper with one thing many times, and also to case your purses in the price of the book, and withall to make you studious in physick ; you ba?e at the latter end of the book, the way of preserving all herbs either in juice, conserve, oil, ointments or plaister, electuary, pills or troches. Agrimony. 7/ and ffi (h. d. 2.) The common Agrimony is a very useful plant, whose Tirtues are much neglected. Descript.'] This hath divers long leaves (some greater, some smaller) set upon a stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above, and greyish underneath, and a little hairy withall. Among which ariseth uj) usually but one strong, round, hairy, brown stalk, two or three feet liigli, with smaller -'eaves set here and there upon it. At the top hereof grow many small yellow flowers, one above another, in long spikes, after which come rough heads of seed, hanging downwards, which will cleave to and stick upon garments, or any thing that shall rub against them. The root is black, long, and somewhat woody, abiding many years, and shooting afresh every Spring; which root, though small, hath a reasonable scent. Place.'] It groweth upon banks, near the sides of hedges. Time.'] Itflowcreth in July and August, the seed being ripe shortly after. Goternment and Virtues.] It is an herb under Jupiter, and the sign Cancer ; and strengthens those parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars and Mercury, \>y antipathy, if they happen in any part of the body governed by Jupiter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagitta- ry, or Pisces, and therefore must needs be good for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or ointment, or in- wardly in an electuary, or synip, or concreted juice; for which see the latter cud of this book. It is of a clcatising and cutting faculty, without any THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 7 manifest heat, moderately drying and binding. It open, eth and cleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers. The decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank, is good against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, troubled or bloody urine, and makes them void ■water speedily. It also helpeth the colick, cleanseth the breast, and rids away the cough. A draught of the de. coction taken warm before the fit, first removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartern agues. The leaves and seeds taken in wine, stays the bloody flux ; outwardly applied, being stamped with old swine's grease, it helpeth old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and draweth forth thorns and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such things gotten in tlie flesh. It helpeth to strengthen the members that be out of joint ; and being bruised and applied, or the juice dropped in it, helpeth foul and imposthumed ears. The distilled water of the herb is good to all thesaid pur- poses, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaker. It is a most admirable remedy for such whose lives are annoyed either by heat or cold. The liver is the former of blood, and blood the nourisher of the body, and Agrimony a strengthener of the liver. I cannot stand to give you a reason in every herb, why it cureth such diseases; but if you please to peruse my judgment in the herb Wormwood, you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every herb, you shall find them true throughout the book. Water Agrimony. 1/ and s (h. d.2.) It is called, in some countries, Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard Agrimony, Eupatorium, and Hepato- rium, because it strengthens the liver. Descript.'] The root continues a long time^ having many long slender strings. The stalk grows up about two feet high, sometimes higher. They are of a dark purple colour. The branches are many, growing at distances the one from the other, the one from the one side of the stalk, the other B 4 8 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. from Ihc opposite point. The leaves are winged, and much indented at the edges. The flowers grow at the top of the branches, of a brown yellow colour, spotted with black fpots, having a substance w ithin (he midst of them lilic that of a daisy : If you rub them between your fiugers, they smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt. The seeds are long, and easily stick to any woollen thing they touch. Plac€.~\ They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not so frequently found in the southern parts of Eng- land, as in the northern, where they grow frequently : You may look for them in cold grounds, by ponds and sides of ditches, as also by running waters ; sometimes you shall find them grow in the midst of the waters. Time.'] They all Uower in July or August, and the seed is ripe presently after. Government and Virtues.'] It is a plant of Jupiter, as well as (he other Agrimony: this belongs to the celestial sign Caccer, It hcale(h and drieth, cutteth and clcanseth thick and tough humours of the breast, and for this I hold it inferior to few herbs that grow. It helps the cachexia or evil disposition of the body, the dropsy and yellow jaundice. It opens the obstructions of the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen, being applied out- wardly. It breaks imposthumes, taken inwardly. It is an excellent remi'dy for the third day ague. It provokes \irine and the terms. It kills worms, and cleanseth the body of sharp iiumours, which are the cause of itch and scabs ; the herb being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away flies, wasps, &:c. It strengthens the lungs ex- ceedingly. Country people give it to their cuttle when they are troubled with the cough, or broken-winded. Alehoof, or Ground-Ivy, ? (Ii. d. 1.) Several counties give it several names, so tliat there is scarce an herb growing of that bigness, that has got so many. It is called Cats-foot, Ground-ivy, Gillgo-by- ground, and Gill-creep-by-ground, Turahool, Hay-maids, and Alchoof, and Jack-by-the-Hedge, Debcripi.l This well known herb lieth, spreadeth, and creepeth upon the giound, shooteth forth roots at the corucri of teuder joiuUd stalks, set with two round leaves THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 1 1 you may no longer eat it out of ignorance, but out of knowledge. The Black Alder-tree. ? and s (t. m. I.) This is likewise called the Berry-bearing Alder ; but has more the appearance ofa shrub than a tree. Descript'] It seldom groweth to any great bigness, but for the most part abideth like a hedge-bush, or a tree spreading its branches, the woods of the body being ■white, with a dark red cole, or heart; the outward bark is of a blackish colour, with many whitish spots therein : but the inner bark next the wood is yellow, which being chewed, will turn the spittle near into a safiron colour. The leaves are somewhat like those of an ordinary Alder- tree, or the Female Cornet, or Dogberry-tree, called in Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long. The (lowers are white, comingforthwith the leaves at the joints, "which turn into small round berries, first green, after- wards red, but blackish when they are thorough ripe, divided, as it were, into two parts, wherein is contained two small round and flat seeds. The root runneth not deep into the ground, but spreads rather under the upper crust of the earth. Fluce.l This tree or shrub may be found plentifully in St. John's wood by Hornsey, and the woods on Hamp- stcad-Heath ; as also in a wood called the Old Park ia Barcomb in Sussex, near the brook's side. , Time.'] It fiowereth iu May, and the berries are ripe ia September. Government and Virtues.'] It is a tree of Venus, and perhaps under the celestial sign Cancer. The inner yel- low bark hereof purgeth downwards both choler and Y)hlegm, and the watery humours of such that have the dropsy, and strengthens the inward parts again by bind- ing. If the bark hereof be boiled with Agrimony, Worm- wood, Dodder, Hops and some Fennel, with Smallage, Kndive, and Succory roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time together, it is very effectdal against the jaundice, dropsy, and the eril dis- position of the bo^y, especially if some suitable purging fiaediciaes have been taken before, to Toid the gross*!* s6 J 8 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAX ENLiRGED. excrements ; it purgctli and strengthcneth tlie liver and »plccn, cleansing f hem from such evil humours and hard- ness as they arc afllictod with. It is to bo understood that these things arc performed by the dried bark ; for the fresh green bark taken inwardly provokes strong vomit- ings, f)ains in the stomach, and gripings in the belly; yet if the decoclion may stand and settle two or three days, until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work «o strongly as before, but will strengthen the stomach, and procure an appetite to meat. The outward bark con- trariwise doth bind the body, and is helpful for all lasks and Iluxcs thereof, but this also must be dried first, where- by it will work the better. The inner bark thereof boiled in vinegar is an approved remedy to kill lice, to cure the itch, and take away scabs, by drying them up in a short time. It is singularly good to wash the teeth, to take away the pains, to fasten those that arc loose, to cleanse them, and keep them sound. The leaves are good fodder for kine, to make them give more milk. In Spring-time if you use the herbs before mentioned, and will take but a handful of each of them, and to them add an handful of Elder buds, and having bruised them all, boil them iu a gallon of ordinary beer, when it is new; and having boiled them half an hour, add to this three gallons more, and let them work together, and drink u draught of it every morning, half a pint, or thereabouts, it is an excellent purge for the Spring, to consume the phlegmatic quality the Winter hath left behind it, and withall to keep your body in health, and consume those evil humours which the heat of Summer will readily stir up. Esteem it as a jewel. The Common Alder-Tree. ? .and K. fc. 7n.2.) The common Aider-tree is sufficiently distinguished from the Black- Alder by its size. Descrip.'] It growcth to a reasonable height, and spreads much if it likes the place. Its stem is trce-like and full of branches; the bark is rough, of a dark brown colour, and irregularly blotched with white, having large round leaves that are irregularly notched on the edges and clammy to the touchj especially while young. Its THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 9 at every joint somewhat hairy, crumpled, and unevenly dented about the edges, with round dents ; at the joints liiiewise, with the leaves towards the end of the branches, come forth hollow, long flowers, of a blueish purple colour, with small white spots upon the lips that hang down. The root is small with strings. Place.2 It is commonly found under hedges and on the sides of ditches, under houses, or in shadowed lanes, and other waste grounds, in almost every part of this land. I'ime.'] They flower somewhat early, and abide a great ■while; the leaves continue green until Winter, and some- times abide, except the Winter be very sharp and cold. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of Venus, and therefore cures the diseases she causes by sympathy, and those of Mars by antipathy ; you may usually find it aU the year, except the year be extremely frosty ; it is quick, sharp, aud bitter in taste, and is thereby found to be hot and dry; a singular herb for all inward Avounds, exul- cerated lungs, or other parts, either by itself, or boiled with other the like herbs ; and being drank, in a short time, it easeth all griping pains, windy and choleric hu- mours in the stomach, spleen or belly ; helps the yellow jaundice, by opening the stopping of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by opening the stoppings of the spleen ; expelleth venom or poison, and also the plague; it pro- vokes urine and women's courses : the deco good lo bathe the feet of travellers and lacquies, whose long 'running causeth weariness and stiffness in their sinews and joints. If the decoction be used warm, and the joints afterwards anointed with ointment, it helpeth the dry scab, and the itch in children ; and the herb with the white flower is also very good ibr the sinews, arteries, and joints, to comfort and strengthen them after travel, cold, and pains. Beets. ^ and 1/ (temp. h. d. 2.) Ot Beets there arc two sorts, which are best known ge- nerally, and whereof I shall principally treat at this time, viz. the white and red Beets, and their virtues. Descrtpi.'j The common Avhite Beet hath many great leaves next the ground, somewhat large, and of a whitish green colour. The stalk is great, strong, and ribbed, bearing great store of leaves upon it, almost to the very top of it. The flowers grow in very long tufts, small at the end, and turning down their heads, which are small, pale, greenish yellow buds, giving cornered prickly seeds. The root is great, long and hard, and when it hath given seed, is of no use at all. The common red Beet diifcreth not from the white, but only it is lesser. The leaves are difl'erently red, some only with red stalks or veins; some of a fresh red, and others of a dark red. The root thereof is a deep red, spungy, and eaten whea boiled either alone or mixed -with sallad. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED* S7 Government and Virtues.'] The government of these two sorts of Beet are far different ; the red Beet being, under Saturn, and the white under Jupiter; therefore take the virtues of them apart, each by itself. The white Beet doth much loosen the belly, and is of a cleansing, digest- ing quality, and provoketh urine. The juice of it open- eth obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and is good for the head-ach and swimmings therein, and turnings of the brain ; and is effectual also against all venomous crea- tures; and applied unto the temples, stayeth inflamma- tions in the eyes; it helpeth burnings, being used without oil, and with a little allum put to it, is good for St. An- thony's fire. It is good for all weals, pushes, blisters, and blaias in the skin ; the herb boiled and laid upon chilblains or kibes, helpeth them. The decoftion thereof in water and some vinegar, healeth the itch, if bathed tlierowith, and cleanseth the head of dandruff", scurf, and dry scabs, and doth much good far fretting and running sores, ulcers, and cankers in the head, legs, or other parts, and is much commended against baldness and shedding the hair. The red Beet root is good to stay the bloody flux, women's courses, and the whites, and helpeth the yellow jaundice; the juice of the root put into the nostrils, pur- geth the head, helpeth the noise in the ears, and the tooth. ach; the juice snuffed up the nose, helps a stinking breath, if the cause lies in the nose, as many times it doth, if any bruise hath been there; as also want of smell coming that way. Water Betony. l/ in s. (h. m. 2.) Called also Brown-wort, and in Yorkshire, Bishops- leaves. Dcscript.'] Water Betony riseth up with square, hard, greenish stalks, sometimes brown, set with brown dark green leaves dented about the edges with notches, somo- what resembling the leaves of the Wood Betony, but much larger, for the most part set at a joint. The flowers arc many, set at the tops of the stalks and branches, lie'ing round bellied and opened at the brim«, and divided 38 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. into two parts, (he uppermost being like a hood, and the lowermost like a lip hanging down, of a dark red colour, ■which passing, there come in their places small round heads with small points at the ends, wherein lie small and brownish seeds. The root is a thick bush of strings and shreds growing from the head. Place.'] It groweth by the ditch-side, brooks, and other water-courses, generally through this land, and is seldom found far from the water-side. Time.'] It llowereth about July,' and the seed is ripe in August. Guverniiient and Virtues.] Water Betony is an herb of Jupiter in Cancer, anil is appropriated more to wounds and hurts in the breasts than Wood Befony, which fol- lows; it is an excellent rinirdy for sick hogs, it is of a cleansing quality. The leaveji bruised and li.Milied are effectual for all old and filthy ulcers ; and espt>cially if the juice of the leaves be boiled with a little lioaey, and dipped therein, and the sores dressed therewith : as also for bruises or hurts whether inward or outward. Tiie distilled water of the leaves is used for the same purpose, as also to bathe the face and hands spotted or blemished, or discoloured by sun burning. 1 confess 1 do not much fanry distilled water, I mean such waters as are distilled cold ; some virtues of the herb they may happily have (it were a strange thing else) ; but this 1 am confident nl, that being distilled in a pewter still, as the vulgar ana apish fashion is, both chyniical oil and salt is left befiind, unUss you burn them, and then all is spoiled, water and all, which was good for as little as can be by sucii a distillation. Wood Betony. % and T. (h.d.Q.) Tins is one of the herbs Ihat ought to be kept in every famil , . Dcscript.] Common or Wood Betony hath many leaves rising from the root, which are somewhat broad and rouiid ai U:e end, roundly dented about the edges, standing upon long foot sialks, from among which arise up small, stpare, slender, but upright hairy stalks, with THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 39 some leaves thereon to a piece at the joints, smaller than the lower, •whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers like lavender, but thicker and shorter for the most part, and of a reddish or purple colour, spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part, the seeds being contained within the husks that hold the flowers, are blackish, somewhat long and uneven. The roots are many white thready strings ; the stalk perisheth, but the roots, with some leaves thereon, abide all the Winter. The whole plant is something small. Flace.l it groweth frequently in woods, and delighteth in shady places. Time.} It flowereth in July, after which the seed is quickly ripe, yet in its prime in May. Guvernmetit and Virtues.^ I'he herb is appropriated to the planet Jupiter, and the sign Aries. Antonius Musa, physician to the Emperor Augustus Cassar, wrote a pecu- liar book of the virtues of this herb ; and among other virtues, saith of it, that it preserveth the liver and body of men from the danger of epidemical diseases, and from witchcrafts also; it helpeth those that loath or cannot digest their meat, those that have weak stomachs, or sour bclchiiigs, or continual rising in their stomach, using it familiarly, either green or dry ; cither the herb or root, or the flowers m broth, drink, or meat, or made into con- serve, syrup, water, electuary, or powder, as every one may best frame themselves unto, or as the time or season requireth ; taking any of the aforesaid ways, it helpeth the jaundice, falling-sickness, the palsy, convulsions, or shrmking of the sinews, the gout, and those that are in- clined to dropsy, those that have continual pains in their heads, although it turn to phrensy. The powder mixed with pure honey, is no less available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheesing, or shortness of breath, distillations of thin rheum upon the lungs, which causeth consumptions. *-The decoction made with mead, and a little penny-royal, • is good for those that are troubled with putrid agues, whe- I thcr quotidian, tertian, or quartan, and to driv down f and evacuate (he blood and humours, that by falling into the eyes, do hinder the sight; the decoction thereof made in wine, and taken, killeth the worms in the belly, opeueth obstructions both of the spleen and liverj curetlx 1 40 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGEI^. frtitclics, and pains in the back or sides, the torments and griping pains of the bowclvS and the wind-choiic ; and mixed with honey piirgeth the belly, helpeth to bring down wonuni's courses, and is of special use for those that are troubled with the failing down of the mother, and i)ains thereof, and causcth an easy and speedy deli- very of women in child-birth. It helpeth also to break and expel the stone, either in the bladder or kidnies. The decotiion with wine gargled in the mouth, easeth the tooth-ach. It is commended against the stinging or biting of venomous serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A dram of the powder of Betony, taken with a little honey in some vi- negar, doth wonderfully refresh those that are over wearied by travel. It stayeth bleeding at the mouth or nose, and helpeth those that spit blood, or make bloody urine, and those that are bursten or have a rupture, and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise. The green herb bruised, or the juice applied to any in- ward tiurt, or outward green wound in the head or body, will quickly heal and close it up ; as also any veins or sinews that are cut ; and will draw forth any broken bone or splinter, thorn, or other things got into the Ilesh. It is no less profitable for old sores or filthy ulcers ; yea, though they be fistulous and hollow. But some do advise to put a little salt to this purpose. Being applied with a little hog's lard, it helpeth a plague sore, and other boils and pushes. The fume of the decoction while it is warm, received by a funnel into the ears, easeth the pains of them, destroys the worms, and cureth the run- ning sores in them. The juice dropped into them doth the same. The root of Betony is disjjleasing both to the taste and stomach, whereas the leaves and llowers, by their sweet and spicy taste, are comfortable both to moat and medicine. These are some of the many virtues Anthony Muse, an expert physician (for it was not the practice of Octavius Caisar to keep fools about him) appropriates to Botony ; it is a very precious herb, that is certain, and most litting to be kept in a man's house, both in syrup, conserve, ils, ointment, and plai&tcr. The flowers are usually coaserved. 1 TH^ ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 41 The Beech Tree. ^ (c. d. 1.) In treating of this tree, you must understand that I mean the great mast-beech, which is, by way of distinction from that other small rough sort, called in Sussex the smaller Beech, but in Essex the Horn-bean. I suppose it is needless to describe it, being already well known to my countrymen. Flace.} It groweth in woods and among oaks and other trees, and in parks, forests, and chaces, to feed deer ; and in other places to fatten swine. Time.'l It bloometh in the end of April, or beginning of iNIay, for the most part, and the fruit is ripe in Sep- tember. Government and Virtues.'] It is a plant of Saturn, and therefore performs his qualities and proportion in these operations. The leaves of the Beech-tree arc cooling and binding, and therefore good to be applied to hotsweU lings, to discuss them; the nuts do much nourish such beasts as feed thereon. The water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beeches will cure both man and beast of any scurf, scab, or running tetters, if they be washed therewith ; you may boil the leaves into a poultice, or make an ointment of them when time of year serves. Bilberries, called hy some Whorts, and Whortle- Berrics. %. (h. d. 1.) Of these I shall only speak of two sorts which are com- mon in England, viz. the black and red berries. And first of the black. Descript.'] The small bush creepeth along upon the ground, scarce rising half a yard high, with divers small dark green leaves set in the green branches, not always one against the other, and a little dented above the edges ; at the foot of the leaves come forth small, hollow, pale, bluish coloured flowers, the brims ending with five points, with a reddish thread in the middle, which pass into small round berries, of the bigness and colour of junipec 42 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGEI>. berries, but of a purple, sweetish sharp taste : the juice of them givcth a purplish colour in their hands and lip» that eat and handle them, especially if they break them. The root groweth aslupe under ground, shooting forth \n ^sundry places as it creepeth. Tiiis loses its leaves in 'Winter. The Red Bilberry, or Whortle-bush, riseth up like the former, having sundry hard leaves, like the Box- tree leaves, green and round pointed, standing on the several branches, at tiie top whereof only, and not from the sides as in the former, come forth divers round, reddish, sappy berries, when they are ripe, of a sharp, taste. The root runneth in the ground, as in the former, but the leaves of this abide all the Winter. Place-I The first groweth in forests, on the heaths, and such like barren places. The red grows in the North parts of this land, as Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c. Time.'] They flower in March and April, and the fruit of the black is ripe in July and August, Government and Firtiies.'] They are under the domi- nion of Jupiter. It is a pity they are used no more in physic than they are. The Black Bilberries are good in hot agues, and to cool the heat of the liver and stomach ; they do somewhat bind the belly, and stay vomitings and loathings ; the juice of the berries made in syrup, or the pulp made into a conserve with sugar, is good for the purposes aforesaid, as also for an old cough, or an ulcer in the lungs, or other diseases therein. The red Whorts are more binding, and stop women's courses, spitting of blood, or any other flux of blood or humours, being used as well outwardly as inwardly. Bifoil, or Twablade. 12- (^' ^- ^-^ Tins is a herb of very little note, and possesses very few- virtues. Descript.'] From a root somewhat sweet, shooting downwards many long strings, riseth up a round green stalk, bare or naked next the ground for an incli, two or three to che middle hereof, as it is in age or groAvth; as also from the middle upward to the flowers, having f THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 43 only two broad plantain-like leaves (but whiter) set at the middle of the stalk, one against another, compassing it round at the bottom of them. Place.^ It is an usual inhabitant in woods, copses, and in many other places in this land. Another sort groweth in wet grounds and marshes, which is somewhat different from the former. It is a smaller plant, and greener, having sometimes three leaves; the spike of the flowers is less than tlie former, and the roots of this do run or creep in the ground. They are often used by many to good purpose for wounds, both green and old, and to consolidate or knit ruptures, as well it may, being a plant of Saturn. The Birch Tree. ? . (c. m. 2J Although the twigs of Birch are well known to every school boy, yet few people have seen the tree in its per- fection. There is a degree of elegance in its appearance in the summer; and in the winter the bark is frequently variegated with red and white streaks. Descript.'] This groweth a goodly lall straight tree, fraught with many boughs, and slender branches bending downward; the old being covered with a discoloured chapped bark, and the younger being browner by much. Ihe leaves at the iirst breaking out are crumpled, and afterwards like Beech leaves, but smaller and greener, and dented about the edges. It beareth small short cat-skins, somewhat like those of the hazel nut-tree, which abide on the branches a long time, until growing ripe, they fail on the ground, and their seed with them. Place.'] It usually groweth in woods. Government and Firtues.l It is a tree of Venus; the juice of the leaves, while they are young, or the distilled ■w ater of them, or the juice that comes from the tree being bored with an auger, and distilled afterwards, an; of these being drank for some days together, is available to break the stone in the kidnies and bladder, and is good also to wash sore mouths. The leaves have been used in the itch, dropsy, 6:0. either externally applied, or takci\ 44 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAX ENLARGED. in decod^ion. Birch-wine made from the juice of the tree, is an excellent remedy for consumptions, and also for the scurvy; and the fungus which grows on the tree, is a good styptic. Bird's Foot. ^. (c. d. I.) This herb groweth not above a span high, with many branches spread upon the groimd, set with wings of small leaves. The flowers grow upon the branches, many smail-ones of a pale yellow colour being set a head together, which afterwards turneth into small jointed cods, well resembling the claws of small birds, Avhenc* It took its name. There is another sort of Bird's foot in all things like the former, but a little larger ; the flower of a pale whitish red colour, and the cods distinct by joints Jike the other, but a little more crooked, and the roots do carry many small white knots or kernels among the strings. Place.'] These grow on heaths, and many open untilied places of this land, Time.'] They flower and seed in the end of Summer. Government and Virtues.] They belong to Saturn, and are of a drying, binding quality, and thereby very good to be used in wound drinks ; as also to apply outwardly for the same purpose. But the latter Bird's-foot is found by experience to break the stone in the back or kidnies, and drives them forth, if the decodtion thereof be taken ; and it wonderfully helpeth the rupture, being taken in- wardly, and outwardly applied to the place. Bishop's Weed, ? . (h. d. 3.) Besides the common name Bishop's-weed, it is usually known by the Greek name Amnii and A in into s ; some call it -.jilthiopian Cummin-seed, and others Cummin> royal, as also Herb- William, and BuU-wort. Descript.] Common Bishop's-weed riseth up with a round straight stalk, sometimes as high as a man, but usually three or four feet high, beset vvith. divers small^ THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 45 long, and somewhat broad leaves, cut in some places, and dented about the edges, growing one against another, of a dark green colour, having sundry branches on them, and at the top small umbels of white llowers, which turn into small round seeds, little bigger than parsley seeds, of a quick hot scent and taste ; the root is white and stringy, perishing yearly, and usually riscth again on its own sowing. Place.'] Itgroweth wild in many places in England and Wales, as between Greenhithe and Gravesend. Government and Firtues-I It is hot and dry in the third degree, of a bitter taste, and somewhat sharp ; it pro- vokes lust; I suppose Venus owns it. It digesteth hu- mours, provoketh urine and women's courses, dissolveth wind, and being taken in wine it easeth pain and griping in the bowels, and is good against the biting of serpents ; it is used to good eflfects in those medicines which are given to hinder the poisonous operation of Cantharides upon the passage of the urine; being mixed with honey, and applied to black and blue^marks, coming of blows or bruises, it takes them away; and being draak or out. wardly applied, it abateth an high colour, and makes it pale ; and the fumes thereof taken with rosin or raisins, cleanseth the mother. Bistort, or Snakeweed. }j . (temp. d. 3.) ix'is called Snakeweed, English Serpentary, Dragon-wort, Osterick, and Passions. Descript.'] This hath a thick short knobbed root, blackish without, and somewhat reddish within, a little crooked or turned together, of a hard astringent taste, with divers black threads hanging there, from whence sjjring up every year divers leaves standing upon long foot-stalks, being somewhat broad and long like a dock- leaf, and a little pointed at the ends, but that it is of a bluish green colour on the upper side, and of an ash- colour grey, and a little purplish underneath, with divers veins therein, from among which rise up divers small and slender stalks, two feet high, and almost naked and M ithout leaves, or with a very few, and narrow, bearing 4G THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. a spiky biibh of palc-coloured flowers; which being past, there abideth small seed, like unto sorrel seed, but greater. There are other sorts of Bistort growing in this land, but smaller, both in height, root, and stalks, and especi- ally in the leaves. The root is blackish without, and somewhat whitish within ; of an austere binding laste, as the former. Place.l They grow in shadowy moist woods, and at the foot of hills, but are chiefly nourished up in gardens. The narrow leafed Bistort groweth in the North, in Lan- cashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland. Time.'] 'J'hey flower about the end of May, and the seed is ripe about the beginning of July. Government and Virtues.'] It belongs to Saturn, and is in operation cold and dry ; both the leaves and roots have a powerful faculty to resist all poison. The root in pow- der taken in drink expelleth the venom of the plague, the small-pox, measles, purples, or any other infectious dis- ease, driving it out by sweating. The root in powder, or the deco6lion thereof in wine being drank, stayeth all manner of inward bleeding or spirting of blood, and any fluxes in the body, or vomiting. It is also very available against ruptures, or burstings, or all bruises, or falls, dissolving the congealed blood, and easelh the pains that happen thereupon ; it also helpeth the jaundice. The water distilled from both leaves and roots, is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venomous creature ; as also for any of the purposes before spoken of, and is very good to wash any running sores or ulcers. The derocHon of the root in wine being drank hindereth aboilion or miscarriage. The leaves also kill the worms in children, and are a great help to them that cannot keep their water; if the juice of plain- tain be added thereto, and outwardly applied, much helpeth the gonorrhea, or running of the reins. A dram of the powder of the root taken in water thereof, wherein some red hot iron or steel hath been quenched, is also an admirable help thereto, so as the body be lirst prepared aad purged from the offensive humours. The Jearcs, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 47 seed, or roots, are all very good in deco6lions, drinks, or lotions, for inward or outward wounds, or other sores. And tlie powder strewed upon any cut or wound in a vein, stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof. The de- co6lion of the root in water, whereunto some pomegra- nate peels and flowers are added, injected into the ma- trix, stayeth the immoderate flux of the courses. The root thereof with peilitory of Spain, and burnt allum, of each a little quantity, beaten small and made into paste, with some honey, and a little piece thereof put into an hollow tooth, or held between the teeth, if there be no hollowness in them, stayeth the defluxion of rheum upon them, which causeth pains, and helps to cleanse the head, and void much olVensive water. The distiHed water is very effectual to wash sores and cankers in the nose or any other part, if the powder of the root be ap- plied thereunto afterwards. It is good also to fasten the gums, and to take away the heat and inflammations that happen in the jaws, almonds of the throat, or mouth, if the decoiSion of the leaves, roots, or seeds bruised, or the juice of them be applied; but the roots are most ef- fectual to the purposes aforesaid. One Blade. O (h. d, IJ This small and singular plant is called One Leaf, One Blade, or Single Leaf: It is a kind of lilly of the valley, Descript.j Jt never beareth more than one leaf, but only when it riseth up with its stalk, which thereon bear- eth another, and seldom more, which are of a bluish green colour, broad at the bottom, and pointed with ribs or veins like plantain ; at the top of the stalk grows many small flowers star-fashion, smelling somewhat sweet; after which cometh small red berries when they are ripe. The root small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creep- ing under the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth in divers places. Place.^ It grows in moist, shadowy grassy places of woods, in many parts of this realm. Time.'] It flowereth about May, and the berries are ripe in June, and then quickly perisheth until the next year, and it springeth from the same again. 48 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Government and Virtues.^ It is an herb of the Sun, and therefore cordial; half a dram, or a dram at most, of the roots in powder, taken in wine and vinegar, of each a like quantity, and the party presently laid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that arc infefted ■with the plague, and have a sore upon them, by expel- ling the poison, and defending the heart and spirits from danger. It is also accounted a singular good wound herb, and therefore used with other herbs in making such balms as are nacessary for curing wounds, either green or old, and especially if the nerves be hurt. The Bramble, or Black-berry Busb. ? in r. (c. 1. d. 3.) it is so well known that it needeth no description. The virtues thereof are as follows : Government and yirtues.'\ It is a plant of Venus in Aries. If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly ? TelJ them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars. The buds, leaves, and branches, while they are green, are of good use in the ulcers and putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and of the quinsy, and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores; but the flowers and fruit unripe are very binding, and so protitable for the bloody iiux, lasks, and are a fit remedy for spitting of blood, Either the de- coction or powder of the root being taken, is good to break or drive forth gravel and the stone in the reins and kidnies. The leaves and brambles, as well green as dry. are excellent good lotions for sores in the mouth, or secret parts. The deco6lion of them, and of the dried branches, do much bind the belly, and are good for too much flowing of women's courses ; the berries of the flowers are a pow- erful remedy against the poison of the most venomous serpents; as well drank as outwardly applied, hclpeth the sores of the fundament, and the piles; the juice of the berries mixed with the juice of mulberries, do bind naoro efiectually, and help all fretting and eating sores and ul- cers whatsoever. The distilled water of the branches, leaves, and flowers, or of the fruit, is very pleasant in taste, and very eliectual in fevers, and hot distempers of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 49 the body, head, eyes, and other parts, and for the par- poses aforesaid. The leaves boiled in lye, and the head washed therewith, healetn the itch, and the running sores thereof, and maketh the hair black. The powder of the leaves strewed on cankers and running ulcers, wonder- fully helps to heal them. Sc ie use to condensate the juice of the leaves, and some twe juice of the berries, to keep for their use all the year, for the purposes afore- said. Elites. ^ . (c.d. 1.) Of these there are two sorts commonly known, viz. White and Red. Descript.] The White hath leaves somewhat like unto beets, but smaller, rounder, and of a whitish green co- lour, every one standing upon a small long foot-stalk ; the stalk rises up two or three feet high, with such like leaves thereon ; the llowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters, wherein are contained small and round Seeds; the root is very full of threads or strings. The red Blitc is in all things like the white, but that his leaves and tufted heads are exceeding red at first, aud afterwards turn more purplish. There are other kinds of Blites wiiich grow, differing from the two former sorts but little, but only the wili are smaller in every part. Place.'] They grow in gardens, and wild in many places in this land. Ivne-I They seed in August and September. Govcrnmejit and Firtiies.~\ They are all of thorn cooling, drying and binding, serving to restrain the lUixcs of blood in either man or ^yoman, especially the red : which also stayeth the overflowing of the women's reds, as the white Blites stayeth the whites in women. It i% an excellent secret, you cannot well fail in the use; they are all under the dominion of Venus. There is another sort of wild Blites like the other wiW kinds, but have long and spiky heads of greenish seeds, seeming by the thick setting together to be all seed. This eort the fishers are delighted with, and i* is a good and usual baif,' ior fishes will bite fast enough at 50 THE ENGLI«5n PIIV.^ICIAN ENLARGED. flicm, if you liavc hut wit enough to catch them -vvhcn thcj bite. Borage and Bugloss. "V and ^ (fern. m. 2.) These are so well known to the inhabitants in every garden, that I hold it needless to describe them. To these 1 may add a third sort, which is not so com- mon, iior yet so well knoMii, and therefore 1 shall give you its name and description. It is called Langue dc Bauf; but why then should they call one herb by the name Bugloss, and another by the name Langue de licuj? It is some question to me, seeing one signifies Ox-tongue in Greek, and the other signifies the same in French. Descript.'} The leaves are smaller than those of Bug- loss, but much rougher ; the stalk ariseth up about a foot and a half high, and is most commonly of a red colour; the flowers stand in scaly rough heads, being composed of many small yellow flowers, not much unlike to those of Dandelions, and the seed llieth away in down, as that doth; you may easily know the llowers by their taste, for they are A'ery bitter. Place.'] It groweth wild in many places of this land, and may be plentifully found near London, as between Rotherhithe and Deptlord, by the ditch side. Its virtues are held to be the same with liorage and Bugloss, only this is somewhat hotter. TimeA They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues.'] They arc all three herbs of Jupiter and under Leo, all great cordials, and great strengthcners of nature The leaves and roots are to very good purpose used in putrid and pestilential fevers, to defend the heart, and help to resist and expel the poison, or the venom of other creatures ; the seed is of the like eft'e6ts; and the seed and leaves are good to increase milk in women's breasts; the leaves, llowers, and seed, all or any of them, are good to expel pensiveness and melau choly; it helpeth to clarify the blood, and mitigate heat in fevers. The juice made into a syrup, prevaileth niuch to all the purposes aforesaid, and is put with THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 51 a{hcT cooling, opening, and cleansing herbs to open. obstrii6tions, and help the yellow jaundice, and mixed >vith fumitory, to cool, cleanse, and temper the blood thereby ; it helpeth the itch, ringworms, and tetters, or other spreading scabs or sores. The flowers candied or made into a conserve, arc helpful in the former cases, but are chiefly used as a cordial, and are good for those that are weak in long sickness, and to com- fort the heart and spirits of those that are in a con- sumption, or troubled with often swoonings, or passions of the heart. The distilled water is no less elFedlual to all the purposes aforesaid, and helpeth the redness and in- flammations of the eyes, being washed therewith ; the dried herb is never used, but the green ; yet the ashes thereof, boiled in mead, or honied water, is available against the inflammations and ulcers in the mouth or throat to gargle it therewith ; the roots of Bugloss are effedlual, being made into a licking eledluary for the cough, and to condensate thick phlegm, and the rheu- matic distillations upon the lungs. Blue Bottle, ^i' (c d. 2. J It is called Cyanus, I suppose from the colour of it; Hurtsickle, because it turns the edge of the sickles that reap the corn; Blue-blow, Corn-flower, and Blue-bottle. Descript.l 1 shall only describe that which is common-, est, and in my opinion most useful ; its leaves spread upon the ground, being of a whitish green colour, somewhat on the edges like those of Corn-scabious, amongst -which ariseth up a stalk divided into divei's branches, beset with long leaves of greenish colour, either but very little in- dented or not at all; the flowers are of a blue colour, from whence it took its name, consisting of an innume- rable company of small flowers set in a scaly head, not much unlike those of knapweed; the seed is smooth, bright and shining, wrapped up in a woolly mantle; the root perisheth every year. Place.'] They grow in corn-fields, amongst all ?orts of corn (peas, beans, and tares excepted). If you please to take them up from thence, and transplant them iu your garden, especially towards the full of the moon. 52 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. they will grow more double than they are, and many times change colour. Twie.'\ 'J'hey llower from the beginning of May to the end of harvest. Government and Virtues.'} As they are naturally cold, dry and binding, so they are under tlic dominion of Sa- turn. Tiie powder or dried leaves of the Bluebottle, or Corn-flower, is given with good success to those that are bruised by a fall, or have broken a vein inwardly, and void much blood at the mouth ; being taken in the water of plaintain, horsetail, or the greater comlrcy, it is a remedy against the poison of the scorpion, and resisteth all venoms and poison. The seed or leaves taken in wine, is very good against the plague, and ail infedtious dis- easfs, and is very good in pestilential fevers; the juice put into fresh or green wounds, doth quiv-kly solder up the lips of them together, and is very eliettual to heal all ulcers and sores in the mouth ; tiie juice dropped into the eyes takes away the heat and inflammation of them; the distilled water of this herb hath the same properties, and may be used for the e fleets aforesaid. Blank Ursine. 5 . (c. m. 2.) Beside the common name Brank Ursine, it is also called Bears-breech, and Acanthus, tho' I think our English names to be more proper ; for the Greek word Acan- thus, signifies any thistle whatsoever. Descript.'] This thistle shooteth forth very many large, thick, sad green smooth leaves upon the ground, with a very thick and juicy middle rib ; the leaves are parted with sundry deep gashes on the edges ; the leaves remain a long time before any stalk appears, afterwards riseth up a reasonable big stalk, three or four feet high, and bravely decked with flowers, from the middle of the stalk upwards ; for on the lower part of the stalk there is nei- ther branches nor leaf; the flowers are hooded and gap- ing, being white in colour, and standing in brownish husks, with a long small undivided leaf under each leaf; they seldom seed in our country. Its roots are many, great and thick, blackish without, and whitish within, full of clammy sap ; a piece of them, if you set in the gar- THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 53 tlen, and defend it from the first Winter cold, will grow and flourish. Place.'] They are only nursed in the gardens in Eng- land, where they will grow very well. yV/rte.J It flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues.'] it is an excellent plant under the dominion of the Moon. 1 could wish such as are stu- dious would labour io keep it in the gardens ; the leaves being boiled and used in clisters, are excellent good to mollify the belly, and make the passage slippery ; the de- co6tion drank inwardly, is excellent and good for the bloody flux ; the leaves being bruised, or rather boiled, and applied like a poultice, are very good to unite broken bones, and strengthen joints that have been put out; the dcco(?tion of either leaves or roots being drank, and the deccdlion of leaves applied to the place, is excellent good for the king's evil that is broken and runneth ; for by the influence of the Moon, it revivcth the ends of the veins which are relaxed; there is scarce a better remedy to be applied to such places as are burnt with fire than this is, tor it fetches out the fire, and heals it without a scar; this is an excellent remedy for such as are bursten, being either taken inwardly, or applied to the place ; in like manner used it helps the cramp and the gout; it is ex- cellent good in heftic fevers, and restores radical moisture to such as are in consumptions. Brionj, or Wild Vine. ^. (h, d. 3.) It is called Wild, and Wood Vine, Tamus or Ladies Seal. The white is called White Vine by some, and the black. Black Vine. Descript,'\ The common White Briony groweth ramp- ing upon the hedges, sending forth many long, rough, very tender branches at the begickning, with many very rough and broad leaves thereon, cut (for the most part} into five partitions, in form very like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and of a whitish hoary green colour, spreading very far, spreading and twining with his small claspers (that come forth at the joints with the leaves) very far on whatsoever standeth next to it. At the several joints also (especially towards the top of the D 3 54 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. brandies cometh forth a lonj; stalk, bearing many "wliitish flowers togotlicr on a long tnlt, consisting of five small Icavfs a-pioce, laid open like a star, after ^^llich come the btrrios separated one from another, more than a cluster ot grapes, green at the first, and very red when they arc thorough ri])p, of no good scent, but of a most loathsome taste, provoking vomit. The root growcth to be exceeding great, with many long twines or branches going from it, of a pale whitish colonr on the outside, and more white within, and of a sharp, bitter, loathsome ta^te. Place.'] It growcth on banks, or under hedges, through this land ; the roots lie very deep. Tiwe.'\ Itllowerefh ir\ July and August, some earlier, and some later than the other. Government and Virtues.'] They are furious martial plants. The root of Briony purges the belly with great Tiolence, troubling the stomach, and burniiis; the liver, and therefore not rashly to be taken ; but being cor- rected, is very profitable for the diseases of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness and swimmings, by drawing '* away much phlegm and rheumatic humours that oppress the head, as also the joints and sinews, and is therefore good for palsies, convulsions, cramps, and stitches in the •sides, and the dropsy, and in provoking urine ; it cleanseth the reins and kidnics from gravel and stone, by opening the obstruction of the spleen, and consumeth the hardness and swelling thereof. The decoi^lion of the root in wine, drank once a week at going to bed, cleanseth the motiicr, and helpeth the rising thereof, ex- pelleth the dead child ; a dranj of the root in ])owdcr taken in white wine, bringcth down their courses. An riefiuary made of the roots and honey, doth mightily cleanse the chest ot rotten jihlegm, and wonderfully helps any old strong cough, to those that are troubled with shortness of breath, and is very good for them that are bruised inwardly, to help to expel the clotted or congealed blood. The leaves, fruit and root, do cleanse old and filthy sores, are good against all fretting and running cankers, gangrenes, and tetters, and therefore the berries are by some country-people called tetter- berries. The root cleanseth the skin wonderfully from all black and blue spots, freckles, morphew, leprosy, foul THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 55 scars, or other deformity whatsoever; also all running scabs and ruangincss are healed by the powder of the dried root, or the juice thereof, but especially by the fine white hardf^ned juice. The distilled water of the root workcth the same elFcfts, but more weakly ; the root bruised and applied of itself to any place where the bones arc broken, helpeth to draw them forth, as also splinters and thorns in the llesh ; and being applied with a little wine mixed therewith, it breaketh boily, and helpeth whitlows on the joints. — For all these latter, beginning at sores, cancers, &c. apply it outwardly. As for the former diseases, where it must be taken in- wardly, it purgeth very violentlj^, and needs an abler hand to correal; it than most country people have ; therefore, it is a better way for them, in my opinion, to let it alone. Brook Lime, or Water Pimpernel. (?. C//. d.2-) This is one of those neglected vegetables which might occasionally be used for culinary purposes, particularly as a sallad. Descript.'] It sendeth forth from a creeping root that shooteth forth strings at every joint, as it runneth, divers and sundry green stalks, round and sappy, Avith some branches on them, somewhat broad, round, deep green and thick leaves, set by couples thereon ; from the bottom Avhereof shoot forth long footstalks, with sundry small blue flowers on them, that consist of live small round pointed leaves a-piece. There is another sort nothing diifering from the for- mer, but that it is greater, and the flowers of a paler green colour. Place.} They grow in small standing waters, and usually ngar water-cresses. Time.'] And flowers in June and July, giving seed the next month after. Government, and t^irtues.'] It is a hot and biting martial plant. Brook-lime and water-cresses are generally used together in diet-drink, with other things serving to purge the blood and body from all ill humours that *> 4 .06 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. would destroy health, and are helpful cines; this 1 absolutely protest against. 1. Because the tunicles of the eyes are very thin, and therefore soon eaten asunder. 2. The callus or film that they would eat away, is sel- dom of an equal thickness in every place, and then the tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place, before the film be consumed in another, and so be a readier way to extinguish the^'ght than to restore it. Also 1 have read (and it seems to be somewhat proba- ble) that the herb, being gathered as I shewed before, and the elements drawn apart from it by the art of the alchy. mist, and after tbey are drawn apart rectified, the earth- ly quality, still in rectifying them added to the Terra damnata {ds Alchymists calls it) or Terra sacratissima (as some philosophers call it) the elements so rectified are sufficient for the cure of all diseases, the humours oflend- ing being known, and the contrary element given. It is an experiment worth the trying, and can do no harm. The Lesser Celandine, usually known by the name of Pilewort and Fogwort. c?. {h. d. 2.) I w^oNDER what ailed the ancients to give this the name of Celandine, which resembles it neither in nature or form ; it required the name of Pilewort from its virtues, and it being no i^reat matter where 1 set it down, so I set it down at all, I humoured Dr. Tradition so much, as to set him down here. Descript.'] Tiiis Celundine or Pilewort (which you please) doth spread many round pale green leaves, set on weak and trailing branches, which lie upon the groun(!, and are flat, smooth and somewhat shining, and in some places (though seldom) maikedwith black spots, eaclx standing on a long footstalk, among which rise small yel- low flowers, consisting of nine or ten small narrow leaves, upon slender faot-stalks, very like unto Crowsfoot, E 3 78 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ■whcreunto (he seed also is not unlike, being many small iernels like a grain of corn, sometimes twice as lone; as others, of a whitish colour, with some fibres at the end of them. iVr/a;.] It growefh for the most past in moist corners of fields and places that are near water sides, yet will abide in drier ground if they be but a little shady. Time.^ It flowercth betimes about Marcii or April, is quite gone by May ; so it cannot be found till it spring again. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Mars, and behold here another verification of the learn- ing of the antients, amz. that the virtue of an herb may be known by its signature, as plainly appears in this; for if you dig up the root of it, you shall perceive the perfeft image of the disease which they commonly call the piles. It is certain by good experience, that the de- co6lion of the leaves and roots doth wonderfully help piles and haemorrhoids, also kernels by the ears and throat, called the king's evil, or any other hard wens or tumours. Here's another secret for my countrymen and women, a couple of them together ; Pilewort made into an oil, ointment, or plaister, readily cures both the piles, or hae- morrhoids, and the king's evil ; the very herb borne about one's body next the skin, helps in such diseases, though it never touch the place grieved ; let poor peo- ple make much of it for their uses ; with this 1 cured my own daughter of the king's evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of a pint of corruption, cured without any- sear at all in one week's time. The ordinary small Centaury. ©. (h. d. 3.) 'J'heue are two kinds of this plant, one bearing pale red flowers the other white ; but their virtues are the same. Descript.'] This groweth up most usually but with one round and somewhat crusted stalk, about a foot high or better, branching forth at the top into many sprigs, and some also from the joints of the stalks below ; the flowers thus stand at the tops as it were in one umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending to carnation colour, consisting of five, sometimes lix small THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 79 leaves, very like those of St. John's wort, opening them- selves in the day time and closing at night, aftet which come seeds in litttle short husks, in form like unto wheat corn; (he leaves are small and somewhat round; the root small and hard, perishing every year; the whole plant is of an exceeding bitter taste. Place.'] They grow ordinary in fields, pastures and woods, but (hat with the white flowers not so frei^uent- ly as the other. T»«e.] They flower in July or thereabouts^ and seed within a month after. Guverument and Virtues.'] They are under the dominion of the Sun, as appears in that their flowers open and shut as the Sun either sheweth or hideth his face; this herb, boiled and drank, purgeth choleric and gross humours, and helpeth the sciatica ; it opcneth obstrudlions of the li- ver, gall, and spleen, helpeth the jaundice, and easeth the pains in the sides, and hardness of the spleen, used outwardly, and is given with very good eflfedt in agues. It helpeth those that have the dropsy, or the green sick- ness, being much used by the Italians in powder for that purpose ; it killeth the worms in the belly, as is found by experience ; the decodlion thereof, viz. the tops of the stalks, with the leaves and flowers, is good against the co- lic, and to bring down women's courses, helpeth to void the dead birth, and easeth pains of the mother, and is ve- ry efl'e6tual in old pains of the joints, as the gout, cramps, or convulsions. A dram of the powder thereof taken in wine, is a wonderful good help against the biting and poison of an adder; the juice of the herb with a little ho- ney put to it, is good to clear the eyes from dimness, mists and clouds that olfend or hinder sight. It is singu- lar good both for green and fresh wounds, as also for old ulcers and sores, to close up the one, and cleanse the other, apd perfedtly to cure them both, although they are hollow or fistulous, the green herb especially being bruised and laid thereto; the deco6lion thereof dropped into the ears, cleanseth them from worms, cleanseth (he foul ulcers and spreading scabs of the head, and taketh away all frec- kles, spots, and marks in the skin, being washed with it. The herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, oal/ E 4 80 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. giving it inwardly for inward diseases; 'tis very whole- some, but not very toothsome. There is, besides these, another small Centaury, which boareth a yellow flower ; in all other respedts it is like the former, save that the leaves are bigger, and of a darker green, and the stalk passeth through the midst of them as it doth the herb Thorowan. They are all of them, as I told you, under the government of the Sun : yet this, if you observe it, you shall find an excellent truth ; in diseases of the blood, use the red Centaury ; if of cholcr, u::e the yellow ; but if phlegm or water, you will find the white best. The Cherry-Tree. ^. (h. m. 2.) 1 Suppose there are few but know this tree, for its fruit's sake ; and therefore I shall spare writing a de- scription thereof. Place.'] For the place of its growth, it is afforded room in every orchard. Government and Virtues.'] It is a tree of Venus. Cherries, as they are of different tastes, so they are of different qualities; the sweet pass through the stomach and the belly more speedily, but are of little nourishment; the tart or sour are more pleasing to an hot stomach, pro- cure appetite to meat, and lulp to cut tough phlegm, and gross humours ; but when they are dried, they are more binding to the belly than when they arc fresh, be- ing cooling in hot diseases, and welcome to the sto- mach, and provoke urine; the gum of the Cherry-tree, dissolved in wine, is good for a cold, cough, and hoarse- ness of the throat; mending the colour in the face, sharpeneth the eye-sight, provoketh appetite, and help- eth to break and expel the stone ; the black Cherries bruised with the stones, and dissolved, the water thereof is much used to break the stone, and to expel gravel and wind. Winter Cherries. ?. (h. m. 2.) These grow not naturally in this land, but are cherished in gardens for their virtues. I THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 81 Descript.'] The Winter Cherry hath a running or creep- ing root in the ground, of the bigness many times of one's little finger, shooting forth at several joints in several places, whereby it quickly spreads a great com- pass of ground ; the stalk riseth not above a yard high, ■whereon are set many broad and long green leaves, some- what like Night shade, but larger; at the joints whereof come forth whitish iiowers made of five leaves a-piece, which afterward turn into green berries inclosed with thiu skins, which change to be reddish when they grow ripe, the berries likewise being reddish, and as large as a cherry, wherein are contained many flat and yel- lowish seeds lying within the pulp, which being gathered and strung up, are kept all the year to be used upon oc- casion. Time.'] They flower not until the middle or latter end of July ; and the fruit is ripe about August, or the be- ginning of September. Government and Virtues.^ This also is a plant of Ve. nus. They are of great use in physic; the leaves being cooling, may be used in inflammations, but not open- ing as the berries and fruit are; which by drawing down the urine provoke it to be voided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot, sharp, and painful in the pas- sage; it is good also to expel the stone and gravel out of the reins, kidnies, and bladder, helping to dissolve the stone, and voiding it by grit or gravel sent forth in the urine; it also helpeth much to cleanse inward impost- humes or ulcers in the reins or bladder, or those that void a bloody or foul urine ; the distilled water of the fruit, or the leaves together with them, or the berries, green or dry, distilled with a little milk and drank morn- ing and evening with a little sugar, is effc(5lual to all the purposes before specified, and especially against the heat and sharpness of the urine. I shall mention one way, amongst many others, Avhich might be used for ordering the berries, to be helpful for the urine and stone; which is this; take three or four good handfuls of the berries, either green or fresh, or dried, and having bruised them, put them in so many gallons of beer or ale Avhen it is new and tunned up ; this drink, taken daily, hath been found to do much good to many, both to ease the pains, E 5 82 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. and cxpcl urine and the stone, and to cause the stone not to engender; tlie dccodtion of the berries in wine and Avaler is the most usual way, but the powder of them taken in drink is more eifedual. Chervil. 1/. (h. m. I.) It is called Cerefolium, Mirrhis, and Mirrha, Chervil, Sweet Chervil, and Sweet Cicely. Descript.'] The garden Chervil doth at first somcMhat resemble Parsley, but after it is better grown, (he leaves are much cut in and jagged, resembling hemlock, be- ing a little hairy and of a whitish green colour, sometimes turning reddish in the Summer, M'ith the stalks also ; it riseth a little above half a foot high, bearing white flow- ers in spiked tufts, which turn into long and round seeds, pointed at the ends, and blackish when they are ripe ; of a sweet taste, but no smell, though the herb itself smelleth reasonably well. The root is small and long, and perishcth every year, and must be sown a-new in Spring for seed, and after July for Autumn sallet. The wild Chervil groweth two or three feet high, with yellow stalks and joints, set with broader and more hairy leaves, divided into sundry parts, nicked about the edges, and of a dark green colour, which likewise grow reddish with the stalks; at the tops whereof stand small white tufts of ilovvers, afterwards smaller and longer seed. The root is white, hard, and endureth long. This hath little or no scent. Place.'] The first is sown in gardens for a sallad herb; the second groweth wild in many of the meadows of this land, and by the hedge sides, and on heaths. Tinie-I Tticy (lower and seed early, and thereupon are sown again in the end of Summer. Government cnul Virtues.'] The garden Chervil being eaten, doth modi.Tately warm the stomach, and is a cer- tain remedy (saith Tragus) to dissolve concealed or clotted blood in the body, or that which is clotted by bruises, 1a:ls, kc. The juice or distilled water thereof being drank, and the bruised leases 1. id to the pace, being laktn either in meat or drink, it is good to help to provoke urine, or expel the stone in the kidnics, to THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 83 send down women's courses^ and to help the pleurisy and pricking of the sides. The wild Chervil bruised and applied, dissolveth swellings in any part, or the marks of congealed blood hy bruises or blows in a little space. The sweet Chervil groweth very like the great hem- Jock, having large spread leaves cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green colour than the hemlock, tasting as sweet as the anniseed. The stalks rise up a yard high, or better, being cressed or hollow, having leaves at the joints, but lesser ; and at the tops of the branched stalks, umbels or tutts of white flowers; after which come large and long crested black shining seed, pointed at both ends, tasting quick, yet sweet and pleasant. The root is great and white, growing deep in the ground, and spreading sundry long branches therein, in taste and smell stronger than the leaves or seeds, and continuing many years. Place.l This groweth in gardens. Government and Virtiies.~\ These are all three of them of the nature of Jupiter, and under his dominion. This whole plant, besides its pleasantness in sallets, hath its physical virtue. The root boiled, and eaten with oil and vinegar, (or without oil) does much please and Marni old and cold stomachs oppressed with wind or phiegio, or those that have the phthisick or consumption of the lungs. The same drank with wine is a preservation from the plague. It provoketh women's courses, and expel- leih the after-birth, procureth an appetite to meat, and cxpelleth wind. The juice is good to heal the ulcers of the head and face; the candied roots hereof are held as eflecnial as Angelica, to preserve from infcftion in the time of a plague and to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach. It is so harmless you cannot use it amiss. Chesnut Tree. 7/. (/;. d. 2.) It were as needless to describe a tree so commonly known, as to tell a man he had gotten a mouth, therefore take the government and virtues of them thus: The tree is abundantly under th sharp-point- ed ; the stalks Mhicli bear tlowers seldom grow so high as the leaves, bearing a lorkcd head like a crab's claw, out of Mhich comes a white flower, consisting oi three leaves, with }elio\vish hairy threads in the middle; it taketh root in the mud in the bottom of the water. Place,'] It groweth plentifully in thefcus in Lincolnshire. Time.'] it ilowereth in June, and usually from thence till August, Gove/yimeni and Virtues.] It is a plant under the domi- nion of V'cnus, and therefore a great strengthener of the reins; it is excellent good in that intlammation Mhich is commonly called St. Anthony's lire ; it assuagcth all in- flammations and swellings in wounds ; and an ointment made of it, is excellent good to heal them ; there is scarce a better remedy growing than this is for such as have bruised their kidnies ; a dram of the powder of the herb taken every morning, is a very good remedy to stop the terms. Black Cresses. S- {h- d. 3 J The name of Cresses is given to several herbs, distinguish- ed as follows ; Descript.] It hath long leaves, deeply cut and jagged on both sides, not much uulike wild mustard; the stalks sniall, very limber, though very tough ; you may twist thera round as you may a willow before they break. The stones be yt:ry small and yellow, after which comes small cods, Hhicb contain the seed. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 101 Place.'] It is a common herb, grows usually by the way-sides, and sometimes upon rtnid walls about LondoH ; but it delights must to grow among stones and rubbish. Time.'] It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August and September. Gover/mieni and rirtiics,^ It is a plant of a hot and biting nature, under the dominion of Mars. The seed of Black Cresses strengthens the brain exceedingly, being in j)erforming that office little inferior to mustard-seed, if at all ; they are excellent good to stay those rheums which may fall down from the head upon the lungs ; you may beat the seed into powder, if you please, and make it up into an electuary with honey ; so you have an excellent remedy by you, not only for the premises, biifcilso for the cough, yellow jaundice, and sciatica. The herb boiled into a poultice, is an excellent remedy for inllam- mations, both in women's breasts and men's testicles. Sciatica Cresses. Tj . (c. cL 2.) These also are of two kinds. Descript.] The first riseth up with around stalk, about two fdet high, spread into divers branches, whose lower leaves are somewhat larger than the upper, yet all of thetn cut or torn on the edges, somewhat like garden cresses, but smaller; the flowers arc small and white, growing at the tops of branches, where afterwards grow husks, with small brownish seed therein, very strong and sharp in taste, more than the cresses of the garden; the root is long, white, and woody. The other hath the lower leaves whole, somewhat long and broad, not torn at all, but only somewhat deeply dented about the edges towards the ends ; but those that grow up higher are lesser. The flowers and seeds are like the former, and so is the root likewise, and both root and seeds as sharp as it, Flace.] They grow by the way-sides in untilled places, and by the sides of old walls. TiiHo'.] They flower in Ihc end of June, and their seed is ripe in July. Government andFirtues.] It is a Saturnine plant. The leaves, but especially the root, taken fresh in summer- F 3 102 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. time, beaten or made into a poultice or salve with old hog's grease, and applied to (lie places pained witli the ^^iatica, to continue thrroon lour hours, if it be on a man, and two hours on a Avonian ; the place aftcrMards bathed with M'ine and oil mixed together, and then wrajjpcd vvitli M ool or skins after they have sweat a little, will assuredly cure not only the same disease in hips, huckle-bone, or other of the joints, as gout in the hands or feet, but all other old griefs of the head, (as inveterate rheums) and other parts of the body that are hard to be cured ; and if of the former griefs any parts remain, the same medicine, after twenty days, is to be applied again. The same is also elTeftual in the diseases of the spleen ; and a])plied to the skin, it taketh away the blemishes thereof, whether they be scars, leprosy, scabs, or scurf, which although-it ulcerate the part, yet that is to be helped afterwards w ith a salve made oi oil and wax. Esteem this as another secret. Water Cresses. ]) . (h. d. 3.) Thfsk arc so well known as not to require a description. Place. \ They grow (for the most part) in small stand- ing waters, yel sometimes in small rivulets of running water. Time.} They flower and seed in the beginning of S-umrner, Govcrnnu'iit and Virtues. 1 It is an herb under the domi- nion of the iVIoon. They are more powerful against the scurvy, and to cleanse the blood and humours, than Brooklime is, and serve in all the other uses in which Brooklime is available, as to break the stone, and provoke urine and woniens courses. The decoc- tion thereof deanseth ulcers, by washing them there- with. The leaves bruised, or the juice, is good to be applied to the face, or other parts troubled with frec- kles, pimples, spots, or the like, at night, and washed away in the morning. The juice mixed nith vinegar, and the fore part of the head bathed therewith, is very good for those that are dull and drowsy, or have the lethargy. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 103 Watcr-cress pottage is a good remedy to cleanse the blood in the Spring, and help hcad-achs, and consume the gross humours Winter hath left behind ; those that ■would live in health, may use it if they please, if they will not, 1 cannot help it. If any fancy not pottage, they may cat the herb as a sallet. Ci'osswort. $ . (c. d. 2.) Tins is so called from the situation of its leaves. Descript.'] Common Crosswort groweth up with square hairy brown stalks, a little above a foot high, having four small broad and pointed, hairy, yet smooth green leaves growing at every joint, each against other cross-way. Towards the tops of the stalks at the joints, with the leaves in three or four rows downwards, stand small, pale, yellow flowers, after which come small blackish round seeds, four for the most part, set in every husk. The root is very small and full of fibres, or threads, taking good hold of the ground, and spreading with the branches a great deal of ground, which perish not ia Winter, although the leaves die every year, and spring again new. Placer\ It groweth in many moist grounds, as well meadows as untilled places about London, in Hamp- stead church-yard, at \^'yc in Kent, and suadry other places. Time.'] It flowers from May all the Summer long, in one place or other, as they are open to the sun ; the seed ripeneth soon after. Government and VirtiiesJ] It is under the dominion of Saturn. This is a singular good wound herb, and is used inwardly, not only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any green Avound, which it quickly soldereth up and healeth. The decoiiion of the herb in wine, helpeth to cxpe6lorate phlegm out of the chest, and is good for obstructions in. the breast, stomach, or bowels, and helpeth a de- cayed appetite. It is also good to Avash any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal it. The herb bruised, and then boileJ, apflied outwardly for certain days to- f. 4. 104 THE ENGLISU PHYSICIAN EXLAUGEI). gcther, renewing it often ; and in the mean time (he dc- cofction of tlic herb in Mine, taken inwardly every day, doth certainly cnrc tiic rujJtnre in any, so as it be not too inveterate j but very speedily if it be fresh and lately taken. Crowfoot. S. (h. d. 3.) Many are the names this fnrious biting herb hath ob- tained, almost cnon,'>h to make np a Welchman's pedigree, if he fetch no farther than Jolin of Gaunt, or William the l-'onqueror ; for it is ealled Frogsfoot from the Creek Kamc Bcirrakion ; Crowfoot, Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King's Knob, BiilTiners, Troil-dowers, Polts, Locket Goiilions, and Butter-iiowers. Abundance arc the sorts of this herb, that to describe them all would tire the patience of Socrates himself; but because I have not yet attained to the spirits of Socrates, I shall but describe the most usual. Descript.^ The most common Crowfoot hath many dark grewi leaveSj cut into divers parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and blistering the tongue; it bears many ilovvcrS, and those of a bright resplendent yellow colour; I do not remember that I ever saw any thing yellower ; Tirgios in ancient time, used to make powder of them io furrow bride-beds; after which iiowers come small heads, some spiked and rugged like a pine-apple. Place.'] They grow very common every-Avhere ; unless you turn your head into a hedge, you cannot but see them as you w alk. Time.'] They ilower in May and June, even till Sep- tember. Government and Virtues.] This fiery and hot-spirited herb of JSJars is no way fit to be given inwardly, but an ointment of the leaves or llowers will draw a blister, and may be so fitly applied to the nape of the neck to draw back rheum from the eyes. The herb being bruised and mixed with a little mustard, draws a blister as well, and as perfedlly as Cantharides, and m ith far less daisger to the vessels of urine, which Cantharides naturally delight to wrong J 1 knew the herb once applied io a i^estileutial THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 105 rising that was fallen down, and it saved life even beyond hope ; it were good to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it were but for that. Cuckow-point. (?. {h. d. 3.) It is called Aron, Janus, Barba-aron, Cal?e's-fo3t, Ramp, Starchwort, Cuckovv-pint and Wake-Robin. Descript.'] This shooteth forth three, four, or five leaves at the most, from one root, every one whereof is some- %vhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the stalk, and forked, but ending in a point, without a cut on the edge, of a full greeu colour, each slanding upon a thick round stalk, of a hand-breath long, or more, among Avhich, after two or three months that ihcy begin to wither riieth up a bare, round, whitish green stalk, spotted and streaked with purple, somewhat higher than the leaves : at the top whereof standeth a long hollow husks close at the bottom, but open from the middle upwards, ending in a point ; in the middle whereof stand the small long pestle or clapper, smaller at the bottom than at the top, of a dark purple colour, as the husk is on the inside, thcugh green without, which, after it hath so abided for some time, the husk with the clapper decayeth, and the foot or bottom thereof grow eth to be a small long bunch of berries, green at the first, and of a yellowish red colour w hen they are ripe, of the bigness of a hazel-nut kernel, ^vhich abideth thereon almost until Winter ; the root is round and somewhat long, for the most part lying along, the leaves shooting forth at the largest end, which, when it bfsreth his berries, are somewiiat wrinkled and loose, another growing under it, which is solid and firm, \\ita many small threads hanging thereat. The whole plant is of a very sharp biting taste, pricking the tongue as net- tles do the hands, and so abideth for a great while without alteration. The root llienol was anciently used insiead of starch to starch linen with. There is another sort of Cuckow-point, with lesser leaves than the former, and sometimes harder, having blackish spots upon them, which tor the must part abiclu longer green in Summer than the formerj and both leaves r 5 106 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. and roots arc more sharp and fierce than it: in all things else it is like the former. Place.'] These two sorts grow frequently almost under every hedge side in many places in this land. Tt?iie.} They shoot forth leaves in the Spring, and con- tinue but until the middle of Summer, or somewhat later ; their husks appearing before they fall away, and their I'ruit shewing in April . Government and p'irtues,'] It is under the dominion of Mars Tragus reporteth, that a dram weight, or more, if need be, of the spotted AVake Robin, either fresh and green, or dried, being beaten and taken, is a prcsentand sure remedy for poison and the plague. The juice of the herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect. But if there be a little vinegar added thereto, as well as to the root aforesaid, it somewhat allaycth the sharp biting taste thereof upon the tongue. The green loaves bruised, and laid upon the boil or plague sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poison. A dram of the powder of the dried root taken with twice so much sugar in the form of a licking electuary, or the green root, doth wonderfully help those that are pursy and short- winded, as also those that have a cough; it breaketh, digesteth, and riddeth away phlegm from the stomach, chest, and lungs. The milk wherein the root hath been boiled is effectual also for the same purpose. The said powder taken in wine or other drink, or the juice of the berries, or the powder of them, or the wiufc wherein they have been boiled, provoketh urine, and bringeth * down women's courses, and purgeth them cffedtually after c^ild-bearing, to bring away the after-birth. Taken with sheej/s milk it healeth the inward ulcers of the bow- els. The distilled water thereof is eftcctual to all the pur- poses aforesaid. A spoonful taken at a time healeth the itch ; and an ounce or more taken at a time for some days together, doth help the rupture : The leaves, either green or dry, ar the juice of them, doth cleanse all manner of rotten and filthy ulcers, in what part of the body soever ; ■ and healeth the stinking soresin the nose, called Polypus. The water whereii^ the root hath been boiled, dropped THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 107 into the eyes, cicanseth them from any film or skin, cloud or mist, which begin to hinder the sight, and helpeth the watering and redness of them, or when, by some chance, they become black and blue. The root mixed with bean- flour, and applied to the throat or jaws that are inflamed^ helpeth them. The juice of the berries boiled in oil of roses, or beaten into powder mixed with the oil, and dropped into the cars, easeth pains in them. The berries, or the roots beaten with hot ox-dung, and applied, easeth the pains of the gout. The leaves and roots boiled in wine with a little oil, and applied to the piles, or the faliing down of the fundament, easeth them, and so doth sitting over the hot fames thereof. The fresh roots bruised and distilled with a little milk, yieldcth a most sovereign, water to cleanse the skin from scurf, freckles, spots, or blemishes, whatsoever therein. Authors have left large commendations of this herb yon see, but for my part, I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason, nor Dr. Experience about it. Cucumbers. 5. (c. 1. m. 2.) Tjiere is no need to give any description of what are so generally known. Government and Virtues.'] There is no dispute to be made, but that they are under the dominion of the Moon, though they are so much cried out against for their coldness, and if they were but one degree colder they would be poison. The best of Galeaists hold them to be cold and moist in the second degree, and then not so hot as either lettuces or purslain : they are excellent good for a hot stomach, and hot liver ; the unmeasurable use of them hlls the body full of raw humours, and so indeed the unmeasurable use of any thing else doth harm. The face being washed with their juice cleanseth the skin, and i? excellent good for hot rheums in the eyes ; the seed is excellent good to provoke urine, and cleanseth the pas- sages thereof when they are stopped ; there is not abetter remedy for ulcers in the bladder growing than Cucumbers are. The usual course is, to use the seeds in emulsions, as they make almond milk ; but a far better Avay (in my opinion) is this : When the season of the year is,' take F 6 108 THE ENGLISH PIIVSICIAN ENLARGED. the Ciicimibcrs and bruise them well and distil the wator from thim, and let sucli as are troubled with ulcers in the bladder drink no other drink. The face beiiijf washed with the same water, cureth the reddest face that is ; it is also excellent good for sun-burning, freckles, and morphcw. Daisies.. ?. and s (c. J. m. Q.) TjitSE are so well known almost to every child, thai I suppose it needless to write any descrip.ioii of them. Take therefore the virtues of them as followeth. Government and Virtues.'] The herb is under the sign Cancer, and under the dominion of V^enus, and therefore excellent good for wounds in the breast, and very fitting to be kept both in oils, ointments and plaisters, as also in 5yrup. The greater wild Daisey is a wound herb of good respe<5l, olten used in those drinks or salves that are for wounds, either inward or outward. The juice or dis- tilled water of these, or the small Daisey, doth much temper the heat and choler, and refresh the liver, and the other inward i)a!ts. A deco^lion made of them and drank, helpeth lo cure the wounds made in the hollowness of the breast. The same cureth also all ulcers and pustules in the mouth or tongue, or in the secret parts. The leaves bruised and applied to any parts that are swoln and hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat. A decoction made thereof, of wall wort and agrimony, and places fomented or bathed therewith warm, giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the palsy, sciatica, or the gout. The same also disperseth and dissolveth tiie knots or kernels that grow in the llesh of any part ot the body, and bruises and hurts that come of falls and blows; they are also used for ruptures, and other inward burnings, with very good success. An ointment made thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds that have inllammations about them, or by reason of moist humours having access unto Uiem, are kept long from healing, and such are those, for the most part, that happen to joints of the arms or legs. The juice of them dropped into the running eyes of any, doth much help them. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. J 09 Dandelion. V- (temp. d. 1.) This herb is from its effedts also called by country people Piss-a-Bed. Descript.^ It is well known to have many long and deep gashed leaves, lying on the ground round about the head of the roots; the ends of each gash or jag, on both sides looking downwards towards the roots ; the nnddle rib being white, which being broken, yieldeth abundance of bitter niHkj but the root much more ; from among the leaves, which always abide green, arise many slender, weak, naked foot stalks, every one of them bearing at the top one large yellow llower, consisting of many ro«s of yellow leaves', broad at the points, and nicked in with deep spots of } ellow in the middle, which growing ripe, the green husk wherein the floivers stood turns itself down to the stalk, and the head of down becomes as round as a ball with long reddish seed underneath, bearing a part of the down on the head of every one, which together is blown away with the wind, or may be at once blown a\^ay with one's mouth. The root growing downwards exceeding deep, which being broken otf within the ground, will yet shoot forth again, and will hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep root in the ground. Place.'] It groweth frequently in all meadows and pasture-grounds. Time.^ It flowereth in one place or other almost all the year long. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Jupiter. It IS of an opening and cleansing qualify, and therefore very effectual for the obstrutvlions of the liver, gall and spleen, and the diseases that arise from them, as the jaundice and hypociioudriac ; it openeth the passages of the urine both in young and old; poweri'ully cleanseth imposthumcs and inward ulcers in the urinary passage, and by its drying and temperate quality doth afterwards heal them ; for which purpose the decoction of the roots or leaves in white wine, or the leaves chopped as pot- herbs, with a few alisanders, and boiled in their broth, are \ery cfi'cciual. And whoever is drawing towards a 1 10 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. consumption, or an evil disposition of tlic whole boiJy, called Cachexia, by the use hereoffor some time together, shall tind a wonderful help. It helpeth also to procure rest and sleep to bodies distempered by the heat of ague fits, or otherwise : The distilled water is efl'cctual to drink in pestilential fevers, and to wash the sores. You see here what virtues this common herb hath, and that is the reason the French and Dutch so often cut them in the Spring : and now, if you look a little farther, you may sec plainly, without a pair of speftacles, that foreign physicians are not so selfish as ours are, but more com- municative of the virtues of plants to people. Darnel. Tj . (c. 3. d. 2.) It is called Jura and Wray, in Sussex they call it Crop, it being a pestilent enemy among corn. Descripi.'] This hath all the Winter long, sundry long, tlat, and rough leaves, which, when the stalk riscth, which is slender and jointed, are narrower, but rough still ; on the top groweth a long spike, composed of many heads set one above another, containing two or three husks, with sharp but short beards of awns at the end j the seed is easily shaked out of the car, the husk itself be- ing somewhat rough. Place.'] The country husbandmen do know this too well to grow among their corn, or in the borders and pathways of the other fields that are fallow. Government and Virtues.^ It is amalicions part of snllea Saturn. As it i;; not without some vices, so hath it also many virtues. The meal of Darnel is very good to stay gangrenes and other such like fretting and eating can- kers and putrid sores ; it also cleanseth the skin of ail le- prosies, morphcws, ringworms and the like, if it be used with salt and reddish roots. And being used with quick brimstone and vinegar, it dissolveth knots and kernels, and breaketh those that are hard to be dissolved, being boiled in wine with pigeon's dung and linseed. A deco<5tion thereof made with water and honey, and the places bathed therewith is profitable for the sciatica. Darnel meal applied in a poultice drawcth forth splinters and broken bones ia the flesh. The red Darnel boiled in red wine THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 1 1 i and taken, stayeth the lask and all other fluxes, and women's bloody issuesj and rcsfraineth urine that passeth away too suddenly. Dill., (h. 3 . d. 2.) Tins plant is sometimes mistaken for Fennel. Descript.'[ The common Dill growcth up with seldom more than one stalk, neither so high nor so great usually as Fennel, being round and fewer joints thereon, whose leaves are sadder and somewhat long, and so like fennel that it deceiveth many, but harder in handling, and some- what thicker, and of a stronger unpleasant scent ; the tops of the stalks have four branches, and smaller umbels of yellow flowers, which turn into small seed, somewhat flatter and thinner than Fennelseed. The root is somewhat small and woody, pcrisheth every year after it hath borne seed, and is also unprofitable, being never put to any u»e. Place.l it is most usually sown in gardens and grounds for the purpose, arid is also found in many wild places. Government and ririues.j Mercury hath the di)minion of this plant, and therefore to be sure it strengthens the brain. The Dill being boiled and drank, is good to ease swellings and pains ; it also stayeth the belly and sto- ?nach from casting. The decoction thereof helpeth wo- men that are troubled with pains and windiness of the mother, if they sit therein. It siayeth the hiccough, be- ing boiled in wine, and but smelled unto, being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more use than the leaves, and more etFedtual to digest raw and vicious humours, and is used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding therefrom. The seed being roasted or fried, and used in oils or plaisters, dissolve the impost- humes in the fundament; and drieth up all moist ulcers, especially in the fundament ; an oil made of Dill is ef- fe6lual to warm or dissolve huuiours and imposthumes, to ease pains and procure rest. The decoetion of Dill, be it herb or seed (only if you boil the seed you must bruise it) in white wine, being drank, it is a gallant cx- pcller of wind, aud provoker of the terms. 112 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Devil's Bit. ? . (h. d. 2.) Thfue arc three sorts hereof, in nothing unlike^ save the colour oi" the flowers. Deacript.^ This rises up with a round green smooth stalk, about two feet high, set witii divers long and some- what narrow, smooth, dark green k-avts, somewhat iiipp'd about the edges, for the most part, being else all whole, and not divided at all, or but very seldom, even to the tops of the branches, which yet are smaller than those below, with one rib only in the middle. At the end of each branch standeth a round head of many flowers set together in the same manner, or more neatly than Scabious, and of a more bluish, purple or white colour, wliich being past, there followetli seed that I'alk-th away. The root somewliat thick, but short and blackish, with many strings, abiding after seed time many years. This root was longer, until the devil (as the friars say) bit away the rest of it for spite, envying its usefulness to mankind ; for sure he was not troubled with any disease for which it is proper. Place. \ The first groweth as well in dry meadows and fields as moist, in many places of this laud ; but ey will but be pleased to make use of her herb boiled in white wine, and drink the deco6lion ; it cleanseth the womb, expels the after-birth, and doth a woman all the good she can desire of an herb. And if any grumble because they cannot get the herb "'n Win- ter, tell them, if they please, they may make a syrup of it in Summer ; it is chiefly used for the diseases of the mother, whether it be the strangling or rising of the mo- ther, or hardness or inflammations of the same, applied outwardly thereunto; or a decoftion of the flowers in "wine, with a little nutmeg or mace put therein, and drank often in a day, is an approved remedy to bring down women's courses speedily, and helpeth to expel the dead birth and after-birth. For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of the decoftion of the herb made in water or wine, is efFe6lual for the same ; and in some cases, to apply the herb warm to the privy parts. The decoc- tion thereof made with some sugar or honey, is used by many with good success to help the cough and stuffing of the chest, by cold, as to cleanse the reins and bladder, and helps to expel the stone in them. The powder of the herb taken in wine with some Oxymcl, purgeth both choler and phlegm, and is available for those that are short winded, and are troubled with melancholy and heaviness, or sadness of spirits. It is very effectual for all pains ill the head coming of a cold cause, the herb being bruised applied to the crown of the head; as also for the vertigo, that is, a runniag or swimming of the head. The deco6tiou thereof drank warm, and the herb bruised THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 12^ yvHh a few corns of bay-salt, and applied to the wrists before the coining of the ague fits, do take them away. The distilled water taketh away freckles and other spots and deformities in the face. The herb bruised and heated on a tile with some wine to moisten it, or fried with a little wine and oi}, and applied warm outwardly to the places, belpeth the wind and colic in the lower part of the belly. It is an especial remedy against opium, taken too liberally. Fennel. ?. Ch.2. d. 1.) Every garden afFordeth this so plentifully, that it need* iia description. Government and Virtues.'} One good old fashion is not yet left off, viz. to boil fennel with fish, for it consumes that phlegmatic humour, which fish most plentifully af- ford and annoy the body with, thaugh few that use it, know wherefore they do it ; 1 suppose the reason of its benefit this way is, because it is an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo, and therefore bears antipathy to Pisces. Fennel is good to break wind, to provoke urine, and ease the pains of the stone, and helps to break it. The leaves or seeds boiled in barley water and drank, are good for nurses, to encrease their milk, and make it more wholesome for the child. The leaves, or rather the seeds boiled in water, stayeth the hiccough, and taketh away the loathings which oftentimes happen to the stomach of sick and feverish persons, and allayeth the heat thereof. The seed boiled in wine and drank, is good for those that are bitten with serpents, or have eaten poisonous herbs, or mushrooms. The seeds and the roots much more help to open obslru(5tions of the liver, spleen and gall, and thereby help the painful and Avindy swellings of the spleen, and the yellow jaundice, as also the gout aud cramp. The seed is of good use in medicines to help shortness of breath and wheezing by stopping of the lungs, it helpeth also to bring down the courses, and to cleanse the parts after delivery. The roots are of most Mse in physic drink and broths that are taken to cleanse the blood, to open obstruftions of the liver, to provoke uciee, and amend the ill colour in the face after sick*. G 5 130 TUB ENGLISH PH¥se lesser, set on each side of a middle rib, and each of them deisted about the edges, somewhat resembling ■wild Tansy, or Agrimony, but harder in handling ; among ^vhich rise up one or more stalks, two or three feet high, with the leaves growing thereon, and sometimes also di- vided into other branches, spreading at the top into many white sweet smelling flowers, consisting of five leaves a-piece, with some threads in the middle of them stand- ing together, in a pith, or umbel, each upon a small foot-stalk, which, after they have been blown upon a good ■while, do fall away, and in their places appear small^ round, chaffy heads, like buttons, wherein are the chaffy seeds set and placed. The root consists of many small, black, tuberous pieces, fastened together by many small, long blackish strings, which run from one to another. Place."] It groweth in many places of this land, ia the corners of dry fields and meadows, and the hedge sides. Time.'} They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe in August. Government and /^eV^MCJ.] It is under the dominion of Venus. It efi'eftually opens the passages of the urine, helpeth the stranguary, the stone in the kidnies or blad- der, the gravel, and all other pains of the bladder and. 3 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 13-/ reins, by taking the roots in powder, or a decodlion of them in white wine, with a little honey. The roots made into powder, and mixed with honey, in the form of an eleftuary, doth much help them whose stomachs arc swollen, dissolving and breaking the wind which was the cause thereof; and is also very eifeCtuil for all the diseases of the lungs, as shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarse- ness of the throat, and the cough ; and to expectorate tough phlegm, or any ather parts, thereabout. The Fig-Tree. 1/. (k. d. 2.) To give a description of a tree so well known to every body that keeps it in his garden, were needless. They prosper very well in our English gardens, yet are fitter for medicine than for any other profit which is gotten by the fruit of them. Government and Virtues.'] The tree is under the domi- nion of Jupiter. The milk that issueth out from the leaves or branches when they are broken off, being drop- ped upon warts, taketh them away. The decodtion of. the leaves is excellent good to wash sore heads with ; and there is scarcely a better remedy for the leprosy than it is. It clears the face also of morphew, and the body of white scurf, scabs, and running sores. If it be dropped into old fretting ulcers, it clcanscth out the moisture, and bringeth up the flesh ; because you cannot have the leaves green all the year, you may make an ointment of them whilst you may. A decoftion of the leaves being drank inwardly, or rather a syrup made of them, dissolves con- gealed blood, caused by bruises or falls, aud h-elps the bloody-flux. The ashes of the wood made into an oint- ment with hog's grease, helps kibes and chilblains. The juice being put into an hollow tooth, easeth pain ; as also pain and noise in the ears, being dropped in them, and deafness. An ointment made of the juice, and hog's grease, is as excellent a remedy for the biting of mad dogs, or other venomous beasts, as most are. A syrup saade of the leaves, or green fruit, is excellent good for coughs, hoarseness, or shortness of breath, and all dis- eases of the breast and lungs; it is also excellent good for the dropsy and feUiDg-sickncss. They say that the 134 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. fig-trce, as well as the bay-trce, is n€?er hurt by light- ning; as also if you tie a bull, be he ever so mad, to a fig-tree, he will quickly become tame and gentle. As tor such figs as come from beyond sea, I have little to say, because I write not of exoticks ; yet some authors say, the eating of them makes people lousy. The yellow Water-Flag, or Flower de-lucc. 3>, ih, d. 4.) This plant should be extirpated from all meadows where cattle arc kept. Descript.] This groweth like the flower-de-luce; but it hath much longer and narrower sad green leaves joint- ed together in that fashion ; the stalk also growing often- times as high, bearing small yellow flowerSj shaped like the Flower-de-luce, with three failing leaves, and other three arched, that cover their bottoms ; but instead of the three upright leaves, as the FloAver-dc-Iuce hath, this hath only three short pieces standing in their places, after which succeed thick and long three-square heads, con- taining in each part somewhat big and flat seed, like those of the Flower-dc-lnce. The root is long and slender, of a pale brownish colour on the outside, and of a horse- flesh colour on the inside, with many fibres thereat, and very harsh in taste. Flace.^ It usually grows in watery ditches, poods, lakes, and moor-sides, which are always overflowed with waters. Time.'] It flowereth la July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of the Moon. The root of this Water Flag is very, astrin- gent, cooling, and drying, and thereby helps ah laxes and fluxes whether of blood or humours, as bleeding at the mouth, nose, or other parts, bloody flux, and the immoderate flux of women's courses. The distilled water of the whole herb, flowers and roots, is a sovereign good remedy for watering eyes, both to be dropped into them, and so have cloths or sponges wetted therein, and applied to the forehead; it also hclpeth the spots and blemishes that happea ia and about the eyes, or any other jparts. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 135 The said water fomented on swellings, and hot inflamma- tions of women's breasts, upon cankers also, and those spreading ulcers called Noli me tangerej do much good. It helpeth also foul ulcers in the privities of man or wo- man ; but an ointment made of the flowers is better for those external applications. Flax-Weed, or Toad -Flax. d*. (temp.d. 3.) Tins very noxious weed is reckoned, by some, to be poisonous, though it is likewise very useful. Descript.'] Our common flax-weed hath divers stalks, full fraught with long and narrow ash. coloured leaves, aad from the middle of them almost upward, stored with a number of pale yellow flowers, of a strong unpleasant scent, with deeper yellow mouths, and blackish flat seed in round heads. The root is somewhat woody, and white, especially the main downright one, with many fibres, abiding many years, shooting forth roots every way round about, and new branches every year. Place.'] This groweth throughout this laud, both by the way-siiles, and in meadows, as also by hedge-sides^ and upon the side* of banks, and borders of fields. Time.'] It flowereth in summer, and the seed is ripe usually before the tnd of August. Government and f irtues.] Mars owns this herb. la Sussex we call it Gallwort, and lay it on our chickens' water, to cure them of the gall ; it relieves them whea they are drooping. This is frequently used to spend the abundance of those watery humours by urine, which cause the dropsy. The decodlion of the herb, both leaves and flowers, in wine taken and drank, doth somewhat move the belly downwards, openeth obstructions of the liver, and helpeth the yellow jaundice; expelleth poison, pro- voketh women's courses, and driveth forth the dead child and after-birth. The distilled water of the herb and flow- ers is efFeftual for all the same purposes; being drank with a dram of the powder of the seeds of bark, or the roots of wall-wort, and a little cinnamon, for certain days to- gether, it is held a singular remedy for the dropsy. The juice of the herb, or the distilled water, dropped into the cyesj is a certaiu remedy for all heat, iaflammatioflj and 1 31 G THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGEH. redness in them. The juice or water put into foul ulcers, "whether they be cancerous or fistulous, with tents rolled therein, or parts washed and injected therewith, cleanseth them thoroughly from the bottom, and healeth them up safely. The same juiee or water also cleanseth the skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity, as leprosy, mor- phew, scurf, wheals, pimples, or .spots, applied of itself, or used with some powder of Lupines. Flea- Wort Tj . (c. 2. temp.) There are two kinds of Flea-wort, difiering, very little, only the leaves of one kind abide the winter, but the others do not. Descn'pt.'] Ordinary Flea-wort riseth up with a stalk two feet high or more, full of joints and branches on every side, up to the top, and at every joint two smaH, long, and narrow whitish green leaves, somewhat hairy. At the top of every branch stand divers small, short, scaly, or chaffy heads, out of which come forth small whitish yellow threads, like to those of the pUiitain herbs, which are the bloomittgs of flowers. The seed inclosed in these heads is small and shining, while it is- fresh, very like unto fleas, both for colour and bigness, but turning black when it groweth old. The root is not long, but white, hard, and woody, perishing every year, and rising again of its own seed for divers years, if it be sufTered to shed. The whole plant is somewhat whitish and hairy, smelling somewhat like rosin. Place.'] The first groweth only in gardens, the second plentifully in fields that are near the sea. Time.'] They flower in July, or (hereabouts. Government and Virtues.^ The herb is cold, dry, and Saturnine. I suppose it obtained the name of Flea-wort, because the seeds are like fleas. The seed fried, and taken, stayeth the flux or lask of the belly, and the cor- rosions that come by reason of hot, choleric, or sharp and malignant humours, or by too-much purging of any violent medicine, as Scammony, or the like. The muci- lage of the seed made with rose water, and a little sugar- candy put thereto, is very good in all hot agues and burn- ing fevers, and other inflammations, to cool the thirst, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 137 and leaify the dryness and roughness of the tongue and throat. It helpeth hoarseness of the voice, and diseases of the breast and lungs, caused by heat, or sharp salt hu- mours, and the pleurisy also. The mucilage of the seed made with plantain-water, whcreunto the yolk of an egg or two, and a little populeon are put, is a most safe and sure remedy to ease the sharpness, pricking, and pains of the haemorrhoids, or piles, if it it be laid on a cloth, and bound thereto. It helpeth all inflammations in any part of the body, and the pains that come thereby, as the head- ach and megrims, and all hot imposthumes, swellings, or breaking out of the skin, as blains, wheals, pushes, purples, and the like j as also the joints of those who are out of joint, the pains of the gout, and sciatica, the bursting of young children, and the swelling of the navel, applied with oil of roses and vinegar. It is also good to heal the nipples and sore breasts of women, be- isig often applied thereunto. The juice of the herb with a little honey put into the ears, helpeth the running of them, and the worms breeding in them: the same also mixed with hog's grease, and applied to corrupt and filthy ulcersj cleanseth and healeth them. Flux- Weed. Tj . {temp. d. S.) Of this also there are two kinds ; diflfering in nothing, save only that one hath somewhat broader leaves; they have a strong evil savour, being smelled unto, and are of a drying taste. Descript.'} It riseth up with a round upright bard stalk, four or five feet high, spread into sundry branches, wher«- on grow many greyish green leaves, very finely cut and severed into a number of short and almost round parts. The flowers are very small and yellow, growing spike fashion, after which come small long pods, with small yellowish seed in them. The root is long and woody, jMjrishing every year. Place.'] They flower wild in the fields, by hedge-sides and highways, and among rubbish and other places. Time.'] They flower and seed quickly after, namely, ia June and July. 138 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Government and Virtues.'] This herb is Saturnine also; Both the herb and seed of Flux-weed arc of excellent use to stay the ilux or lask of the bell}', being drank ia water wherein gads of steel, heated, have been often quenched; and it is no less effectual for the same pur- pose than plantain or cumfrey, and to restrain any other tlux of blood in man or woman, as also to consolidate bones broken or out of joint. The juice thereof drank in wine, or the decoction of the herb drank, doth kill the worms in the stomach or belly, or the worms that grow in putrid and filthy ulcers; and made into a salve doth quickly heal all old sores, how foul or malignant so- ever they be. The distilled water of the herb worketh the same eftects, although somewhat weaker, yet it is a fair medicine, and more acceptable to be taken. It is called Flax-weed because it cures the flux, and for its uniting broken bones, &c. Paracelsus extols us to the skies. It is fitting that syrup, ointment, and plaistcrs of it were kept in your houses. FIower-de-Luce. J. (c. w. 4.) It is so well known, being nourished up in most gar* dens, that I shall not need to spend time in writing a des. cription thereof. Time.] The flaggy kinds thereof have the most physical uses ; the dwarf kinds thereof flower in April, the greater sorts in May. Government and Virtues.'] The herb is Lunar. Tha juice or decoction of the green root of the flaggy kind of Flower-de-luce, with a little honey drank, doth purge and cleanse the stomach of gross and tough phlegm, and choler therein; it hclpeth the jaundice and the dropsy, evacuating those humours both upwards and downwards ; and because it somewhat hurts the stomach, is not to be taken without honey and spikenard. The same being drank, doth ease the pains and torments of the belly and sides, the shaking of agues, the diseases of the liver and spleen, the warms of the belly, the stone in the reins, convulsions and cramps that come of old humours ; it also helps those whose seed passeth from them unawares; it is- THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 139 a remedy against the bitings and stingings of venomous creaturesj Feeing boiled in water and vinegar and drank: boiled in water and drank, it provoketh urine, helpetU the colick, bringeth down women's courses; and made up into a pessary with honey, and put up into the body, draweth forth the dead child. It is much commended against the cough, to expectorate tough phlegm ; it much easeth pains in the head and procureth sleep ; being put into the nostrils, it procureth sneezing, and thereby purgeth the head of phlegm ; the juice of the root ap- plied to the piles or haemorrhoids, giveth much ease; the deco(ftion of the roots gargled in the mouth, easeth the tooth. ach, and helpeth a stinking breath. Oil called Oleum Irinum, if it be rightly made of the great broad flag Flower-de-luce (and not of the green bulbous blue Flower-de-luce, as is used by some apothecaries) and roots of the flagg)' kind, is very effedtual to warm and comfort all cold joints and sinews, as also the gout and sciatica, and mollifieth, dissolveth, and consumeth tumours and swellings in any part of the body, also of the matrix; it helpeth the cramp, or convulsions of the sinews ; the head and temples anointed therewith, helpeth the catarrh, or thin rheum distilled from thence; and used upon the breast or stomach, helpeth to extenuate the cold lough phlegm ; it helpeth aiso pains and noise in the ears, and the stench of the nostrils : the root itself, either greea or in powder, helpeth to cleanse, heal, and incarnate wounds, and to cover the naked bones with flesh again^ that ulcers have made bare ; and is also very good to cleanse and heal up fistulas and cankers, that are hard to be cured. Fluellin, or Luellin. D . (c. m, 2.) Theue are two kinds of Fluellin, of which take the follow- ing description. Descript.^ The first shootelh forth many long branches^ partly lying upon the ground, and partly standing up- right, set with almost red leaves, yet a little pointed, and sometimes more long and round, without order thereon, somewhat hairy, and of an evil greenish white colour; at the joints all along the stalks, and with the- 140 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. leaves come forth small flowers, one at a place, upon a Tcry small short foot-stalk, gaping somewhat like snap- dragons, or rather like toad-tlax, with the upper jaw of a yellow colour, and the lower pf a purplish, with a small heel or spur behind ; after which come forth small brown heads, containing small black seed. The root is small and thready, dying every year, and raiseth itself again of its own sowing. The other sort of Flucllin, hath longer branches, wholly trailing upon the ground, two or three feet long, and somewhat more thin, set with leaves thereon, upon small foot-stalks. The leaves are a little larger, and somewhat round, and cornered sometime in some places OH the edges ; but the lower part of them being the broadest, hath on each side a small point, making it seem as if they were ears, sometimes hairy, but not hoary, and a better green colour than the former. The flowers come forth like the former ; but the colours therein are more white than yellow, and the purple not so fair; it is a large flower, and so are the seed and seed vessels. The root is like the other, and p>erishcth every year. Place.'] They grow in divers corn-fields, and in borders about them, and in other fertile grounds about Southfleet in Kent, abundant ; at Buchrite, Ifamerton, and llich- manworth in Huntingdonshire, and in divers other places. Time] They are in flower about June and July, and the whole plant is dry and withered before August be done. Government and Virtues.] It is a Lunar herb. The leaves bruised and applied with barley meal to watering eyes that are hot and inflamed by defluxions from the head, do very much help them, as also the fluxes o^ blood or humours, as the lask, bloody-flux, women's courses, and stayeth all manner of bleeding at the nose, mouth, or any other place, or that coraeth by any bruise or hurt, or bursting a vein ; it wonderfully helpcth all those inward parts that need consolidating or strength- ening, and is no less cfle6tiial both to heal and close green wounds, than to cleanse and heal all foul or old wlcers, fretting or spreading cankers or the like. Bees are industrious, and go abroad to gather honey from each plant and flower, but drones lie at home, and eat up THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 141 what the bees have have taken pains for ; just so do the collrge of p}»y?icians lie at home and domineer, and suck out the sweetness of other men's labour and studies, themselves being as ignorant in the knowledge of herbs as a child of lour years oid, as I can make appear to anjr rational man by their last dispensatory. Now then to hide their ignoiance, their is no readier way in the world than of thespleen ; it procureth rest and sleep, hindcreth vencry and venerous dreams, cooling heats, i)urgeth the stomach, incrcaseth blood, and heipeth the diseases of reins and bladder. Outwardly applied, it is singularly good for all the defc61s and diseases of the eyes, used with some women's milk; and used with good success in fretting or creeping ulcers, especially in the beginning. The green leaves bruised, and with a little salt applied to any place burnt with fire, before blisters do arise, heipeth them ; also inflammations, St Anthony's lire, and all pushes and eruptions, hot and salt phlegm. The same api)licd with meal and fair water, in manner of a poultice, to any place affected with convulsions and the cranip, such as are out of joint, doth give help and ease. The distilled water cleansetli the skin, and takcth away freckles, spots, morphew, or wrinkles in the face. Hawthorn. <^. (h. d. 3.) It is not my intention to trouble you with a description of this tree, which is so well known that it iicedeth none. It is ordinarily but a hedge bush, although pruned and dressed, it groweth to a tree of a reasonable height. As for the Hawthorn-Tree at Glastonbury, which is said to flower yearly on Christmas-day, it rather shews the superstition of those that observe it for the time of its flowering, than any great wonder, since the like may be found in divers other places of this land ; as in Whey- street in Romney-Marsh, and near unto Nantwich in Cheshire, by a place called White-Green, where it flow- ereth about Christmas and May. If the. weather be frosty, it tlowereth not until January, or that the hard weather be over. Government and Virtues.'] It is a tree of Mars. The seeds in the berries beaten to powder, being drank in wine, arc held singular good against the stone and the dropsy. The distilled water of the llower stayeth the lask. The seed cleared from the down, bruised and boiled in wine, and drank, U- good for inward tormenting pains. If cloths and spunges be wet in the distilled water, and applied to any place "wherein thorns and 160 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. splinters, or the like, do abide in the flesh, it will notaLIy draw thcni forth ; and thus you sec the thorn. f;ivcs a medicine for his own pricking, and so doth almost every thing else. Hemlock. Tj . (c. i. d. 3.) The whole plant, and erery part, hath an ilUfavOured scent, much ofl'ending the sensfs. Desatpt.^ The common great Ilcnilock groweth np^ with a green stalk, four or live feet high, or more, full ot rod spots sometimes, and at the joints very large winged, leaves set at them, which arc divided into many other •winged leaves, one set against the other, dented about the edges, of a sad green colour, branched towards the top,, ■where it is full of umbels of white flowers, and afterwards with whitish flat seed ; the root is long, white, and some- ■what crooked, and hollow within, Place.'] 1 1 groweth in all counties of this land, by walls and hedge-sides, in waste grounds and untilled places. Time.'] It flowereth and sccdcth in July, or there- abouts. Government and f^irtu€S.~\ Saturn claims dominion over this herb, yet 1 wonder why it mav not be applied to. the privities in a priapism, or continual standing of the yard, it being very beneficial to that disease ; I suppose, my author's judgment was first upon the opposite dispo- sition of Saturn to Venus in those faculties, therefore he forbad the applying of it to those parts, that it might not cause barrenness, or spoil the spirit procreative •. which if it do, yet applied to the privities, it stops its lustful thoughts. Hemlock is exceedingly cold, and very dangerous, especially to be taken inwardly. It may safely, be applied to inflammations, tumours and SAvellings ia any part of the body, (save the private parts) as also io St. Anthony's fire, wheals, pushes, and creeping ulcers tha.t arise of hot sharp humours, by cooling and repelU ing the heat : the leaves bruised and laid to the brow or forehead are good for the eyes that are red and swol- len ; as also to take away a pin and web growing in the eye; this is a tried medicine. Take a small handful of this herb, and half so much Bay salt, beaten toge- THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 101 ther, and applied to the contrary wrist of the hand for 2 4 hours, doth remove it in thrice dressing. If the root thereof be roasted under the embers, wrapped in double wet paper, until it be soft and tender, and then applied to tlie gout in the hands and fingers, it will quickly lielp this evil. If any, through mistake, eat the herb Hemlock instead of Parsley, or the roots instead of a Parsnip (both of which it is very like) whereby happeneth a kind of frenzy, or perturbation of the senses, as if they were stupid and drunk, the remedy is (as Pliny saith) to drink of the best and strongest pure wine, before it strikes to the heart, or gentian put in wine, or a draught of vinegar, wherewith Tragus doth afErm, that he cured a woman that had eaten the root. Hemp. f2 . (c. d. 1.) This is so well known to every good housewife ia the country, that 1 shall not need to write any description of it. Time.'] It is sown in the end of March,, or beginning of April. Government and Virtues.'] It is a plant of Saturn, and good for fomething else, you see, than to make halters only. The seed of Hemp consuraeth wind, and by too much use thereof disperseth it so much, tltat it drieth up the natural seed for procreation ;. yet^ being boiled ia milk, and taken, helpeth such as have a hot dry cough. The Dutch make an emulsion out of the seed, and give it with good success to those who- have the jaundice, espe- cially in the beginning of the disease, if there be no ague accompanying it, for it opcncth obstrudtions of the gall, and causeth digestion of ckoler. The emulsion or de- coction of the seed stayetli lasks and continual lluxes, easeth the colic, and allayeth the troublesome humours in the bowels, and stayeth bleeding at the mouth, nose, or other places, some of the leaves being fried with the blood of ihem that bleed, and so given them to eat. It h hold very good to kill the worms in men or beasts; and the juice dropped into the ears, killeth the worms in them, and draweth forth earwigs, or other living creatures gotten in tbcm. The decoction of the root allayeth iullammations 162 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. of the head, or any other parts ; the herb itself, or the distilled water thereof, doth the like. The decoction of the root easeth pains of the gout, the hard htMuonrs of knots in the joints, the pains and shrinking of (he sinews, and the pains of the hips. Tlie fresh juice mixed with a litde oil and butter, is good for any place that halh been burnt with fire, being thereto applied. Always observe the sympathys and antipathys which vre have already taught you in the herb Carduns Bene- di<5tus, for there is a sympathy and antipathy in the stars, planets, men, women, herbs, animals, and in short in every thing in existence, even as much as there is in fire and water, good and evil, from whence arose the use of amulets, tclesmes, lamens, pcntacles, &c. I have cured diseases by them myself when all the powers of medicines have failed ; they always answer the end for which they are made. 1 liave made several of them, being ordered, and are now daily worn by young ladies, ■which most powerfully defends them from all the malig- nant powers of sedudtion, &ic. which arc duly consecrated according to art founded on the constant practice and daily experience of the ancient Romans, Hebrew, ChaU dean, Greek, Arabian, Latin and Egyptian Do6lors of this said art and science, and also by Zoroastes, Appol- lonius of Tyana, Agrippa, INIcrlin, Roger Bacon, Para- celsus, Dr. Dee, Petrus de Abano. &:c. &C. who performed a great number of most wonderful miracles by this said Divine Art, which first originated from Moses and the fiery serpent, being instituted by God himself, see Num- bers xxi. 8, 9. I have placed the remedy for sedu(^ion under this herb, because those that commit rapes are generally afiiictcd by the Hemp Fever, which comnsonly cause death. Ilcjibane. Pj . (c. 4. d. 1.) The whole plant, more than the root, hath a very heavy, ill, soporiferous smell, somewhat oilensive. Descript.^ Our common Henbane halh very large, thick, soft, woolly leaves, lying on the ground, much cut in, or torn on the edges, of a dark, ill greyish green THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 163 colour; among ivhich arise up divers thick and short staJks, two or three feet high, spread into divers small branches, with lesser leaves on them, and many hollow flowers, scarce appearing above the husk, and usually- torn on one side, ending in five round points, growing one above another, of a deadish yellowish colour, some- what paler towards the edges, with many purplish veins therein : and a dark, yellowish purple in the bottom of (he flower, with a small point of the same colour in the middle, each of them standing in a hard close husk, Avhich iil'tcr the flowers are past, groweth very like the husk of Asarabacca, and somewhat sharp at the top points, wherein is contained much small seed, very like Poppy seed, but of a dusky, greyish colour. The root is great, white and thick, branching forth divers ways under ground, so like a Parsnip root (but that it is not so white) that it hath deceived others. Place.'] It commonly groweth by the way-sides, and under hedge-sides and walls. Time.'] It flowereth in July, and springeth again yearly of its own seed. 1 doubt my authors mistook July for June, if not for May. Government and Virtues.'] I wonder how astrologers could take on them to make this a« herb of Jupiter; and yet Mezaldus, a man of penetrating brain, was of that opinion as well as the rest; the herb is indeed under the dominion of Saturn, and I prove it by this argument: All the herbs which grow in Saturnine places, are Satur- nine herbs. But ilcnbane delights most to grow iu Saturnine places, and whole cart loads of it may be found near the places where they empty the common jakes, and scarce a ditch to be found without it growing by it. P^go, it is an herb of Saturn. The leaves of Henbane do coul all hot inflammations in the eyes, or any other part of the body ; and are good to assuage all manner of swellings of the privities, or women's breasts, or elsewhere, if they be boiled in wine, and either appiiod themselves, or the fomentation warm ; it also assuageth the pain of the gout, the sciatica, and other pains in the joints which arise from a hot cause. And applied with vinegar to the forehead and temples, helpeth the hcad-ach and want of sleep in hot fevers. The juice of the herb or seed, or the I6i THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN" ENLARGED. oil drawn from tlie sced^docs the like. The oil of tlic seed is liclpfiil for deafness, noise, and worms in the cars, being dropped therein ; the jnice of the herb or root doth the same. The decoction of the herb or seed, or both, killeth lice in man or beast. The fume of the dried herb, stalks and seed, burned, quickly healcth swellings, chilblains or kibes in the hands or i'act, by holding them ia the fume thereof. The remedy to help those that have taken Henbane is to drink goat's milk, honeyed water, or pine kernels, with sweet wine ; or, in the absence of these, fennel-seed, nettle-seed, the seed of cresses, mustard, or radish ; as also onions or garlick taken in Mine, do. all help to free them from danger, and restore them to their due temper again. Take notice, that this herb must never be taken in- wardly; outwardly, an oil, ointment, or plaister of it, is most admirable for the gout, to cool the venereal heat of the reins in the French pox ; to stop the tooth-ach, being applied to the aching side; to allay all inilaminations, and tc help the diseases before premised. Hedge Hyssop, c?. (//. d. 3.) DiYEUs sorts there are of this plant ; the first of which is an Italian by birth, and only nursed up here in the gardens of the curious. Two or three sorts are found commonly growing wild here, the description of two of of which I shall give you. Desc7ipt.'\ The first is a smooth, low plant, not a foot high, very bitter in taste, with many square stalks, diversly branched from the bottom to the top, with divers joints, and two small leaves at each joint, broader at the bottom than they are at the end, and full of veins. The Uowers stand at the joints, being of a fair purple colour, with some white spots in them, in fashion like those of dead nettles. The seed is small and yellow, and the roots spread much under ground. The second seldom groweth half a loot high, sending np many small branches, whereon grow many small leaves, set one against the other, somewhat broad, but very t>hort. The flowers are like the flowers of the other ia fashion, but of a pale reddish colour. The THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 165 seeds are small and yellowish. The root spreadeth like the other, neither Avill it yield to its fellow one ace of bitterness. Place.] They grow in wet lo\v grounds, and by the -vvater-sides ; the last may be found among the bogs on Hampstead Heath. Titiic.'] they flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe presently after. Government and Virtues.1 They are herbs of Mars, and as choleric and churlish as he is, being most violent purges, especially of clioler and phlegm. It is not safe taking them inwardly, unless they be Avell re(!'lified by the art of the alchymist, and only the purity of them given : so used they may be very helpful both for tho dropsy, gout, and sciatica ; outwardly used in ointments they kill worms, the belly anointed with it, and are ex- cellent good to cleanse old and filthy ulcers. Black-Hellebore. T: . (c. 4. d. 2.) It is also called Setter-wort, Setter-grass, Bear's-foot, Christmas-herb, and Christmas-flower. DescripL^ It hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root, each of them standing about an handful high from the earth : each leaf is divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, dented from the middle of the leaf to tho point on both sides, abiding green all the winter ; about Christmas-time, if the weather be any thing tem- perate, the flowers appear upon foot-stalks, also con- sisting of five large, round, white leaves a-piece, which sometimes are purple towards the edges, with many pale yellow thumbs in the middle; the seeds are divided into several cells, like those of Columbines, save only that they are greater ; the seeds are in colour black, and iu form, long and round. The root consisteth of num- berless blackish strings all united into one head. There is aoother Black Hellebore, which grows up and down in the woods very like this, but only that the leaves are smaller and aarrower, and perish in the Winter, which this doth not. Flace.l Tlie first is maintained ia gardens. The 166 THE ENGLISH TIIYSICIAN ENLAKGED. second is commoiily found in the woods in Xorlhaniplon- shire. Tiific.l The first (lowcreth in December or January ; the second in February or IVIarch. Governtuent and firtiics.'j It is an herb of Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it hath some sullen conditions M'ith it, and \vould be far safer, beinp; purified by the art of the alchymist, than given raw. if any have taken any harm by taking it, the common cure is to take goat's milk: if you cannot get goat's milk, you must make a shift Avith such as you can get. The roots arc very effciSlual against all melancholy diseases, especially such as are of long standing, as quartan agues and madness ; it helps the falling sickness, tlie leprosy, both the yellow and black jaundice, the gout, sciatica, and convulsions; and this was found out by experience, that the root of that which groweth wild in our country, works not so churlishly as those do which are brought from beyond sea, as being maintained by a more temperate air. The root, used as a pessary, provokes the terms exceedingly ; also being beaten into powder, and strewed upon foul ulcers, it consumes the dead ilesh, and instantly heals them ; nay, it will help gangrenes in the beginning. Twenty grains taken inwardly is a sufHcient dose for one time, and let that be corretled with half so much cinnamon ; country people used to rowel their cattle \vilh it. If a beast be troubled with a cough, or have taken any poison, they bore a hole through his car, and j)ut a piece of the root in it, this will help him in 24 hours time. Many other uses farriers put it to, which 1 shall forbear. Herb Robert. ?. (h. m. 2.) Tins herb is in great repute amongst farmers, in diseases of their cattle. Descript.'] It riseth up with a reddish stalk, two ivct high, having divers leaves thereon upon very long and reddish foot-stalks, divided at the ends into three or five divisions, each of them cut in on (he edges, some deeper than others, and all dented likewise about the edges, which sometimes turn reddish. At the tops of the stalks 2 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 167 come forth divers flowers made of five leaves, much larger than the dove's-foot, and a more reddish colour ; after which come back heads, as in others. The root is small and thready, and smellcth as the whole plant, very strong, almost stinking. Placc.l This groweth frequently every where by the way.!^ides, upon ditch banks and waste grounds where- soever one gocth. Time.'] It Uowcreth in June and July chiefly, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Venua. Herb Robert is commended not only against the stone, but to stay blood, where or howsoever flow, ing ; it speedily healcth all green wounds, and is eff"ec- tual in old ulcers in the privy parts, or elsewhere. You may persuade yourself tliis is true, and also conceive a good reason for it, do but consider it is an herb of Venus, for all it hath a man's name. TIerb True-love, or One-berry. 5. (temp. m. I.) It is also called Herb-Paris, and Four-Ieaved True Love. Descript.] Ordinary Herb True-love, hath a small creeping root running under theuppermostcrustoftheground, some- what like couch-grass root, but not so white, shooting forth stalks with leaves, some wiiereof carry no berries, the others do ; every stalk smooth without joints, and blackish green, rising about half a foot high, it it bear berries, otherwise seldom so high, bearing at the top four leaves set diredly one against another, in manner of a cross or ribband tied (as it is called, in a true-love's knot) which are each of them apart somewhat like unto a night- shade leaf, but somewhat broader, having sometimes three leaves, sometimes five, sometimes six, and those some- times greater than in others, in the middle of the four leaves risofh up one small slender stalk, about an inch high, bearing at the tvjps thereof one liower spread like a star, consisting of four small and long narrow-pointed leaves of a yellovvi-h green colour, and four others lying between them lesser than (hey; in the middle whereof stands a round dark purplish button or head, compassed J68 THE i:nglisii physician enlarged. aljout with ciglit small yellow mealy (lircads mI(1i tlirce colours, making it the more conspicuous, and lovely to behold. This button or head in the middle, when the other leaves arc withered, become a hiackish purple berry, full of juice, of the bigness of a reasonable grape, having -within it many white seeds. Tiie whole plant is without any manifest taste. Place.'] It groweth in Avoods and copses, and some- times iu the corners or borders of lields, and waste grounds in very many places of this land, and abundantly in the woods, copses, and other places about Chislchurst, and Maidstone in Kent. Thne.^ They spring up in the middle of April or ^lay, and are in flower soon after. Tlie berries are ripe in tliv end of May, and in some places in June. Guver/unent and Virtues.'] Venus owns it ; the leaves or })erries hereof are eliedtual to expel poison of all sort.*-, especially that of the aconites : as also, the plague, and other i)estilential disorders : Matthiolus saith, that some that have lain long in a lingering sickness, and others that by witchcraft (as it was thought) were beconje half foolish, by taking a dram of the seeds or berries hereof in powder every day for 20 days together, were restored to their former health. The roots in powder taken in wine easeth the pains of the cholick speedily. The leaves are very eftecfual, as well for green wounds, as to cleanse and heal up iilthy old sores and ulcers ; and is very powerful to discuss old tumours and swellings in the pri- vate parts, the groin, or in any part of the body, and speedily to allay all inflammations. The juice of the leaves applied to felons, or those nails of the hands or toes that have imposthumes or sores gathered together at the roots of them, healeth them in a short space. The herb is not to be described for the premises, but is fit to be nourished in crery good woman's garden. Children should be cautioned against eating the berries. Hyssop. %. (temp* d. 2.) IIvssop is so well knowH to be an inhabitant in every garden, that it will save me the labour in writing a de- scription thereof. The virtues are as follow: THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 169 Temperature and Virtues. '\ The herb is Jupiter's, and the sign Cancer. It strengthens all the parts of the body under Cancer and Jnpiter ; which what they may be, is found amply discoursed in my astrological judgment of diseases. Dioscorides saith, that Hyssop boiled with rue and honey, and drank, helpcth those that are troubled with coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and rheumatic distillations upon the lungs ; taken also with oxymel, it purgeth gross humours by stool; and with honey killeth worms in the belly ; and with fresh and new figs bruised, hclpeth to loosen the belly, and more forcibly, if the root of Flower-de-luce and Crosses be added thereto. It umcndeth and cherisheth the native colour of the body, spoiled by the yellow jaundice ; and being taken with figs and nitre, helpeth the dropsy and spleen ; being boiled with wine, it is good to wash inflammations, and taketh away the black and blue spots and marks that come by strokes, bruises, or falls, being applied with warm water.- It is an excellent medicine for the quinsey, or swellino- in the throat, to'.vash and gargle it, being boiled with figs ; it helpeth the tootli-acli, being boiled with vinegar and agarglcd there with. The hot vapours of the decoction taken by a funnel in at the ears, easeth the inflammations and singing noise of them. Being bruised, and salt, honey, and cummin. seed put to it, helpeth those that are stung by serpents. The oil thereof (the head being anointed) killeth lice, and taketh away itching of the head. It helpcth those that have the falling-sickness, which way soever it be applied. It hclpeth to expectorate tough phlegm, and is elfe(5tual in all cold griefs, or diseases of the chests or lungs, being taken either in syrup or licking medicine. The greea herb bruised, and a litttle sugar doth quickly heal any cut or green wounds, being thereto applied. Hops. cJ. {h. d. 2.) These are so well known, that they need no description; I mean the manured kind, which every good husband or housewife is accjuainted with. 170 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAIIGED. Descript.'] This wild hop groMcth up as the otlicr doth, ramping upon trees or hedges that stand next to Ihem, M'ith rough branches and leaves like the former, but it givcth smaller heads, and in far less plenty than it, so that there is scarce a head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild kind, wherein consisteth the chief diflercnce. Place.'] They delight to grow in low moist grounds, and arc found in all parts of this land. Time.] They spring not up until April, and flower not until the latter end of June ; the heads are not gathered until the middle or latter end of September. Government and Virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars. This, in physical operations, is to open obstruc- tions of the liver and spleen, to cleanse the blood, to loosen the belly, to cleanse the reins from gravel, and provoke urine. The deco6tion ot the tops of Hops, as well of the tame as the wild, worketh the same effefls. In cleansing the blood they help to cure the French dis- ease, and all manner of scabs, itch, and other breakings- out of the body ; as also all tetters, ring-worms, and spreading sores ; the morphew, and all discolouring of the skin. The deco6lion of the flowers and tops do help to expel poison that any one hath drank. Half a dram of the seed in powder taken in drink, killeth worms in the body, bringeth down women's courses, and expelleth urine. A syrup made of the juice and sugar, cureth the jollow jaundice, easeth the head-ach that comes of heat, and tempereth the heat of the liver and stomach, and is profitably given in long and hot agues that rise in choler and blood. Both the wild and the manured are of one property, and alike effedlual in all the aforesaid dis- eases, liy all these testimonies beer appears better than ale. Mars owns the plant, and then Dr. Reason will tell you how it performs these a6lions. Horehound. ?. {h. 2. d. 3.) There are two kinds of Horehound, white and black ; the latter is also called Hen-bit j but the white is the one here recommended. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 171 Descript.'] Common Horcho^nd groweth up with square hairy stalks, half a yard or two feet high, set at the joints with two round crumpled rough leaves, of a sullen hoary green colour, of a reasonable good scent, but a very bitter taste. The flowers are small, white, and gaping, set in a rough, hard prickly husk round about the joints, with the leaves in the middle of the stalk upwards, wherein after- wards is found small round blackish seed. The root is blackish, hard and woody, with many strings, and abideth many years. Place.'] It is found in many parts of this land, in dry grounds, and waste green places. Time.'] It flowereth in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury. A decoction of the dried herb, with the seed, or the juice of the green herb taken with honey, is a remedy for those that are short-winded, have a cough, or are fallen into a consumption, either through long sickness, or thin distillations of rheum upon the lungs. It helpeth to ex- pe6torate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken with the roots of Iris or Orris. It is given to women to bring down th«ir courses, to expel their after birth, and to them that have sore and long travails ; as also to those that have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by veno- mous serpents. The leaves used with honey, purgeth foul ulcers, stays running or creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails; it also helpeth pains of the sides. The juice thereof with wine and honey, helpeth to clear the eye-sight; and snuffed up into tiie nostrils, purgeth away the yellow jaundice ; and with a little oil of roses dropped into the ears, easeth the pains of them. Galen saith, it openeth obstrudlions both of the liver and spleen, and purgeth the breast and lungs of phlegm ; and used outwardly, it both cleanseth and digtsteth. A decofilion of Horehound (saith Matthiol^s) is available for those that have hard livers, and for such as have itches and running tetters. The powder hereof taken, or the decoc- tion, killeth worms. The green leaves bruised, and boiled in old hog's grease into an ointment, healeth the bitings of dogs, abatetli the swellings and pains that come by any- pricking of thorns, or such like means; and useJ with z 2 172 THE INGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. vinegar, dcauscth and hcalcth tetters. There is a syrup mado of llorchound to be had at the apothecaries, very good for old coughs, to rid phlegm; as also to void cold rheums from the lungs of old folks, and for those that are asthmatic or short-winded. Horsetail. Tj . (c. d. 2.) Or that there are many kinds, but 1 shall not trouble you nor myself with any large description of them, which to do, were but as the proverb is, To find a knot in a rush, all the kinds thereof being nothing else but knotted rushes, some with leaves, and some without. Take the description of the most eminent sort as followeth. Dcscript.^ The great Horsetail at the first springing hath heads somewhat like those of asparagus, and after grow to be hard, rough, hollow stalks, jointed at sundry places up to the top, a foot high, so made as if the lower parts were put into the upper, where grow on each side a bush of small long rush-like hard leaves, each part re- sembling a horse-tail, from whence it is so called. At the tops of the stalks come forth small catkins, like those of trees. The root crecpeth under ground, having joints at sundry places. Place.'] This (as most of the other sorts hereof) groweth in wet grounds. Time.'] They spring up in April, and their blooming catkins in July, seeding for the most part in August, and then perish down to the ground, rising afresh in the Spring. Government and Virtues."] The herb belongs to Saturn, yet is very harmless, and excellent good for the things following: Horsetail, the smoother rather than the rough, and the leaved rather than the bare, is most physical. It is very powerful to staunch bleeding either inward or outward, the juice or the decoftion thereof being drank, or the juice, decodtion, or distilled water applied out- wardly. It also stayeth all sorts of lasks and fluxes iu man or woman, and also bloody nrine; and healcth also not only the inward ulcers, and the excoriation of the entrails, bladder, &c. but all other sorts of foul, moist, and running ulcers, and soon sodcreth together THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 173 the tops of green wounds. It cureth all ruptures in children. The decodion thereof in ^vine being drank, provoketh urine, and helpeth the stone and stranguary ; and the distilled water thereof drank two or three times in a day, and a small quantity at a time, also easeth the entrails or guts, and is effciftual against a cough that comes by distillation from the head. The juice or distilled wa- ter being warmed, and hot inflammations, pustles or red wheals, and other breakings-out in the skin, being bathed therewith, doth help them, and doth no less ease the swelling heat and inflammations of the fundament, or privy parts in men or women. Houseleek, or Sengreen. 1/. (c. 3. temp.) Both these are so well known to my countrymen, that I shall not need to write any description of them. Flace."] It groweth commonly upon Avails and house* sides, and flowereth in July. Government and rirtucs.~\ It is an herb of Jupiter; and it is reported by Mezaldus to preserve what it grows upon, from fire and lightning. Our ordinary Ilouseleek is good for all inward heats, as well as outward, and in the eyes or other parts of the body : a posset made with the juice of Ilouseleek, is singular good in all hot agues, for it cooleth and tcnipereth the blood and spirits, and quencheth the thirst ; and also good to stay all hot defluctions or sliarp and salt rheums in the eyes, the juice being dropped into them, or in the ears, helpeth them. It helpeth also other fluxes of humours in the bowels, and the immoderate courses of women. It cooleth and restraineth all other hot inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, scaldings and burnings, the shingles, fretting ulcers, cankers, tetters, ring-worms, and t e like ; and much easeth the pain of the gout proceeding from a hot cause. The juice also taketh away warts and corns in the hands or feet, being often bathed therewith, and the skin and leaves being laid on them afterwards ; it easeth also the head-ach, and distempered heat of tiie brain in frenzies, or through want of sleep, being applied to the temples and forehead. The leaves bruised and laid upon the crown or seam of the head, stayeth bleeding at the uos»». i,3 174 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Ycry quickly. The distilled water of the herb is pro- fitable lor all the purposes aforesaid. The leaves being gently rubbed on any place stung with nettles or bees, doth quickly take away the pain. Hound's Tongue, ?• (c. d. 9.) The great Hounds-tongue, or Dog's-tong&e, hath a disagreeable scent, resembling that of mice. Descript.'\ The great ordinary Hound's Tongue hath man}' long, and somewhat narrow, soft, hairy, darkish green leaves lying on the ground, somewhat like unto Biigloss leaves, from amongst which riseth up a rough hairy stalk about two feet high, with some smaller leaves thereon, and branched at (he tops into divers parts, with a small leaf at the foot of every branch, which is somewhiit Jong, with many flowers set along the same, which branch is crooked or turneth inwards before it flowereth, and openeth by degrees as the Uuwers do blow, which consist of small purplish red leaves of a dead colour, rising out of the husks wherein they stand with some threads in the middle. It hath sometimes a white flower. After the flowers are past, there cometh rough flat seed, with a small point in the middle, easily cleaving to any garment that it toucheth, and not so easily pulled off again. The root is black, thick, and long, hard to break, and full of clammy juice, smelling somewhat strong, of an evil scent, as the leaves also do. Place."] It groweth in moist places of this land, in waste grounds and unfilled places, by highway-sides, lanes, and hedge-sides. Time.^ It flowereth about May or June, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues.'] It is a plant under the domi- nion of Mercury. The root is very effe(5lually used in pills, as well as the deco6tion, or otherwise, to stay all sharp and thin defluftions of rheum from the head into the eyes or nose, or upon the stomach or lungs, as also for coughs and shortness of breath. The leaves boiled in wine (saith Dioscorides, but others do rather appoint it io bo made with water, and do add thereto oil and salt) lu'iliifieth or openoth the belly downwards. It als-a THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 175 hclpeth to cure the biting of a mad dog, some of the leaves being also applied to the wound. The leaves bruised, or the juice of them boiled in hog's lard, and applied, helpeth falling away of the hair, which cometh of hot and sharp humours; as also for any place that is scalded or burnt; the leaves bruised and laid to any green wound doth heal it quickly ; the root baked under the embers, wrapped in paste or wet paper, or in a wet double cloth, and thereof a suppository made, and put up into, or applied to the fundament, doth very effedlually help the painful piles or haemorrhoids. The distilled water of the herbs and roots is very good to all the purposes aforesaid, to be used as well inwardly to drink, as out- wardly to wash any sore place ; for it healeth all manner of wounds and punftures, and those foul ulcers that arise by the French-pox. Mizaldus adds, that the leaves laid under the feet, will keep the dogs from barking at you. It is called llound's-tongue, because it ties the tongues of hounds; whether true, or not, I never tried ; yet I cured the biting of a mad dog with this only medicine. Holly, Holm, or Hulver Bush. Tj . {Ji. d. 2.) Foil to describe a tree so well known is needless. Government and Virtues.'] The tree is Saturnine. The berries expel wind, and therefore are held to be pro- fitable in the colick. The berries have a strong faeulty with them ; for if you eat a dozen of them in the morn- ing when they are ripe and not dried, they purge the body of gross and clammy phlegm ; but if you dry the berries, and beat them into powder, they bind the body, and stop fluxes, bloody-fluxes, and the terms in women. The bark of the tree, and also the leaves, are excellent good, being used in fomentations for broken bones, and such members as are out of joint. Pliny saith, the branches of the tree defend houses from lightning, and men from witchcraft. 4i 17fl THE ENCiLlMI FlIVSICIAN ENLAIIGLD. St. John's Wort. 0. in a- (h. d. 2.) This is a beautiful shrub, and a great ornament to our meadows. Descript.'] Common St. John's Wort shootcth forth brownish, upright, hard round stalks, two feet high, spreading branches from the sides up to the tops of them, with two smalS leaves set one against another at every place, which are of a deep green colour, somewhat like the leaves of the lesser Centaury, but narrow, and full of bioall holes in every leaf, which cannot be so well per- ceived as when they are held up to the light; at the tops of the stalks and branches stand yellow flowers of five leaves a-piece, whith many yellow threads in the middle, which being bruised, do }ield a reddish juice like blood; after which come small round heads, wherein is contained small blackish seed smelling like rosin. The root is hard and woody, with divers strings and libres at it, of a brownish colour, which abideth in the ground many years, shooting anew every Spring. Flacc.'] This groweth in woods and copses, as well those that arc shady, as open to the sun. Time.'\ They flower about Midsummer and July, and their seed is ripe about the latter end of July or August. Government and Virtues.^] It is under the celestial sign Leo, and the dominion of the Sun. It may be, if you meet a Papist, he will tell you, especially if he be a lawyer, that St. John made it over to him by a letter of attorney. It is a singular wound herb ; boiled in wine and drank, it hcalcth inward hurts or bruises ; made into an ointment, it opens obstructions, dissolves swel- lings, and closes up the lips of Avounds. The decoction of the herb and flowers, especially of the seed, being drank in wine, with the juice of knot-grass, helpeth all manner of vomiting and spitting of blood, is good for those that are bitten or slung by any venomous crea- ture, and for those that cannot make water. Two drams fo the seed of St. John's Wort made into powder, and drank in a little broth, doth gently expel cholcr or congealed blood in the stomach. The dcco6tion of (he leaves and seeds drank somewhat warm before the lits of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 177 a^ues, whether they be tertians or quartans, alters the 5ts, and. by often using, doth take them quite away. The seed is much commended, being drank for forty days together, to help the sciatica, the falling-sickness, ^nd the palsy. Ivj. ^2- (h. d. ^ ) It is well known, to every child almost, to grow in woods upon the trees, and upon the stone-walls of churches, houses, &r. and sometimes to grow alone of itself, though but seldom. Time.'l It flowereth not until July, and the berries are not ripe till Christmas, when they have felt winter frosts. Government and Firtues."] It is under the dominion of Saturn. A pugil of the flowers, which may be about a dram (saith Dioscorides) drank twice a day in red wine^ helpeth the lask and bloody-flux. It is an enemy to the nerves and sinews, being much taken inwardly, but very helpful unto them, being outwardly applied. Fliny saith, the yellow berries are good against the jaundice ; and taken before one be set to drink hard, preserveth from drunkenness, and helpeth those that spit blood ; and the white berries being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly, killcth the worms in the belly. The berries are a singular remedy to prevent the plague, as also to free them from it that have got it, by drinking the berries thereof made into powder, for two or three days together. They be- ing taken in wine, do certainly help to break the stone, provoke urine, and women's courses. The fresh leaves of Ivy boiled in vinegar, and applied warm to the sides of those that are troubled with the spleen, ach, or stich in the sides, do give much ease : the same applied with Rose-water, and oil of Roses, to the temples and fore* head, easeth the head-ach, though it be of long continu- ance. The fresh leaves boiled in wine, and old filthy ulcers, hard to be cured, washed therewith, do wonder- fully help to cleanse them: it also quickly healeth greea ■\vounds, and is eS"e6lual to heal all burnings and scaldings, and all kinds of cxulcerations coming thereby, or by salt phlegm or humours in other parts of the body. The juice J 5 J 78 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ©f the berries or leaTCS snuffed up into the nose, purgcth the head and brain of rheum that niakcth dcfluxions inta the eyes and nose, and curing the ulcers and stench therein ; the same dropped into the cars, helpcth the old and running sores of them; those that are troubled with the spleen, shall find much ease by continual drinking out of a cup made of Ivy, so as the drink may stand some small time therein before it be drank. Cato saith, That wine put into the cup, will soak through it, by reason of the antipathy that is between them. There seems to be a very great antipathy between ivinc and Ivy ; for if one hath got a surfeit by drinking of wine, his speediest cure is to drink a draught of the same wine, wherein a handful of Ivy leaves, being first bruised, have been boiled. Juniper Bush. ©. {Ju d. 3.) For to give adescriptionof a bush so Gommonly known, is needless. P/ace.] They grow plentifully in divers woods in Kent; Warney Common, near Brentford, in Essex ; upon Finch- }ey Common without Highgate; hard by the NcAvfound Wells near Dulwich, upon a common between Mitcham and Croydon ; in the Highgate, near Amersham, in- Buckinghamshire; and many other places. Time.'] The berries are not ripe the first year, but con- tinue green ivio Summers and one Winter before they are ripe, at which time they are all of a black colour, and therefore you shall always find upon the bush green berries : the berries are ripe about the fall of the leaf. Government and Virtues.'] This admirable solar shrub is scarce to be paralleled for its virtues. The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry but in the first, being a most admirable counter-poison, and as great a resister of the pestilence as any grows ; they are excellent good against the bitings of venomous boasts ; they provoke urine cxceediagly, and therefore are very available to dysurics and stranguaries. It is so powerful a remedy against the dropsy, that the rery lee made of the ashes of 'he herb being drank, cures the disease : it provokes the terms, helps the fits of the mother, strengthens the •-i. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 173^ stomach exceedingly, and expels the wind ; indeed there is scarce a better remedy for wind in any part of the body, or the colick, than the chymical oil drawn from the berries. Such country people as know not how to draw tho chymical oil, may content themselves by eating ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every morning fasting. They are admirably good for a cough, shortness of breath and consumption, pains in the belly, ruptures, cramps, and convulsions. They give safe and speedy delivery to women with child ; they strengthen the brain exceedingly, help the memory, and fortify the sight by strengthening the optic nerves; are eseelleut good in all serfs of agues ; help the gout and sciatica, and strengthen all the limbs of the body. The ashes of the wood is a speedy remedy to such as have the scurvy, to rub their giims with. The berries stay all fluxes, help, the hasmorrhoids or piles, and kill worms in children. A lee made of the ashes of the wood, and the body bathed with if, cures the itch, scabs and leprosy. The berries break the stone, procure appetite when it is lost, and are excellent good for all palsies, and falling sickness. Kidney^vort. ^. in it. (temp. m. 1.) This is also called Wall Pennyroyal, and Wall Penny- wort. Descript,'] It hath many thick, flat, and round leaves growing from the root, every one having a long footstalk, fastened underneath, about the middle of it, and a little unevenly weaved sometimes about the edgesj of a pale green colour, and somewhat yellow on the upper side like a saucer ; from among which arise one or more tender, smooth, hollow stalks, half a foot high, with two- or three small leaves thereon, usually not round as those below, but somewhat long, and:divided at the edges ; the tops are somewhat divided into long branches, bearing a number of flowers, set round about a long spike one above another, which are hollow like a little bell, of a whitish green colour, after which come small heads, con- ta^ining^^ very small brownish seed^ which falling ou the. i &- 180 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ground, will plentifully spring up before AVintcr, if iL have nioisltire. The root is round and most usually smooth, greyish without, ar.d white "within, Iiavin^ small ubrcs at the head of the root, and bottom of the stalk. Place.'] It growctli very plentifully in many places in this land, but especially in all the west parts thereof, upon stone and mud walls, upon rocks also, and in stony places upon the ground, at the bottom of old trees, and sometimes on the bodies of them that are decayed and rotten. Ti?nc.'\ It usually flowereth in the beginning of May, and the seed ripening quickly after, &heddcth itself; so that about the end of May, usually the leaves and stalks are withered, dry, and gone until September, and the leaves spring up again, and so abide all Winter. Government and Virtues. V enus challcngeth the herb under Libra. The juice or the distilled water being drank, is very clVeftual for all iuHanunations and unna- tural heats, to cool a fainting hot stomach, a hot liver, or the bowels: the herb, juice, or distilled water there- of, outwardly applied, healoth pimples, St. Anthony's fire, and other out.ward heats. The said juice or water telpeth to heal sore kidnies, torn or fretted by the «tone, or csulceratcd within; it also provoketh urine, is available for the dropsy, and helpeth to break the stone. Being used as a bath, or made an ointment, it cooleth the painful piles or ha?morrhoidal veins. It is no less eife(5tual to give ease to pains of the gout, the sciatica, and the inflammations and swellings in the privates; it helpeth the kernels or knots in the neck or throat, called the king's evil ; healing kibes and chil- blains if they be bathed with the juice, or anointed with ointment made thereof, and some of the skin of the leaf upon them ; it is also used in green wounds to stay the bloodj and to heal them quickly. Knapweed. T2 • (^' ^' ^•) AtTHOUGH this is well known in some parts, it may be necessary to give a description thereof. THE ENGLISH PHYSFCIAN ENLARGED. 181 Descript.'] The common sort hereof hath many long and somewhat bread dark green leaves, rising from the root, denied about the edges, and sometimes a little rent or torn on both sides in two or three places, and some- what hairy withal ; amongst which ariseth a long round stalk, four or five feet high, divided into many branches, at the tops whereof stand great scaly green heads, and from the middle of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumbs or threads, which after they are withered and past, there are found divers black seeds, lying in a great deal of down, somewhat like unto Thistle seed, but smaller ; the root is white, hard and woody, and divers fibres annexed thereunto, which perish not, but abideth with leaves thereon all the Winter, shooting out fresh every Spring. Flace.^ It groweth in most fields and meadows, and about their borders and hedges, and in many waste grounds also every where. Tit/ie.l It usually ilowereth in June or July, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues.'] Saturn challengeth the herb for his own. This Knapweed helpcth to stay fluxes, both of blood at the mouth or nose, or other outward parts, and those veins that are inwardly broken or inward wounds, as also the fluxes of the belly; it staycth distil, lations of thin and sharp humours from the head upon the stomach and lungs ; it is good for those that are bruised by any fall, blows, or otherwise, and is profitable for those thai are bursten, and have ruptures, by drinking the deco6tion of the herb and roots iu wine, and applying the same outwardly to the place. It is singularly good in all running sores, cancerous and fistulous, drying up of the moisture, and healing them up gently, without sharp- ness ; it doth the like to running sores or scabs of the head, or other parts. It is of special use for the sore- ness of the throat, swelling of the uvula and jaws, and excellent good to stay bleeding, and heal up all green wounds. 182 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Knotgrass. ^ . (c, d. 2.) It is generally known so well that it nccdcth no dc- scriptioM. Place.'] It groAveth in every county of this land, by the highway sides, and by foot paths in fields; as also by the sides of old Avails. Time.'] It springeth up late in the Spring, and abideth until the Winter, when all the branches perish. Government and rtrtues.] Saturn seems to me to own the herb, and yet some hold the sun; out of doubt 'ti? Saturn. The juice of the common kind of Knotgrass is most cfl'eclual to stay bleeding of the mouth, being drank in steeled or red Avinc ; and the bleeding at the nose, to be applied to the forehead or temples, or to be squirted up into the nostrils. It is no less efleftual to cool and temper the heat of the blood and stomach, and to stay any liux of the blood and humours, as lasts, bloody- flux, women's courses, and running of the reins. It is singular good to provoke urine, help the slranguary, and allayeth the heat that cometh thereby ; and is powerful by urine to expel the gravel or stone in the kidneys and bladder, a dram of the powder of the herb being takcu in wine for many days together : being boiled in wine and drank, it is profitable to these that are stung or bitten by venomous creatures, and very effedlual to stay all defluxions of rheumatic humours upon the stomach, and kiileth worms in the belly or stomach, quieteth in- ward pains that arise from the heat, sharpness and cor- ruption of blood and choler. The distilled water hereof taken by itself, or with the powder of the herb or seed, is very effedlual to all the purposes aforesaid, and is ac- counted one of the most sovereign remedies to cool all manner of inflammations, breaking out through heat, hot swellings and imposthumcs, gangrene and IktuiOus cankers, or foul filthy ulcers, beir>g applied or put into them; but especially for all sorts of ulcers and sores happening in the privy parts of men and women. It helpeth all fresh and green wounds, and speedily healeth them. The juice dropped in the cars, cleanscth them being foul, and having running matter in them. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 183 It is Tcry prevalent for the premises, as also for broken joints and ruptures. Ladies- Mantle ? . (h. d, 2.) This herb is more prized by the German than by the English physicians. Descript."] It hath many leaves rising from the root standing upon long hairy foot-stalks, being almost round, and a little cut on the edges, into eight or ten parts, making it seem like a star, with so many corners and points, and dented round about, of a light colour, some- what hard in handling, and as it were folded or plaited at first, and then crumpled ru divers places, and a little hairy, as the stalk is also, which riseth up among them to the height of two or three feet ; and being Aveak, is not able to stand upright, but bendeth to the ground, divided at the top into two or three branches, with small yellowish green heads, and flowers of a whitish colour breaking out of them ; which being past, there cometh a small yellowish seed like like a poppy-seed ; the root is somewhat long and black, with many strings and fibres thereat. Place.'} It groweth naturally in many pastures and "woodsides in Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of this land. Time-I It flowereth in May and June, abideth after seed-time green all the Winter. Government and Virtues.'] Venus claims the herb as her own. Ladies-Mantle is very proper for those wounds that have inflammations, and is very eff'e6lual to stay bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts, bruises by falls or otherwise, and hdpeth ruptures; and such womea or maids as have over great flagging breasts, causing, them to grow less and hard, being both drank, and out- wardly applied for 20 days together helpeth conception, and to retain the birth ; if the woman do sometimes also sit in a bath made of the decodlion of the herb. It is one of the most singular wound herbs that is, and there- fore highly prised and praised by the Germans, who use it in all wounds inward and autward, to drink a de- codlion thereof, and wash the wounds therewith, or dip tents therein, and put them into the wounds, which wonderfully drieth up all humidity of the sores, and abateth inflammations therein. It quickly healeth all 184 THEliNGLISII PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. green wounds, not suffering any corruption io remain behind, and curcth all sores, though iistuious and hollow. Lavender. ?. (h. d. 3.) Beixg an inhabitant almost in every garden, it is so ^^cll known, that it neeileth no description. Time.'] It lloMcreth about the end of June and begin- ning of July. Govertiment and Virtues."] Mercury owns the herb, and it carries his eflei^ts very potently. Lavender is of a special good use for all the griefs and pains of the head and brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the apoplexy, falling sickness, the dropsy, or sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions, palsies, and often faintings. It strcngtliens the stomach, and freeth the liver and spleen from ob- strut^lions, provoketh women's courses, and expelleth the dead child and alter-birth. The ilowcrs of Lavender steeped in wine, helpeth them to make water that ;ire stopped, or troubled with the wind or colick, if the place be bathed therewith. A decoction made with tlie ilowcrs of Lavender, Ilore-hound, Fennel, and Asparagus root, and a little Cinnamon, is very profitably used to help the falling-sickness, and the giddiness or turning of the brain ; to gargle the mouth with the decoction thereof, is good against the tooth-ach. Two spoonfuls of the distilled water of the flowers taken, helpeth them that have lost their voice, as also the tremblings aad pa«sions of the heart, and faintings and swoonings, not only being drank, but applied to the temples, or nostrils to be snult unto ; but it is not safe to use it where the body is replete v.iih blood and humours, because of the hot and subtil spirits wherewith it is possessed. The chymical oil drawn from Laver.der, usually called Oil of Spike, is of so fierce and piercing a quality, that it is cautiously to be used, some few drops being sufficient, to be given with other things, either for iQward or outward griefs. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, 185 Lavender-Cotton. ^. (h. d. 3.) It being a common garden herb, I shall forbear the description, only take notice, that it flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Mercury. It resisteth poison, putrefaction and heals the bitings of venomous beasts : a dram of the powder of the dried leaves taken every morning fasting, stops the running of the reins in men, and whites in ^vomen. The seed beaten into powder, and taken as worm-seed, kills the worms, not only in children, but also in people of riper years ; the like doth the herb itself, being steeped in milk, and the milk drank; the body bathed with the dccodlion of it, helps scabs and itch. Ladies Smock, j. {h. d. S.) Ai.so called Cuckovr-Flower, a pretty ornament to the tides of most meadows. DescriptS] The root is composed of many small white threads, from whence spring divers long stalks of winged leaves consisting of round, tender, dark green leaves, set one against another upon a middle rib, the greatest beiug at the end, amongst which arise up divers weak round, green stalks, somewhat streaked, with longer and smaller leaves upon them ; on the tops of which stand flowers almost like the Stock GilHflowers, but rounder, and not so long, of a blushing, white colour ; the seed is reddish, and groweth to small bunches, being of a sharp biting taste, and so hath the herb. Pliice.\ They grow in moist places, and near tobrook- sicles. Time.'] They flower in April and May, and the lowe*' leaves continue green all the Winter. Governnwnt and Virtues.] They are under the dominion of the Moon, and very little inferior to Water-Cresses ra all their operations ; they are excellent good for the scurvy ; they provoke urine, and break the stone, and excellently warm a cold andAveak stomach, restoring lost appetite, and help digestion. 186 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Lettuce. ). (c. 3, d. I.) It is so well known, being generally used as a Sallet herb, that it is altogether needless to write any de- scription thereof. Govei'nment and Virtiies.~\ The Moon owns them, and that is the reason they cool and moisten what heat and dryness Mars causeth, because Mars hath his fall ia Cancer ; and they cool the heat because the Sun rules it, between whom and the Moon is a reception in the gene- ration of man, as you may see in my Guide for Women. The juice of Lettuce mixed or boiled with Oil of Roses, applied io the forehead and temples, procureth sleep, and easeth the head-ach proceeding of an hot cause. Being eaten boiled, it helpeth to loosen the belly ; it helpeth digestion, quencheth thirst, increaseth milk in nurses, easeth griping pains in the stoiaach and bowels that come of choler; it abateth bodily lust, rcpresseth venerous dreams, being outwardly applied to the private parts with a little Camphire. Applied in the same manner to the region of the heart, liver or reins, or by bathing the said place with the juice of the distilled water, wherein some white Sanders, or red Roses are put ; also it not only represseth the heat and inflammations therein, but strengthens and comforts those parts, and also temper- eth the heat of urine. Galen adviseth old men io use it with spice ; and where spices are wanting, to add mints, rochet, and such like hot herbs ; or else citron, lemon, or orange seeds, to abate the cold of one, and heat of the other. The seed and distilled water of the Lettuce work the same efre(5t: in all things ; but the use of Let- tuce is chiefly forbidden to those that are short-winded, or hare any imperfedlion in the lungs, or spit blood. Water Lily. ]> . (c. d. o.) Of these there are two principally noted kinds, viz. the White and the Yellow. Descript.'] The White Lily hath very large and thick dark green leaves lying on the water, sustained by long, and thick foot-stalks, that arise from a great, thick. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 187 round, and long tuberous black root, spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon, like eyes, and whitish with- in : from amidst which rise other the like thick green stalks, sustaining one large great flower thereon, green on the outside, but as white as snow within, consisting of divers rows of long, and somewhat thick and narrow leaves, smaller and thinner the more inward they be, en- compassing a head with many yellow threads or thrums in the middle ; where, after they arc past, stand round Pop- py-like heads, full of broad oily and bitter seed. The Yellow kind is little different from the former, save only that it hath fewer leaves on the flowers, greater and more shining seed, and a whitish root both within and without. The root of both is somewhat sweet in taste. Place. '\ They are found growing in great pools and standing Avaters, and sometimes in slow running rivers, and lesser ditches of water, in sundry places of this Jand. Time.l They flower most commonly about the end of May, and their seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.'] The herb is under the domi- nion of the Moon, and therefore cools and moistens like the former. The leaves and flowers of the Lilies are cold and moist, but the roots and seeds are cold and dry ; the leaves do cool all inflammations, both outward and inward heat of agues; and so doth the flowers also, either by the syrup or conserve : the syrup helpeth much to procure rest, and to settle the brain of frantick persons, by cooling the hot distemperature of the head. Th« seed, as well as the root, is efie<5lual to stay fluxes of blood or humours, either of wounds or of the belly : but the roots are most used, and more eflfedlual to cool, bind, and restrain all fluxes in men and women ; also running of the reins, and passing of the seed when one is asleep ; but the frequent use hereof extinguisheth venerous ac- tions. The root is likewise very good for those whose urine is hot and sharp, to be boiled in wine and water, and the decottion drank. The distilled water of the flowers is very effedual for all the diseases aforesaid, both inwardly taken and outwardly applied ; and is much commended to take away freckles, spo.ts, sunburn^ 188 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. and morphcw from the face, or other parts of the boily. The oil iiiadc of tlie flowers, as Oil of Roses is made, is profilably used to cool hot tumours, and to ease the pains aud help the sores. Lily of the Valley. ^. (h. d.lj Called also Conval Lily, Male Lily, and Lily Con- fancy. Dcscript.} TIic root is small, and creepolh far in the ground, as grass roots do. The leaves are many against which riseth up a stalk half a foot high, with many ^\hite flowers, like little bells with turned edges, of a strong, though pleasing smell ; the berries are red, not much un- like those of Asparagus. Place.'] They grow plentifully upon Ilampstead-Heath, and many other places in this nation. Time.'] They flower in May, and the seed is ripe in September. Government and Viriues.'] It is under the dominion of Mercury, and therefore it strengthens the brain, re- cruits a weak memory, and makes it strong again. The distilled water dropped into the eyes, heljis inflammations there, as also that infirmity which they call pin and web. The spirit of the flowers distilled in wine, restoreth lost speech, helps the palsy, and is exceeding good in the apoplexy, comforteth the heart and vital spirits. Gerrard saith, that the flowers being close stopped up in a glass, l)ut into an ant-hill, and taken away again a month alter, ye shall find a liquor in tiie glass, which being outwardly applied, helps the gout. White Lilies. D . (c. m. 2.) It were in vain to describe a plant so commonly known in every one's garden, therefore I shall not tell you what they arc, but what they are good for. Government and Firtucs.'] They are under the domini-. on of the Moon, and by antipathy to Mars expel poison; they are excellent good in pestilential fevers, the roots- being bruised and boiled in wine, and the decoction drank j for it expels the venom to the exterior parts of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 189 the body; the juice of it being tempered -with barley, meal, baked, and so eaten for ordinary bread, is an ex- cellent cure for the dropsy. An ointment made of the root and hog's grease, is excellent good for scald heads, unites the sinews when they are cut, and cleanses ulcers. The root boiled in any convenient deco6lion, gives speedy delivery to women in travail, and expels the af- ter-birth. The root roasted, and mixed with a little hog's grease, makes a gallant poultice to ripen and break plague-sores. The ointment is excellent good for swel- lings in the privities, and will cure burnings and scald- ings without a scar, and trimly deck a blank place with hair. Liquorice. $. (temp.) This growing in our fields and gardens only by cultiva- " lion, we need not give a description of it. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Mercury. Liquorice boiled in fair water, with some Maiden-hair and figs, maketh good drink for those that have a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or shortness of breath, and for all the griefs of the breasts and lungs, phthisic, or consumptions caused by the distillation of salt humours on them. It is also good in all pains of the Tcins, the stranguary and heat of urine. The fine pow- der of Liquorice blown through a quill into the eyes that have a piu and web (as they eall it) or rheumatic distillation in them, doth cleanse and help them; the juice distilled in Rose-water, with some gum traga- cauth, is a fine licking medicine for hoarseness, wheez- ing, &e. , Liverwort. 1/. in m. (c.d.l,) Botanists reckon upwards of 300 species of Liverwort. Descript.'] Common Liverwort growcth close., and spreadeth much upon the ground iu moist and shady places, Vi'ith many small green leaves, or rather stick- ing tlat to one another, very unevenly cut in on the ed- ges, and crumpled; from among which arise small slen- der stalks an inch or two high at most, bearing small star- 190 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. like flowers at the (op ; the roots arc very fine and small. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Jupiter, and under the sign Cancer. \t is a singular good herb for ail the diseases in the liver, both to cool and cleanse it, and helpeth inllammations in any part, and the yellow jaundice likewise ; being bruised and boiled in small beer, and drank, it coolcth the heat of the li. ver and kidneys, and helpeth the running of the reins in men, and the whites in women ; it is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of tetters, ring worms, and other fretting and running sores and scabs, and is an excel- lent remedy for such whose livers arc corrupted by sur- feits, which cause their bodies (o break out, for it forti- fieth the liver exceedingly, and makes it impregnable. Loosestrife or WilloAvhcrb. 5 . (c. d. 1.) There arc three kinds of Loosestrife, viz. the creeping, the Hyssop-leaved, and the Purple-specked. Descript.'] Common yellow Loosestrife groweth to be four or five feet high, or more, with great round stalks, a little crested, diversly branched from the middle of them to the tops into great and long branches, on all which at the joints grow long and narrow leaves, but broader below, and usually two at a joint, yet some- times three or four, somewhat like willow leaves, smooth on the edges, and a fair green colour from the upper joints of the branches, and at the tops of them also stand many yellow flowers of five leaves a-piccc, with divers yellow threads in the middle, which turn into small roundheads, containing small cornered seeds; the root treepeth under ground, almost like couch-grass, but greater, and shootcth up every Spring brownish heads, which afterwards grow up into stalks. It hath no scent or taste, but only astringent. Place.'] It groweth in many places of this land in moist meadows, and by water-sides. Time.] It flowereth from June to August. Government and yirtuss.] This herb is good for all manner of bleeding at the mouth, nose, or wounds, and all fluxes of the belly, and the bloody-flux, given either to drink or taken by clyster ; it stayeth also the abun« THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 191 dance of women's courses ; it is a singular good wound- herb for green wounds, to stay the bleeding, and quickly close together the lips of the wound, if the herb be bruised, and the juice only applied. It is often used ia gargling for sore mouths, as also for the secret parts. The smoak hereof being burned, driveth away flics and gnats, which in the night-time molest people inhabiting near marshes, and in the fenny countries. Loosestrife, with spiked Heads of Flowers. 5 . in 2S. (c. m, I.) This is also known by the name of Grass.polly. Descript.^ Itgroweth with many woody square stalks full of joints, 3 feet high at least ; at every one whereon stand two long leaves, shorter, narrower, and a larger green colour than the former, and some brownish. The stalks are branched into many long stems of spiked flow- ers, half a foot long, growing in bundles, one above another, out of small husks, very like the spiked heads of lavender, each of which flowers have five round point, ed leaves of a purple violet colour, or soir,? >hat inclining to redness ; in which husks stand small round heads after the flowers are fallen, wherein is contained small seed. The root creepeth under ground iikeunto the yellow, but is greater than if, and so are the heads of the leaves when they first appear out of the ground, and more brown than the other. Flace.'] ItgrOAveth usually by rivers and ditch-sides in wet grounds, as about the ditches at and near Lambeth, and in many other places of this land. Time.'] Itflowereth in the months of June and July. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Moon, and under the sign Cancer; neither do I k:;ow a better preserver of the sight when 'tis well, nor abetter cure of sore eyes, than Eyebright, taken inwardly, and this used outwardly; 'Ei^ cold in quality. This herb is not a whit inferior unto the former, it having not only all the virtues which the former hath, but some peculiar virtues of its ewn, found out by experience; as namely, that distilled water is a present remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, and for blindness, so as the crystalline humour be 192 THE ExNGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. not perished or hurt ; and this hath been sufficiently prov- ed true by the experience of a man ot" judgment, who kept it long to liinisclf as a great secret. It cleareth the eyes of dust, or any thing gotten into them, and preser- vetli the sight. It is also very available against wounds and thrusts, being made in an oitment in this manner : To every ounce of water, add two drani'i of May butter without salt, and of sugar and wax, of each as much also let them boil gently together ; let tents dipped into that liquor that reniaineth after it is cold, be put into tlic wounds, and the place covered witli a linen cloth doubled and anointed with the ointment; and this is also an ap- proved medicine. It likewise clcanseth and healeih all loul ulcers and sores whatsoever, and staycth their in- flammations by washing them with the water, and laying on them a green leaf or two in the Summer, or dry leaves in the Winter. This water gargled warm in the mouth, and some times drank also doth cure the quinsy, or king's evil in the throat. The said water applied warm, taketh away all spots, marks, and scabs in the skin ; and a little of it drauk, qucncheth thirst when it is extraordinary. Lovage. Q. in d (//. d. 1.) The whole plant and every part of it smelleth strong and aromatically, and is of a hot sharp biting taste. Descript.'] It hath many long and great stalks of large winged leaves, divided into many parts, likeSmallage, but cut much larger and greater, every leaf being cut about the edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the stalk, of a sad green colour, smooth and shining ; from among which rise up sundry strong, hollow green stalks, five or six, sometimes seven or eight feet high, full of joints, but lesser leaves set on them than groAv below ; and with them towards the tops come forth large branches, bearing at their tops large umbels of yellow llowers, and after them flat brownish seed. The root groweth thick, great and deep, spreading much, and enduring long, of a brownish colour on the outside, and whitish within. Place.'] It is usually planted in gardens, whcrCj if it be sufi'ercd, it groweth huge and great. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 195 Tt'/«e.] It flowercth in the end of July, and seedeth ia August. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Sun, tinder the sign Taurus. If Saturn offend the throat (as he always doth if he be occasioner of the malady, and in Taurus is the Genesis) this is your cure. It openeth, cureth, and digesteth humours, and mightily provoketh women's courses and urine. Haifa dram at a time of the dried root in powder taken in wine, doth wonderfully ■warm a cold stomach, helpeth digestion, and consumetk all raw and superfluous moisture therein ; easeth all inward gripings and pains, dissolveth wind and resistetli poison and infection. It is a known and much praised remedy to drink the decodtion of the herb for any sort of ague, and to help the pains and torments of the body and bowels coming of cold. The seed is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid (except the last) and worketh more powerfully. The distilled water of the herb helpeth the quinsy in the throat, if the mouth and throat be gargled and washed therewith, and helpeth the pleurisy, being drank three or four times. Being dropped into the eyes, it taketh away the redness or dimness of them ; it like- wise taketh away spots or freckles in the face. The leaves bruised, and fried with a little hog's lard, and laid hot to any blotch or boil, will quickly break it. Lungwort. V. (c d. 1.) This is a kind of moss that groweth on sundry sorts of trees, especially oaks and beeches. Descript.'] It hath broad, greyish, tough leaves di- versely folded, crumpled, and gashed in on the edges, and some spotted also with many small spots on the upper side. It was never seen to bear any stalks or flowers at any time. Government and Virtues.'] Jupiter seems to own this herb. It is of great use to physicians to help the diseases of the lungs, and for coughs, wheezings, and shortness of breath, which it cureth both in man and beast. It is very profitable to put into lotions that are taken to stay the moist humours that How to ulcers, aad hinder their 194 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. healing, as also to wash all other ulcers in the jirivy parts of a man or woman. It is an exccJlcnt rcmctly boiled in beer for broken-winded horses. Madder. ^. (c. d \.) This is principally cultivated for the use of dyers. Descript.~\ Garden Madder shooteth forth many very long, weak, lour-square, reddish stalks, trailing on the ground a great way, very rough and hairy, and full of joints ; at everyone of these joints come forth divers long and narrow loaves, standing like a star about the stalks, rough and hairy, towards the tops vhereof come forth many small pale yellow flowers, after which come small round heads, green at lirst, and reddish afterwards, but black when they arc ripe, wherein is contained the seed. The root is not very great, but exceeding long, running down half a man's length into the ground, red and very clear while it is fresh, spreading divers ways. i-'/rtce.') It is only manured in gardens, or larger fields, for the profit that is made thereof. Time.'] It flowereth towards the end of Summer, and the seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of Mars. It hath an opening quality, and afterwards to bind and strengthen. It is a sure remedy for the yellow jaundice, by o[ -ning the obstruftions of the liver and gall, and cleansing those parts ; it openeth also the obstructions of the spleen, and diminisheth the melancholy humour; it is available for the palsy and sciatica, and effc6tual for bruises inward and outward, and is therefore much used in vulnerary drinks. The root for all those aforesaid purposes, is to be boiled in wine or water, as the cause requireth, and some hony and sugar put thereunto after- wards. The seed hereof taken in vinegar and honey, helpeth the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The deco6tiou of the leaves and branches is a good fomentation for women to sit over that have not their courses. The leaves and roots beaten and applied to any part that is discoloured with freckles, morphew, the white scurf, or any such deformity of the skin, cleanseth thoroughly, and taketh them away. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 195 Wall Ruej or White Maiden Hair. ? . (h. d. I.) Tjiis is generally known amongst village children, and gathered by them under the name of Ladies Hair. Descript.'] This hath very fine pale, green stalks, almost as fine as hairs, set confusedly with divers pale greea leaves on very short foot-stalks, somewhat in form, but more diversly cut in on the edges, and thicker, smooth on the upper part, and spotted finely under- neath. Flace.'\ It groweth in many places of this land, at Dartford, and the bridge at Ashford in Kent, at Beacons- field in Buckinghamshire, at Wolly in Huntingdonshire, on Framingham Castle in Suffolk, on the church walls at Mayfield in Sussex, in Somersetshire, and divers other places of this land ', and is green in Winter as well as Summer. Government and Virtues.'] Both this and the coramoa ]\Iaiden Hair arc under the dominion of Mercury, and so is that also which followeth after, and the virtue of both these arc so near alike, that 1 shall, in writing the virtues of them, join them both together as fol- loweth : The deco6tion of the herb Maiden. Hair being drank, helpeth those that are troubled with the cough, shortness of breath, yellow jaundice, diseases of the spleen, stop- ping of urine, and helpeth exceedingly to break thi'stona in the kidnics, (in all which diseases the Wall Rue is also "very effedlual.) It provoketh women's courses, and stays both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach and beUv, especially when the herb is dry ; for being green, it looseneth the belly, and voideth cholcr and phlegm from the stomach and liver; it cleanseth the lungs, and by rectifying the blood, causeth a good colour (o the whole body. The herb boiled in oil of camomile, dissolveth. knots, all.ayeth swellings, and drieth up moist ulcers. The lee made thereof is singular good to cleanse the head from scurf, and from dry and running sores, stayeth the falling or shedding of the hair, and causeth it to grow thickj fair, and vvejl coloured ; for which purpose some K 2 196 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. boil it in wine, putting some Sniallagc thereto, and after- wards some oil. The Wall Hue is as elledual as Maidcn- llair, in all diseases of (he head, or falling and recover- ing of the hair again, and generally for all the afore- niendoued diseases : And besides, the pawder of it taken in drink for forty days together, helpeth the burstings in children. Golden Maiden Hair. ?. (Ii. d. 2.) To the former give me leave to add this, and I shall no more but only describe it unto you, and for the A'irtues refer you to the former, since whatever is ^aid of thorn, may be also said of this. Descrijif.l It hath many small, brownish, red hairs to make up the form of leaves growing about the gr-'^nnd from the root; and in the middle of them, in Summer, rise small stalks of the same colour, set wilh very fine yellowish green hairs on them, and bearing a small gold, yellow head, lesser than a wheat corn, standing in a great husk. The root is very small and thready. Time.'] It growcth in bugs and moorish places, and also on dry shady places, as llampstead Heath, and elsewhere. Mallows and Marslimallows. ?. (temp.m. 1.) Common Mallows are generally so well known, that they need no description. Our Common Marshmallows have divers soft hairy white stalks, rising to be three or four feet high, spreading- forth many branches, the leaves whereof arc soft and hairy, somewhat lesser than the other Mallow leaves, but lonf^er pointed, cut (for the most part) into some few di- visions, but deep. The flowers are many, but smaller also than the other Mallows, and white, or tending to a bluish colour ; after which come such long round cases and seeds, as in the other Mallows. The roots are many and long, shooting from one head, of the bigness of a thumb or finger, very pliant, tough, and being like liquorice, of a whitish yellow colour on the outside, and more white within, full of a slimy juice, which being laid in -water, will thicken, as if it were a jelly. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 197 Place.'] The common Mallows grow in every county of this land. The common Marshmallows in most of the salt marshes, from Woolwich down to the sea, both from the Kentish and Essex shore, and in divers other places of this land. Tztne.] They flower all the Summer months, even until the Winter do pull them down. Govermnent and Virtues.'] Venus owns them both. The leaves ot cither of the sorts before specified, and the roots also boiled in wine and water, or in broth with parsley or fennel roots, do help to open the body, and are very convenient in hot agues, or other distempers of the body, to apply the leaves so boiled warm to the belly. It not only voideth hot, choleric, and other of- fensive humours, but easeth the pains and torments of the belly coming thereby, and are therefore used in all clysters conducing to those purposes. The same used by nurses, procureth them store of milk. The deco6lioa of the seed of any of the common Mallows made in milk or wine, doth marvellously help excoriations, the phthisic, pleurisy, and other diseases of the chest and lungs th.it proceed of hot causes, if it be continued taking for some time together. The leaves and roots work the same efFedls ; they help much also in the excoriations of the guts and bowels, and hardness of the mother, and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof. The juice drank in wine, or the decodtion of them therein, doth help women to a speedy and easy delivery. Pliny saith, that whosoever shall lake a spoonful of any of the Mallows, shall that day be free from all diseases that may come upon him, and that it is special good for the falling-sickness. The syrup also and conserve made of the llowers, are very effe6lual for the same diseases, and to open the body, being costive. The leaves bruised, and laid to the eyes with a little honey, taketh away the imposthumes of them. The leaves bruised or rubbed upon the place stung with bees, wasps, or the like, presently take away the pains, redness, and swellings that arise thereupon. And Dioscorides saith, the deception of the roots and leaves helpeth all sorts of poison, so as the poison be presently voided by vomit-, A poultice made of the leaves, boiled and bruised, with IL 3 198 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. some bean or barley flour, and oil of roses added, is an especial remedy against all hard tumours and iniiaiiuna- tions, or iniposthumes, or swellings of the privates and other parts, and caseth the pains of them ; as also af^Dinst the hardness of the liver or spleen, being applied to the places. The juice of the Mallows boiled in old oil and applied, takcth away all roughness of the skin, as also the scurf, dandritf, or dry scabs in the head, or other •parts, if they be anointed therewith, or washed with the decoction, and preserveth the hair from falling oft". It i» also effe^^nal against scaldings and burnings, St, Anthony's lire, and all other hot, red, and painful swellings in any part of the body. The flowers boiled in oil or water, (as every one is disposed) whereunto a little honey and allum is put, is an excellent gargle to wash, cleanse, or Jical any sore moutluor throat in a short space. If the feet be bathed or washed with the decoCtion of the leaves, roots and flowers, it helpeth much the defluxions of rheum from the head : if the head be washed therewith, it stayeth the falling and shedding of the hair. The green leaves (saiih Pliny) beaten with nitre, and applied, draw out thorns or prickles in the flesh. The Marshmallows are more efie(5lual in all the dis- eases before-mentioned : the leaves are likewise used to loosen the belly gently, and dcco6tions for clysters to case all pains of the body, opening the strait passages, and making them slippery, whereby tiie stone may de- scend the more easily, and with!)ut pain, out of the reins, kidnies and bladder, and to ease the torturing pains thereof. But the roots are of more special use for those purposes, as well for coughs, hoarseness, shortness of breath and whcczings, being boiled in wine, or honied ■water, and drank. The roots and seeds hereof boiled in ■wine and water, are with good success used by them that have excoriations in the guts, or the bloody-flux, by qualifying the violence of sharp fretting humours, easing pains, and healing the soreness. It is profitably taken of them that are troubled with ruptures, cramps, or con- vulsions of the sinews; and boiled in white wine, for the imposthumes of the throat, commonly called the king's Cfil, and of those kernels that rise behind the ears, and iuilairniations and swellings iu women's breasts. The THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 199 dried roots boiled in milk and drank, is specially £;ood fot- the chin-cough. Hippocrates used to give the decoftion of the roots, or the juice thereof, to drink, to those that arc wounded, and ready to faint through loss of blood, and applied the same mixed with honey and rosin to the wounds; as also the roots boiled in wine, to those that have received any hurt by bruises, falls or blows, or had any bone or member out of joint, or any swelling, pain, or ach in the muscles, sinews or arteries. The mucilage of the roots, and of linseed and fenugreek put together, is much used in poultices, ointments, and plaisters, to mollify and digest all hard swellings, and the inllammation of them, and to ease pains in any part of the body. The seed either green or dry mixed with vinegar, cleanseth the skin of morphew, and all other discolourings, being boiled therewith in the Sun. You may remember, that not long since there was a raging disease called the bloody-flux ; the college of physicians not knowing what to make of it called it the plague of the guts, for their wits were at Ne plus ultra about it : my son was taken with the same disease, and the excoriation of his bowels was exceeding great ; my- self being in the country, was sent for up ; the only thing I gave him, was Mallows bruised and boiled both in milk and drink; in two days (the blessing of God being upon it) it cured him. And 1 here, to shew my thankfulness to God in communicating it to his creatures^ leave it to posterity. Maple Tree. 'U. (temp.) It is under the dominion of Jupiter. The decoCliou either of the leaves or bark, must needs strengthen the liver much, and so you shall find it to do, if you use it. It is excellent good to open obstrudlions both in the liver and spleen, and easeth pains of the sides thence proceeding. Wild Marjoram. ^. (h. d. 2.) CALtEn also Origane, Origanum, Eastward Marjoram^ Wild Marjoram, and Grove Marjoram. k4 200 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Descript.'] Wild or Field Marjoram liafh a root which crccpeth much under ground, whicli contiuueth a long iiine, sending up sus>dry brownish, hard square stalks, "with small dark green leaves, very like those of Sweet Marjoram, but harder, and somewhat broader; at the toj) of the stalks stand tufis of flowers, of a deep purplish red colour. The seed is small and something blacker than that of Sweet Marjoram. Place.'] It groweth plentifully in the borders of corn- fields, and in some copses. Time."] \t flowereth towards the latter end of Summer, Government and Virtues.'] This is under the domi- nion of Mercury. It strengthctis the stomach and head much, there being scarce a better remedy growiing for such as are troubled with a sour humour in the stomach; it restores the appetite being lost ; helps the cough and consumption of the lungs; it cleanseth the body of choler, expelleth poison, and remcdieth the infirmities of ^he spleen ; helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and helps such as have poisoned themselves by eating hem- lock, henbane, or opium. It provoketh urine, and the terms iu womeni helps the dropfy and the scurA'y, scabs, itch, and jellow jaundice. The juice being dropped into the cars, helps deafness, pain and noise in the ears. And thus much for this herb, between Avhich and adders there is a deadly antipathy. Sweet Marjoram. ^. in T. (h. d. 3.) Sweet Marjoram is so well known, being an inhabitant in every garden, that it is needless to write any description thereof, neither of the Winter Sweet Majoram, or Pot Marjoram. Pluce.'\ They grow commonly in gardens ; some sort there are that grow wild in the borders of corn-fields and pastures, in sundry places of this land ; but it is not my purpose to insist upon them ; the garden kinds being most used and useful. Time.'] They flower in the end of Summer. Government and Virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury, under Aries, and therefore is an excellent remedy for the train, and other parts of the body and mind under the THE ET7GEISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGE©. 201 dominion of fhe same planet. Our common Sweet Marjo= ram is warming and comfortable in the cold diseases of the head, stomach, sinews, and other parts, taken inwardly, or outwardly applied. The deco(5lion thereof being drank, ht-lpeth all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing, and is also profitable for the ob- struftions of the liver and spleen. It helpeth the cold griefs of the womb, and the windiness thereof; and the loss of speech, by resolution of the tongue. The decodtioa thereof made with some pellitory of Spain, and long pep- per, or with a little acorns or origanum, being drank, is good for (hose that are beginning to fall into a dropsy, for those that cannot make water, and against pains and torments in the belly ; it provoketh women's courses, if it be put as a pessary. Being made into powder, and mixed v ith honey, it taketh away the black marks of blows and bruises, being thereunto applied ; it is good for the inflammations and watering of the eyes, being mixed w ith fine flour, and laid upon them. The juice dropped into the ears, easeth the pains and sinsiog noise in them. It is profitably put into those ointments and salves that are warm, and comfort the outward parts, as the joints and sincAvs ; for swellings also, and places out of joint. The powder thereof snutied up into the nose, provoketh sneezing, and thereby purgeth the brain ; and chewed in the mouth, draweth forth much phlegm. The oil made thereof, is very warm and comfortable to the joints that are still, and the sinews that are hard, to mollify and supple them. Marjoram is much used in all odor« iferous waters, powders, &c. that are for ornament or delight. Marigolds. ©. m ^. (/?. d, I.) These being so plentiful in every garden, arc so -nell known, that they need no description. yV/rte.] They ilower all the Summer long, and sometimes' in Winter, if it be mild. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. They strengthen the heart exceedingly, and are very expulsive and little less efl'cfJlual in the small» K. 5 t02 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. pox and measles than saffron. The juice of Marigold leaves mixed with vinegar, and any hot swelling bathed •with it, instantly giveth ease, and assuagelh it. Tlvc flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spi- rits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them. A plaister made with the dry llowers in powder, hog's-grcase, turpentine, and rosin, applied to the breast, strengthens and succours the heart infinitely in feverSj whether pestilential or not pes- tilential. Mastcrwoit. in flower, do turn into down, which with the seed is carried away with the wind. Place.'] It growoth on ditch banks, and sometinies ia ditches, if they be dry, and in sandy grounds. Time.'] It tlowcrcth about June or July, and abidcth green ail the Winter. Government and Virtues.'] The Moon owns tliis herb also ; and though authors cry out upon alchymists, for attempting to fix quicksiiver by this herb and Aloonwort, a Roman would not have judged a thing by the success ; if it be to be fixed at all, it is by lunar influence. 'J'lie juice thereof taken in vine, or the dccodtion thereof drank, doth help the jaundice, although of long con- tinuance, to drink thereof morning and evening, and abstain from other drink two or three hoursalter. It is a special remedy against the stone, and the tormenting pains thereof; as also other tortures and griping pains of the bowels. Thedecoftion thereof with succory and centaury is held very eflectual to help the dropsy, and them that are inclining thereto, and the diseases of the spleen. It stayeth the lluxes of blood, either at the mouth or nose, and inward bleeding also ; for it is a singular wound herb for wounds both inward and outward: it helpeth the Lloody-flux, and helpeth the abundance of women's courses. There is a syrup made of the juice hereof, and sugar, by the apothecaries of Italy, and other places, which is of much account with them, to be given to those that are troubled with the cough or phthisick. The same is also singular good for ruptures or burstings. The green herb bruised, and presently bound to any cut or wound, doth quickly solder the lips thereof; and the juice, decoftion, or powder of the dried herb, is most singular to stay malignity of spreading and fretting cankers and ulcers whatsoever; yea, in the mouti' and secret parts. The distilled water of the plant is available in all diseases aforesaid, and to wash outward wounds and sores, and apply tents of cloths wet therein. Mugwort $. (h. 1. d. 2.) Tins is a very common herb, but its virtues much negleded. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2 If Descript.'] Common Mugwort hath divers leaves lying upon the ground, very much divided, or cut deeply ia about the brims, somewhat like wormwood, but much larger, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and very hoary white underneath. The stalk rises to be four or five feet high, having on it such like leaves as those below, but somewhat smaller, branching forth very much towards the top, whereon are set very small, pale, yel- lowish flowers, like buttons, which fall away, and after • thera coflie small seeds inclosed in round heads. The root is long and hard, Avith many small fibres growing from it, whereby it taketh strong hold on the ground ; but both stalks and leaf do lie down every year, and the root shooteth anew in the Spring. The whole plant is of a reasonable scent, and is more easily propagated by the slips than the seed. Place.'] It groweth plentifully in many places of this land by the water-sides ; as also by small water-courses, and in divers other places. Titne.l It flowcreth and sccdeth in the end of Summer. Government and Virtiies.~\ This is an herb of Venus, therefore maintaineth the parts ot the body she rules, re- medies theMiseases of the parts that arc under her signs, Taurus and Libra. Mugwort is with good success put among other herbs that are boiled for women to sit over the hot dcco(5liou to draw doAvn their courses, to help the delivery of their birth, and expel the after-birth. As also for the obstructions and inflammations of the mother. It brcaketh the stone, and causeth one to make Avatcr where it is stopped. The juice thereof made up with myrrh, and put under as a pessary, worketh the same etfc6]s, and so doth the root also. Being made up with hog's grease into an ointment, it taketh away Avens and hard knots, and kernels that grow about the neck and throat, and easeth the pains about the neck more effec- tually, if some field daisies be put Avith it. The herb it- self being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is a special remedy upon the overmuch taking of opiym. Three drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine is a speedy and the best certain help for the sciatica. A decoction thereof made Avith camomile and agrimony, and 218 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ihe place baflicd therewith while it is warm, taketh away the pains of the sinews, and the cramp. The Mulberry Tree. ^. (c. d. 1.) Tins is so well known where it groweth, that it needeth no description. Time.'\ It bcareth fruit in the months of July and August. Government and Virtues.'] Mercury rules the Tree, therefore are its etfedls variable as his are. The Mulberry ii of different parts ; the ripe berries, by reason of their sweetness and slippery moisture, opening the body, and the unripe binding it, especially when they are dried, and then they are good to stay fluxes, lasks, and the abun> dance of women's courses. The bark of the root killeth the broad worms in the body. The juice of the syrup made of the juice of the berries, hclpeth all inflammations or sores in the mouth, or throat, and palate of the mouth when it is fallen down. The juice of the leaves is a remedy against the bitings of serpents, and for those that have taken aconite. The leaves beaten with vinegar, are good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire. A deco^ion made of the bark and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ach. If the root be a little slit or cut, and a small hole made in the ground next thereunto, in the harvest-time, it will give out a certain juice, which being hardened the next day, is of good use to help the tooth-ach, to dissolve knots, and Durgethe belly. The leaves of Mulberries are said to stay bleeding at the mouth or nose, or the bleeding of the T)iles or of a wound, being bound into the places. A branch of the tree taken when the Moon is at the full, and bound to the wrist of a woman's arm, whose courses come down too much, doth stay them in a short space. Mullein. Tj . (temp, d, I.) Tins, from the texture of the leayes, is also called Poor- Man's Flannel. Descript.'] Common White Mullein hath many fair, large, woolly white leaves, lying next the ground, some- 2 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 219 M-hat larger than broad, pointed at the end, and as it were dented about the edges. The stalk riseth up to be four or five feet high, covered over with such like leaves, but lesser, so that no stalk can be seen for the multitude of leaves thereon up to the flowers, which come forth on all sides of the stalk, without any branches for the most part, and are many set together in a long spike, in some of a yellow colour, in others more pale, consisting of five round-pointed leaves, which afterwards have small round heads, wherein is small brownish seed contained. The root is long, white, and woody, perishing after it hath borne seed. Place.] It groweth by way-sides and lanes^ in manjr places of this land. Time,'] It tlowereth in July, or thereabouts. Government and Virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn. A small quantify of the root given in wine, is commended by Dioscorides, against lasks and fluxes of the belly. The decoftion hereof drank, is protfiable for those that are bursten, and for cramps and convulsions, and for those that are troubled with an old cough. The decodtion thereof gargled, easeth the pains of the tooth- ach. And the oil made by the often infusion of the flowers, is of very good efl'e<5t for the piles. 'J'he decodlioa of the root in red wine or in water, (if there be an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been often quenched, doth 8tay the bloody-flux. The same also openeth obstruc- tions of the bladder and reins when one caunot make water. A decodtion of the leaves hereof, and of sage, marjoram, and camomile flowers, and the places bathed therewith, that have sinews stiff with cold or cramps, doth bring them much ease and comfort. Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drank morning and evening for some days together, is said to be the most excellent remedy for the gout. The juice of the leaves and flowers being laid upon rough warts, also the powder of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take them away, but doeth no good to smooth warts. The powder of the dried flowers is an especial remedy for those that ar« troubled with the belly-ach, or the pains of the colick. The deco<5tion of the root, and so likewise of the leayes, is of great etfedl to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or L 2 220 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. inflammations of the tliroat. The seed and leaves boiled in wine, and applied, draw forth speedily thorns or splinters gotten into the flesh, ease the ])ains, and heal them also. The leaves bruised and ■Mraj)pcd in double papers, and covered with hot ashes and embers to bake a while, and then taken forth and laid warm on any blotch or boil happening in the groin or share, doth dissolve and heal them. '1 he seed brnised and boiled in •uine, and laid on any member that hath been out of joint, and neMly set again, taketh away all swelling and pain thereof. Mustard. 6. {h. d. i.) This groweth with us in gardens only, and other manured places, therefore needeth no description. Time.'] It is an annual plant, flowering in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Govei'tinient and Virtues.'] It is an excellent sauce for such whose blood wants clarifying, and for weak sto- machs, being an herb of I\Iars, but naught for cholerick people, though as good for such as are aged, or troubled with cold diseases. Aries claims something to do with it, therefore it strengthens the heart, and resistcth poison. Let such whose stomachs are so weak they cannot digest their meat, or appetite it, take of Mustard-seed a dram, cinnamon as much, and having beaten them to powder, and half as much mastick in powder, and with gum ara- bick dissolved in rose-water, make it up into troches, of vhich they may take one of about half a dram-weight an hour or two before meals; let old men and women make much of this medicine, and they will either give me thanks, or shew manifest ingratitude. Mustard-seed hath the virtue of heat, discussing, rarifying, and drawing out splinters of bones, and other things of the flesh. It is of good effeft to bring down women's courses, for the falling-sickness or lethargy, drowsy forgetful evil, to use it both inwardly and ontwardly, to rub the nostrils, forehead, and temples, to warm and c^uicken the spirits; for by the fierce sharpness it purgcth the brain by sneezing, and drawing down rheum and other viscous humours, which by their distillations upon the lungs and chest, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 221 procure coughing, and therefore, with some honey added thereto, doth much good therein. The decoction of the seed made in wine, and drank, provoketh urine, resisteth the force of poison, the malignity of mushrooms, and venom of scorpions, or other venomous creatures, if it be taken in time ; and taken before the cold fits of agues, altereth, lesscneth, and cureth them. The seed, taken cither by itself, or with other things, either in an electuary or drink, doth mightily stir up bodily lust, and hclpeth the spleen and pains in the sides, and gnawings in the bowels ; and used as a gargle draweth up the palate of the mouth, being fallen down : and also it dijsolveth the swellings about the throat, if it be out- wardly applied. Being chevved in the mouth it often- times helpeth the tooth-ach. The outward application hereof upon the pained place of the sciatica, discusseth the humours, and eascth the pains, as also the gout, and other joint achs; and is much and often used to ease pains in the sides or loins, the shoulder, or other parts of the body, upon the applying thereof to raise blisters, aud cureth the disease by drawing it to the outward parts of the body. It is also used to help the falling off the hair. The seed bruised, mixed with honey, and applied, or made up with wax, taketh away the marks and black and blue spots of bruises, or the like, the roughness or scabbiness of the skin, as also the leprosy, and lousy evil. It hclpeth also the crick in the neck.' The distilled water of the herb, when it is in the flower, is much used to drink inwardly to help in any of the diseases aforesaid, or to wash the mouth when the palate is down, and for the diseases of the throat to gargle, but outwardly also for scabs, itch, or other the like infirmities, and cleanseth the face from morphew, spots, freckles, and other deformities. The Hedge Mustard. J. {h. d. 2.) This hath a very different appearance from the Garden Mustard. Descript-I This groweth up usually but with one blackish green stalli, tough, easy to bend, but not to L 3 S22 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. break, branched into ilivcrs parfs, and sometimes with divers stalks, set full of brandies, whereon grow long, rough, or hard rugged leaves, very much (ore or cut on the edges in many parts, some biggrr, and some lesser, of a dirty green culour. The flowers arc small and yciiowj that grow on the tops of the branches in long spikes, flowering by degrees; so that continuing long in flower, the stalk v/ill have small round pods at the bottom, growing upright and close to the stalk, while the top flowers yet shew themselves, in which are contained small yellow £ied, sharp and strong, as the herb is also. The root groweth down slender and woody, yet abiding and springing again every year. Place. \ This groweth frequently in this land, by the ways and hedge-sides, and sometimes in the open flelds. Time.'] It flowereth most usually about July. Government and P'lriues.'] Mars owns this herb also. It is singular good in all the diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness of voice ; and by the use of the decoction thereof for a little space, those have been recovered who had utterly lost their voice, and almost their spirits also. The juice thereof made into a syrup, or licking medicine, with honey or sugar, is no less elTedlual for the same pur- pose, and for ail other coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The same is also profitable for those that have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the back and loins, and for torments in the belly, or colick, being also used in clysters. The seed is held to be a special remedy against poison and venom. It is singular good for the sciatica, and in joint-achs, ulcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or beliiad the ears, and no less for the hardness and swelling of the testicles, or women's breasts. Nailworf, or Whitlowgrass ^. (k. d. 2.) This plant derives its name from its virtues. Descript.'] This very small and common herb hath no yoots, save only a few strings, neither doth it grow to be above a hand's breadth high, the leaves are very small, and somewhat long, not much unlike those of chickweed, -among which rise up divers slender stalk?, bearing many ■white flowers one above another, which are exQCcding THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 223 small ; after which come small flat pouches containing the seed, which is very small but of u sharp taste. P/rtce.] It grows commonly upon old stone and brick walls, and sometimes in dry gravelly grounds, especially if there be grass or moss near to shadoAV it. Time.~\ They flower very early in the year, sometimes in January and February ; for before the end of April they arc not to be found. Government and Viriues-I ^^ '^ ^^^^ *^ ^® exceeding good for those imposthuraes in the joints, and under the nails, which they call whitlows, felons, and icons and naiU w heals. Nep, or Catmint. ? . (h. d. 2.) Although this is only nursed up in gardens it may be necessary to describe it, as it is not generally known. Descript.~\ Common Garden Nep shooteth forth hard four-square stalks, with a hoariness on them, a yard high or more, full of branches, bearing at every joint two broad leaves like balm, but longer pointed, softer, white and more hoary, nicked about the edges, and of a strong sweet scent. The flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of the branches, and underneath them likewise on the stalks, many together, of a whitish purple colour. The roots are composed of many long strings, or fibres, fastening them- selves stronger in the ground and abide with green leaves thereon all the Winter. Time.'] It flowereth in July, or thereabouts. Government and Virtues J\ It is an herb of Venus. Nep is generally used for women to procure their courses, being taken inwardly or outwardly, either alone, or with other convenient herbs in a decofilion to bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes thereof; and by the frequent use thereof, it taketh away barrenness, the wind and pains of the mother. It is also used in pains of the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs, rheums, and for swimming and giddiuess thereof, and is of especial use for the windiness of the stomach and belly. It is effe6lual for any cramp or cold achs, to dissolve cold and wind that atfli6leth th& place, and is used for colds, coughs and shortness of breath. The jaice thereof drank in wine, is profitable Iqs I. 4 224 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. those that are bruised by any accident. The green herb bruised and applied to the fundament, and lyingthtre two or three hours, easeth the pains of the piles ; the juice also being made up into an ointment, is eflertual for the same purpose. The head washed Milh a decoc^rtion thereof, it taketh away scabs, and may be ellettual for other parts of the body also. Nettles. o. (//. f/. 2.) Nettles arc so mcII known, that they need no de- scription ; they may be found by feeling, in the daikest Jiight. Government and Virtues.'] This is also an herb ^klars claims dominion over. You know ]Mars is hot and dry, and you know as well that Winter is cold and moist ; then you may know as well the reason why Nettle-tops eaten in the Spring consumeth the phlegmatic superfluities in the body of man, that the coldness and moistness of Winter hath left behind. The roots or leaves boiled, or the juice of either of them, or both 'made into an elec- tuary with honey and sugar, is a safe and sure medicine to open the pipes and passages of the lungs, which is the cause of wheezing and shortness of breath, and help- eth to expectorate tough phlegm, as also to raise the im- posthumed pleurisy, and spend it by spitting ; the same helpcth the swelling of the almonds in the throat, the mouth and throat being gargled therewith. The juice is also etfeClual to settle the palate of the mouth, in its place, and heal and temper the inflammations and sore- ness of the mouth and throat. The dccoCtion of the leaves in wine, being drank, is singular good to provoke ■women's courses, and setttlc the suflocation, strangling of the mother and all other diseases thereof; as also ap- plied outwardly, with a little myrrh. The same also, of the seed, provoketh urine and expelleth the gravel and stone in the reins or bladder, often proved to be efieftual in many that have taken it. The same killeth the worms in children, easeth pains in the sides and dissolveth the windincss in the spleen, as also the body, although others think it only powerful to provoke vcnery. The juice of the leaves taken two or three days together, sfayeth bleed- THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 225 ing at the mouth. The seed drank, is a remedy against the stinging of venomous creatures, the biting of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of hemlock, henbane, nightshade, mandrake, or such like herbs that stupify or dull the senses ; as also the lethargy, especially to use it outwardly, to rub the forehead or temples in the lethargy, and the places stung or bitten with beasts, with a little satl. The distilled water of the herb is also effedlual (though not so powerful) for the diseases aforesaid ; as for outward wounds and sores to wash them, and. cleanse the skin from morphew, leprosy and other dis- colourings thereof. The seed or leaves bruised and put into the nostrils, stayeth the bleeding of them, and taketh away the flesh growing in them called polypus. The juice of the leaves, or the decoi5tion of them, or the roots, is singular good to vvash either old, rotten, or stinking sores or fistulas and gangrenes, and such as fret- ting, eating, or corroding scabs, manginess and itch ia any part ot the body, as also green wounds, by washing them therewith, or applying the green herb bruised thereunto, yea, although the flesh were separated from the bones; the same applied to our wearied members refresh them, or to place those that have been out of joint, being first set up again, strengtheneth, drieth and com- fortcth them, as also those places troubled with achs and gouts, and the deflu6tion of humours upon the joints or sinews ; it easeth the pains, and drieth or dissolveth the defluxions. An ointment made of the juice, oil, and a little wax, is singular good to rub cold and benumbed members. A handful of the leaves of green Nettles and another of Wallwort, or Deanwort, bruised and applied, simply themselves to the gout, sciatica, or joint achs in any part, hath been found to be an admirable help thereunto. Nightshade. ^ . (c. d. 4:,) Common Nightshade is a diflerent plant from that poisonous one called Deadly Nightshade. Descript.'] It hath an upright round, green hollow Stalk, about a foot or half a yard high, bushing forth in h 5 226 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. many branches, whereon grow many green leaves, some- what broad, and pointed at the ends, soft and lull of juice like unto Baiil, but longer and a little unevenly dented about the edges ; at the tops of the stalks and branches come forth three or four more white flowers, made of lire small pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a stalk together one above another, with yellow pointels in the middle, composed of four or fire yellow threads set together, which afterwards run into so many pendulous green berries, of the bigness of small peas, lull of green juice, and small, whitish, round, flat seed lying within it. The root is white, and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit, with many small fibres at it : the whole plant is of a waterish insipid taste, but the juice within the berries is somewhat viscous, and of a cooling and binding quality. Place.'] It growcth wild with us under our walls, in rubbish, the common paths, and sides of edges and fields, also in our gardens here in England, without planting. Time.'] It lieth down every year, and riseth again of its own sowing, but springeth not until the latter end of April at the soonest. Government and Firtues."] It is a cold Saturnine plant. The common Nightshade is wholly used to cool hot in- flammations outwardly, being dangerous to those that use it, as most of the rest of the Nightshades arc ; it must bo used moderately. The juice also clarified and taken, being mingled with a little vincg ir, is good to wash the moutJi and throat that is inflamed ; but outwardly, the juice of the herbs or berries, with oil of roses and a little vinegar and ceruse labomvd together in a leaden mortar, is very good to anoint all infiammations in the eyes. It also doth much good for the shingles, ringworms, and in all running, fretting and corroding ulcers, applied there* unto. A pessary dipped in the juice, and dropped into the matrix, stayeth the immoderate flux of women's courses ; a cloth wet therein, and applied to the testicles or private parts, upon swelling therein, giveth much case, also to the gout that cometh of hot and sharp humo'irs. The juice dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof that arise of heat or inflammations ; and Fliny saith, it is good for hot swellings under the throatt Have a care jou mistake noX THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAR&ED. 227 the Deadly Nightshade for this ; if you know it not, you may let them both alone and take no harmj having other medicines suflicient in the book. ThoOak. 1/. fc. 1. d.3) It is so well known (the timber thereof being the glory and safety of this nation by sea) that it needeth no description. Government and Virtues.'] Jupiter owns the tree. The leaves and bark of the Oak and acorn cups da bind and dry very much. The inner bark of the tree, and the thin skin that covereth the acorn, are much used to stay the spitting of blood and the bloody-flux. The deco6lion of that bark and the powder of the cups, do stay vomitingSj spitting of blood, bleeding at the mouth, or other flux in men or women ; lasks also, and the involuntary flux of natural seed. The acorn in powder taken in wine, pro- vokcth urine and resisteth the poison of venomous creatures. The decodlion of acorns and bark made in milk, and taken, resisteth the force of poisonous herbs and medicines, as also the virulency of cantharides, when one by eating them hath his bladder exulcerated, and voideth blood, Hippocrates saith, he used the fumes of Oak leaves to women that were troubled with strangling of the mather ; and Galen applied them being bruised, to cure wounds. The distilled water of the Oaken buds, before they break out into leaves, is good to be used either inwardly or outwardly to assuage inflammations, and stop all manner of fluxes in man or woman. The same is singular good ia pestilential and hot burning fevers ; for it resisteth the force of the infe6lion, and allayeth the heat ; it cooleth the heat of the liver, breaketh the stone in the kidnies and stayeth women's courses. The decoction of the leaves worketh the same effedts. The water that is found in the hollow places of old Oaks, is very efi'edtual against foul or spreading scabs. The distilled water (for concoc» tion, which is better) of the leaves, is one of the best re- medies that I know of for the whites ia womec» 228 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Oats. ?. (c. d. 1.) Are so •well known (hat they need no description. Governvicnt and Virtues.^ Oats fried witli bay salt, apd applied to the sides, take away the pains of stitches, and wind in the sides of the belly. A poultice made of meal of Oats and some oil of bays put thereunto, helpcth the itch and leprosy, also the fistulas of the fundament, and dissolveth hard imposthunics. The meal of Oats boiled with vinegar and applied, taketh away freckles and spots in the face, and other parts of the body. One Blade. Q. (h. d, I.) Tins small plant is so called because it never bcarcth more than one leaf, only where it riseth up with his stalk, ■which thereon bcareth another. Descript.] The leaf is a bluish green colour, pointed •with many ribs or veins therein, like plantain. At the top of the stalk grow many small white Uowers, star- fashion, smelling somewhat sweet ; after which come small red berries, when they are ripe. The root is small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth in divers places. Place.'] It groweth in moist, shadowy and grassy places of woods, in many places of this land. Time.'] It lIoTrereth about May, and the berries are ripe in June, and then quicliy perisheth, until the next year it springeth from the same root again. Government and yiriues.'] It is a precious herb of the Sun.- Half a dram, or a dram at most, in powder of the roots hereof taken in wine and vinegar, of each equal parts, and the party laid presently to sweat thereupon, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infcded ■with the phguc, and have a sore upon them, by expelling the poison and infeftion, and defending the heart and spirits from danger. It is a singular good wound herb, and is thereupon used with other the like etfe^ts in many compound balms for curing of wounds, be they fresh and green, or old and malignant, and especially if the sinews bQ burnt. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 229 Orchis. ?. (h, d. \.) It hath gotten almost as many several names attributed io the several sorts of it, as would almost till a sheet of paper; as dog-stoneSj goat-stones, fool-stoues, fox-stones, satiri- con, cullians, together with many others too tedious to rehearse. Dcscript.'] To describe all (he several sorts of it were an endless piece of work ; therefore I shall only describe the roots, because they are to be used with some discretion. They have each of them a double root within, some of them arc round, in others like a hand ; these alter every year by course, when the one riseth and waxcth full, tho other waxeth lank and perisheth ; now, it is that which is full which is to be used in medicines, the other being either of no use, or else according to the humour of.some it destroys and disannuls the virtue of the other quite un- doing what that doth. Time.'\ One or other of them may be found in flower, from the beginning of April to the latter end of August. Govermuent and Virtues.~\ They are hot and moist m operation, under the dominion of Dame Venus, and pro- voke lust exceedingly, which they say, the dried and Avithered roots do restrain. They are held to kill worms in children ; as also, being bruised and applied to the placCj to heal the king's evil. Onions, c?. (/?. d. 4.) Th-ey are so well known, that I need not spend time about writing a description of them. Government and Virtues.'] INIars owns them and they have this quality, to draw any corruption to them, for if you peel one, and lay it upon a dunghill, you shall find him rotten in half a day, by drawing putrcfaftion to it; then being bruised and applied to a plague sore, it is very probable it will do the like. Onions are flatulent, or ■windy, yet they do somewhat provoke appetite, increase thirst, ease the belly and bowels, provoke women's cour- ses, help the biting of a mad dog, and of other veno- mous creatures, to be us^d with honey and rue, increase 230 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. sperm, especially the seed of them. They also kill worms in children if ihcy drink the vrater fasting wherein they have been sfeeped all night. Being roasted under the em- bers and eaten wi(h honey, or sugar and oil, they much conduce to help an inveterate cough, and expectorate the tough phlegm. 'I'he juice being snuffed up in the nos- trils, purgeth the head, and helpeth the lethargy; yet the often eating them is said to procure pains in the head. It hath been held by divers country people a great pre- servative against infc6lion, to cat Onions fasting with bread and salt ; as also to make a great Onion hollovp, filling it with good treacle, and afterwards to roast it well under the embers, which, after taking a^ay the outer- most skin thereof, being beaten together, is a sovereign salve for either plague or sores, or £,ny other putrified ul- cer. The juice of Onions is good for cither scalding or burning by lire, water, or gunpowder, and used with vi- negar, takcth away all blemishes, spots and marks in the skin ; and dropped into the cars, eascth the pains and noise of them. Applied with figs beaten together, help- eth to ripen and break imposthumes and other sores. Leeks are as like them in quality, as the pome-water is like an apple; they are a remedy against a surfeit of mushrooms, being baked under the embers and taken ; and being boiled and applied very warm, helps the piles. Jn other things they have the same property as the onionSj although not so effeiSlual. Orpine. 3) . (c. d. 2.) This growelh to greater perfection by cultivation than it is in its wild state. Descript.'\ Common Orpine riscthupwith divers round brittle stalks, thick set with flat and fleshy leaves, with- out any order, and little or nothing dented about the ed- ges, of a green colour. The flowtrsi arc white, or whit- ish, growing in tufts, after which come small chafly husks, ■with seeds like dust in them. The roots are divers ihick, round, white, tuberous clogs; and the plant growcth not so big in some places as in others where it is found. Place.'] It is frequent in almost every county in this landj audit is gh wished in gardens with us, >vbere it THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 231 groweth greater than that which is wild, and growelh in shadowy sides of fields and woods. Time.'] It flowereth about July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.'] The Moon owns the herb, and he that knows but her exaltation, knows what I say is true. Orpine is seldom used in inward medicines with us, although Tragus saith from experience in Germany, that the distilled water thereof is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the stomach or bowels, or for ulcers in the lungs, liver, or other inward parts, as also in the ma- trix, and helpeth all those diseases, being drank for cer- tain days together. It stayeth the sharpness of humours in the bloody flux, and other fluxes in the body or in. wounds. The root thereof also performeth the like ef- fect. It is used outwardly to cool heat or inflammation upon any hurt or wound, and easeth the pains of them; as also to heal scaldings and burnings, the juice thereof being beaten with some green sallad oil and anointed. The leaf bruised and laid to any green wound in the hands or legs, doth heal them quickly ; and being bound to the throat, much helpeth the quinsy ; it helpeth also ruptures and burstenness. If you please to make the juice thereof into a syrup with honey or sugar, you may safely take a spoonful or two at a time, for a quinsy, and you shall find the medicine pleasant, and the cure speedy. Parsley. ^,(h. 3. d. 2.) This is so well known that it needs no description. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Mercury ; is very comfortable to the stomach; helpeth to provoke urine and women's courses, to break wind both in the stomach and bowels, and doth a little opea the body, but the root much more. It openeth obstruc- tions both of liver and spleen, and is therefore accounted one of the five opening roots. Galen commended it against the falling sickness, and to provoke urine mightily, especially if the roots be boiled and eaten like parsnips. The seed is effectual to provoke urine and women's cour- ses, to expel wind, to break the stone, and ease the pains ftud torments thereof] it is also elfe^^uitl against the 232 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. venom of any poisonous creature, and the danger that comctli to them that have the lethargy, anu is good against the cough. The distilled water of Parsley is a fa- miliar medicine with nurses to give their children when they arc troubled with wind in the stomach or belly, ■which they call the frets ; and is much available to them that are of great years. The leaves of Parsley laid to the eyes that arc inflamed with lieat, or swollen, doth much help them, if it be used with bread and meal ; and being fried with butter, and applied to women's breasts that are hard through the curdling of their milk, it abat- cth the hardness quickly, and also taketh away black and blue mirks coming of bruises or falls. The juice thereof dropped in the ears with a little M'ine, caseth the pains. Tragus setteth down an excellent medicine to help the jaundice and falling sickness, the dropsy, and stone in the kidnies, in this manner ; take of the seed of Parsley, Fennel, Annise, and CarraMaAS, of each an ounce; of the roots of Parsley, Burnet, Saxifrage and Carraways, of each an ounce and a half; let the seeds be bruised, and the roots washed and cut small ; let them lie all night in steep in a bottle of white wine, and in the morning be boiled in a close earthen vessel, until a third part or more be wasted ; which being strained and cleared, take four ounces thereof, morning and evening, lirst and last, ab- staining from drink after it for three hours. This openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen, and cxpcUcth the dropgy or jaundice by urine. Parsley Piert. ? . (h. d. 2.) Tins is also called Parsley Break-stone, from its efficacy in dissolving the stone in the bladder. Descript.^ The root^ although it be very small and thready, yet it continues many years, from whence arise many leaves lying along on the ground, each standing upon a long small foot-stalk, the leaves as broad as a man's nail, very deeply dented on the edges, somewhat like a parsley leaf, but of a very dusky green colour. The stalks are very weak and slender, about three or four lingers in length, set so full of leaves that they can hardly be seen, either having no foot-stalk at all; or but THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 235 ycry short ; the flowers are so small they can hardly be seen, and the seed as small as small as may be. P/ace.] It .is a common herb throughout the nation, and rcjoiccth in barren, sandy, moist places. It may be found plentifully about Hampstead-Heath liyde-Parkj and in Tothill-fields. 2vne [t may be found all the Summer-time, even from the beginning of April to the end of Odlober. Government and Virtues.'] Its operation is very preva- lent to provoke urine, and to break the stone. It is a very good sallad herb. It were good the gentry would pickle it up as they pickle up samphire for their use all the Winter. I cannot teach them how to do it ; yet this I can tell them, it is a very wholesome herb. They may also keep the herb dry, or in a syrup, if they please. You may take a drain of the powder of it in white wine ; it would bring away gravel from the kidnies insensiblyj and without pain. It also helps the stranguary. Parsnip. ? . (h. d. 1.) The garden kind thereo is so well known (the root being commonly eaten) that [ shall not trouble you with any description of it. But the wild being of more physical use, 1 shall in this place describe it unto you. Descript.'] The wild Parsnip dilFereth little from the garden, but groweth not so fair and large, nor hath so many leaves and the root is shorter, more woody, and not so fit to be eaten, and therefore more medicinal. Place.'] The name of the first sheweth the place of its growth. The other groweth wild in divers places, as ia the marshes by Rochester, and elsewhere, and flowereth in July ; the seed being ripe about the beginning of Au- gust, the second year after the sowing; for if they do not flower the first year, the country people call them jNIad- neps. Government and Firtues.] The garden Parsnips are nnder Venus ; it nourisheth much, and is good and wholesome, but a little windy, whereby it is thought to procure bodily lust ; but it fatteneth the body much if much used. It is conducible to the stomach and reins and provoketh urine. The wild Parsnip hath a cuttiug> 234 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. attenuating, cleansing and opening qualify therein. It re- sisteth and helpeth the bitings of serpents, eascth the pains and stitches in the sides, and dissolveth wind, both in the stomach and bowels, which is the colic, and provoketh urine. The root is often used, but the seed much more. The wild being better than the tame, shews Dame Na- ture to be the best physician. Cow Parsnip. $. (h. d. 1.) This is a very diiferent plant from the former. Descript.'\ This groweth with three or four larga spread-winged, rough leaves, lying often on the ground, or else raised a little from it, with long, round hairy foot stalks under them, parted usually into five divisions, the two couple standing each against the other; and one at the end, and each being almost round, yet somewhat deeply cut in on the edges in some leaves, and not so deep in others, of a whitish green colour, smelling some- what stronj^Iy ; among which riseth up a round crusted, hairy staik, two or three feet high, with a few joints and leaves thereon, and branched at the top, where stand large umbels of white, and sometimes reddish flowers, and after them flat, whitish, thin, winged seed, two always joined together. The root is long and white, with two or three long strings growing down into the ground, smell- ing likewise strongly and unpleasant. Place.^ It groweth in moist meadows, the borders and corners of iields, and near ditches, through this land. Time.'] It flowereth in July, and seedeth in August. Government and Firtues.~\ Mercury hath the dominioa over them. The seed thereof, as Galen saith, is of a sharp and cutting quality, and therefore is a fit mediciuc for a cough and shortness of breath, the falling-sickness and jaundice. The root is available to all the purposes aforesaid, and is also of great use to take away the hard skin that groweth on a fistula, if it be but scraped upon it. The seed hereof being drank, cleanseth the belly from tough phlegmatic water therein, easeth them that are liver-grown, women's passions of the mother, as well being drank as the smoke thereof received underneath^ and likewise riseth such as are fallen into a deep sleep, THE ENGLISH PHVSieiAN ENLARGED. 235 or have the lethargy, by burniftg it under their nose. The seed and root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed, therewith, helpcth not only those that are fallen into a frenzy, but also the lethargy or drowsy evil, and those that have been long troubled with the head ach, if it be likewise used with rue. It helpeth also the running scab and the shingles. The juice of the flowers dropped into the ears that run and are full of matter, cleanseth and heaieth them. The Peach-Tree. ?. {cm. 2.) They are nursed in gardens and orchards through this land, and need no description. Government and Virtues.'] Lady Venus owns this tree, and by it opposeth the ill cfie<5ts of Mars ; and indeed for children and young people, nothing is better to purge choler and the jaundice, than the leaves or flowers of this tree, being made into a syrup or conserve; let such as delight to please their lust regard the fruit; but such as hare lost their health, and their childrens, let them re- gard what 1 say, they may safely give two spoonfuls of the syrup at a time ; it is as gentle as Venus herself. The leaves of peaches bruised and laid on the belly, kill ■worms ; and so they do also being boiled in ale and drank, open the belly likewise ; and being dried is a safer medi- cine to discuss humours. The powder of them strewed upon fresh bleeding wounds stayeth their bleeding, and closeth them up. The flowers steeped all night in a little •wine standing warm, strained forth in the morning, and drank fasting, doth gently open the belly, and move it downward. A syrup made of them, as the syrup of roses is made, worketh more forcibly than that of roses, for it provoketh vomiting, and spendeth waterish and hydropic humours by the continuance thereof. The flowers made into a conserve, worketh the same eft'efit. The liquor that droppeth from the tree, being wounded, is given in the dcco6lion of Coltsfoot, to those that are troubled ■with the cough or shortness of breath, by adding there- unto some sweet -wine, and putting safl"ron also therein. It is good for those that are hoarse, or ha^ve lost thei* 236 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. voice ; hcli)cth all defcdls of the lungs, and those that vo- mit and spit blood. Two drams iicrcof given in the juice of lemons, or of radish, is good for them that arc troubled with tlie stone. The kernels of the stones do wonderfully ease the pains and wringings of the belly, through wind or sharp humours, and help to make an excellent medi- cine for the stone upon all occasions, in this manner : 1 take fijtif kernels of peuch-stones^ and one hundred of the kernels if cherry/ stones^ a handful of elder Jloicers fresh or dried^ and three pints of muscadel ; set them m a close pot into a bed of horse dung for ten daj/s^ after zihich distil in a glass, zcith a gentle jire, and keep it for your use: You may drink upon occasion three or four ounces at a time. The milk or cream of these kernels being drawn forth with some vervain water, and applied to the forehead and temples, doth much help to procure rest and sleep to sick persons wanting it. The oil drawn from the kernels, the temples being therewith anointed, doth the like. The said oil put into clysters, easeth the pains in the wind-cholic; and anointed on the lower part of the belly doth the like, and dropped into the cars easeth pains in them ; the juice of the leaves doth the like. Being also anointed on the forehead and temples, it help- eth the megrim, and all other parts in the head. If the ternels be bruised and applied to the head, it marvellous- ly procures the hair to grow again upon bald places, or where it is too thin. The Pear-Tree. §. (temjj. m. 1.) PEAR-Trees are so mcU known, that they need no de- scription. Government and Virtues.'] The tree belongs to Venus, and so doth the apple-tree. For their physical use they are bestdiscerned by their taste. All the sweet and lusci- ous sorts, whether manured or wild, do help to move the belly downwards, more or less. Those that are hard and sour, do, on the contrary, bind the belly as much, and the leaves do so also : those that are moist do in some sort cool, but harsh or wild sorts much more, and are very good in repelling medicines; and if the wild sort be boiled with mushrooms, it makes them less dangerous. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 237 The said Pears boiled with a little honey, helps much the oppressed stomach, as all sorts of them do, some more, some less ; but the harsher sorts do more cool and bind serving well to be bound in green wounds, to cool and stay the blood, and heal up the wound m ithout farther trouble, or inllammation, as Galen saith he found it by experience. The wild Pears do sooner close up the lips of green wounds than others. Schola Salerni adviseth to drink much wine after Pears, or else (say they) they are as bad as poison ; nay, and they curse the tree for it too ; but if a poor man lind his stomach oppressed by eating Pears, it is but working hard, and it will do as well as drinking Avine, Pellitory of Spain. $. (/^ d. 3.) Common Pellitory of Spain, if it be planted in our gar- dens, it will prosper very well ; yet there is one sort growing ordinarily here wild, which I esteem to be little inferior to the other, if at ail. 1 shall not deny you the description of them both. Descript.] Common Pellitory is a very common plant, and will not be kept in our gardens without diligent look- ing to. The root goes down right into the ground, bear- ing leaves, being long and finely cut upon the stalk, ly- ing on the ground, much larger than the leaves of the ca- momile are. At the top it bears one single large ilower at a place, having a border of many leaves, white on the upper side, and reddish underneath, with a yellow thrum in the middle, not standing so close as that of ea- rn omile doth. The other common Pellitory which groweth there, hath a root of a biting taste, scarce discernible by the taste from that before described, from whence arise divers brittle stalks, a yard high and more, with narrow long leaves finely dented about the edges, standing one above another up to the tops. The flowers are many and white standing in tufts like those of yarrow, with a small, yellowish thrum in the middle. The seed is very small. Place.] The last groweth in fields, in the hedges sides and paths, almost every where. 2 238 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 7V7/JC.] It flowcrcfh the latter end of June and Julj. Goveninicni mid I'trtuss.'] It is under the government of Mcreury, and I am persuaded it is one of the best purgcrs of the brain that grows. An ounce of the juice taken in a draught of muscadcl an hour before the fit of the ague comes, it will assuredly drive away the ague at the second or third time takin g at the farthest. Either the herb or root dried and chewed in the mouth, purgeth the brain of phlegmatic humours ; thereby not only casing pains in the head and teeth, but also hindereth the distilling of the brain upon the lungs and eyes, thereby preventing coughs, phthisics and consumptions, the apoplexy and falling sickness. It is an excellent ap- proved remedy in the lethargy. The powder of the herb or root being snuffed up the nostrils, procureth sneezing, and caseth the head-ach ; being made into an ointment with hog's grease, it takes away black and blue spots occasioned by blows or falls, and helps both the gout and sciatica. Pellitory of the Wall. $. {h. d. 2.) This plant is generally known where there are any old vails or ancient ruins. Descn'pi.'] It riseth with brownish, red, tender, weak, clear, and almost transparent stalks, about two feet high, upon which grow at the joints two leaves somewhat broad and long, of a dark green colour, which afterwards turn brownish, smooth on the edges, but rough and hairy, as the stalks are also. At the joints with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, where it spreadeth into branches, stand many small, pale, purplish flowers, in hairy rough heads, or husks, after which come small, black, rough seed, which will stick to any cloth or gar- ment that shall touch it. The root is somewhat long, with small fibres thereat, of a dark reddish colour, which abideth the Winter, although the stalks" and leaves perish and spring every year. Flace.'] It groweth "wild generally through the land, about the borders of fields, and by the sides of walls, and among rubbish. It will endure well being brought up in gardens, and planted on the shady side, where it will spring of its own sowing. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 239 Time.l It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Virtues."] It is under the dominion of Mercury, The dried herb Pellitory made up into an eledluary with honey, or the juice of the herb, or the deco6lion thereof made up with sugar or honey, is a sin- gular remedy for an old or dry cough, the shortness of breath, and wheezing in the throat. Three ounces of the juice thereof taken at a time, doth wonderfully help stopping of the urine, and to expel the stone or gravel in the kidnies or bladder, and is therefore usually put among other herbs used in clysters to mitigate pains in the back, sides, or bowels, proceeding of wind, stopping of urine, thegravel or stone, as aforesaid. If the bruised herb, sprinkled with some muscadel, be warmed upon a tile, or in a dish upon a few quick coals in a chafing- dish, and applied to the belly, it worketh the same eife^t. The deco6lion of the herb being drank, easeth pains of the mother, and bringeth down women's courses : it also easeth those griefs that arise from obstructions of the liver, spleen and reins. The same deco6lion with a little honey added thereto, is good to gargle a sore throat. The juice held awhile in the month, easeth pains in the teeth. The distilled water of the herb drank with some sugar, worketh the same ettedls, and cleanseth the skin from spots, freck les, purples, wheals, sun-burn, morphew, &c. The juice dropped into the ears, easeth the noise in them, and takcth away the pricking and shooting pains therein : the same, or the distilled water, assuageth hot and swelling impos- thumes, burnings, and scaldings by fire or water ; as also all other hot tumours and inllammations, or breakings out of heat, being bathed often with wet cloths dipped there- in ; the said juice made into a liniment with ceruse, and oil of roses, and anointed therewith, cleanseth foul rotten ulcers, and stayeth spreading or creeping ulcers, and running scabs or sores in childrens heads ; and helpeth to stay the hair from falling off the head. The said ointment, or the herb applied to the fundament, openeth the piles, and easeth their pains ; and being mixed with goats (al- low, helpeth the gout : the juice is very eftecStual to cleanse fistulas, and to heal them up safely ; or the herb itself bruised and applied with a little salt. It is like- 240 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ivisc also cfioftiial (o lieal any green wound ; if it be bruised and bound thereto lor three da}S, you shall need no other medicine to Jieal it further. A poultice made licreof with mallows, and boiled in wine and wheat bran and beau Hour, and some oil put thereto, and apjilied •warm to any bruised siiieMS, tendon, or muscle, doth in a very short time restore tliein to their strength, taking away the pains of the bruises, and dissolveth the congealed blood coming of blows, or fall from liigli places. The juice of Pcllitory of the Wall clarified and boiled in a syrup w ifh honey, and a spoonful of it drank every morning by such as are subjcrt to the drojjsy : if con- tinuing that course, though but once a week, if ever they have the dropsy, let them come but to me, and I "vvill cure them gratis. Pennyroyal. ? . (Ii. d. S.) Pennyroyal is so well known unto all, I mean the com- mon kind, that it necdeth no description. There is a greater kind than the ordinary sort found •wild with us, which so abideth being brought in gar- dens, and difl'ereth not from it, but only in the largeness of the leaves and stalks, in rising higher, and not creep- ing upon the ground so much. The flowers Avhereof are purple, growing in rundles about the stalks like the other. Place.'] The first, which is common in gardens, grow- eth also m many moist and watery jjlaces of this laud. The second is found wild in divers places by the highways from J^ondon to Colcltester, and thereabouts, more abundantly than in any other countries, and is also planted in their gardens in Essex. Time.'} They flower in the latter end of Summer, about August. Government and Virtues.'] The herb is under Venus. Dioscorides saith, that Pennyroyal maketh thin tough phlegm, warmeth the coldness of any part whereto it is applied, and digesteth raw or corrupt matter; being boiled and drank, it provoketh women's courses, and expelleth the dead child and aftcr.birth, and stayeth the THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 241 disposition to vomit being taken in water and vinegar mingled together. And being mingled •with honey and salt, it voideth phlegm out of the lungs, and purgeth inclanchulj by the stool. Drank Avith wine, it helpeth such as arc bitten and stung with venomous beasts, and applied to the nostrils with \inegar, reviveth those that are fainting and swooning. Being dried and burnt, it strengthcneth the gums. It is helpful to those that are troubled with the gout, being applied of itself to the place until it was red ; and applied in a plaister, it takes away spots or marks in the face; applied with salt, it proliteth those that arc splenetic, or liver-grown. The decoction doth help the itch, if washed therewith ; being put into baths for women to sit therein, it heipeth the swellings and hardness of the mother. The green herb bruised and put into vinegar, cleauseth foul ulcers., and taketh away the marks or bruises and blows about the eyes, and all discolourings of the face by fire, yea, and the lejirosy, being drank and outwardly applied. Boiled iu wine with honey and salt, it helpeth the tooth-ach. It helpeth the cold griefs of the joints, taking away the pains, and warmeth the cold part, being fast bound to the place, after a bathing or sweating iu a hot house. Pliny addeth, that Pennyroyal and mints together, help i'aiatings, being put into vinegar, and smelled unto, or put into the nostrils or mouth. It caseth head-achs, pains of the breast and belly, and gnawing of the sto- mach ; applied with honey, salt, and vinegar, it helpeth cramps or convulsions of the sinews. Boiled iu milk and drank, it is effectual for the cough, and for ulcers aud sores in the mouth ; drank in wine it provoketh women's courses, and expellcth the dead child and after- birth. Matthiolus saith, the decoftion thereof bein* drank helpeth the jaundice and dropsy, all pains of the head and sinews that come of a cold cause, and cleareth the eye.sight. It helpeth the lethargy, and applied with barley.meal, helpeth burnings, and put iato the ears e;iseth the pains of them. U 5r42 TIIE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Peony. O m ^. (//. d. 2.) This plant is distinguished by the names of Male and Female. Dcscript-I Male Peony riseth up wi(h brownish stalks, •whereon grow green and reddish leaves, upon a stalk TTithout any particular division in the leaf at all. The flowers stand at tiic top of the stalks, consisting of five or six broad leaves, of a fair purplish red colourj with many yellow threads in the middle standing about the head, ^vhich after riseth up to be the seed vessels, divided into two, three, or four crooked pods like horns, M'hich being full ripe, open and turn themselves down backward, shewing within them divers round, black, shining seeds, having also many crimson grains, infcruiixed with black, whereby it maketh a very pretty shew. The roots are great, thick, and long, spreading and running down deep in (he ground. The ordinary Female Peony bath as many stalks, and more leaves on them than the male; the leaves not so Jargc. but nicked on the edges, some with great and deep, others with smaller cuts and divisions, of a dead green colour. The llowers are of a strong heady scent, usually smaller, and of a more purple colour than the Male, with yellow thrumbs about the head, as the Male hath. The seed vessels are like horns, as in the Male, but smaller, the seed is black, but less shining. The roots consist of many short tuberous clogs, fastened at the end of long strings, and all from the heads of the roots, which are thick and short, and of the like scent with the male. Flace and Time.'] They grow in gardens, and flower usually about May. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion. Physicians say, Male Peony roots are best; but Dr. Reason told mc Male Peony was best for men, and Female Peony for women, and he desires to be judged by his brother Dr. Experience, The roots arc held to be of more virtue than the seed; next the flowers, and last of all, the leaves. The root of the Male Peony, fresh gathered, having been found by experience to cure the falling sickness; but the surest way is, besides hanging it about the neck, by which children have been cured, to THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 245 falte the root of the Male Peony -washed clean, and slamped somewhat small, and laid to infuse in sack for 24 hours at the least, afterwards strain it, and take it first and last morning and evening, a good draught for sundry days together, before and after a full moon ; and this will also cure older persons, if the disease be not grown too old, and past cure, especially if there be a due and orderly preparation of the body with posset drink made of betony, Sec, The root is also efte(5tual for womea that are not sufficiently cleansed after child-birth, and such as are troubled with the mother; for which likewise the black seed beaten to powder, and given in wine, is also available. The black seed also taken before bed- time, and in the morning, is very effectual for such as ia their sleep are troubled with the disease called Ephialte, or Incubus, but we do commonly call it the Night-mare; a disease which melancholy persons arc subject unto ; it is also good against melancholy dreams. The distilled ■water or syrup made of the flowers, warketh the same efFefts that the root and the seed do, although more weakly. The Female is often used for the purpose? ^.foresaid, by reason the male is so scarce a plant, that it is possessed by few, and those great levers of rarities in this kind. Pepperwort, or Dittander. J (/i, 4. d. 3.) Tins derives its name of Peppcrwort from the biting tasfc' of its leaves and root. Descript.'] Our common Pepperwort sendeth forth somewhat long and broad leaves, of a light bluish greenish, colour, finely dented about the edges, and pointed at the_ ends, standing upon round hard sialks, three or four feet liigh, spreading many branches on all sides, and having many small white flowers at the tops of them, after which follow small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, running much under ground, and shooting up again ire many places, and both leaves and roots are very hofe and sharp of taste, like pepper, for which cause it toQY 4he name« M 2 244 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Place] It growctli naturally in many places of this laml, as at Clare in Essex ; also near unto lOxeter iu Devonshire; upon Ilochcstcr Common in Kent; in Lancashire, and divers other places; but usually kept in gardens. Tiiitc] It flowercth in the end of Juno, and in July. Government and Virtues.'] ilcre is another martial licrb for you, make much of it. Pliny and Paul us jG^filiueta say, that Pepperwort is very successful for the sciatica, or any other gout or pain in the joints, or any Other inveterate grief : the leaves hereof to be bruised, and mixed -with old hog's grease, and ap[)Iicd to the place, and to continue thereon four hours in men, and two hours in women, the place being alterwards bathed ■with wine and oil mixed together, and then wrapt up with ■wool or skins, after they have sweat a little. It also amendeth the deformities or discolourings of the skin, and hclpeth to take away marks, scars, and scabs, or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron. The juice hereof is by some used to be given in ale to drink to wouien with child, to procure them a speedy deliverance in travail. Periwinkle. $. (h. 2. d. I.) Of this there are two kinds, the Garden and the Common. Desc7'ipt.'\ The common sort hereof hath many branches trailing or running upon the ground, shooting out small fibres at the joints as it runneth, taking thereby hold in the ground, and rooteth in divers places. At the joints of these branches stand two small dark green shining leaves, somewhat like bay leaves but smaller, and with them come forth aho the flowers, (one at a joint) standing upon a tender foot-stalk, being somewhat long and hollow, parted at the brims, sometimes into four, sometimes into live leaves; the most ordinary sorts are of a pale blue colour: some are pure white, and some of a dark reddish purple colour. The root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in the ground and creeping with his branches far about, whereby it quickly possesseth a great compass, and is most usually planted under hedges where it may Ixavc room to run. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 24 5 Place.l Those with the pale blue, and those with the ■white flowers, grow in woods and orchards, by the hedge- sides, in divers places of this land ; but those with the purple tlower in gardens only. 2V/«e.] They flower in March and April. Government and Virtues.'] Venus owns this herb, and saith, that the leaves eaten by man and wife together, cause love between them. The Periwinkle is a great binder, stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose, if some of the leaves be chewed. The French use it to stay ■women's courses. Dioscorides, Galen aud iEgineta, commended it against the lasks and fluxes of the belly to be drank in wine. St. Peter's Wort. O in .Q. (h. d. 2. J If Superstition had not been the father of Tradition, as ■well as ignorance the mother of Devotion, this herb, (as well as St. John's Wort) had found some other name to be known by ; but wc may say of our forefathers, as St. Paul of the Atlienians, 1 j)erccivc in many thins,s you lire too superyiilious. Yet seeing it is come to pass, that custom having got into possession, pleads prescription for the name, 1 shall let it pass, and come to the description of the herb, which take as foUoweth. DcscriptP\ It riseth up with square upright stalks for the most part, some greater and higher than St. John's "VVort (and good reason too, St. Peter being the greater Apostle', ask the Pope else ; for though God would have the saints equal, the Pope is of another opinion) but brown in the same manner, having two leaves at every joint; somewhat like, larger than St. John's Wort, a little rounder pointed, with a few or no holes to be seen thereon, and having some smaller leaves rising from the bosom of the greater, and sometimes a little hairy also. At the tops of two stalks stand many star-like flowers, ■with yellow threads in the middle, very like those of St. John's Wort, insomuch that this is hardly discerned frop' it, but only by the largeness and height, the seed b"''"S alike also in both. The root abideth longj seiidue ^^J^ta new shoots every year. M 3 S4G THE ENGLISH PHVSICIAN ENLARGE!?. Place.l It groTrelh in many groves, and small 1o\t •woods, in divers places of this Jaud, as in Kent, Hunting- don, Cambridge and jNorthamptonsiiircj as also near watercourses in other places. Time.'] It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is- fipe in Angust. Government and Virtues."] There is not a straw to clioosc between this and St. John's Wort, only St. Peter inusthaycit, Jest he should want pot herbs; it is of the saiTiC property of St. John's Wort, but somewhat weak, and therefore more seldom used. Two drams of the seed taken at a time in honied water, pursjeth choleric humours (as saith Dioscorides, Pliny and Galen) and therefore belpeth those that are troubled with the sciatica. The leaves are used as St. John's Worf, to help those places oX the bofiy that have been burnt with fire. Pimpernel. G. (/;. c?. S.) Tills is a pretty ornament to meadows and corn fields, Descript.1 Common Pimpernel hath divers weak square stalks lying on the ground, beset all with two small and almost round leaves at every joint, one against another, very like chickweed, but hath no foot-stalks ; for the leaves, as it were, compass the stalk, the flowers 5tand singly each by themselves at them and the stalk, consisting of five small round-pointed leaves, of a pale red colour, tending to an orange, with so many threads in the middle, in whose places succeed smooth round heads, wherein is contained small seed» The root is small and fibrous, perishing every year. Place.] It groweth every where almost, as well in the meadows and corn-fields, as by the way-sides and in gar. dens, arising of itself. TiineJi It flowereth from May nntil August, and the seed ripeneth in the mean time and falleth. Government and Virtues.'} It is a gallant solar herb, of a cleansing attractive quality, whereby it draweth forth *^*irns or splinters, or other such like things gotten into the wii^ and put up into the nostrils, purgeth the head ; and ^"^^n saith also, they have a drying faculty, where.. by they a. ^^^^ ^^ solder the lips of wounds^ aad to THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 247 cleanse foul ulcers. The distilled water or juice is much esteemed by French dames to cleanse the skin from any roughness, deformity, or discolouring thereof; being boiled in wine, and given to drink, it is a good remedy against the plague, and other pestilential fevers, if the party after taking it be warm in his bed, and sweat fo** two hours after, and use the same for twice at least. It helpeth also all stingings and bitings of venomous beasts, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly. The same also openeth obstructions of the liver, and is very available against the infirmities of the reins ; it pro- voketh urine and helpeth to expt) the stone and gravel out of the kidnies and bladder, and helpeth much in all inward pains and ulcers. The decoction or distilled water is no less effeftual to be applied to all wounds that are fresh and green, or old, filthy, fretting and running ulcers, which it very etfectually cureth in a short space. A little mixed with the juice, and dropped into the eyes, cleanseih them from cloudy mists, or thick films which grow over them, and hinder the sight. It helpclh the tooth-ach, being dropped into the ear on the contrary side of the pain ; it is also effectual to ease the paios of the haemorrhoids ov piles. Ground Pine. e cloven. On both these trees groweth a sweet kind of musk, which in former times was used to put into sweet ointments. PA/ce.] They grow in moist woods, and by water sides in si4ndry places of this land j yet the white is not so fre- quent as the other. 254 THE ENGLISH PHYSiaAN ENLARGEIT. Time, Their time is also expressed before. The caf- Siks coming forth before the leaves in the end of the ummcr. Government and Virtues.'} Saturn hath dominion over both. White Poplar, saith Galen, is of a cleansing pro- perty : the weight of one ounce in powder of the bark thereof being drank, saith Dioscoridcs, is a remedy for those that arc troubled with the sciatica, or the stranguary. The juice of the leaves dropped warm into the ears, easeth the pains in them. The young clammy buds, or eyes before tiiey break out into leaves, bruised and a little honey put to them, is a good medicine for a dull sight. The Black Poplar is held (o be more cooling thau the White, and thertloie the leaves bruised with vine- gar and applied, help the gout. The seed drank in vine- gar is held good against the falling sickness. The water that droppetli from the hollow places of this tree, taketh away warts, pushes, wheal . and other the like breakings out of the body. The young Black Poplar buds, saith. INlatthiolus, are much used by women to beautify their hair, bruising them with fresh butter, straining them after they have been kept for some time in the sun. The oint- ment called Populneura, which is made of this Poplar, is singular good for all heat and inflammations in any part of the body, and tempereth the heat of Avounds. It is much ijsed to dry up the milk of women*s breasts, whcu tbey have weaaed their children. Poppj. D. (c. 4. m. 2.) Or this I shall describe three kinds, viz. the White ancl Black of the garden, and the Erratic Wild Poppy, or Corn Kose. Descript.l The White Poppy hath at first four or five "whitish green leaves lying upon the ground, whit h rise ■with the stalk, compassing it at the bottoi'.i of them, and are ver^ large, much cut or fora on (he edges, and ;iented also besides ; the stalk which is uMialiy four or five feet high, hath sometimes no braticlies at i.he top, and usually but two or three at most, bearing evtr^ one but one head wrapped up in a thin skin, v\ hich boweth dowrv before it is ready io blow, and itu.ii fisiivg. aiid being THE ENGLISH PHYSIHAN ENLARGED. §55 I)roken, the flower within it spreading itself open, and consisting of four very large, white round leaves, with many whitish round threads in the middle, set about a small, round green head, having a crowu or star-like cover at the end thereof, which growing ripe becomes as large as a great apple, wlierein are contained a great number of small round seeds, in several partitions or di- visions next unto the shell, the middle thereof remaining hollow and empty. The whole plant, both leaves, stalks and heads, while they are fresh, young and green, yielH a milk when they are broken, of an unpleasant bitter taste, almost ready to provoke casting, and of a strong heady smell, which being condensate is called Opium,^ The root is white and woody, perishing as soon as it hath given ripe seed. The Black Poppy litttle differeth from the former, un- til it beareth its flower, which is somewhat less, and of a black purplish colour, but without any purple spots in the bottom of the leaf. The head of the seed is much Jess than the former, and openelh itself a little round about the top, under the crown, so that the seed which is very black will fall out, if one turn the head thereof- downward. The wild Poppy, or Corn Rose, hath long and narrow leaves, very much cut in on the edges into many divi*. sions, of a light green colour, sometimes hairy withall f the stalk is blackish and hairy also, but not so tall as the garden kind, having some such like leaves thereon t®^ grow below, parted into three or four branches some- times, whereon grow small hairy heads bovcing down before the skin break, wherein the flower is, which whcK it is full blown open is of a fair yellowish red or crimsoix colour, in some much paler, without any spot in the bottom of the leaves, having many black soft threads in the middle, compassing a small green head, which when it is ripe, is not bigger than one's little finger's end, Avhereia- is contained much black seed smaller by half than thafc ©f the garden. The root perisheth every year, and springeth again of its own sowing.. Of this kind there is one lesser iu all the parts thereof,, and diiferctb ist nothing else. tib^ THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED". Vlacc-I Tlio garden kiiuls do not nahirally grow ^u\§ in any |)Iac(', but are sown in gardens where they grow. The N\ lid I'oppy, or Corn Hose, is pleiitit'nl enough, and iiiiiny times too uiiieh in the corn fields olall counties through this land, and also npon dilch banks and by hedge sides. 'INie. smaller wild kind is also ibund in corn lields, and also in sonic other places, but not so plcntiluily as the former. liiiic^ The garden kinds are usually sown in the Sj)ring, which (hen llower about the tnd of May, and some\vhat earlier, it' they spring of their own sowing. The wild kind ilower usually from May until July, and the seed of t;.em is ripe soon after the llowering. Government and rtrttias.~\ The herb is Lunar, and of the juice of it is made opium; only for lucre of money they cheat \ ou, and tell you it is a kind of tear, or some such like thir.g, that drops from poppies -when they weep, and that is somewhere beyond (he seas,. 1 know not vvlicre beyond the moon. The garden poppy heads >vitli seeds made into syrup, is frequently and to good eflect used to procure rest and sleep, in the sick and weak, and to stay catarrhs and dcliuctions of thin rheums from the head into the stomach and lungs, causing a continual cough, the forerunner of a consumption ; it helpeth also hoarseness of the throat, and when o;ie hath lost their voice, which the seed doth likewise. The black seed boiled in wine, and drank, is said also to stay the lUix of the belly, and Avomen's courses. The empty shells or poppy heads, are usually l)oiled in water, and given to procure rest and slee[) ; so do the leaves in the same manner: as also if the head and temples be bathed with the decoction warm, or with the oil of poppies, the green leaves or heads bruised, and applied with a little vinegar, or made into a poultice with barley meal, or hog's grease, coalclh and tempereth all iii.llammations, as also the disease called St. Anthony's lire. It is generally used in treacle and njithridate, and in aJl other medicines that are njade to procure rest and sleep, and to ease pains ia the head as ivell as in, other par's. It is also used to cool inllamma- tions, agues, or frenzies, or to stay those detlutiion? •which cause a cough, or consumption, and also othcj fluxes of the belly, or woaica's courstts ; it is also put lata THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 257 hollow teeth to case tlie paiii, and hath been found by experience to ease the pains of the gout. The wild Poppy, or Corn Rose (as Matthiolus saith) is good to prevent the falling sickness. The svrup made "With tlie riower, is with good etfe(':t given to those that have the pleurisy : and the dried llowers also, either boiled in water, or made into powder and drank, either in the distilled water of them, or some other drink, work- eth the like ctfc6t. The distilled water of the Rowers is held to be of much good use against surfeits, being drank evening and morning ; it is also more cooling than any of the other poppies, and therefore cannot but be as etfedtual in hot .'igues, frenzies, and other inllainmations either in- ward or outward. Galen saitli, the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly. Purslaine. D. (c. 3. m. 2.) Garden Purslaine (being used as a sallad herb) is so Avell Itnown that it needeth no description; I shall therefore ol ynspcak of its virtues as follovveth : Government and Virtues.'] 'Tis an herb of the IVIoonv It is good to cool any heat in the liver, blood, reins, and stomach, and in hot agues nothing better ; it stayeth hot and cholerick fluxes of the belly, women's courses, the whites, and gonorrhoea, or running of the reins, the distillation from the head, and pains therein proceeding from heat, want of sleep, or the frenzy. '1 he seed is more efl'ectual than the herb, and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness of urine, and the outrageous lust of the body, venerous dreams, and the like ; inso- much that the over frequent use thereof extinguisheth the heat and virtue of natural procreation. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and given to children, expelloth the worms. The juice of the herb is held elfectual to all the. purposes aforesaid ; as also to stay vomitings, and takea with some sugar or honey, helpeth an old dry cough, shortness of breath, and the phthisick, and stayeth im- moderate thirst. The distilled water of the herb is used hy many (as the more pleasing) with a little sugar to work the.sapie elfedts. The juice also is singular good in the iulhimmatioiis and ulcers in the secret parts of man or 25S THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. nvoman, as also the bowels and hx-morrhoids, uhcn ihcy arc ulcerous, or excoriations in them. Tiic herb braised and applied to the forehead and temples, allays excessive heat therein, that hinders rest and sleep, and applied . (c. d, 1.) Ouii common Privet is carried wp with many srendier branches to a reasonable height and breadth, to cover arbours, bowers and banquetting houses, and brought^ vroughti aud cut into so many founs of men, horses^ birds. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 259 &c. "which though at first supportedj groweth afterwards strong of itself. Descript.'] It beareth long and narrow green leaves by couples, and sweet smelling white ilowors in tufts at the end of the branches, which turn into small black berries that have a purplish juice with them, and some 'jceds that are flat on the one side, with a hole or dent therein. Place."] It groweth on this land, In divers woods. Time J] Our Privet flowereth in June and July, the berries are ripe in August and September. Government and Firtues.] The Moon is \;.ly of this. It is little used in physic with us in these time > more than in lotions to wash sores and sore mouths, nd to cool inflammations, and dry up fluxes. Yet Ma/' liolus saith, it serveth to all the uses for the which cv press, or the East Privet, is appointed by Dioscorides an i Galen. He farther saith, that the oil that is made of the flowers of Privet infused therein, and set in the sun, is singulap good for the inflammations of wounds and for the head ach coming of a hot cause. There is a sweet water also distilled from the flowers, that is good for all those diseases that need cooling or drying, and therefore helpeth all fluxes of tlie bdly and stomach, bloody fluxes and women's courses, being either drank or applied ; as ali those that void blood at the mouth, or any other place, and for distillations of rheum in the eyes, especially if it b^ used with tutia. Queen of the Meadows. ? . {h. d. 2.) Also called Meadow Sweet, and Mead Sweet. Descript.] The stalks of this are reddish, rising to be three feet high, sometimes four or five feet, having at the joints thereof large winged leaves, standing one above another at distances, consisting of many and samewhat broad leaves, set on each side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or rugged, crumpled much i»ke unto elm leaves, having also some smaller leaves with them, (as agrimony hath) somewhat deeply dented about the edges, of a sad green colour on the upper side, and greyish underneath^ of a pretty sharp scent and taste, somewhat like uuto tb& 260 Tiin ENGMsn piivsician enlarged. biirnet, and a leaf hereof put into a ciip of claret wine, givctli also a line relish to it. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand many tufts of small uhite llowcrs thrust thick toj^elher, w liich smell much sweeter than the leaves ; and in their places, being fallen, some crooked and cornered seed. The root is somewhat woody, and blackish on the out i-ide, and brownish within, with divers great strings, and le;;ser fibres set thereat, of a strong scent, but nothing so pleasant as the flowersand leaves, and perislieth not, but abideth many years, shoot- ing forth anew every Spring, Place] It groweth in moist meadows that lie much wet, or near the courses of water. Time.'] It ilowercth in some places or other all the three S mmcr months, that is, June, July, and August, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and f iriues.'] Venus claims dominion over the herb. It is used to stay all manner of bleedings, fluxes, vomitings, and women's courses, as also their whites. It is said to alter and take away the fits of the quartan agues, and to make a merry heart, for which purpose some use the llowers, and some the leaves. It helpeth speedily those that are troubled with the cholic ; being boiled in wine, and with a little honey taken "warm, it openeth the belly, but boiled in red wine, and drank, it stayeth the llu.v of the belly. Outwardly ap. plied it helpeth old ulcers that are cancerous, or hollow and listulous, for which it is by many much commended, as also for the sores in the mouth, or secret parts.. The leaves when they are lull grown, being laid on the skin, M'ill in a short time, raise blisters thereon, as Tragus saith. The water thereof helpeth the heat and inllamnia- tion in the eyes. The Quince-Tree. Ti • (c* !• d- 2.) Tins is now cultivated only in our gardens, for culinary purposes. Descript.'] The ordinary Quince-Tree groweth often to tlie height and bigness of a reasonable apple-tree, but iBore usually lower, and crooked, with a rough bark, Spreading armg and branches far abroad. The leaves are THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2G 1 somewhat like those of the apple-tree, but thicker, broader, and fuller of veins, and whiter on the other side, not dented at all about the edges. The flowers are large and white, sometimes dashed over with a blush. Tiie fruit that followeth is yellow, being near ripe, and covered with a white freze, or cotton ; thick set on the younger, and growing less as they grow to be thorou£;h ripe, bunched out oftentimes in some places, some being like an apple, and some like a pear, of a strong heady scent, and not durable to keep, and is sour, harsh, and of an unpleasant taste to cat fresh ; but being scalded, roasted, baked, or preserved, becometh more pleasant. Place and Time.'] It best likes to grow near ponds and water-sides, and is frequent through this land, and llowereth not until the leaves be come forth. The fruit \% ripe, in September or October. Guveniment and Virtues.] Old Saturn owns the tree. Quinces when they are green, help all sorts of fluxes iu men or women, and choleric lasks, casting, and what- ever needeth astridtion, more than any way prepared by lire ; yet the syrup of the juice, or the conserve, are much conducible, much of the binding quality being consumed by the fire ; if a little vinegar be added, it stirreth up the languishing appetite^ and the stomach given to casting ; some spices being added, comforteth and strengtheneth the decaying and fainting spirits, and heipeth the liver ojjpressed, that it cannot perfect the digestion, or corredeth choler and phlegm. If you would have them purging, put honey to them instead of sugar ; and if more laxative, for choler, rhubarb ; for phlegm, turbith ; for watery humours, scammony ; but if more forcibly to bind, use the unripe Quinces, with roses and and acacia, hypocistis, and some torrifiecl rhubarb. To take the crude juice of Quinces, is held a preservative against the force of deadly poison ; for it hath been found most certainly true, that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength qf the poison of white hellebore; If there be need of any outwardly binding and CQoling of hot fluxes, the oil of Quinces, or other medicines that may- be made thereof, are very available to anoint the belly or other parts therewith ; it likewise strengtheneth the fitotaach aad belly, aud the siocws that are loosened by ^62 TE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. sharp liuniours falling on them, and restrainoth immoderate sweatings. TJic mucilage taken from the seeds of Quince?, and boiled in a little water, is very good to cool the heat, and heal the sore breasts of women. The same with a little sugar, is good to lenify the harshness and hoarse- ness of the throat, and roughness of the tongue. The cotttfn or down of Quinces boiled and applied to plague sores, healeth thera up ; and laid as a piaister, made up with wax, it bringcth hair to them that are bald, and kcepeth it from falling, if it be ready to shed. Raddisb, or Horsc-Raddish. c?. {h- 3. d. 2.) TuE garden and also the HorseRaddish are so well known, that they need no description. P/rtCf,] It is found wild in some places, but is chiefly- planted III gardens, and joycth in moist and shady places. Izme.'] it seldom llowercth, but when it doth, it is in July. 'Qovernm.C7it and J^it>/i/e5'.] They are both under Mars. The Juice uf the llorse-Kadt'ish given to drink, is held to be very effectual for the scurvy. Jt killeth the worms- in children, being drank, and also laid upon the belly. The root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the sciatica, joint-ach, or the hard swellings of the liver and spleen, doth wonderfully help them ail. The distilled water of the herb and root is more familiar io be taken with a little sugar for all the purposes aforesaid. Garden Raddishcs are in wantonness by the gentry eaten as a sallad, but they breed scurvy humours in the stomach, and corrupt the blood, and then send for a physician as fast as you can ; this is one cause makes the owners of such nice palates so unhealthful ; yet for such as are troubled with the gravel, stono, or stoppage of urine, they arc good physic, if the body be strong that takes them: you may make the juice of the roots into a Eyrup if you jtlease, for that use. They purge by uriua exceedingly. *rHE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 263 Ragwort. ? . (h. d. 2.) It is called also St. James's-Wort, and Stagger-wort, and StaraHier-^voit, and Segrum. Descript.'] The greater common Ragwort hath many large and long, dark green leaves Ijing on the ground, very much rent and torn on the sides in many places;. from among which rise up sometimes but one, and some- times two or three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks, three or four feet high, sometimes branched, bearing divers such-like leaves upon them, at several distances unto the top, wlicre it branches forth into many stalks bearing yellow flowers, consisting of divers leaves, set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow thrum in the middle, which do abide a great while, but at last are turned into down, and with the small blackish grey seed, are carried away with the wind. The root is made of many fibres, whereby it is firmly fastened into the ground, and- abideth many years. There is another sort thereof different from the former' only in this, that it riseth not so high, the leaves are not go finely jagged, nor of so dark a green colour, but rather somewhat whitish, soft and woolly, and the flowers usu- ally paler. Place.~\ They grow both of them wild in pastures, and nntilled grounds in many places, and oftentimes both ia one field. Government and Virtues.'] Ragwort is under the com- mand of Dame v^enus, and cleanseth, digesteth, and dis- cusseth. The decoction of the hert) is good to wash the mouth or throat that hath ulcers or sores therein ; and for swellings, hardness, or imposthuraations, for it thoroughly cleanseth and healeth them ; as also the quinsy, and the king's evil. It helpeth to stay catarrhs, thin rheums, and defluCiions from the head into the eyes, nose, or lungs. The juice iis found by experience to besingular good to heal green wounds, and to cleanse and heal all old and filthy ulcers in the privities, and in other parts of the body, as also inward wounds and ulcers ; stayeth the malignity of fretting and running cankers, and hollow fistulas, not, suffering them to sprea-d farther. It is also much com- HGi THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. mended to help achesand pains either in the fleshy part, or in the nerves and sinews ; as also the sciatica, or j)ain of the hips or huckle-boue, to bathe the places with the de- coction of the herb, or to anoint them with an ointment made of the herb, bruised and boiled in old hog's suet, ■with some m.astic and olibanum in powder added unto it after it is strained forth, la Sussex avc call it Hag- weed. Raltlc Grass, j . (c. m. I.) Of this there arc two kinds which I siiali speak of, viz. the red and yellow. Descrt'pt.'] Tiie common Ued Rattle hath sundry red- dish, hollow stalks, and soraetimcs green, rising from the root, lying for the most part on the ground, some grow- ing more upright, with many small reddish or green leaves set on both sides of a middle rib, linely dented about the edges : the llowers stand at the tops of the stalks and branches of a fine purplish red colour, like small gaping hooks, after which come blackish seed in small husks, •which lying loose therein, will rattle with shaking. The root consists of two or three small whitish strings with some fibres thereat. The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom above one round great stalk, rising from the foot about half a yard, or two feet high, and but few branches thereon, having two long and somewhat broad leaves set at a joint, deeply cut in on tlie edges, resembling the comb of a cock, broadest next to the stalk, and smaller to the end. The flowers grow at the tops of the stalks, with some shorter leaves with them, hooded after the same manner that the others are but of a fair yellow colour, or in some paler, and in some more white. The seed is contained in large husks, and being ripe, will rattle or make a noise with lying loose in them. The root is small and slender, perishing every year. Place.\ They grow in meadows and woods generally through this land, 7Vw(2-] They are in flower from Midsummer until August be past; gometimcs. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 265 {jrovernment and Virtues.^ They are both of them under the dominion of the Moon. The Red Rattle is accounted profitable (o heal up fistulas and hollow ulcers, and to stay the flux of humours in them, as also the abundance of women's courses, or any other flux of blood, being boiled in red Avine and drank. The Yellow Rattle, or Cock's-Corab, is held to be good for those that are troubled with a cough, or dim- ness of sight, if the herb, being boiled with beans, and some honey put thereto, be drank or dropped into the eyes. The whole seed being put into the eyes, draweth forth any skin, dimness or film, from the sight without trouble or pain. Rest Harrow, c?. (//. d. 3.) This is also known by the name of Caramock. Descript.'] Common Rest Harrow riseth up with direr.- rough woody twigs half a yard, or a yard high, set at the joints without order, with little roundish leaves, sometimes more than two or three at a place, of a dark green colour, without thorns while they are young; but afterwards armed in sundry places, with short and sharp thorns. The lowers come forth at the tops of the twigs and branches, whereof it is full fashioned like pease or broom blossoms, but lesser, flatter, and somewhat closer, of a faint purplish colour; after which come small pods, containing smaJL flat, round seed : the root is blackish on the outside, and whitish within, very rough, and hard to break when it is fresh and green, and as hard as a horn when it is dried, thrusting down deep into the ground, and spreading like- wise, every piece being apt to grow again it it be left ia the ground. Place.'] It groweth in many places of this land, as well in the arable as waste ground. Time.'] It flowereth about the beginning or middle of July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Firtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars. It is singular good to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to break and drive forth the stone, which N f66 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. flic powder of tlie bark of tlic root taken in Mine per- foiincih eliicfnally. iSlatihiolus sailli, the. baine li('lj)etl» the disease called Hernia Carnosd, the fleshy ruptnrc, by taking the said ponder for some n'.onths together con- stantly, and that it haih cured some which seemed in- curable by any other means than by cutting or burning. The decoc;tion thereof made with vine:;ar, gargled in tha mouth, caseth the tootli-ach, especially when it comes of rheum; and is very powerful to open obstructions of the liver and splt'cn, and other parts. A distilled water in Jiahico Afan'ce, with four pounds of the root iiereof first sliced small, and afterwards steeped in a gallon of canary wine, is ^in^ula^ good for all the purposes al'or.'said, and to cleanse the passages of the urine. The jjowder of the root made into an electuary, or lozenges, with sugar, also the bark of the fresh roots boiled tender and alierwards beaten to a conserve with sugar, worketh the like etl'ett. The powdtr of the roots strewed upon the brims of ulcers, consumeth the hardness, and causeth them to heal the belter. Rocket c?. (^i- d, 3.)' Tut. Garden-Rocket being rather used as a sallad herb than to any physical purposes. 1 shall only speak of the common wil'l Rocket. De.sciipt.'] The common wild Rocket hath longer and narrower leaves, much more divided into slender cuts and and jags on both sides the middle rib than the garden kinds liave ; of a sad green colour, from among which rise up divers "^.talks two or three feet hi.ih, sometimes set with the like leaves, but smaller and smaller up- wards, branched from the middle into divtM-s slilF stalks, bearing sundry yellow flowers o*n them, made of four leaves a-])iece, as the others are, which afterwards yield them small reildish seed, in small long pods, of a more bitter and hot biting taste than the garden kinds, as the leaves are also. P/ace.] It is found wild in divers places of this land. . Time.'] It flowereth about June or July, and the seed is ripe in August. 3 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, 267 Government and Virtues.'] The wild Rockets are for- bidden to be used alone, in regard their sharpness fumeth into the head, causing achs and pains therein, and are hurtful to hot and cholerick persons, for fear of in- flaming their blood, and therefore for such we may say a little doth but a little harm, for angry IMars rules them, and he sometimes will be rusty when he meets with fools. The wild rocket is more strong and effe6tual to increase sperm and venerous qualities, whereunto all the seed is more effectual than tlie garden kind; it serveth also to help digestion, and provokelh urine exceedingly. The seed is used to cure the bitings of serpents, the scorpion, and the shrew mouse, and other poisons, and expelleth ■worms, and other noisome creatures that breed in the belly. The herb boiled or stewed, and some sugar put thereto, helpcth the cough in children, being taken often. The seed also taken in drink, taketh away the ill sct'ut of the arm-pils, increasefh milk iu nurses, and Avasteth the spleen. The seed mixed with honey, and used on the face, cleanseth the skin from morphew, and used with vinegar, taketh away freckles and redness in the face, or other parts; and with the gall of an ox, it mendeth foul scars, black and blue spots, and the marks of the small-pox. Winter-Rockpt, or Cresses, c?. (h. d. 3.) The "Winter Rocket is a different plant from the former. Descript-I it hath divers somewhat large sad green leaves laying upon the ground, torn or cut in divers parts, somewhat like unto Rocket or turnip-leaves, with smaller pieces next the bottom, and broad at the ends, which so abide all the V/inter, (if it spring up in Autumn, when it is used to be oaten) from among which rise up divers small round stalks, lull of branches, bearing many small yellow liowers of four leaves a-piece, alter which come small pods, with reddish seed in them. i'iie root is somewhat stringy, and pcrisheth every year after the seed is ripe. Flace.'] It groweth of its own accord in gardens and fields, by the wiiy-sides, in divers places. N 2 2^S THE ENGXlSli PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Time.'] It flowereth in May, scedclh ia June, and then pcrisliPth. Government and Virtues.'] It provokes urine, helps stranguary, and expels gravel and the stone. It is good for the scurvy, and found by experience to be a singular good wound-herb to cleanse inward wounds : the juice or deco6iion being drank, or outwardly applied to wash foul Tilcers and sores, cleansing them by sharpness, and hinder- ing or abating the dead Uesh from growing therein, and healing them by the drying quality. .Roses. ■?/. ?. D. (temp, d. 2.) It is altogether needless to trouble the reader with a description of these, since both the garden Roses, and the Roses of the briars, are m ell enough known. Government and Virtues.] What a pother have authors made with Roses ! What a racket have they kept ! I shall add, red Roses are under Jupiter, damask under Venus, white under the Moon, and Provence under the King of France. The white and red Roses arc cooling and drying, and yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both the properties, but is seldom used inwardly in any me- dicine. The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh, especially the juice, purgeth choler, and watery hu- mours ; but being dried, and the heat which causeth the bitterness being consumed, they have then a binding and astringent quality ; those also that arc not full blown, do both cool and bind more than those that are full blown, and the white Rose more than the red. The deco^lioa of red Roses made with wine and used, is very good for the head-ach, and pains in the eyes, ears, throat and gums; as also for the fundament, the lower parts of the belly and the matrix, being bathed or put into them. The same decoction with the roots remaining in it, is profitably applied to the region of the heart to ease the inflammation therein ; as also St. Anthony's fire, and other diseases of the stomach. Being dried and beaten to powder, and taken in steeled wine or water, it helpeth to stay women's courses. The yellow threads in the middle of the Roses (which are erroneously called the Rose Seed} beiug powdered and drank in the distilled THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 269 water of quinces, stayeth tha overflowing of women'is courses, and doth wonderfully stay the detlucftions of rheum upon the gums and teeth, preserving them from corruption, and fastening them if they be loose, being washed and gargled therewith, and some vinegar of squills added thereto- The heads with the seed being used in powder, or in decoction, stayeth the lask and spitting of blood. Red Roses strengthen the heart, stomach, liver, and the retentive faculty : they mitigate the pains that arise from heat, assuage inflammations, procure rest and sleep, stay both whites and reds in women, the gonorrhea, or running of the reins, and fluxes of the belly; the jaice of them doth purge and cleanse the body from choler and phlegm. The husks of the Roses, with the beards and nails of the Roses, are binding and cooling, and the distilled water of them is good for the heat and redness in the eyes, and to stay and dry up the rheums and watering of them. Of tiic red Roses are usually made many compositions, all serving to sundry good uses. viz. Eledluary of Roses, conserve both moist and dry, which is more usually called Sugar of Roses, Syrup of dry Roses, and Honey of Roses. The cordial powder called Diarrhodon Abbatis, and Aromatica Rosarum. The distilled water of Roses, vinegar of Roses, ointment, and oil of Roses, and the Rose leaves dried, are of very great use and effecs to bathe them therewith, and the temples of the head ; as also against pain and ach, for which purpose also vinegar of Hoses is of much good use, and to procure rest and sleep, if some thereof and Rose-water together be used to smell unio, or the nose and temples moistened there- with, but more usually to moisten a piece of a red Rose- cake, cut for the purpose, and Iseated between a double- folded clotli, with a little beaten nutmeg, and poppy-seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the forehead and templesj and bound so theretoall ni^ht. The ointment of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 271 Roses is much usod against heat and inflammations in the head, to anoint the forehead and temples, and being mixt wi(h Unguentum-Populncum, to procure rest ; it is also used ior the licat of the liver, the back and reins, and to cool and heal pushes, wheals, and other red pimples rising in the face or other parts. Oil of Hoses is not only used by itscU to cool any hot swellings or inflammations, and. to bind and stay iliixes or humours unto sores, but is also put into ointments and plaisters that are cooling and binding, and restraining the flux of humours. The dried leaves of the red Rosis are used both inwardly and out- wardly, both cooling, binding, and cordial, for with them are made both Aromaiicuin liosarurn, Diarr hodon JbbattSy and Succharum Ilosariim, each of whose properties are before declared. Rose leaves and mint, heated and ap- plied outwardly to the stomach, stay castings, and very much strengthen a weak stomach ; and applied as a fomentation to the region of the liver and heart, do much cool and temper them, and also serve instead of a Rose- cake (as is said before) to quiet the over-hot spirits, and cause rest and sleep. The syrup of Damask Roses is both sim])le and compound, and made with agaric. The simple solutive syrup is a familiar, safe, gentle and easy medicine, purging choler, taken from one ounce to three or four, yet this is remarkable herein, that the distilled' water of this syrup should notably bind the belly. The syrup with agaric is more strong and eiTe6tual, for one ounce thereof by itself will open the body more than the other, and worketh as much on phlegm as choler. The compound sj rup is more forcible in working on melaa> cliolic hinniiurs; and available against the leprosy, itch, tetters, 6cc. also hoiiey of Roses solutive is made of the same infusions that the syrup is made of, and therefore ■worketh the same ctfe6l, both opening and purging, but is offener given to phlegmatic than choleric persons, and is more used i?! clysters than in potions, as the syrup made witli sugar is. The conserve and preserved leaves- o.f those Roses are also operative in gently opening the belly. The simple water of the damask Roses is chiefly used for fumes to sweeten things, as the dried leaves thereof N 4 272 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. to make sweet powders, and fill sweet bags ; and little use tbcy are put to in physic^ although they have some ])Tirging quality ; the wild Roses also are few or none of them used in physic, but are generally held to come near the nature of the manured Roses. The fruit of the ■wild briar, which are called Hips, being thoroughly ripe, and made into a conserve with sugar, besides the pleasant- ness of the taste, doth gently bind the belly, and stay dcfludtions from the head upon the stomach, drying up the moisture thereof, and helpcth digestion. The pulp of llie hips dried into a hard consistence, like to the juice of liquorice, or so dried that it may be made into powder and taken in drink, stayeth speedily the whites in women. The briar ball is often used, being made into powder and drank, to break the stone, to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to ease and help the colic, some appoint it to be burnt, and then taken for the same purpose. In the middle of the balls are often found certain Avhite worms, which being dried and made into powder, and some of it drank, is found by experience to kill and drive forth the vyorms of the belly. Rosa Solis, or Sun-Dew. <•) in «s. (h. d. 4.^ It is also called Red. rot, and Youth-wort. Descript.'] It hath divers small, round, hollow leaves, somewhat greenish, but full of certain red hairs, which make them seem red, every one standing upon his own foot-stalk, reddish, hairy likewise. The leaves are con- tinually moist in the hottest day, yea, the hotter the sun shines on them, the moister they are, with asliminess that will rope (as we say) the small hairs always holding this moisture. Among these leaves rise up slender stalks, reddish also, three or four fingers high, bearing divers small •white knobs one above another, which are flowers; after which in the heads are contaied small seeds. The root is a few small hairs. Pluce.1 It groweth usually in bogs and wet places, and sometimes in moist woods. Time.'] It flouereth in June, and then the leaves are ittmt to be gathered. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 273 Guvernmeni and Virtues.'] The Sun rules it, and it is under fhe sign Cancer. Rosa Solis is accounted good to help those that have a salt rheum distilling on the lungs, which breedeth a consumption, and therefore the distilled water thereof in wine, is held fit and profitable for such to drink, which water will be of a good yellow colour. The same water is held to be good for all other diseases of the lungs, as phthisics, wheezings, shortness of breath, or the cough ; as also to heal the ulcers that happen in the lungs ; and it comforteth the heart and fainting spirits. The Jeaves outwardly applied to the skin, will raise blisters, which has caused some to think it dangerous to be taken inwardly ; but there are other things which will also draw blisters, yd nothing dangerous to be taken inwardly. There is an usual drink made thereof Avith aqua vitas and spices frequently, and without any offence or danger, but to good purpose used in qualms and passions of the- heart. Rosemary. 0 a72d T. (h. d. 3 ) Our garden Rosemary is so well known,, that I need no^ describe it. Time."] It flowcreth in April and May, sometimes again- in August. Government and: Virtues.'] The Sun claifns privilege in^ it, and it is under the celestial Ram. It is an herb of as- great use as any whatsoever, not only for physical but civil purposes. The physical use of it is both for inward and outward diseases, for by the warming and comfort- ing heat thereof, it helpeth all cold diseases of the head, stomach, liver, and belly. The decoction in wine, helpeth the cold distillations of rheums into the eyes, and all other cold diseases of the head and brain, as the giddiness or swimmings therein, drowsiness or dullnes of the mind and .senses like a stupidness, the dumb palsy, or loss of speech, the lethargy and falling-sickness, to be both drank, and the temples bathed therewith. It helpeth the pains in the gums and teeth, by rheum falling into them, not by putre- faction, causing an evil smell from them, or a stinking breath. It helpeth a weak memory, and quickenoth the a. 5 271 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. senses. It is very comfortable to the stomach in all tlic cold gritfs thereof, helpeth both retention of meat and digestion, the decoction or powder being taken in wine. It IS a remedy for windiness in the stomach, bowels, and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It helpeth those that are liver urown, by opening the obstru(^tions thereof. It lielpefh dim e\ es, and i)rocureth a clear si^ht, the flowers thereof being taken all the Mhile it is flowering, every morning fasting, with bread and salt. Dioscorides and Galen say, that if a decoftion be made thereof with wa- ter, and they that have the yellow jaundice, exercise tlieir bodies presently after the taking thereof, it will certainly cure them. The flowers and conserve made of them, are good to comfort the heart, and to expel the contagion of the pestilence ; to burn the herb in houses and chambers correc^teth (he air in them. Both the flowers and leaves are profitable for women that are troi'l)l(.d with the whites, if they be daily taken. 'I'he dried leaves shred small, and taken in a pipe, as tobacco is taken, helpt tli those that have any cough, phthisick, cr consumption, by warming and drying the thin distil- lations which cause those diseases. The leaves are much used in bathings; made into ointments or oil, are good to help cold benumbed joints, sinews, or members. The chymical oil drawn from the leaves and flowers, is a sovereign help for all the diseases aforesaid, to touch the temples antl nostrils wi;h two or three drops for all the diseases of the head and brain spoken of before ; as also to take one drop, two or three, as tlie case requireth, for the inward griefs ; yet it must be done with discretion, for it is very quick and piercing, and therefore >ery little must be taken at a time. There is also another oil made by insolation in this manner. Take what quantity you will of the (lowers, and put them into a strong glass, close stopped, tie a fine linen cloth over the mouth, and turn the mouth down into another strong glass, which being set in the sun, an oil will distill down into the lower glass, to be preserved as precious for divers uses, both inward and outward, as a sovereign balm to heal the diseases be- fore mentioned, to clear dim sights, and take away spots, marks aad scars in the skiii. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ^75 Rhubarb or Raphontick. c?. (h. d. 2.) Do not start, and say, this grows you know not how far ofl"; and then ask me, how it conies to pass that I bring. it among our English simples? For though the name may speak it foreign, yet it grows with us in England, and that frequent enough in our gardens ; and when you havC thoroughly pursued its virtues, you will conclude it no- thing inferior to that which is brought out of China, and by that time this hath been as much used as that hath been, the name which the other hath gotten will be eclipsed by the f^me of this; but as it groweth only in gardens, by cultivation, Ave need not describe it. l^lace.'\ It groweth in gardens, flowcreth about the be- ginning or middle of June, and the seed is ripe in July. Timc.2 The roots that arc to be dried and kept all the next year, arc not to be taken up before the stalk and leaves be quite withered and gone, and that is not until the middle or end of October, and if they be taken a little before the leaves do spring, or when they are sprung up, the roots will not have so good a colour in them. I havo given the precedence unto this because in virtues also it hath the pre-eminence. I come now to describe unto you, that which is called Patience, or Monk's Rhubarb; and next unto that, the great round-leaved Dock, or bastard Rhubarb, for the one of these may supply in tile absence of tlie other, being not much unlike iu their virtues, only one more powerful and efficacious than the other. And lastly,, shall shew you the virtues of all the three sorts. Gartlen-Patience, or Monk's Rhubarb. <^.(h. d. 2.) This is a Dock bearing the name of Rhubarb for some purging quality therein, and groweth up with large tall stalks,, set with somewhat broad and long fair green leaves, not, dented at all. The tops of t!ie stalks being divided into many small branches, bear reddish or purplish flowers, and three-square seed, like unto other dock. The root is long, great and yellow, like unto the wild docks-j but a little redder; and if it be a little dried, - "^'^ N. 6. 276 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAHGED. shcwcfh less store of discoloured veins than the next doth when it is dr}'. Great round-leaved Dock, or Bastard Rhubarb. but afterwards, hath a little astringent taste, without any manifest heat; yet a little bitter and sharp withal. Place.'] It groweth in dry, sandy and rocky places. Time.'] It is fresh and green all the Summer. Government and Virtues.'] They say Saturn causetb ruptures; if he do, he doth no more than he can cure; if you want wit, he will teach you, though to your cost. This herb is Saturn's own, and is a noble antivenerean. Kupture-wort hath not its name in vain; for it is found hy experience to cure the rupture, not only in children, but also in elder persons, if the disease be not too invete- rate, by taking a dram of the powder of the dried herb every day in wine, or a decoction made and drank for certain days together. The juice of distilled water of the green herb, taken in the same manner, helpeth all other fluxes cither of man or woman ; vomiting also, and the gonorrhea, or running of the reins, being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It doth also most assuredly help those that have the stranguary, or are troubled with the stone or gravel in the reins or bladder. The same help- eth stitches in the sides, griping pains of the stomach or belly, the obstructions of the liver, and cureth the yellow jaundice; likew ise it kills the worms in childri'n. Being outwardly applied, it couglutinateth wounds, and helpeth to staj' defluctions of rheum, from the head to the eyes, nose and tcethj^ being bruised green, and bouad tkereto; 282 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. or the forehead, temples, or nape of the neck, bathed with the decoction of the dried herb. It alsodrictii upthe mois- ture of fistulous ulcers, or any other that are foul and spreadiHg. Rushes. Although there are many kinds of Rushes, yet they are as well let alone as used in physic, There are remedies enough without them for any disease, and therefore as the provL-rb is, 1 care not a Rush for them ; or ratl'er, they will do )ou as much good as if one had given you a Rush* Rye. ? . (c. d. 1.) This is so well known, especially to the country people, who seed much thereon, that iff did describe it, they would presently say, 1 might as well have spared that labour. Goveniment and Virtues.'\ Rye is more digesting than wheat ; the bread and leaven thereof ripetieth and break- eth imposthumes, boils, and other swellings; the meal of Rye put between a double cloth, and moistened with a little vinegar, and heated in a pewter dish, set over a chafing dish of coal;-, and bound fast to the head while it is hot, doth much ease the continual pains in the head. Matthiolus saith, that the ashes of R}e straw put into water, and stee|)ed therein a day and a niglit, and the chops of the hands or feet wash.d therewith, doth heal tiiem. SaflVon. O. in ^. {h- <^- 2.) Thk herb needs no description, it being known generally where it gru.vs. Flacs.'] It grows frequently at Walden, in Essex, aud in CambridEjeshire. Govcrnr.ient and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion, and thi^efore strengthcsis the heart ex- ceedmgly. Let not above ten grains be givon at or.c time, for the Sun, which is the fountain of light, may dazzle the eyes, and make them blind; a cordial being taken in an immoderate quantity liurls ilie heart insfead of helping it. It quickcneth the brain, for the Sun is ■ xalted in Aries, as well as he hath his house in Leo. It lieli)s onsumptions of the lungs, and difficulty of breathing ; THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. S83 it is excellent in epidemical diseases, as pestilence, small pox, and mtasle';. It is a notable expulsive mediciae and remedy for the jellow jaundice. Sage. IJ.. (h. 2. d. 3.) Our ordinary Sage needeth no description. Time.'] It ilowereth in or about July. Government and Virtues.'] Jupiter claims tliis, and bids me tell you, it is good for the liver, and to breed blood. A decoction of the leaves and branches of Sage made and drank, sailh Dioscorides, provokes urine, bringeth down women's courses, helps to expel the dead childj aad cause! h the hair to become black. It stayeth the bleed- ing of wounds, and cleanseth foul ulcers and sores. The decoction made in wine, taketh away the itching of the privities, if they be bathed therewith. Agrippa saith, that if women tliat cannot conceive, by reason of the moist slii)periiiess of their wombs, sliall take a quantity of the juice of Sage, with a little salt, for four days be- fore they company with their husbands, it will help them not only to conceive, but also to retain the birth with, out miscarrying. Orpheus saith, three spoonfuls of the juice of Sage, taken fasting, with a little honey, doth presently stay the spitting or casting of blood in them that are in a consumption. These pills are much com- mended : take of spikenard, ginger, of each two drams, of the seed of Sage toasted at the lire, eight drams, of the long-pepper, 12 drams, all these being brought into pow- der, put thereto so much juice of the Sage as may make them into a mass of pills, taking a dram of them every morning fasting, and so likewise at night, drinking a little pure water after them. Matthiolus saith, it is very profitable for all manner of pains in the head, coming *of cold and rheumatic humours ; as also for all pains of the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, and therefore hclpeth the falling sickness, the lethargy, such as are dull and heavy of spirit, the palsy, and is of much use in all defluctions of rheum from the head and for the diseases of the chest or breast. The leaves of Sage and nettles bruised together, and laid upon the imposthurae that riseth behind the ears, doth assuage it much. The juice of Sage taken in warm water helpeth a hoarseness and coush. The leaves soddened in wine. 284 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. and laid upon the place affected ^vith the palsy, helpetli much, if (he decoction be drank : also Sage taken with •wormwood is good for the bloody-llux. Pliny saith, it procures women's courses, and sfayetli thcin coming down too fast^ helpetli the stinging and biting ol serpents and killeth the worms that breed in the ear, and sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses; and the conserve made of the flowers is used to (he same purpose, and also for all the former recited diseases. The juice of Sage drank with Tinegar, hath been of good use in time of the plague at all times. Gargles likewise are made with Sage, rosema- ry, honey-suckles and plantain, boiled in wine or water, with some honey or allum put thereto, to wash sore, mouths and throats, cankers, or the secret parts of man or woman, as need requireth. And with other hot and comfortable herbs, Sage is boiled to bathe the body and legs in the Summer time, especially to warm cold joints or sinews, troubled with the palsy and cramp, and to comfort and strengthen the parts. It is much commend- ed against the stitch, or pains in the side coming of wind, if the place be fomented warm with the decoction there- of in wine, and the herb also after boiling be laid warm thereunto. Wood Sage. ? (h. d. 2.> This is also called Wood-Germander. Descript.'] Wood-sage riseth up with square hoary stalks, two feet high at least, with two leaves set at every joint, somewhat like other Sage leaves, but smaller, softer, whiter and rounder, and a little dented about the edges^ and smelling somewhat stronger. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand the flowers, on a slender large spike, turning themselves all one way when they blow, and are of a pale and whitish colour, smaller than Sage, but hooded and gaping like unto them. The seed is blaekish and round ; four usually seem in a husk toge- ther, the root is long and stringy, with divers fibres thereat, and abideth many years. Place.^ It groweth in woods, and by wood sides; a? also in divers fields and bye lanes in the land. Time.'] It flowereth in June, July and August. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 285 Government and Virtues.'] The herb is under Venus. The decoction of the Wood Sage provoketh urine and women's courses. It also provoketh sweat, digesteth humours, and discusseth swellings and nodes in the flesh, and is therefore thought to be good against the French pox. The decoction of the green herb, made with wine, is a safe and sure remedy for those who by falls, bruises, or blows, suspect some vein to be inwardly broken, to disperse and void the congealed blood, and consolidate the veins. The drink used inwardly, and the herb out- wardly, is good for such as are inwardly bursfen, and is found to be a sure remedy for the palsy. The juice of the herb, or the powder thereof dried^ is good for moist ulcers and sores in the legs, and other parts, to dry them and cause them to heal more speedily. It is no less effectual also in green wounds, to be used upon any oc- casion. Solomon's Seal. T2 . {h. d. 1.) Of these there are two kind-s, the common and the sweet smelling. Descript.l The common Solomon'sSeal riseth up with a round stalk half a yard high, bowing or bending down to the ground, set with single leaves one above another, somewhat large, and iike the leaves of the lily-convally, or May-lily, with an eye of bluish upon the green, with some ribs therein, and more yellowish underneath. At the foot of every leaf, almost from the bottom up to the top of the staik, come forth small, long, white and hol- low pendulous flowers, somewhat like the flowers of May- lily, but ending in five long points, for the most part two together, at the end of a long foot-stalk, and some- times but one, and sometimes also two stalks, with flow- ers at the foot of a leaf, which are without any scent at all, and stand on one side of the stalk. After they are past, come in on Iheir places small round berries, great at the first, and blackish green, tending to blueness whea they are ripe, wherein lie small, white, hard, and stony- seeds. The root is of the thickness of one's finger or thumb, white and knotted in some places, a flat round circle representing a Seal, whereof it took the name, ly- 286 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ing along under tlie upper crust of tlic cartli, and not growing dounward, Ijut willi TUiiiiy fibres undernealh. r!nce.'\ It is frequent in divers places of tliis land; as, namely, in a vood two miles from Canterbury, by Fish- I'ool liill, as also in JBusiiy Close belonging to the |)arson- age of AUlcrbury, near Clartndon, two miles from Salis- bury ; in Cheffon-wood, or Chelfon-Hill, between iNew- ington and Sittingbourn in Kent, and divers oilier places in i'ssex, and other counties. Tiwe.'] It fioweretli about May : the root abideth and sliooteih anew every year, Gvvernnicnt and yirtties.l Saturn owns tlie plant, for he loves his bones well. The root of Solomon's Seal is found by experience to be available in wounds, hurts, and outward Fores, to heal and close up the lips of those that are green, and to dry up and restrain (he Uux of hu- mours to those (hat are old. It is singulaily gDod to stay vomitings and bleeding vv heresoeverj as also all lluxes iu man or woman, whether whites or reds in women, or the running of the reins in men j also to knit any joint, which by weakness useth to be often out of place, or will not stay in long when it is set: also to knit and join bro- ken bones in ariy jjart of the body, the roots being brui- sed and applied to the places ; yea, it hath been found by late experience, that the decoction of the root in wine, or the bruised root put into wine or other drink, and after a night's infusion, strained forth hard and drank, hath helped both man and beast, whose bones hath been bro- ken b}- any occasion, which is (he most assured reluge of help (o people of divers counties of ihc land that they can have. It is no less ertectual (o help rujitures and burstings, the decoction in «ine or the powder in broth or drink, being inwardly taken, and outAvariily applied to the |)lace. The same is also available for inward or outward bruises, falls or blows, both to dispel the con- gealed blood, and Jo take avvay both the pains and the black and blue marks that abide after the hurt. The same also, or the distilled water of the whole plant used to the face, or other parts of the skin, cleanseth it from morphew, freckles, spots, or marks wha(soever, leaving the place fresh, fair, and lovely for which it is much used by the Italian Dames. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 287 Sampliire. %. (h. in. 2.) This is used inore by the cook than bj' the apofhecary. Descript.'] Rock Samphire groweth up with a tender green stalk about half a yard, or two feet high, branch- ing forth almost from the very bottom, and stored with sundry thick and almost rf^und (somewhat long) leaves, of a deep giecn colour, sometimes more on a stalk, and. sappy, and of a pleasant, hot, and spicy taste. At the toj) of the stalks and branches stand umbels of white flowers, and after them come large seed bigger than fen. iiel seed, y^t somewhat like it. The root is great, white, and long, continuing many years, and is ol an hot and spicy taste also. nace.~\ It groweth on the rocks that arc often moist- ■ ened at the least, if not overflowed with the sea water. Time.'] x\nd it flowereth and seedeth in the end of July and August. Government and Virtues.] It is in an herb of Jupiter, and was in former times wont to be used more than now it is ; the more is the pity. It is Avell known almost to every body, that ill digestions and obstructions are the cause of most of the diseases which the frail nature of man is sub- ject to ; both which might be remedied by a more fre- quent use of this herb. If people would have sauce to their meat, they may take some for profit as well as for pleasure. It is a saie herb, very pleasant both to taste and stomach, helping digestion, and in some sort open- ing obstructions of the liver and spleen ; provoketh urine, and helpeth thereby to wash away the gravel and stone engendered in the kidnies or bladder. Sanicle. ?. (/?. 2. d. 3.) Tins is \iy some called Butterwort, Descript.'] Sanicle sendeth forth many great round leaves, standing upon long brownish stalks, every one somewhat deeply cut or divided into five or six parts, and some of those also cut in somewhat like the leaf of crow's-foot, or dove's-foot, and finely dented about the edges, sraoothj and of a dark shining colour, and some- "SSS THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED* times reddish about the brim ; from wliich rise up small^ round green stalks, without any joint or leaf thereon, saving at the top, where it branches forth into (lowers, having a leaf divided into three or four parts at that joint with the flowers, which arc small and white, starting out of small round greenish yellow heads, many standing to- gether in a tuft, in which afterwards arc the seeds con- tained, which arc small round burs, somewhat like the leaves of clevers, and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they touch. The root is composed of many blackish strings or fibres, set together at a little long head, which abidcth with green leaves all the Winter. Place,] It is found in many shadowy woods. Time.'] It flowereth in June, and the seed is ripe short- ly after. Government and Virtues.'} This is one of Venus's herbs to cure the wounds or mischiefs Mars inflicteth upon the body of man. It heals green wonnds speedily, or any ul- cers, impostluimos, or bleedings inward, also tumours irv any part of the body ; for the decoction or powder in drink taken, and the juice outwardly, dissipateth the humours ; and there is not found an}' herb that can give such present help either to man or beast, when the disease falleth upon the lungs or throat, and to heal up putrid malignant ulcers in the mouth, throat and privities, by gargling or washing with the decoction of the leaves and roots made in water, and a little honey put thereto. It helpeth to stay women's courses, and all other fluxes of blood, cither by the mouth, urine, or stool, and lasks of the belly ; the ulcerations of the kidnies also, and the pains in the bowels and gonorrhea, or running of the reins, being boiled in wine or water, and drank. The same also is no less powerful to help any rupture or burstings, used both inwardly and outwardly : and brief- ly, it is as eftectual in binding, restraining, consolidat- ing, heating, drying and healing, as conifrey, bugle, self heal, or any other of the vulnerary herbs whatso- ever. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, 289 Saracen's Confound. Tj . (c. d. 2.) It is also called Saracen's Woundwort. Descript.'] This groweth sometimes, with brownish stalks, and other whiles with green, to a man's lieight, having narrow green leaves snipped about the edges, somewhat like those of the peach-tree, or willow leaves, but not of such a white green colour. The fops of stalks are furnished Avith many yellow star-like flowers, standing in green headsj which when they are fallen, and the seed ripe, which is somewhat long, small and of a brown co- lour, wrapped down, is therewith carried away with the wind. The root is composed of fibres set together at a head which perisheth not in Winter, although the stalks dry away, and no leaf appeareth in the Winter. The taste hereof is strong and unpleasant, and so is the smell also. PlaceJ] It groweth in moist and wet grounds, by Tvoodsides, and sometimes in the moist places of shadowy groves, as also the water side. TiineA It flowereth in July, and the seed is soon ripe, and carried away with the wind. Government and Virtues.l^ Saturn owns the herb, and it is of a sober condition like him. Among the Germans this wound herb is preferred before all others of the same quality. Being boiled in wine, and drank, it helpeth the indisposition of the liver, and frceth the gall from obstru6tions ; whereby it is good for the yellow jaun- dice, and for the dropsy in the beginning of it ; for all inward ulcers of the reins, mouth, or throat, and inward wounds and bruises, likewise for such sores as happen in the privy parts of men or women; being steeped in wine, and then distilled, the water thereof drank, is s^ingularly good to ease all gnawings in the stomach, or other pains of the body, as also the pains of the mother : and beingboiled in water, it helpeth continual agues ; and the said water, or the simple water of the herb distilled, or the juice or decoftion, are very elleftual to heal any green wound, or old sore or ulcer whatsoever, cleansin<7 them from corruption, and quickly healing them up. Briefly, whatsoever hath been said of Bugle or Sanicle, may be found herein. O *290 THE ENGLISH PHY&ICI.VN ENLAUGLD. Sauce Alone. $. (//. d. 4.) Also called Jnck by the Hedge side. Dcsaipt.'] Tlie lower loaves of this are roinidcr than those that grow towards the tops of the stalks, and aru set singly on the joint, being somewhat round and broad, pointed at the ends, dented also about the edges, some- Avhat resembling nettle loaves for the form, but of a fresher green colour, hot rough or pricking : the flowers arc Avliite, growing at tlie to]) of tiie stalks one above another, which being past, follow small round pods, wherein arc contained round seed somewhat blackish. The root .stringy and thready, perishcth every year after it hatli given seed, and raiseth itself again of its own sowing. The ])lant, or any part thereof, being bruised, smellelh of garlic, but more pleasant, and tasteth somewhat hot and and sharp, almost like unto rocket. Place] It groweth under walls, and by hedge-sides, and path-ways in fields in many places. Ti.nc.'] It llowereth in Juno, July, and August. Government and Firtues.~\ It is an herb of ISIercury. This is eaten by many country people as sauce to their salt fish, and helpctii well to digest the crudities ami other corrupt humours engendered thereby. It vvarmctit also the stomach, and causeth digestion. TJie juice thereof boiled with honey is accounied to be as good as hedge mustard for the cough, to cut and expe6torate the tough phlegm. The seed bruised and boiled in Avine, is a singular good remedy for the wind cholic, or the stone, being drank warm ; it is also given to women troubled with the mother, both to drink, and the seed put into a cloih, and applied while it is warm, is of singular good use. The leaves also, or the seed boiled, is good to be used in clysters to ease the pains of the stone. The green leaves are held to be good to heal the ulcers in the logs. Winter and Summer Savory. $. (h. d. 2.) i^OTii these are so well known (being entertained as constant inhabitants iii our gardens) that they need no description THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 291 Government and Virtues.'] Mercury claims thedominioa over this herb, neither is there abetter remedy agaiust the colic and iliac passion, than this herb; keep it dry by you all the year, if you leve yourself and your ease, and it is a hundred pounds to a penny if you do not: keep it dry, make conserves and syrups of it for your use, and withal, take notice that the Summer kind is the best. They are both of thera hot and dry, especially the Summer kind, •\vhich is both sharp and quick in taste, expelling wind ia the stomach and bowels, and is a present help for the rising of the mother procured by wind ; provoketh urine and women's courses, and is much commended for women witli child to take inwardly, and to smell often unto. It cureth tough phlegm in the chest and lungs, and helpeth to expectorate it the more easily; quickens the dull spirits in the lethargy, the juice thereof being snuffed up into the nostrils. The juice dropped into the eyes, cleareth a dull sight, if it proceed of tliin cold humours distilled from the brain. The juice heated with oil ot Hoses, and dropped into the Cars, easeth them of the noise and singing in them, and of deafness alsO. Out- wardly applied with wheat ilour, in manner of a poultice, it giveth ease to them, and takcth away their pains. It also takcth away the pain that comes by stinging of bees, wasps, Sec. Savinc. cJ. (h. d. 3.) To describe a plant so well known is needless, it being uursed up almost in every garden, and abiding green all the Winter. Government and Jlrtue^.'\ It is under the dominion of Mars, being hot and dry in the third degree, and being of exceeding clean parts, is of a very digesting quality. If you dry the herb into powder, and mix it with honey, it is an excellent remedy to cleanse old lilthy niccrs and fistulas ; but it hinders them from healing. The same is excellent good to break carbuncles and plague sores ; also helpeth the king's evil, being applied to the place. Being spread over a piece of leather, and applied to the navel, kills the worms iu the belly, helps scabs and itch, o 2 ^\92 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Wnning sores, cankers, tetters, and ringworms ; and being applied to the place, may haply cure venereal sores. This 1 thought good to speak of, as it may be safely used outwardly, lor inwardly it cannot be taken MJlhout mani- fest danger. White Saxifrage, c • (h. d. 2.) TiirnE arc two kinds of Saxifrage, both of which arc here described. Descripi.'] The common >vhite Saxifrage hath a few small reddish kernels of roots covered with some skins, lying among divers small blackish fibres, which send forth divers round, faint or yellow green leaves, and greyish underneath, lying above the ground, unevenly dented about the edges, and somewhat hairy, every one upon a little footstalk, from whence riseth up round, brownish, hairy, green stalks, two or three feet high, with a few such like round leaves as grow below, but smaller, and somewhat branched at the top, whereon stand pretty- large white flowers, of five leaves a-piece, with some yellow threads in the middle, standing; in a long crested, brownish, green husk. After the flowers are past, there ariscth sometimes a round hard head, forked at the top, wlierein is contained small black seed, but usually they fall away without any seed, and it is the kernels or grains of the root which arc usually called the White Saxifrage- seed, and so used. Place.] It groweth as well in the lowermost, as in the upper dry corners of meadows, and grassy sandy places. Time.'] It ilowereth in May, and then gathered, as well for that which- is called the seed, as to distil, for it quickly perisheth down to the ground. Government ami Vivtiics.'] It is efteflual to cleanse the reins and bladder, to dissolve the stone in them, and to expel it and the gravel by urine ^ to help the stranguary ; for which purpose the decoftion of the herb or roots in white w ine, is most usual, or the powder of the small kernel root, which is called the seed, taken in white wine. The distilled water of the whole herb, root and flowers, 4s most familiar to be taken. It provokcth also women's THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 29S courses, and freeth and cleanseth the stomach and lungs from thick and tough phlegm. There are not many better medicines to break the stone than this. Burnet Saxifrage, d . (/^. d. 3.) Burnet Saxifrage growetli up with divers long stalks of winged leaves, set directly opposite one to another oq both sides, each being somewhat broad, and a little pointed and dented about the edges, of a sad greea colour. At the top of the stalks stand umbels of white flowers, alter which come small and blackish seed. The root is long and whitish, abiding long. Our icbser Burnet Saxifrage hath much liner leaves than the former, and very small, and set one against anotlier, deeply jajged about the edges, and ot the same colour as the former. The umbelb Oi the flowers aro white, and the stied very small, and so is the root, being also somewhat liot and quick ia taste. P/ace.j These grow in moist meadows, and are to be founl, by being well sought for among the grass, wherein many tmies thjy lay hiii, scarcely to be discerned, 2'iine.'] They flower about July, and their seed is ripe in Augiut. Government and Virtues r\ They are both herbs of th« Moon. They are hot as pepper. They have the same properties the parsleys have, but in provoking urine, and easing the pains thereof, and of the wind and colic, are more efiectual, the roots or seed being used either ia powder, or in deco6tions; and likewise helpeth the windy pains of the mother, arid to procure their courses, and to break and void the stone in the kidnies, io digest cold, vis- cous, and tough phlegm in the stomach, and is an especial remedy against all kind of venom. Castoreum being boiled in the distilled water thereof, is singular good to be given to those that are troubled with cramps and convul- sions. Some make the seeds into comfits (as they da carraway seeds) which is effectual to all the. purposes aforesaid. The juice of the herb dropped into the most grievous wounds of the head, drieth up their moisture, and healeth them quickly. Some women use the distilled watex o 3. S94t THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. to take away freckles or spots in the skin or face ; and to drink the same sweetened witli sugar for all the purposes aforesaid. Scabious, three Sorts. ?. (//. (/. 2.) There are many other sorts of Scabious, but I take those here described are the most familiar, Dcicript,'\ Common field Scabious gro^'oth up witii many hairy, soft, whitibli green leaves, some whereof are very little, if at all jagged on the edges, others very mucfi rent and torn on the sides, and have threads in them, which upon breaking may be plainly seen; from among which rise up divers hairy green stalks, three or four feet high, with such like hairy green leaves on them, but more deeply and finely divitied, branched forth a little ; at the tops thereof, which are naked and bare of leaves for a good space, stand round heads of flowers, of a pale bluish colour, set together in a head, tile outerniest whereof are larger than the inward, wit-ii many threads also iiy the middle, somewhat flat at the top, as the head with the sop^ ^ lilOY'SG ; the root is great, white and thick, growing down deep into ths ground, and abiJeth maay years. There is another sort of Field Scabious diflerent in no- thing from the former, but in being smaller. The Corn Scabious differeth little from the firsf, but that it is greater in all respects, and the llowers more in- clining to purple, and the root creei)eth under the ujiper crust of the earth, and runneth not deep into the ground, as the first doth. Place.'] 'i'he first groweth usually in mcado'AS. The seeosid in some of the dry lields, but not so plenti- fully as the former. The third ia standing corn, or failow fields. Time.] They flower in June and July, and some abide flowering until it be late in August, and the seed is ripe iu the mean time. Government and Virtues.] Mercury owns the plaTit. Scabious is very efledtual for all coughs, shortness of breath, and all other diseases of the breast and lungs, ripening and digesting cold johlegm, aud voiding them forth by coughs THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 295 ing and spitting. It ripeneth also all sorts of inward ulcers and imposthuraes; pleurisy also, if the decoction of the herb dry or green be made in wine, and drank for some time together. Four ounces of the clarided juice of Scabious taken in the morning fasting, with a dram of mithridate, or Venice treacle, ireeth the heart from any infecition of pestilence, if after the taking of it the party sweat two hours in bed, and this medicine be again and again repeated, if need require. The green herb bruised and applied to any carbuncle or plague sore, is found by certain experience to dissolve and break it in three hours space. The same decoclion also drank, hclpeth the pains and stitches in the side. The decodtion of the roots taken for forty days together, or a dram of the powder of them taken at a time in whey, doth (as xMatthioIus saith) wonderfully help those that are troubled with running or spreading scabs, tetters, ring-worms, yea, although they proceed from the French pox. The juice or decoftioa drank, helpeth also scabs and breakings out of the itch, and the like. The juice also made up into an ointment and used, is efFcftual for the same purpose. The same also hcaleth all inward Avounds by the drying, cleansing, and healing quality therein ; and a syrup made of the juice and sugar, is very etlectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and so is the distilled Mater of the herb and flowers made ia re it hath the salt water to feed upon. riace.l It groweth all along the Thames side, both on the Essex and Kentish shores, from Woolwich round about the sea coasts to Dover, Portsmouth, and even to Bristol, where it is had in plenty ; the other with round leaves, groweth in Lincolnshire, and other places by the sea-side. There is also another sort called Dutch Scurvygrass, which is most known, and frequent in gardens. Time.'] It flowereth in April and May, and giveth seed ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of Jupiter. The English Scurvygrass is more used for the salt taste it bearcth, which doth somewhat open and cleanse ; but the Dutch is of better effe<5t, and chiefly used (if it may be had) by those that have the scurvy, and is of singular good effect to cleanse the blood, liver and spleen, taking the juice in the Spring, every morning fasting, in a cup of drink. The decodtion is good for the same purpose, and openeth obstru6iions, evacuating cold, clammy and phleg- matic humours, both fiom the liver and spleen, aud bring- THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 297 Ing the body to a more lively colour. The juice also helpeth all foul ulcers and sorea h\ the mouth, gargled therewith ; and used outwardly, cleanseth the sk'm froai spots, marks, or scars that happen therein. Self-Heal. ? . (h. d, I.) Called also Prunel, Carpenter's Herb, Hook-heal, and Siclvle-wort. Descript.'] Self-heal is a small, low, creepingherb, having many small, roundish-pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mints, of a dark green colour, without dents on the edges; from among which rise square hairy stalks, scarce a foot high, which spread sometimes into branches with small leaves set thereon, up to the tops, where stand brown- spiked heads of small brownish leaves like scales and flowers together, ahnostlike the head of a cassidony, which flowers are gaping, and of a bluish purple, or more pale blue, in some places sweet, but not so in others. 'J'he roots consist of many fibres downward, aiul spreading strings also whereby it increaseth. The small stalks, with the leaves creeping on the ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on the ground, whereby it is made a great tuft in a short time. Place.\ It is found in woods and fields every where. Tim€J] It flowereth in May and sometimes in April. Government and Virtues.'] Here is another herb of Venus, Self-Heal, whereby when you are hurt you may heal yourself; it is an especial herb for inward and out- ward wounds. Take it in^vardly in syrups for inward wounds; outwardly in unguents and plaisters for out- ward. As Self-Heal is like Bugle in form, so also in the qualities and virtues, serving for all the purposes whereto Bugle is applied with good success, either inward or out- wardly, for inward wounds or ulcers whatsoever within the body, for bruises or falls, and such like hurts. If it be accompanied with Bugle, Sanicle, and other the like wound-herbs, it Avill be more etfeftual to wash or inject into ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where there is cause to repress the heat and sharpness of humours flowing to any sores, uiceis, inflammations, swellings or the like, or o 5 298 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. to stay the flux of blood in any Avound or part, tliis i3- nsed with some good success; as also to cleanse the fonl- lioss of sores, and cause them more speedily to be healed. It is an especial remedy for all green wounds, to solder the lips of them, and to keep the place from any further inconveniencies. The juice hereof used with oil of roses- to anoint the temples and forehead, is very efleftual to- remove the head-ach, and the same mixed with honey of roses, cleanseth and healeth all ulcers in the mouth and throat, and those also in the secret parts. And the pro- verb of the Germans, French, and others, is verified irj tins, tfidt he nccdclh neither physician nur surgeon that hath Solf-ht-al ami Sanicle to help hiinaclf. The Service-Tree. Tj . (c. d. 1.) It is so well known in the place where it grows, that it ueedcth no description. Govermneni and yirtues.'] Services when they are mel- low, stay fluxes, scouring, and casting, yet less than med- lars. If they be dried before they be mellow, and kept all the year, they may be used in decoctions for the said purpose, either to drink or to bathe the parts requiring it; and arc profitably used to stay the bleeding of wounds,, uad of the mouth or nose, to be applied to the forehead, and nape of the ueck ', and are under the dominion of Saturn. Shepherd's Parse. Tj . (c. d. 3.) It is called Whoreman's Permaccty, Shepherd's Scrip,. Shepherd's Pounce, Toywort, Pickpurse and Casewort» It is too Avell known to need any description. Government and Virtues.~\ It is under the dominion of Saturn, and of a cold, dry, and binding nature, like to him. It helps all fluxes of l)lood, either caused by inward or outward wounds ; as also flux of the belly, and bloody tlux, spitting and pissing of blood, stops the terms in women ; being bound to the wrists of the hands, and tho soles of the feet, it helps the yellow jaundice. The herb being made into a poulticCj helps jnllaramations and St» THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 299 Anthony's fire. The juice being dropped into the ears, heals the pains, noise and matterings thereof. A good ointment may be made of it for all -vvoundSj especially ■vvounds in the head. Smallage. ^. (h. d. 2.) This is very well known, therefore I shall not trouble the reader with any description thereof. Government and Firtues.^ It is an herb of Mercury, Smallage is hotter, drier, and much more medicinal than parsley, for it much more openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen, rareiieth thick phlegm, and cleanseth it and the blood withal. It provokcth urine and women's courses, and is singular good against the yellow jaundice, tertian and quartan agues, if the juice thereof be taken, but especially made into a syrup. The juice also put to honey of roses, andbarley water, is very good to gargle the mouth and throat of those that have sores and ulcers in them, and will quickly heal them. The same lotion also cleanseth and healeth all other foul ulcers and can- kers, elsewhere, if they be washed therewith. The seed is especially used to break and expel wind, kill worms, and to help a stinking breath. The root is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and is held to be stronger in opera- tion than the herb, but especially to open obstructions, and to rid away any ague, if the juice thereof be taken ia "WinCj or the deco(Slioa thereof in wine be used. - Sopewort. ? . (h. d. 2.) It is likewise called Bruisewort. Descript.^ The rot creepeth under ground, with many joints, of a brown colour on the outside, and yellow within, shooting forth in divers places weak and round stalks, full of joints, set with two leaves a-picce at every one of them on the contrary side, which are ribbed some- what like the plantain, and fashioned like the common field white campion leaves, seldom having any branches from the sides of the stalks, but set with flowers at the topj standing in long husks, like the wild campionSj mad® o & 300 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. of five leaves a.piecc, round at the ends antl dented in the middle, of a rose colour, almost white, uonietiraes deeper, sometimes paler, of a reasonable scent. Place.~\ It groweth wild in low and wet grounds, bj brooks and the sides of running waters. Timc.'\ It floweretli in July, and continuelh all August end part of September. Government and Virtncs.~\ Venus oMiis it. The country people in divers places bruise the leaves of SopcAVort, and lay to their lingers, hands or legs, when (hey are cut, to heal them. Some boast that it is good to provoke urine, and thereby to expel gravel and the stone in the reins or kidnies, and also account it singular good to void hydro- pical Avatcrs ; and they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the I'Vench-pox, more than sarsapanlla, jfuaiacum, or China can do: v hich how true it is, I leftv* others to judge. Sorrel. $. (h. d. ].) SonREL groATs in gardens, also wild in fields, and is so well known that it needeth no description. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of Venus. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot diseases, to cool any inflammation and heat of blood in agues, pestilential and cholerick, or sickness and fainting, arising from heat, and to refresh the overspent s[iirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of agues ; lo quench thirsty and pro- cure an appetite in fainting, or decaying stomachs. For it resistcth putiefafliou of the blood, killeth worms, and is a cordial to the heart, which the seed doth more eflfecSually, being more drying and binding, and thereby stayeth the hot fluxes of women's courses, or of humours in the bloody flux, or flux in the stomach. The root also in a decoc- tion, or in powder, is effe(5lual for all the said purposes. Both roots and seed, as well as the herb, are held powerful to resist the poison cif the scorpion. The deco. tilcntial fevers. The syrnp made of the juice is cfToftual in all cases aforesaid, and so is the distilled water of the lierb. Spuiiges or linen cloths wet in the juice, and ap- plied outwanlly to any hot swelling or inflamniafions, doth much cool and help them. The same juice taken and gargled in the mouth, and after i( is spit forth, taken afresh, doth wonderfully help a fuul stinki!ig canker or ulcers therein. It is singular good to heal wounds, or to stay the bleedings of thrusts or stabs in the body. Sow Thistle. ?. (c. 2. wz. 1.) Sow Thistles arc generally so well known, that they Heed no description. Government and Viriiies.'} These arc under the in- fluence of Venus. Sow Thistles are cooling, and some- what binding, and are very fit to cool a hot stomach and case the pains thereof. The herb boiled in wine, is helpful to stay the dissolution of the stomach, and tlie milk that is taken from the stalks when they are broken, given in drink, is beneficial to those that are short winded, and have a wheezing. Pliny saith, that it hath caused the gravel and stone to be voided by urine, and that the eating thereot helpcth a stinking breath. The dccoftion of the leaves and stalks causcth abundance of milk in nurses, and their children to be well-coloured. The juice or distilled water is good for all inflammations, ■wheals and eruptions or heat in the skin, or itching of the hajmorrhoids. The juice boiled or thoroughly heated in a little oil of bitter almonds in the peel of a pomegra- nate, and droj)ped into the ears, is a sure remedy fot deafness, singing, (S:c. Three spoonfuls of the juice taken warmed in white wine, and some wine put thor; 'o, causeth women in travail to have so easy and speedy delivery, that they may be able to walk presently after. It is wonderfully good for women to wash their laces with, to clear the skia and give it lustre. Southernwood. ^. (h. d. 1.) Tins is so well known that I need not trouble you -vvitB any description thereof. I THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. St>^ Gavernmcni and Virtues.'} It is a mercurial plant, ■worthy of more esteem than it hath. The seed bruised, heated in warm water, and drank, htlpeth those that are bursten, or troubled with the cramps or convulsions of the sinews, the sciatica, or difficulty in making water, and bringing do-wn women's courses. Taken in wine is aa antidote against all deadly poison, and driveth away venomous creatures; the smell ot" this herb, being burnt, doth the same. The oil thereof anointed on the back bone, before the fits of the agues come, taketh them away ; it taketh away inflammations in the eyes, if it be put with some part of roasted quince, and boiled with a few crums of bread and applied. Boiled with barley-mea!, it taketh away pimples, pushes, or wheals that arise in any parts of the body. The seed as well as the dried herb, is often given to kill worms in children. The herb bruised and laid to, helpeth to draw forth splinters and thorns out of the flesh. The ashes drieth up and healeth old ulcers that are without inflammation, although by the sharpness thereof it biteth sore, and putteth them to sore pains ; as also the privy parts in man or woman. The ashes mingled with old sallad oil, causeth the hair to grow again either on the head or beard. Darantcrs saith, the oil made of Southern Wood, and put among the oint« ments that are used against the French disease, is very effectual, likewise killeth lice in the head. The distilled water of the herb is said to help them much that are troubled with the stone, as also for the diseases of the spleen and mother. It is held by all writers, ancient and modern, to be more otlensive to the^ stomach than wormwood. Spigncl ? . (h. 3. d. 2.) Arso called Spicknel ; a herb in little use. Dcscript.'] The roots spread deep in the ground, many strings or branches growing from one head, which is hairy at the top, of a blackish brown colour on the outside, and white within, smelling well, and of an aromatica.1 taste, from whence arise sundry long stalks of most fine cut leaves, like hair, smaller than dill, set thick on both tides of the stalksj and of a good sceutt Among these 304 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. leaves rise up round stiff stalks, with a few joints, and leaves on them, and at the tops an umbel of fine i)urc white flowers; at the edges whereof sometimes will be seen a shew of the reddish bluish colour, especially before they be full blown, and are succeeded by small, somc- ■what round seeds, of a brown colour, divided into two parts, and crusted on the back. Place.] It groweth wild in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and other northern counties, and is also planted in gar- dens. Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of Venus. Galen saith the roots of Spignel are available to provoke urine and women's courses; but if too much be taken, it causeth head-ach. The roots boiled in wine or water, aud drank, helpeth the stranguary and stoppings of the urine, the wind, swellings and pains in the stomach, pains of the mother and all joint-achs. If the powder of the root be mixed with honey, and the same taken as a lick- ing medicine, it breaketh tough phlegm, and drieth up the rheum that falleth on the lungs. The roots are etfec- tual against the stinging or biting of any venomous crea- ture. Spleenwort. Tj . (/i, 1. d. 2.) LiREY/isE called Ceterach, and Heart's Tongue. Descript.^ The smooth Spleenwort, from a black thready and bushy root, sendeth forth many long single leaves, cut in on both sides into round dents almost to the middle, •which is not so hard as that of polypody, each division teing not always set opposite unto the other, cut between each, smooth, and of a light green on the upper side, and dark yellowish roughness on the back, folding or rolling itself inward at the first springing up. Place.] It groweth upon stonewalls, in moist and shadowy places, about Bristol, and other west parts plentifully ; as also on Framlingham-Castle, on Beaconsfield churck in Berkshire, and at Stroude in Kent. Government and Virtues.'] Saturn owns it. It is ge- Berally used against infirmities of the spleen ; it helpeth the stranguary, wasteth the stone in the bladder, and is good against the yellow jaundice, and the hiccough; THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 30,^ but the juice of it in women hindereth conception. Matthiolus saitii, that if a dram of the dust that is on the backside of the leaves be mixed with half a drum of amber in powder, and taktn with the juice of purslain or plan- tain, it helps the running of the reins speedily, and that the herb and roots being boiled and taken, help- eth all melancholy diseases, and those especially that arise from the French disease. Camerarius saith, that the distilled water thereof being drank, is very effectual against the stone in the reins and bladder ; and that the lee that is made of the ashes thereof being drank for some time together, helpeth splenetic persons. It is used in outward remedies for the same purpose. "Star Thistle. (?. (h. d. 2.) The thistles differ very little in virtue from each other. Deicript.'] The Star Thistle hath divers narrow leavea lying next the ground, cut on the edges somewhat deeply into many parts, soft or a little woolly, all over green, among which rise up weak stalks parted into many bran, ches, all lying down to the ground, that it seemeth a pretty bush, set with divers the like divided leaves up to the top, where severally do stand small Avhitish green heads, set with sharp white pricks (no part of the plant else being prickly) which are somewhat yellowish ; out of the middle whereof riseth the flowers, composed of many small reddish purple threads ; and in the heads, after the flowers are past, come small whitish round seed, lying down as others do. The root is small, long and woody, perishing every year. Place.^ It groweth M'ild in many places. Time."] It flowereth early in July. Government and Viriues.'] Almost all Thistles are un- der Mars. The seed made into powder, and drank in wine, provoketh urine, and helpeth to break the stone. The root in powder, given in wiue and drank in the morning fasting for some time together, is very pro^tabia for a fistula ia any part of the body.. 206* THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Strawberries $. (c. m- J.) These arc so -well known through this land, that thoy uccd no description. Government and Firhtes.l Ventis owns tlic herb. Straw- berries, when they arc green, are cool and dry ; but when they are ripe, they arc cool and moist : the berries arc excellent good to cool the liver, the blood and the spleen, or a hot choleric stomach ; to refresh and com- fort the fainting spirits, and quench tliirst ; they arc good also for other inllammations ; yet it is not amiss to refrain from them va a fever, lest by their putrifying in the stomach they increase the fits. The leaves and roots boiled in wine and water, and drank, do like- wise cool the liver and blood, and assuage all iiiHam- nations in the reins and bladder, provoke urine, allay the heat and sharpness thereof. The same also being drank, stayeth the bloody liux and women's courses, and helps the swelling of the spleen. The water of the ber- ries carefully distilled, is a sovereign remedy and cor- dial in the panting and beating of the heart, and is good for the yellow jaundice. The juice dropped into foul tilcers, or washed therewith, or the decoction of the herb and root, doth wonderfully cleanse and help to cure them. Lotions and gargles for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in the privy parts or elsewhere, are made Avith the leaves and roots thereof; which is also good ta fasten loose teeth and to heal spungy foul gnms. It helpeth also to stay catarrhs, or defluxions of rheum in the mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or water is singular good lor hot and red inflamed eyes, if drop- ped into them, or they be bathed therewith. It is also of excellent property for all pushes, wheals, and other IVreakings forth <5f hot and sharp humours in the face and Jiands, and other parts of the body to bathe them there- r ith, and to take away any redness in the face, or spots, Or other deformities in the skin, and to make it clear and smooth. , Sx>me Hse this medicine : take so many Straw- berries as you shall 'think fitting, and put them into a distillatory, or body of glass fit for them, which being well closed, set in a bed of horse-dung for your use. It is an excellent water for inflamed eyes, and to tate* THE ENGLISH PIIISICIAX ENLARGED. 307 away a film, or skin that beginneih to grow over them; and for such other defects in them as may be helped by any outward medicine. Succory. 1/. (h. d. 1.) Tins is a species of the endive and is commonly known hy the name of Chicory. Descript.'] The wild Succory hath divers long leaves, lying on the ground, very much cut in or torn on the edges, on both sides, even to the middle rib, endine; in a point ; Sometimes it hath a rib down the middle of the leaves, from among which' riscth up a hard, round woody- stalk, spreading into many branches, set with smaller and les8er divided leaves on thera up to the lops, where stand the flowers, which are like the garden kind, and the seed is also ; the root is white, but more hard and woody than the garden kind. The whole plant is exceed- ing bitter. Place.'] This growcth in many places of our laud ia waste, untilled and barren fields. Govenuiient and Virtues.'] It is an herb of Jupiter. Gar» den Succory, as it is more dry and less cold than Endive, so it openeth more. A handful of the leaves or roots boiled in wine or water, and a draught drank fasting, driv- eth forth choleric and phlegmatic humours, openeth ob- structions of the liver, gall and spleen; hclpcth the yel- low jaundice, the heat of the reins, and of the urine ; the dropsy also, and those that have an evil dispositioa in their bodies, by reason of long sickness, evil diet, Sec. A decoction made with wine, and drank, is very effectual against long lingering agues ; and a drain of the seed in powder., drank in wine, before the fit of the ague, help- «th to drive it away. The distiikd water of tlic herb and flowers is especially good for hot stomachs, and in agues;, for swoonings and passions of the heart, for the heat and head ache in children, and for the blood and liver. The said water, or the juice, or the bruised leaves applied putwardl}', allays swelling?, inflammations, St. Antho- ny's Are, pushes, M'hcals and pimples, especially used with a little vinegar; as also to wash pestiferous sores." XliQ said wafer is very cllcctual lor sore eyes that are ias« 30S THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGEI>/ flamed with redness, and for nurses breasts that are f.aineJ by the abundance of milk. The wild Succory, as it is more bitter, so it is more strengthening to the stomach and liver. Stone-Crop. D. (c. d. 2.) Or small Ilouseleek. Dcscn'pt.'] \t proweth with divers trailing branches upon the ground, tct with many thick, flat, roundish, whitish green leaves, pointed at the ends. The flowers stand many of them together, somewhat loosely. The roots are small, and run creeping under the ground. Place.'] It growcth upon the stone walls and mud- walls, upon the tiles of houses and pent houses, and amongst rubbish and in other gravelly places. Time.'] It liowereth in June and July, and the leaves are greou ail the Winter. Government and Virtues.'] It is under the dominion of the Mijon, cold in ijualily, and something binding, and therefore good to stay delluxions, especially such as fall upon (he eyes. It stops bleeding, both inward and out» ward, helps cancers, and all fn-tting sores and ulcers. It abates the heat of choler, thereby preventing diseases arising from choleric humours. It expels poison, resisteth pestilential lovers, being exceeding good also for tertiaa agues : you miy drink the decoction of it, if you please, for all the foregoing infirmities. It is so harmless an herb^ you can scarce use it amiss. Being bruised and applied to the place, it helpeth the king's-evil, and any other knots or kernels iu the flesh ; »s also the piles. English Tobacco. S- (.h- ^- 2-) This came from some part of Brasil, as it is thought^ and is more familiar in our country than any of the other sorts; oarl}' giving ripe seed, which the others seldom do, but doth not grow wild. Time.'] It flowereth from June, to the end of August. Government and Virtues.] It is a martial plant. It is foHnd by experience to be available to expectorate tough phlegm from the stomach, chest and lungs. The joice made into a syrup^ or the distilldd water of the herb drank. THE ENGLISH PUYSICIAN ENLARGED. 309 x^ith some sugar, or the smoak taken by a pipe, fasting, helpetli to expel worms in the stomach and belly, and to iease the pains in the head, or megrim and the griping pains ill the bowels. It is profitable for the stone in the kidnies, both to ease pains by pros'oking urine, and also to expel gravel and the stone engendered therein, and hath been found elfeclual to expel windiness, and other humours, which causeth the strangling of the mother. The seed hereof is very effedual to expel the tooth-ach, and the ashes of the burnt herb to cleanse the gums, and make the teeth white. The herb bruised and applied to the place grieved with the king's. evil, helpeth it in nine or ten days eft'edlually. Monardus saith, it is a counter- poison against the biting of any venomous creature; the herb being outwardly applied to the hurt place. The distilled water is often given with some sugar before the fit of an ague. If the distilled faeces of the lierb, having heen bruised before the distillation, and not distilled dry, be set in warm dung for fourteen days, and afterwards be hung up in a bag in a wine cellar, the liquor that dis- tilleth therefrom is singularly good to use for cramps, achs, the gout and sciatica, and to heal itches, scabs, and running ulcers, cancers, and all foul sores whatsoever. The juice is also good for all the said griefs, and likewise to kill lice in children's heads. The green herb bruised and applied, cureth any fresh wound or cut whatsoever ; and the juice put into old sores, both cleanseth and heal- eth them. There is also made hereof a singular good salve to Jielp imposthumes, hard tumours, and other swellings by blows and falls. The Tamarisk Tree. Tj . (h. d. 3 J It is so well known in the place where it grows that it ncedeth no description. Time'] It flowereth about the end of May, or in June, and the seed is ripe and blown away in the beginning of September. Gov€7'nment and Virtues.'] A gallant Saturnine herb it is. The root, leaves, young branches, or bark boiled in wine, and drank, stays the bleeding of the haemorr- hoidal yeins, the spitting of blood, the too abounding 310 TIli: ENGLISH rilVSICIAN ENLARGED. of women's courses, the j.-iinidicc, tlic cholic, ami the. biting ot all venomous serpents, except llie asp ; and ontwardly applied, is powerful against the hardness of the s|iieen, and the toolh-ach, pains in the cars, red and watering eyes. The decoc^tion, wifh some honey put thereto, is good to stay gangrenes and fretting ulcers, and to Mash those that are subject to nits and lice. Alpinus and Vcslingius affirm, that the Egyptians do with good success use the wood of ii to cure tiic French disease, as otiiers do with lignum vitic or gnaiacum ; and give it also to those who ha\e the leprosy, scabs, ulcers, or the like. Its ashes doth (juickiy heal blisters raised by burnings or scaldings. It helps the dropsy, arising iVom hardness of s|deen, and therelore to drink out of cups uiade of the wood is good for s])lenelic persons. It is also hel|)ful for melancholy, and the black jaundice that arisetli thereof. Garden Tanrsy. ?. (h. 2. d. S.) fJ.Muu.N Tansy is so well kuoviu, that it necdelh no deserii)tion. l'inw.'\ it llowereth in Juno or .fuly. Uo-ccrnment and Virtue^.'] Dame Venus was minded to pleasure women with child by this herb, for there ^rows not an herb litter for their use than this is ; it is just as though it were cut out for the purpose. This herb bruised andajiplied to the navel, slays miscarriages; I know no herb like it for that use : boiled in ordinary beer, and the decoction drank, doth the like ; and if her womb be not so as she would have it, this decoc^iion will niake it so. Let those women that desire cluldrea Jove this herb, it is their best companion, (their husbands excepted.) Also it consumes the phlegmatic humours, the cold and moist constitution of Winter most usually af- fe(5}s the body of man with, and that was the first reason of eating Tansies in the Spring. The decoction of the common Tansy, or the juice drank in wine, is a singular remedy for all the griefs that come by stopping of the urine, helpeth the stranguary, and those that have weak reins and kidnies. Jt is also very profitable to dissolve and expel wind in tlic stomach, belly, or THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Sil fcowcls, to procure women's courses, and expel windiness ill the matrix, if it be bruised and often smelled unto, as also applied to the lower part of the belly. It is also very profitable for such women as are given to mis- carry in child-bearing, to cause them to go out their full time: it is used also against the stone in the reins, espe- x:ial]y to men. The herb fried with eggs (as it is accus- tomed in the Spring-time) which is called a Tansy, help- eth to digest and carry downward those bad humours that trouble the stomach. The seed is very profitable given to children for the worms, and the juice in drink is as eftec- tual. Being boiled in oil, it is good for the sinews shrunk by cramps, or pained with colds, if thereto ap- plied. Wild Tansy, or Silver- Weed. . (h. 2. d. 3.) Tuts is also so well known, that it needeth no descrip- tion. Tinie-I It flowereth in June or July. Government and Firtues.^ Now Dame Venus liath' fitted women with two herbs of one name, one to help conception, the other to maintain beauty, and what more can be expected of her ? What now remains for you, but to love your husbands, and not be wanting to your poor neighbours ? Wild Tansy stayeth the lask, and all the lluxes of blood in men and women, which some say it will do, if the green herb be worn in the shoes, so it be next the skin ; and it is true enough, that it will stop the terms, if worn so, and the whites too, for aught 1 know. It stayeth also spitting or vomiting of blood. The powder of the herb taken in some of the distilled water, liclpeth the whites in women, but more eipecially if a little coral and ivory in powder be put to it. It is also commended (o help children thut are burst- en, and hav-j a rupture, being boiled in water and salt, it easeth the grii)ing pains of the bowels, and is good for the sciatica and joint achs. The same boiled in vinegar, with honey and allum, and gargled in the mouth, easeth the pains of the tooth-ach, fastenefh loose teeth, helpeth the gums that are sore^ and settleth the palate of the mouth in its place, when it is fallen down, ll cleaaseth 312 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. and hcalctli ulcers in the mouth or secret parls, find is very good for inward wounds, and to close (he lips of green wounds, and to heal old, moist and corrupt running sores in the legs or elsewhere. Being bruised and applied to the soles of the feet and hand-wrists, it wonderfully cooletli the hot fits of the agues, be they never so violent. The distilled water cleanseth the skin of all discolourings therein, as morphew, sun-burnings, Sec. as also pimples, freckles, and the like ; and dropped into the eyes, or cloths wet therein and applied, taketh away the heat and inflammations in them. The Melancholy Thistle. ^. c?, Vf. (h. d. 2.) This differeth Jrom other Thistles in its appearance. Descript-I It riseth up with tender single hoary green s.talks, bearing thereon four or five green leaves, dented above the edges ; the points (hereof are little or nothing prickly, and at the top usually but one head, yet some- times from the bosom of the uppermost leaves there shooteth forth another small head scaly and prickly, wiih many reddish thrumbs or threads in the middk-, which being gathered fresh, will keep (he colour, and fade not from the stalk a long time, while it perfefts the seed, which is of a mean bigness, lying in the down. The root hath many strings fastened to the head, or ujjper part, ■which is blackish, and perisheth not. Flace."] They grow in many moist meadows of this land, as well in the southern, as in the northern parts. 7V/7/e.7 They (lower about July or August, and their seed ripeneth quickly after. Government and yirtues.l It is under Capricorn, and therefore under both Saturn 'and Alars ; one rids melan-, choly by sympathy, the other by antipathy. Their vir- tues are but few, but those not to be despised ; for thfi dcco6iion of the thistle in wine being drank, expels su- perfluous melancholy out of the body, and makes a man as merry as a cricket; superfluous melancholy canseth care, fear, sadness, despair, envy, and many evils more besides; but religion teacheth to wait upon God's pro- vidence, and cast our care upon him who careth for us. What a line thing were it if men and women could live j»o ? THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 313 And yet seven years care and fear makes a man never the wiser, nor a farthing richer. Dioscorides saith, the root borne about ono dolh the like, and removes all diseases of melancholy. Modern writers langh at him : Let them laugh that zcin ; my opinion is, that it is (he best remedy against all melancholy diseases that grows. Our Lady's Thistle. IJ.. (h. d. 2.) Tat: virtues of tiiistles do not seem to vary so much as their appearance. Descript.~\ This hath divers large broad leaves lying oa the ground cut in, and as it were crumpled, but somewhat hairy on the edges, of a white green shining colour, wherein are many lines and streaks of a milk-white colour running all over, ai\d set with many hard and stiff prickles all about, among which riseth up one or more strong, round and prickly stalks, set full of the like leaves up to the top, where, at the end of every branch, comes fortli a great prickly Tiiislle-like head strongly armed with prickles, and with bright purple thrums rising out of the middle : After they are past, the seed gro^veth in the said heads, Ijing in soft white down, which is somewhat llattish in the ground, and many strings and fibres fastened there- unto. All the whole plant U bitter in taste, Place.~\ It is frequent on the baaks of almost every ditch. Time.'] It flowereth and secdcth from June to August. Government and Virtues.'] Our I^ady's Thistle is under Jupiter, and thought to be as effectual as Carduus Bene- diftus for agues, and to present and cure the infefitioa «f the plague ; as also to open the obstructions of the liver and spleen, and thereby is good against the jaun- dice. It provokcth urine, brcaketh and expelleth the stone, and is good for the dropsy. It is elFedtual also for the pains in the sides, and many other inward pains and gripings. The seed and distilled water arc held powerful to all the purposes aforesaid, and besides, it is oftea applied both outwardly with cloths or spunges, to the region of the \isQty to cool the distemper thereof, and to 314 TKE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. the icgion of the heart, against swoonitigs and i)ass!ons of it. It clcaiiscth the blood exceedingly ; and in Spring, if you please to boil the tender plant (but cut oil" the prickles, unless you have a mind to choak yourself) it \\iil change your blood as the season chaugeth, ai\d that is the >vay to be safe. The Woollen Thistle. f ENLARGED. 32 I Turnsole, or Ileliotropiura. O. {h. d. 3.) This groweth in gardens, and llowereth and secdeth with lis, notwilhstanding it is not natural to this land, but to Spain and France, where it grows plentifully. Government and Virliies.'] It js an herb of the Sun, and a good one too. Dioscoridcs saith, That a good hundlul of this, which is called the Great Turnbole, boiled in water, and drank, piirgcth both choler and. phlegm ; and boiled with cummin, hclpcth the stone in. the reins, kidnies, or bladder, jjrovoketh urine and women's courses, and causeth an easy and speedy delivery in child-birth. The leaves bruised and applied to places pained with the gout, or that have been out of joint, and newly set, and full of pain, do give much ease ; the seed and juice of the leaves also being rubbed with a little salt upon warts or wens, and other kernels in the face, eye-lids, or any other part of the body, will, by ofteu using take them away. Meadow Trefoil, or Floncysuckles. $. (c« d. 1.) It is so well known, especially by the name of Honey- suckles, white and red, that I ned not describe them. Place~\ They grow almost every where in this land. Gavernment and Virtues.~\ Mercury hath dominion over the common sorts. Dodoneus saith, The leaves and flowers are good to ease the griping pains of the gout, the herb being boiled and used in a clyster. If the herb be made into a poultice, and applied to inflammations, it will case them. The juice dropped in the eyes, is a familiar medicine, with many country people, to take away the pin and web (as they call it) in the eyes; it also allayeth the heat and blood shooting of them. Country people do also in many places drink the juice thereof against the biting of an adder ; and having boiled the herb in water, they first wash the place with the deco6liou, and then lay some of the herb also to the hurt place. The herb also boild in swines's grease, and go made into an ointment, is good io appply to the biting of any venomous creatures. The herb also bruised and p 5 322 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENIAHGEP. heated between tiles, and applied hot to the shart, causelh them to make ^vater Avho had it stopt before. It is held likewise to be good for wounds, and to take away seed. The decodtion of the herb and liowers, with the seed and root, taken for some time, helpelh women thafe are troubled with the whites;. The seed and flowers boiled in water, and after made into a poultice with some oil^ and applied, helpeth hard swellings and imposthumes. Heart Trefoil. Q. (Ji. d. 3.) Besides the ordinary sort of Trefoil, here are two more remarkable, and one of whieh may be probably called Heart Trefoil, not only because the leaf is triangular, like the heart of a man, but also because each leaf contains the perfedl icon of a heart, and that in its proper colours, ■»iz» a flesh-colour. Place.'] It groweth between Longford and Bow, and beyond bouthwark, by the highway and parts adjacent. Government and Vi/'iues.'] It is under the dominion of the Sun, and if it were used, it would be found as great a strengthener of the heart, and cherisher of the vitil spirits as grows, relieving the body against fainting and swoonings, fortifying it against poison and pestilence, defending the heart against the noisome vapours of the spleen. Pearl Trefoil. ]) . (c. m. 2.) It differs not from the common sort, save only in this one particular, it hath a white spot in the leaf like a pcail. it is particularly uuder the dominion of the Moon, and its icon sheweth that it is of a singular virtue against the pearl or pin and web in the eyes. Tutsan, or Park Leaves. ^ . (c. d. 2.) This deserves more notice than it generally obtains. JJescripi.] It hath brownish shining round stalks, erected the length thereof, rising two by two, and some- times three feet high, branching forth even from the bot~ torn, having divers joints, aad at each of them two fair THE E^'GLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 323 large leaves standing, of a dark bluish green colour oa the upper side, and of a yellowish green underneath, turning reddish toward Autumn. At the top of the stalks stand large yellow flowers, and heads with seed, which being greenish at the first, and afterwards reddish, tura to be of a blackish purple colour when they ar« ripe, with small brownish seed within them, and they yield a reddsih juice or liquor, somewhat resinous, of a harsh and styptick taste, as the leaves and the flowers be, although much less, but do not yield such a clear claret •wine colour, as some say it doth ; the root is brownish, somewhat great, hard, and woody, spreading well ia the ground. Flace.'l It groweth in many woods, groves, and woody grounds, as parks and forests, and by hedge. sides in many places in this land, as in Hampstead-woood, by Ratley ia Kssex, in the wilds of Kent, aad in many other places needless to recite. Time.'] It flowereth later than St. John's or St. Peter'^s- wort. Government and virtues.~\ It is an herb of Saturn, and a most noble anti-venerean. Tutsan purgeth cholerick humours, as St, Peter's-wort is said to do, for therein it ■worketh the same effects, both to help the sciatica and gout, and to heal burnings by fire ; it stayeth all the bleedings of wounds, if either the green herb be bruised, or the powder of the dry be applied thereto. It hath, been accounted, and certainly it is, a sovereign herb to heal either wound or sore, either outwardly or inwardly, and therefore always used in drinks, lotions, balms, oils, ointments, or, any other sorts of green wounds, old ulcers, or sores, in all which the continual experience of formec ages hath confirmed 4he use thereof to be admirable good, though it be not so much in use now, as when physicians ajid surgeons were so wise as to use herbs more than no\r they do. Garden Valerian. J^. (h, d. 2 J; TuERE are twenty-two species of Valerian; but we shall a«ed only to describe one. 521 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Descripi.'] This liatli a thick short greyish root, lying for the nioht part above ground, t-hootinj; forth on aU other sides such like small pieces of roots, m liicii have all of them many long green strings and fibres under them in the ground, whereby it drawedi nourishment. From fhc head of (heso roo(s spring up many green leaves, Avhich at first arc somewhat broad and long, without any divisions at all in them, or denting on llic edges ; but those that rise up after are more and more divided on each side, some to the middle rib, being winged, as made of many leaves together on a stalk, and those upon a stalk, in like manner more divided, but smaller towards (he top than fcclow ; the stalk riscth to be a yard high or more, some- times branched at the toj), with many small whitish flowers, sometimes dashing over the edges with a pale purplish colour, of a little scent, which passing away, there followeth small brownish white seed, that is easily carried away with the wind. The root smelleth more strong than either leaf or flower, and is of more use in medicines. Place.~\ It is generally kept with us in gardens. Time.'] it llov^ereth in June and July, and contiuueth flowering until the frost pull it down. Government and Piriues.] 'Ihis is under the inllucnce of Mercury. Dio.'corides saith, that the Garden Valerian hath a warming faculty, and that being dried and given to drink, itprovoketh urine, and helj/Cth the stranguary. The decoction thereof taken, doth the like also; and takcth away j)ains of the sides, provoketh the women's courses, and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith, That the powder of the root given in drink, or the decoftion thereof taken, hclpeth all stoppings and stranglings in any part of the body, whether thejj proceed of pains iu the chest or sides, and taketh them away. 'J'he root of Valerian boiled with liquorice, raisins, and anniseed, is singular good for those that are short-winded, and for those (hat are troubled with tlie cough, and helpeth to open the passages, and to expectorate phlegm easily. It is given to those thet are bitten or stung by any venom- ous creature, bting boiled in viine. Jt js of a sjjecial virtue against (he league, the decoction thereof being drauk^ and the root being ustd to smell to. It helpclh THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN EJ^LARGED. 325 io expel the ^v^^ul in the belly. The green herb with the root taken Iresli, being bruised iiiul applied to tlie head, taketh away the pains and prickings there, stayeth rheum and thin distillations, and being boiled in white wine, and a tirop thereof j)ut into the eye*;, taketh away the dimness ot the sight, or any i)in or web therein : It is of excellent j)roperty to heal any inward sores or wounds, and also for outward hurts or wounds, and drawing away splinters or thorns out of the llesh. Vervian. ?. {temp. d. 2.) Tjiis has also obtained the name of the Simpler's Joy. Dcscript.'] It hath somewhat long broad leaves next the ground, deeply gashed about the edges, and some only deeply dented, or cut all alike, of a blackish green colour on the upper side, somewhat grey underneath. The stalk is square, branched into several parts, rising about two feet high, especially if you reckon the long spike of flowers at the tops of them, which are set on all sides one above another, and sometimes two or three together, being small and gaping, of a blue colour and white inter- mixed, after which come small round seed, in small and somewhat long heads ; The root is small and long, but of use. Place.'] It groweth in the edges and way-sides, and other waste grounds. Time.] It tlowereth in July, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Flrtucs.'] This is an herb of Venus, and excellent for the womb to strengthen and remedy all (he cold griefs of it, as Planfain doth the hot. Vcrvaia is hot and dry, opening obstruftions, cleansing and heal- ing : It helpelh the yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the gout; it killeth and expelieth wc.ms in the belly, and causeth a good colour in the face and body, strength- eneth as well as corrcCteth the diseases of the stomach, jiver, and spleen ; helps the cough, whcezings, and shortness of breath, and all the defects of the reins and bladder, expelling the gravel and stone. It is held to be good against the biting of serpents, and other >c- S26 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. nomous beasts, against the plague, and botli tertian and quartan agues. Jt consolidateth and hcaleth also all vounds, bo(h inward and outward, stayetli bleedings, and used •with some honey, healeth all old ulcers and fistulas in the legs or other parts of the b(Hly ; as also those ulcers that happen in the mouth ; or used with hog's grease, it helpeth the swellings and pains of the secret parts in man or woman, also for the piles or \vx~ morrhoids ; applied with some oil of roses and vinegar unto the forehead and temples, it easeth the inveterate pains and ache of the head, and is good for those that arc frantick. The leaves bruised, or the juice of them mixed ■with some vinegar, doth wonderfully cleanse the skin^ and taketh aw'ay morphcw, freckles, fistulas, and other such like inflammations and deformities of the skin in any part of the body. The distilled Avafer of the herb vhen it is in full strength, dropped into the eyes> cleanscth them from films, clouds, or mists, that darkeiv the sight, and wonderfully strengthens the optick nerves. The said water is very powerful in all the diseases afore- said, either inward or outward, whether they be old cor- roding sorcSj or green wounds. The Vine. ©. (c. 1. d. 3.) The leaves of the English Vine (I do not mean to send you to the Canaries for a medicine) being boiled, make a- good lotion for sore mouths ; being boiled wilh barley meal into a poultice, it cools inflammations of wounds ; the dropping of the Vine, when it is cut in the Spring, ■which country people call Tears, being boiled in a syrup, ■with sugar, and taken inwardly, is excellent to stay •women's longings after every thing they see, which is a disease many women with child are subject to. The decodtion of Vine lea.es in white wine doth the like ; also the tears of the Vine, drank two or three spoonfuls at a time, breaks the stone in the bladder. This is a very good remedy, and it is discreetly done to kill a Vine to cure a man, but the salt of the leaves are held to do better. The ashes of the burnt branches will make teeth that areas black as a coal, to be as white as snow, if you but every morning rub them with it. It k a most gallant Tree of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 327 the Sun, very sympathetica! with the body of man, and that is tlui reason spirit of >vinc is the greatest cordial among all vegetables. Violets. ? . (c. m. 1.) Both the tame and the wild are so well known that they need no description. Tuiie-I They flower until the end of July, but are best in March, and the beginning of April. Government and Firtues.l^ They are a fine, pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild nature, no way harmful. All the violets are cold and moist while they are fresh and green, and are used to cool any heat, or distcnipcrature ©f the body, either inwardly or oxitwardly, as inilaninia- tions in the eyes, in the matrix or fundament, in impost- humes also, and hot swellings, to drink the decoction af the leaves and flowers made with water and wine, or to apply thera poultice-wise to the grieved places ; it like- wise easeth pains in the head, caused through want of sleep ; or any other pains arising of heat, being applied in the same manner, or with oil of roses. A dram weight of the dried leaves or flowers of Violets, but the leaves more strongly, doth purge the body of choleric humours, and assuageth the heat, being taken in a draught of wine, or any other drink ; the powder of the purple leaves of the flowers, only picked and dried and drank in water, is said to help the quinsy and the falling sickness in chil- dren, especially in the beginning ot the disease. The flowers of the -white Violets ripen and dissolve swellings. The herb or flowers, while they are fresh, or the flowers •when dry, are effectual in the pleurisy, and all diseases of the lungs, to lenify the sharpness of the rheums, and the hoarseness of the throat, the heat and sharpness of urine, and all the pains of the back or reins and bladder. It is good also for the liver and jaundice, and all hot agues, to cool the liver and quench the thirst ; but the syrup of Violets is of most use and of better efiect, being taken in some convenient liquor ; anil if a little of the juice or syrup of lemons be put to it, or a few drops of the oil of vitriol, it is made thereby the more powerful to cool the heatj^and quench the thirsty and giveth to the drink a 328 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. claret wine colour, and a fine tart rilish, jjlcasiiiff the taste. Violets taken, or iiiaiio ii|) with lioiiey, do more d.-anse and cool, and with sugar coiilrary-wise. 'I'lie dried flowers ol' V^ioiets arc accounted amon^ the cordial drinks, powders, and other medicines, especially where cooling cordials are necessary. The green leaves are used with other herbs lt> make j)laistcrs and |)ouUices lor inllanima- tioiis and swellings, and to ea'-e all pains uhatioever, arising of heat, and for the piles also, being fried with }olks of eggs and applied thereto. Viper's Bug\oss.(temp. m. 2.) Q. Of this there are two kinds, one with reddish purple, the other with while flowers. Descript.'] This hath many long rough leaves lying ou the ground, from among which arise up divers hard round stalks, very rough, as if they were (hick set with prickles or hairs, whereon are set such like rough, hairy, or prickly sad green leaves, somewhat narrow : the middle rib being for the most part white. The flowers stand at the top of (he stalk, branched forth in many long spiked leaves of flowers, bowing or turning like the turnsole, all opening for the most part ou the one side, which are long and hollow, turning up (he brims a litllcj of a pur- plish violet colour in (hem that arc fully blown, but more reddish while they are in the bud, as also upon their decay and withering ; but in some places of a paler purple colour, with a long pointel in the middle, feathered or parted at the top. After the flowers are fallen, the seeds growing to be ripe, are blackish, cornered and pointed somewhat like the head of a viper. The root is somewhat great and blackish, aiUl woody, Avhea it groweth towards* seed time, and jierisheth in the Winter. Place.^ The flrst groweth wild almost every where. That with white flowers about old walls. Time.^ They flower in Summer, and their seed is ripe quickly after. Govcrninait and Virtues.'] It is a most gallant herb of the Sun ; it is a pity it is no more in use than it is. It is an especial remedy against the biting ofthe V ipcr, and all Other Tcnomous beasts or serpents 3 as l->o against poison, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. S29 or poisonous herbs. Dioscorides and otliers say, that V. hosoever shall take of the herb or root before they be bi(ten, shall not be hurt by the poison of any serpent. The root or seed is thought to be most efTeiftiial to com- fort the heart, and expel sadness, or causeless melancholy; it tempers the blood, and aliayeth hot fits of agues. The seed drank in wine, procureth abundance of milk in women's breasts. The same also being taken easeth the pains in the loins, back and kidnies. The distilled water of the herb, w hen it is in ilower, or its chief strength, is excellent to be applied inwardly or outwardly, for all the griefs aforesaid. There is a syrup made hereof very effectual for the comforting the heart, and expelling sad. iiess and melancholy. Wall-Flowers, ov Winter-Gilliflowers. J. (temp.) The garden kind are so well known, that they need no description, and the wild vary little from them. P/ace.] It groweth upon chnrch-walls and old walls of many houses, and other stonc-walis in divers places. 7Vwe.] All the single kinds do flower many times in the end of Autumn; and if the Vv'inter be mild, all the Winter long, but especially in the months of February, March and April, until the heat of the S[)ringdo spend them. But the double kinds continue not flowering iu that manner all the year long, although they flower very early sometimes, and in some places very late. Go'cerninent and Virtues.^ The JNIoon rules them. Galen in his seventh book of simple medicine;, saith, that yellow Wall-Flowers >vork more powerfully than any of the other kind, and are therefore of more use in physic. It cleanseth the blood, and freeth the liver and reins from obstructions, provoketh women's courses, expelleth the secnndine, and the dead child; helpeth the hardness and pains of the mother, and of the spleen also; stayeth inflammations and swellings, comforteth and strengtheneth any weak part, or out of joint; helpeth to cleanse the eyes from mistiness and films on them, and to cleanse the filthy ulcers in the mouth, or any other part, and is a 530 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAPGED. slnp;ular remedy for the gout, and all achs and pains in the joints and sinews. A conserve made of the (lowers, is used for a remedy both for the apoplexy and palsy. The Walnut-Trec. ©. (k. d. 2 J It is so •well known, that it ncedcth no description. Government and Virtues.'} This is also a plant of the Sun. Let the fruit of it be gathered accordingly, ■which yoii shall find to be of most virtues whilst they are green, before they have shells. The bark of the Tree doth bind and dry very much, and the leaves are much of the same temperature j but the leaves, Mhen they are older, arc heating and drying in the second degree, and harder of digestion than when they are fresh, which by reason of their sweetness, are more pleasing and better digesting in the stomach ; and taken with sw cet wine, they move the belly dow nwards ; but being old, they grieve the sto- mach ; and in hot bodies cause the choler to abound)^ and the head-ach, and are an enemy to those that have the cough ; but are less hurtful to those that have a colder stomach, and are said to kill the broad worms in the belly or stomach. If they be taken with onions, salt and honey, they help the biting of a mad dog, or the venom^ or infciStious poison of any beast, &c. Caius Pompeius tound in the treasury of Mithridates, king of Pontus, when he was overthrown, a seroU of his own hand- ■writing, containing a medicine against any poison or in- fe6lion ; which is this: Take two dry Walnuts, and as many good figs; and twenty leaves of rue, bruised and beaten together, with two or three corns of salt, and twenty juniper berries, which take every morning fasting,^ prcserveth from danger of poison and infection that day it is taken. The juice of the other green husks, boiled with honey is an excellent gargle for a sore mouth, or the heat and inflammations in the throat and stomach. The kernels when they grow old, are more oily, and therefore not fit to be eaten, but are then used to heal wounds of the sinews, gangrenes, and carbuncles. The said kernels being burned, are then very astringent, and will stay laskjj and women's courses, being taken in red wine, and stay the falling of the hair, and make it fair, being anoiutcd. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 331 Mith oil and wine. The green husks -n-ill do the like, being used in the same manner. The kernels beaten with rue and Avine, being applied, helpeth the quinsy; and bruised v. ith some honey, and applied to the ears, easeth the pains and inflammations of them. A piece of the greea husks put into a hollow tooth, easeth the pain. The catkins hereof, taken before they fall off, dried, and given a dram thereof in powder with wine, wonderfully helpeth those that are troubled Avith the rising of the mother. The oil that is pressed out of the kernels, is very profitable taken inwardly like oil of almonds, to help the colic, and to expel wind very cffeflually : an ounce or two thereof may be taken at any time. The young green nuts taken before they be half ripe, and preserved with sugar, are of good use for those that have weak stomachs or deflu(5tions thereon. The distilled water of the green husks, before they be half ripe, is of excellent use to cool the heat of agues, being drank an ounce or two at a time ; as also to resist the infection of the plague, if some of the same be also applied to the sores thereof. The same also cooleth the heat of the green wounds and old ulcers, and healeth them, being bathed therewith. The distilled water of the green husks being ripe, when they are shelled from the nuts, and drank with a little vinegar, is good for the plague, so as before the taking thereof a vein be opened. The said Avater is very good against the quinsy, being gargled and bathed therewith, and AvonderfuUy helpeth deafness and noise, and other pains in the ears. The distilled water of the young greea leaves in the end of May, performeth a singular cure of foul running ulcers and sjres, to be bathed, Avith wet cloths or sponges applied to them every morning. Wold, Weld, or Dyer's Weed. ^. (It. d.2.) The common kind groweth bushing with many leaves, long, narrow and flat upon the ground ; of a dark bluish green colour, somewhat like unto ^V'oad, but nothing like so large, a little crumjiled, and as it Avere round pointed, Avhicli do ^o abide the first year ; and the next Spring from amoug tliem rise up divers round stalks, two 332 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. or three feet high, beset with many such like leaves thereon, but smaller, and shooting forth sniall branches, which with the stalks carry many small yellow Howers, in a long spiked head at the top of them, Mhere after- wards come tile seed, which is small and black, inclosed in heads that are divided at the tops in four parts. The root is long, white, and thick, abiding the Winter. The whole herb changcth to be yellow, after it hath been in flower aw hile. Plcice.2 It groweth every where by the" way-sides, in moist grounds, as well as dry, in corners of fields and bye-lanes, and sometimes all over the field. In Sussex and Kent tliey call it Green Weed. T/we.] It Uowereth about June. Government and f-'irtues.'] Matthiolus saith, that the root hereof cureth tough phlegm, digesteth raw phlegm, thinneth gross humours, dissolveth hard tumours, and opcnelli obstruttions. Some do highly commend it against the bitings of venomous creatures, to be taken inwardly and applied outwardly to the hurt place : as also for the plague or pestilence. The people in some counties of this land, bruise the herb, and lay it to cuts or wounds in the hands or legs, to heal them. Wheat. $ . (k. 1. temp.) Alt, the several kinds are so well known, that it is need- less to write a description. Government and rir/ues.l ^^ '^ under Venus. Dioscori- dcs saifh, that to cat the corn of Green Wheat is hurtful to the stomach, and breedeth worms. Pliny saith, that the corns of Wheat roasted upon an iron pan and eaten, are a present remedy fer those that are chilled with cold. The oil pressed from wheat, between two thick plates of iron or copper, heated, healeth all tetters and ring- worms, being used warm; aad hereby Galen saith, he hath known many to be cured. Matthiolus commendeth the same to be put into hollow ulcers to heal them up, and it is good for chops in the hands and feet, and to make rutrged skin smooth. The green corns of wheat bi;ing chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad dog, heals it ; slices of Wheat bread soaked in red rose THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 333 water, and applied to the eyes th.it are hot, red and in- fiamed, or blood sholten helpeth them. Hot bread ap- plied for an hoar at times, tor three days together, per- fectly healetli the kernels in the throat, commonly called the king's evil. The flower of Wheat mixed with (he juice of henbane, stay the llux of humours to the joints, being laid thereon. The said meal boiled in vinegar htlpeth the shrinking of the sinews, saith Pliny ; and mixed with vinegar, and boiled together, healeth all freckles, pim- ples and spots on the face, Wheat tiour mixed wifh the yolk of an egg, honey and turpentine, doth draw, cleanse and heal any boil, plague sore or foul ulcer. The bran of Wheat meal steeped in vinegar, and bound in a linen cloth and rubbed on the places that have the scurf, mor- phew, scabs or leprosy, will take them away, the body being first well purged and prepared. The decoction of the bran of Wheat or barley, is of good use to bathe those places that are bur^ten by a rupture, and the said bran boiled in good vinegar, and applied to swollen breasts, helpeth them, and stayeth all intiamniatiuns. It helpeth also the biting of vipers (which 1 take to be no other than our English adder) and all other venomous creatures. The leaves of v\heat meal, applied with salt, take away hardness of the skin, warts and hard knots in the flesh. Starch moistened in rose water, and laid to the privates, takcth away their itching. Walters put in ■water and drank, stayeth the lasks and bloody llux, and are prolitably used both inwardly and outwardly for the ruptures in children. Boiled in "water unto a thick jelly, and taken, it stayeth spitting of blood ; and boiled with mint and butter, it helpeth the hoarseness of the throat. The Willow Tree. ]) . (c. d. 2.) These are so well known that they need no descrip- tion. I shall therefore only shew you the virtues thereof. Government and P'v^iues.'] The Moon owns it. Both the leaves, bark, and the seed, are used to staunch bleed- ing of wounds, and at mouth and nose, spitting of blood, and other fluxes of blood in man or woman, and to stay- vomiting, and provocation thereunto, if the decoaiou I 331 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. of them in wine be drank. It lielpclli also to staj- tliin, hot, bharp ^alt liistiilations from the hiad upon tho Inn^s, causing a consuinplion. The leaves bruised wtih some pepper, and drank in wine, helps much tlie wind colick, Tlie leaves bruised and boiled in wine, stayct'i the heat of lust in man or woman, and quite extinguish- eth it, if it be long used : The seed is also of the ^ama eircct. Water that is gathered from the Willow, Mhcii it floweret.!, the bark being slit, and a vessel fitting to receive it, is very good for redness and dimness of sight, or tilms that grow over the eyes, and stay the rheums that fall into them; to provoke urine, being stopped, if it be drank; to clear tiie face and skin from spots and discolourings. Galen saith, The flowers have an ad- niirable faculty in drying up humours, being a medi- cine without any sharpness or corrosion ; you may boil them in white wine, and drink as much as you will, so you drink not yourself drunk. The bark works the same elfict, if used in the same manner, and the tree hath always a bark upon it, though not always flowers ; the burnt ashes being mixed with vinegar taketh away Marts, corns and superfluous flesh, being applied to the place. The dccodion of the leaves or bark u\ wine, takes away scurf and dandrilf by washing the place with it. It is a fine cool tree, the boughs of which are very convenient to be placed in the chamber of one sick of a lever. "VVoad. T2. (c. (/. 3.) Till? is sowed in fields for the benefit of it, where those that sow it, cut it three times a year. Time.'} It flowers iu June, but it is long after before the seed is ripe. Government and Virtues.^ It is a cold and dry plant of Saturn. Some people aftirm the plant to be destructiTe to bees, and fluxes them, which if it be, 1 cannot help it. I should rather think, unless bees be contrary to other creatures, it [)OSscsseth them with the contrary disease, the herb being exceeding dry and binding. However, if any bees be diseased thereby, the cure is, to set urine by them, but set it in a vessel, that they cannot drown theni- Sflvts, which may be remedied, if you put pieces of THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 335 cork in. The herb is so drying and binding that it is not fit to be given inwardly. An ointment made thereof stanchetii bleeding. A plaister made thereof and applied to the region of the spleen which lies on the left side, takes away the hardness and pains thereof. The ointment is excellent good in such ulcers as abound with mois- ture, and takes away the corroding and fretting hu- mours. It cools inflammations, quencheth St. Anthony's fire, and stayeth defluction of the blood to any part of the body. Woodbine, orHoncy-Sucklcs. ^. in 25. (h. d. 1.) It is a plant so common, that every one that hafh eyes knows it, and he that hath uone, cannot read a descrip- tion, if I should write it. It.nc.'] They flower in June, and the fruit is ripe ia August. Government and Virtues.'] Doctor Tradition, that grand introducer of errors, that hater of truth, that lover of fully, and that mortal foe to Dr. Reason, hath taught the common ])eople to use the leaves or flowers of this plant in mouth water, and by long continuance of time, hath so grounded it in the brains of the vulgar, that you cannot beat it out witli a beetle. All mouth wa- ters ought to be cooling and drying, but iioney-Suckles are cleansing, consuming and digesting, and therefore no way fit for inflammations ; thus Dr. Reason. Again, if you please, we will leave Dr. Reason awhile, and come to Dr. Experience, a learned gentleman, and his brother: Take a leaf and chew it in your mouth, and you will quickly And it likelier to cause a sore mouth and throat than cure it. If it be not good for this, What is it good for? It is good for something, for God and nature made nothing in vain. It is an herb of Mercury, and appropriated to the lungs ; the celestial Crab claims dominion over it ; neither is it a foe to the Lion ; if the lungs be aiilicted by Jupiter, this is your cure. It is fitting a conserve made of the flowers of it were kept ia every gentlewoman's house : I know no better cure for an asthma than this ; besides, it takes away the evil of the spleen, provokes urine, procures speedy delivery of women in travail, helps cramps, convulsions, and pal- sies, and whatsoever griefs come of cold or stopping; 336 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. if you ploaso to make use of it as an ointment, it will clear your skin of niorphew, freckles, and siin-burniugs, or \vhatevcr else discolours it, and then the maids wiil love it. Authors say, the llowcrs are of more ellect than the leaves, and that is true ; but they say the seeds arc least cliectual of all. But Dr. Reason lold me, that there was a vital spirit in every seed to beget its like; and Dr. Experience told me, that there yvas a greater hurt in the seed than there was in any other part of the plant ; and withal, that heat was the mother of action, and then jndge if old Dr. Tradition (who may well be ho- noured for his age, but not for his goodness) hath not fo i)oisoned the world with errors before I was born, that it was never well in its wits since, and there is great fear it will die mad. Wormwood, c?. (It. d. I.) Three Wormwoods are familiar with us ; one I shall not describe, another I shall describe, and the third be critical at; and I care not greatly if 1 begin with the last lirst. Sea fVormzcood hath ^ottvn as many names as virtues, (and perhaps one more) Seriphian, Sanloiiicon, Bel- chion, Narbinense, ilantonicon, JNIisnculc, and a mat- ter of twenty more which 1 shall not blot paper witrial. A Papist got the toy by the end, and he called it Huly Wormwood ; and in truth, 1 am of opinion, their giv- ing so much holiness to herbs, is the reason there re- mains so little in themselves. The seed of this worm- wood is that vshich usually women give their children for the worms. Of ail wormwoods that grow itere, this is the weakest, but doctors commend it, and apotheca- ries sell it; the one must keep his credit, and the other get money, and that is the key of the work. The herb is good for something, because Goo made nothing in vain. Will yon give me leave to weigh things in the balance of reason ; then thus : The seeds of the common Wormwood are far more prevalent than the seed of this to expel worms in children, or people of i ipe age ; of both some are weak, some are strong. The Serijjhian Wormwood is the weakest, and haply may prove to be fittest for the weak bodies, Cfor it is weak enough of all conscience.) Let such as are strong take the coniniuu THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 337 Wormwood, for the others will do but little good. Again, near the sea many people live, and Seriphiaa throws near them, and therefore is more fitting for their bodies, because nourished by the same air ; and this 1 had from Dr. Reason. In whose body Dr. Reasoa dwells not^ dwells Dr. Madness, and he brings in his brethren, Dr. Ignorance, Dr, Folly, and Dr. Sickness, and these together make way for Death, and the latter end of that man is worse than the beginning. Pride was the cause of Adam's fall j pride begat a daughter, I do not know the father of it, unless the devil, but she christened it, and called it Appetite, and sent her daugh- ter to taste these Wormwoods, who finding this the least bitter, made the squeamish wench extol it to the skies, though the virtues of it never reached to the middle re* gion of the air. Its due praise is this : It is weakest, therefore fittest for weak bodies, and fitter for those bodies that dwell near it, than those that live far from it; my reason is, the sea (those that live far from it, know when they come near it) casteth not such a smell as the land dd'th. The tender mercies of God being over all his works, hath by his eternal Providence planted Se- riphian by the sea side, as a fit medicine for the bodies of those that live near it. Lastly, it is known to all that know any thing in the course of nature, that the liver delights in sweet things, if so it abhors bitter; then if your liver be weak, it is none of the wisest courses to plague it with any enemy. If the liver be weak, a con- sumption follows. Would you know the reason? It is this, a man's flesh is repaired by blood, by a third coh- cofition, which transmutes the blood into flesh; it is well I said concodtion • if I had said boiling every cook would have understood me. The liver makes blood, and if it be weakened that it makes not enough, the flesh wasteth ; and why must flesh always be renewed? Because the eternal God, when he made the creation, made one part of it in continual dependency upon another. And why did he so ? Because himself only is permanent to teach us. That we should not fix our af- fections upon what is transitory, but upon what endures for ever. The result of this is, if the liver be weak, and cannot make blood enough, (I would have said san- Q 338 THE ENGLISH THYSICIAN ENLARGED. Cuifj', if I had only written to scholars) the Seriphian, which is the weakest of Wormwood, is better thau the best. I have been critical enough, if not too much. Placcl It grows familiarly in England, by the sea-side. Vescript.'] It starts up out of the earth, with many round, woody, hairy stalks from one root. Its height is four feet, or three at least. The leaves in longitude are long, in latitude narrow, in colour \^ilite, in form hoary, in similitude like Southernwood, only broader and longer ; ill taste rather salt than bitter, because it grows so near the salt water. At the joints, m ith the leaves toward the tops, it bears little yellow flowers ; the root lies deep and is woody. Common IVormttood T shall not describe, for CTcry boy that can eat an egg knows it. Raman JVonirxooiI ; and why Roman, seeing it grows familiarly in England ? It may be so called, because it is good for a stinking breath, which the Romans cannot be very free from, maintaining so many bawdy-houses by authority of his Holiness. Deaeript.'] The stalks are slender, and shorter than the common Wormwood by one foot at least; the leaves are more finely cut aiid divided than they are, but some- thing smaller; both leaves and stalks are hoary, the flowers of a pale yellow colour ; it is altogether like the common Wormirood, save only in bigness, for it is SDialler ; in taste, for it is not bitter; in smell, for it is spicy. Vlacer\ It groweth upon the tops of the mountains (it seems 'tis aspiring) there 'tis natural, but usually nursed up in gardens lor the use of the apcithecaries in London. Time.'] All Wormwoods usually liower in August, a little sooner or later. Government and I'u tues.~\ Will you give me leave to be critical a little? I must take leave : Wormwood is aa herb of Mars, and if Pontaniis ?ay otherwise, he is beside the bridge ; I prove it thus : What delights in martial places is a martial herb j but W'orrawood delights in martial placjs, (for about forges and iron works you may giither a cirt-Ioad of it) crgo^ it is a martial herb. It is hoi and dry in the first degree, just as hot as your bloodj THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 339 and no hottef. It remedies the evils choler cao inflidl on the body of man by sympathy. It helps the evils Venus and the wanton boy produce, by antipathy; and it doth something else besides. It cleanseth the body of choler (who dares say Mars doth no good ?) It provokes urine, helps surfeits, or swellings in the belly ; it causeth ap- petite to meat, because ilars rules the attractive faculty in man. The sun never shone upon a better herb for the yelloM' jaundice than this. AVhy should men cry out so much upon Mars for an unfortunate, (or Saturn either?) Did God make creatures to do the creation a mischief? This herb testifies, that Mars is willing to cure all diseases he causes ; the truth is, Mars loves no cowards, nor Saturn fools, nor I neither. Take of the iiowers of \VormMood, Rosemary, and Black I'horn, of each a like quantity, half that quantity of salfron ; boil this in Rhenish wine, but \mt it not in saftron till it is almost boiltid : this is the way to keep a man's body in health, appointed by Camera- rius, iu his book intitled, IJortus Medicus, and it is a good one too. Besides all this, W ormwood provokes the terms. I would Avillingly teach astrologers, and make them physiciins (if 1 knew how) for they are most fittin"- for the calling. They say a mouse is under the dominion of the moon, and that is the reason they feed in the night ; the house of the moon is Cancer ; rats are of the same nature with mice, bnt they are a little bigger ; JNIars receives his fail in Cancer, ergo, Wormwood beinf an herb of Mars, is a present remedy for the biting of rats and mice. Mushrooms (I cannot give them the title of llerba, Frutex, or Arbor) are under the dominion of Saturn, (and take one time with another, they do as much harm as good:) if any have poisoned himself by eating them. Wormwood, an herb of Mars, cures him, because Mars is exalted iu Capricorn, the house of Saturn, and that it doth by sympathy, as it did the others by antipathy. Wheals, pushes, black and blue spots, coming either by bruises or beatiugs. Wormwood, an herb of Mars, he'ps, because Mars, (as bad as you love him, and as you hate him) will not break your head, but he will give you » plaister. If he do but teach you to know yourselves, his courtesy is greater thaa his discourtesy. The greatest ft 2 340 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Antipathy between the planets, is between Mars and Venus ; one is hot, the other cold; one diurnal, the other norturnal; one dry, the other moist: their houses are opposite, one masculine, the other feminine; one public^ the other private ; one is valiant, the other effeminate; one loves the light^ the other hates it ; then the throat is under Venus, the quinsy lies in the throat, and is an inflammation there : Venus rules the (hroat fit being under Taurus her sign.) Mars eradicates all diseases in the throat by his herb, (of ivhich Wormwood is one) and sends to Egypt on an errand never to return more, thw done by antipathy. The eyes are under the Luminaries ; the right eye of a man, and the left of a woman, the Sua claims dominion over ; the left eye of a man and the right eye of a woman, are privileges of the moon ; Wormwood, an herb of Mars, cures both ; what belongs to the Sun by sympathy, because he is exalted in bis house ; but what belongs to the Moon by antipathy, because he hath his fall in her's. Suppose a man be bitten or stung by -a martial creature, imagine a wasp, a hornet, a scorpion^ Wormwood, an herb of Mars, giveth you a present cure ; then Mars, choleric as he is, hath learned that patience, to pass by your evil speeches of him, and tells you by my pen, that he gives you no afflidtion, but he gives you a cure ; you need not run to Apollo, nor iEsculapius; and if he was so choleric as you make him to be, he would have drawn his sword for anger, to see the ill conditions cf those people that can spy his vices, and not his virtues. The eternal G od, when he made Mars, made him for public good, and the sons of men shall know it in the lattei^ end of the world. E coelum Mars solus habet. You say Mars is a destroyer ; mix a little Wormwood, an herb of Mars, with your ink, neither rats nor mice touch the paper written with it, and then Mars is a preserver. Astrologers think Mars causeth scabs and itch, and the Virgins are angry with him, because wanton Venus told them he deforms their skins ; but, quoth Mars, my only desire is, they should know themselves ; my herb. Worm- wood, will restore them to the beauty they formerly hadj and in that i will not come an inch behind my opposite'^ Venus ; for which doth the greatest evil; he that takes THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 341 away an innate beauty, and when he has done, knows how ta restore it again ? Or she that teaches a company of wanton lasses to paint their faces? If Mars be in a Virgin, in the nativity, they say he causeth the cholic, (it is well God hath set somebody to pull down the pride of man.) He in the Virgin troubles none with the cholic, but them that know not themselves (for who knows himself, may easily know all the world.) Wormwood, an herb of Mars, is a present cure for it ; and whether it be most like a christian to love him for his good, or hate him for his evil, judge ye. I had almost forgotten, that charity thinks no evil. 1 was once in the Tower and viewed the wardrobe, and there was a great many fine cloaths : (I can give them no other title, for I was never either linen or woollen. draper) yet as brave as they looked, my opinion was that the moths might consume them ; moths are under the dominion of Mars ; this herb Wormwood being laid among cloaths, will make a moth scorn to meddle with the cloaths, as much as a lion scorns to meddle with a mouse, or an eagle with a fly. Melancholy men can- not endure to be wronged in point of good fame, and that doth sorely trouble old Saturn, because they call him the greatest unfortunate ; in the body of man he rules the spleen ; (and that makes covetous men so splenetic) the poor old man lies crying out of his left side. Father Saturn's angry.. Mars comes to him ; Come, brother, I- confess thou art avil spoken of, and so am I : thou knowest I have my exaltation in thy house, I give him an herb of mine. Wormwood, to cure the poor man : Saturn consented, but spoke little, and Mars cured him by sympathy. When Mars was free from war, (for he loves to be fighting, and is the best friend a soldier hath) I say, when Mars was free from war, he called a council of war in his own brain, to know how he should do poor sinful man good, desiring to forget his abuses in being called an unfortunate. He musters up, hjs own forces, and places thorn in battalia. Oh! ijuoth he, why do I hurt a poor silly man or woman ? His angel answers him. It is because they have otfended theii (jlod. (Look back to Adam!) Well, says Mars, though ihey speak evil of .. .. .. - ■ . , Q 3 , Si2 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAHGED. me, I will do good to them ; Death's cold, ray herb shall heat th«m ; they are full of ill humours (else they would never Jiave spoken ill of me :) my herb shall cleanse them, and dry thera ; they arc poor weak creatures, my herb shall strengthen them ; they are dull-witted, my herb shall fortify their aj)i)rehensious ; and vet among astrolo- gers all this does not deserve a good word : Oh the patience of Mars ! Felix qui pottiit renitn cogtioscere caiisas, hique (Ivmus super'um scandere cuju facit. Oh happy he that can the knc-wledge gain, To know th' eternal God made Bought in rain. To this 1 add, 1 know the reason canseth such a dearth Of knowledge ; 'tis because men love the earth. The other day Mars told me he met with Venus, and ho asked her %vhat was the reason that she accused him of abusing women ? He never gave them the pox. In the dispute they ftll our, and in anger ])arted, and Mars told me that his brother Saturn told him, that an anli- Ycnerean medicine was the best against the pox. Once a month he meets with the Moon. Mars is quick enough of speech, and the Moon not much behind hand, (neither are most women.) The moon looks much after children, and children are much troubled with the worms; she desired a medicine of him, he bid her take his own herb, Wormwood. He had no sooner parted with the mooa but he met with Venus, and she was as drunk as a bitch : alas ! poor Vonus, quoth he, What ? thou a fortune, and be drunk ? I'll give thee an antipathetical cure ; take my herb, Wormwood, and thou shalt never get a surfeit by- drinking. A poor silly countryman hath got an ague, and cannot go about his business : he wishes he had it not, and so do I; but I will tell him a remedy, whereby he shall prevent it: Take the herb of Mars, Wormwood, and if infortunes Avill do good, what will fortunes do ? Some think the lungs are under vTupiter ; and if the lungs, then the breath ; and though sometimes a man gets a stinking breath, and yet Jupiter is a fortune, forsooth ; up comes Mars to him; Come, brother Jupiter, thou kuowest 1 sent thee a couple of trines to thv house last night, the THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 343 one from Aries, and the other from Leo ; give me thy leave by sympathy to cure this poor man with drinking a glass of Wormwood beer every morning. The Moon was weak the other day, and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs, a dnll brain and a weak, sight; Mars laid by his -sword, and comes to her, Sister Moon, said he, this man hath angered thee, but I beseech thee take notice he is but a fool ; prithee be patient, I will with my herb Wormwood cure him of both infirmities by antipathy, for thou knowcst thou and i cannot agree, with that (he MooH began to quarrel ; Mars (not delighting much in •women's tongues) went away, and did it whether she ■would or no. He that reads this and understands what he reads, hath a jewel of more worth than a diair.ond ; he that under- stands it not, is as little fit to give physic. There lies a key in these words which will unlock, {U it be turned by a wise hand) the cabinet of physic. 1 liave delivered it as plain as 1 durst; it is not only upon Wormwood as I ■wrote, but upon all plants, trees, and herbs ; ue that •tin- derstands it not, is unlit (in my opinion) to give physic. This shall live when I am dead ; and thus 1 leave it to the world, not caring a farthing whether they like or dislike it. The grave equah; al! men, and therefore shall equal me with all priaccs ; until which time the eterniil Providence is over me. Then the ill tongue of a prating fellow, or one that hath more tongue than wit, or more proud than honest, shall never trouble me, Wisdom is justified by her children. And so much for Wormwood. Wow I would advise the student to give the greatest attention to the discourse delivered under this herb ; for whomsoever well understands the whole and every part of the same, will undoubtedly prove an excellent Phy- sician. For you will find recorded under this herb, (together with the herb Carduus Benedifitus) the whole key to phjsic; which will most fully teach you how to make a most profitable use of all the herbs in this book. Perhaps some may laugh at Mr. Culpeper's language, in which he hath delivered his sentiments under this herb: It may indeed be rather uncouth, nevertheless it contains Q 4 344 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAUGED. many known solid plain (ruUis. Under the herb Carduus 8encdi61us you arc most fully ii>struflcd in the various Operations of the heavenly bodies, on all plants, herbs and vegetables, in respe(5l to their sympathetic and antipathetical influences and operations on the body of man ; and -whatever necessary intelligence and instruction is there omitted, in order to complete the Physician, is now: heje Jaid open for your inspection; and if you do not receive much profit from the same, remember it is not my fault. The following discourse under tliis herb is delivered after the manner of men, in order to shew you how celestial bodies work, and daily operate upon terrestrial bodies ; which is delivered in similitudes, or even in any ivay and manner, so that the meanest capacity may but perfectly understand the true sense, intent, and meaning of the same, and whatever you find written under this said herb, understand the same, in respeft to all the other herbs in this book, duly considering their natures, temperaments, qualities, virtues, powers andeffeCls, upoa all the various herbs, plaats,&c, and also the diseases, sickness and bodily infirmities which are incident and subje6l to afflidl the body of man, at the various periods of his natural life. I shall not give you much comment on this subjeft in this place, seeing that 1 have most fully done and com- pleatly performed the whole and every part of the same in my most elaborate work entitled. The Holy Temple ©f Wisdom ; unto which said book I must now refer you ; where you will find that physic without astrology is like a lamp without oil, and also that this most excellent science is truly a h'gal and virtuous study, well becoming all religious and good disjjosed men. We may easily believe (he accounts transmitted to us by Josephus and Other Historians concerning its antiquity and divine original. Wo have read that Adam previous to his expulsion from Paradise, was instructed in a foreknow- ledge of futurity by the express command of God, as a Uieans of enlarging his mind and alleviating his distress upon being turned adrift into the wide world. Josephus, aa historian of character and eminence who quotes the THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 345 most ancient authors of respe<5lability for what he asserts, confirms the same thing, and further informs us, that Adam before his death, instru6led his son Seth in this science, who afterwards engraved the rudiments of it upon permanent pillars of stone which endured through manj generations, and were not entirely effaced till some time after the deluge. See Jos, Ant. lib. 1. cap. 4, 8, 12, &c. We have it from the same authority that this art was taught by Enos and Noah, who preserved it to the days of Abraham, and he increased the knowledge o£ it by divine aids, teaching it to the Chaldeans and Egyptians, Joseph is also said to have patronized and taught it in Egypt, and is supposed by Origen, Diodorus Siculus, and other ancient historians, to have been the author of an astrological work called. The Aphorisms of Hermes the Egyptian.* Moses afterwards taught and professed it, independent of the gift of prophecy, which always came by divine inspiration, and consequently was only exercised upon certain extraordinary occasions. From Moses we are told the Prophets and Seers had it, and that it was afterwards particularly taught amongst the tribe of Issachar, who are on that account stiled ia the sacred writings, tnen who had understanding in the times^\ and were expert at resolving alj questions con- cerning futurity, and as this tribe were neither priests nor Levites, nor endued with the spirit of prophecy, it fol. lows that their understanding in the times, and their ability in foretelling future events, arose entirely from an acquired Jtnowledge of the signs and influences of the heavenly bodies. For the same reason the Persian astrologers were called magi, or wise men, who were skilled in the times ; and the Chaldeans termed their young students in astro, logy, men skilled in wisdom, and cunning science to learn the learning of the Chaldeans. + And after the Chaldean piethod of studying this science of astrology, Daniel, Shadrach, Mesech and Abednego, were instructed by their *Ortg. torn, in Gen. Died. Sic. lib. 1. cap.2, f IChron. xii. 32.. i Esther, i. 13. Daa. i, 4. 5 ...... 3i6 THE ENGLISH PHVSICI.VN ENLARGED. lufor JMc'lznr, and hcc3.mo ten times more learned in all "matters i>l ziisdoiu and understamlitiff than all the astro- lowers tn the realm ; in considcrulion of which tliey ucic cU'cfrd nif(iiF)ois of the- public Schools* at Babylon, which were founded for tlio study of this art, and Daniel was made by the King's decree Master over the Chaldean astrologers. + In the days of Samuel it appears to have been a common custom to go to the Seers, or men of iinderstandi?ig in the times, not only to be informed concernino future contingencies, but also to enquire after iost goods. To this cffcft we find Saul and his servant discoursing ^\\wn they were sent out to find the strayed asses of Kish, Saul's father; and nut being able to iind inem, (he servant proposes to go and encjuire of the Seer, "*vnjch Avay the asses were gone, and where they might be found. Saul agrees to this, but asks, H%at have zee to give hi,n? zee have no bread left,, nur have zee any siijjiaent present. The servant replies, / have a fourth part of a shekel of silver, IHl give him that. Saul ansMcrs, rycli saul, Itt us go.j This passage enables us to distinguish between the gift of prophecy for the purposes of establishing God's true religion, and the art of answer- ing all manner of questions and predicting future events. Ihconewas evidently efi'eded by supernatural means, and promulgated to the people without expencc; whilst the other by being calculated for the benefit of respeflivc individuals, was always accompanied with money or presents. In the same way we tiiul David, when in Keiluh, Avhen he heard that Saul was coming to besiege him, was desirous of knowing the truth whether Saul was coming or not, and if he was, fVhether the men of Keilah umild be true to him, or would betraij him ? And being informed they would betray him into (he hands of the enemy, Avho were seeking his life, he fled into the wilderness of »UII '' ■ lllll Ml * In some of these schools Altraham is Jaid to h.ive been taught, and that Bolos the father of Nimrod, affprwaids built the school- house where Daniel was instructed in this science, see Jos. Ant. lib. 1. cap. 8. Biod. Sic. lib. cap. 8. f Dan. 1, 4, 8, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20. li. 48, 49. Jl Sam. ix. 6, 7, 8, 10. THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 347 Ziph, and escaped the danger that was then impending over him.* Much more I could say on this subje(5t, but as my present limits will not admit of it, I must conclude by informing you, that this said sacred science is of divine institution and appointment, and will stand the test in the midst of a world that licth in wickednessf and ignorance, as Jong as the Bible will. For they ara both supported by one divine power and authority, and although devils roar, and witked men mightily resist them, yet they will always stand fast : their foundations cannot be moved, otherwise all these things would have been done long before this time. Some will say, the world is now much wiser than what it formerly was ; I grant it may, in vice, wickedness, temporal things, and in the common arts of this life ; but in respeft to celestial and spiritual subjects the generality of them are only babes Mhen compared with the knowledge and most extensive wisdom of the ancients, and primitive Cliristians ; and it is reasonable enough to suppose, that the spirit et' wisdom will not descend from on high upon atheists, deists, unbelievers and the workers of iniquity : this would be contrary to the laws of the great Creator of the uiiiverse ; and therefore can never come to pass: and remember reader, in all 30ur contemplations on these subjects, that God is a spirit, and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, John iv. 24; and also that the bodies of all such worshippers are the temple of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. iii. IG, 17. vi. 19, 20 ; and also that as when the spirit and soul of man leavetb its body, there then rcmaineth nothing except a dead corpse : So it is in like matiner with the stars and planets which are placed in the tirniameut of heaven, and if you only go so far as to consider them in respect to (he body of each star and planet, leaving out of your calculation all those spiritual beings who reside and dwell in the same, you will nsjver be a'ole to make much progress in these divine subjects, &c. I would advise you to duly examine the conclusion of this book, unto which I now beg leave to refer you. ♦1 Sam. xx\\\. 10, J J, 12, 13. fl John v. 19. 348 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGEI>. Yarrow. ? . (r. I. (f. 2.) Atso called Nose-bleed, Milfoil and Thousand. leaf. - Descript.'] It hath many long leaves spread upon the ground, finely cut, and divided into many small parts ; its tlowers arc white, but not all of a whiteness, and stayed in knots, upon divers green stalks which rise from among the leaves. Place."] It is frequent in all pastures. TimeJ] It flowereth Ia(e, even at the end of August. Government and Virtues.] It is under the influence of Venus. An ointment of them cures wounds, and is most .fit for such as have inflammations ; it being an herb of Dame Venus, it stops the terms in women, being boiled in white wine, and the decodlion drank ; as also the bloody.flux ; the ointment of it is not only good for green wounds, but also for ulcers and fistulas, especially such as abound with moisture. It slays the shedding of hair, the head being bathed with the deco6tion of it ; in- wardly taken it helps the retentive faculty of the stomach ; it helps the running of the reins in men, and the whites in women, and helps such as cannot hold their water j and the leaves chewed in the mouth easeth the tooth-ach ; and these virtues being put together, shew the herb to be drying and binding. Achilles is supposed to be the first that left the virtues of this herb to posterity, having learned of his master Chiron, the Centaur; and certainly a very profitable herb it is in cramps, and therefore called Militaris. . , 349 DIRECTIONS. Waving in divers places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups, Conserves, Oil-:, Ointments, See. of herbs, roots, flowers, &c. whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when they cannot be had otherwise ; I come now to perform what 1 promised, and vou shall find me rather better than worse than my word. That this may be done methodically, 1 shall divide my di- rections into two grand sections, and each section into several chapters, and then you shall see it look with such a countenance as this is. SECT. I. Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples, and their Juices. CUAP.l.Of Leaves o/Herbs, I Chap.'4. 0/^oo/j. &c. 1 Chap. 5. Of Barks. Chap. 2. Of Flowers. I Chap. 6. Of Juices. Chap. 3. Of Seeds. \ SECT. II. Of making and keeping Compounds. CHAP. 1. Of distilled Wa- ters. Chap. 2. Of Syrups. Chap. 3. Of Juleps. Chap. 4. Of Decoctions. Chap. 5. Of Oils, Chap. 6. Of Electuaries. Chap. 7. Of Conserves. Chap. 8. Of Preserves. Chap. 9. Of Lohocks, Chap. 10. Of Ointments. Chap. 11. Of Plaisters., Chap. 12. Of Poultices. Chap. 13. Of Troches. Chap. 14. Of Pills. Chap. la. The tvay of fit- ting Medicines to compound Diseases. Of all these in order. CHAP. I. Of Leaves of Herts or Trees. 1 . OF leaves choose only such as are green, and full of juice j pick them carefully and cast away such as are any way declining, for rhey will putrify the rest. 60 shall one handful be worth ten of those you buy in any of the shops. , 2. Note what places they most delight to grovy in, and gather them there ; for betony that grows in the shade, is far better than that which grows in the sun, because it delights in the shade ; so also such herbs as delight to grow near the water, should be ga- thered near it, though haply you nay find some of them upon dry ground,; the treatise will inform you where every herb de- lights to grow. 2 350 Direfiions for making Sijnips^ Sfc. 3. The leaves of such herbs as run up to seed, arc not so good when lliey are in flower as before, (some few excepted, the leaves of which are seldom or never used) in snch cases, if through neg- ligence forgotten, you had better take the top and the flowers, than tho leaf. 4. Drv them well in the sun, and not in the shade, as the sav- ing of physicians is; for if the sun draw away the virtues of the herb, it must needs do the like by hay, by the same rule, which the experience of every country farmer will explode for a notable piece of nonsense. 5. Such as are artists in astrology, (and indeed none else ar« fit to make physicians) such I advise; let the planet that governs the herb he angular, and the stronger the better ; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let Saturn be in the ascendant ; in the herbs of Man, let Mars be in the mid heaven, for in those houses they de- light ; let the Moon apply to them by good aspect, and let her not be in the housci of her enemies ; if you cannot well stay till she apply to them, let her apply to a planet of the same treplicity ; if you cannot wait that time neither, let her be with a fixed star of their nature. 6. Having well dried them, put them up in brown paper, sew- ing the paper up like a sack, and press them not too hard to- gether, and keep them in a dry place near the fire. 7. As for the duration of dried herbs, a just time cannot be given, let authors prate their pleasure ; for 1st. Such as grow upon dry grounds, will keep better than such as grow on moist. 2dly, Such herbs as are full of juice, will not keep so long as such as are drier. Sdly, Such herbs as are well dried will keep longer than sucli as are slack dried. Yet you may know when they are corrupted, by their loss of colour, or smell, or both ; and if they be corrupted, reason will telt you that they must needs corrupt the bodies of those people that take them. 8. Gather all leas es in the h«ur of that planet that governs Ihem. See the Table of the planetary hours at the end of this Book. CHAP. II. Of Flower t. 1. The flower, which is the beauty of the plant, and of none of the least use in physic, groweth yearly, and is to be gathered when it is in its prime. 2. As for the time of gathering them, let the planetary hour and the plant they come of, be observed, as we shewed you in the foregoing clapter; as for the time of the day, let it be when the sun shines upon them, so that they may be dry; for if you gather either flowers or herbs when they are wet or dewy, they will not keep. Directions for making of Sj/rups, Sfc, 351 S. Dry them well in the snn, and keep them in papers near the fire, as I shewed vou in the foregoing chapter. 4. So long as they retain the colour and smell, they are good; either being gone, so is their virtue also. CHAP. III. Of Seeds. 1. THE seed is that part of the plant which is endowed with a vital faculty to bring forth its like, and it contains potentially the whole plant in it. 5. As for the place, let them be gathered from the place where they delight to grow. 3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered : and forget not the celestial harmony before mentioned ; for I have found by experience that their virtues are twice as great at such limes as at others ; " There is an appointed time for every thing under the " sun." 4. When you have gathered them, dry them a little, and but a little, in the sun, before you lay them up. 5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so near the fire, as the other beforementioned, because they are fuller of spirit, and therefore not so subject to corrupt, 6. As for the time of their duration, it is palpable they will keep a good nianv years ; yet, they are the best the first year, and this I make appear by a good argument. They will grow soonest the first year they be set, therefore tlitn they are in their prime ; aad it is an easy matter to renew them yearly. CHAP. IV. Of Koots. 1. OF roots, choose such as are neither rotten nor worm-eaten, but proper in their taste, colour and smell, such as exceed neither in soilness nor hardness. 1?. Give me leave to be a little critical against the vulgar received ophiion, which is, that the sap falls down into the roots in the Autumn, and rises again in the Spring, as men go to bed at night, and rise in the morning; and this idle talk of untruth is so grounded in tlie heads, not only of the vulgar, but also of the learned, that a man cannot drive it out by reason. I prav, let such sap-mongers answer me this aigument : if the sap falls into the roots in the fall of the leaf, and lies there ail the winter, then must the root grow only in the winter. But the root grows not at all in the winter, as experience leacheth, but only in the sum- mer ; therefore if you set an apple kernel in the spring, you shall find the root grow to a prettv bigne»s in the summer, and be not a whit bigger next spring. What doth the sap do in the root all this while ? Pick straws ? 'Tis as rotten as a rotten post. The truth is, when the sun decline from the tropic of Cancer, the sap begins to congeal both in root and branch j when he 352 Directions for making of Syrups, Sfci he touclics tlie tropic of Capric rn, and ascends to us-ward, it be- gins to wax ihin again, and by degrees it is congealed. But to proceed, 3 The drier time you gather the roots in, the better they are» for they have less excrementitious moisture in them. 4. Such roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the sun, or else hang them in the chimney corner upon a string ; as for such ^s are hard, you may dry them any where. 5. buch roots as are great, will keep longer than such as are small ; yet moit of them will keep all the year. 6. Such roots as are soft, it is your best wav to keep them always near the fire, and take this general rule for it. If in winter time you find any of your herbs, roots or flowers begin to be moist, as n>any limes you shall, (for il is your best way to look to them once a month) dry them by a very gentle fire, or if you can with con- veniency keep them near the fire, you may save yourself the la- bour. . 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may commonly be had, as Parsley, Fennel, Plantain, &c. but gather ihem only for present need. CHAP. V. Of Barks. 1. BARKS, which physicians use in medicine, are of these sorts : of fruits, of roots, of boughs. 2. The barks of fruits i.re to be taken when the fruit is full lijpe, as Oranges, Lemons, &c. but because I have nothing to do with exotics here, 1 pass them without any more words. 3. The barks of trees are best gathered in the Spring, if of oaks, or such great trees; because then they come easier off, and so you pjay dry them if you please ; but indeed the best way is to gather all barks only for present use. 4. As for the bark of roots, 'tis thus to be gotten: lake the roots of such herbs as have a pith in them, as pa sley, fennel, &c. slit them in the middle, and when you have taken out the pith (which you may easily do) that which remains n called (tho' im- properly so) the bark, and indeed is only to be used. CHAP- VI. Of Juices. 1. JUICES are to be pressed out of herbs when tlieyare young and tender, out of some stalks, and tender tops of herbs and .plants, and also out ot some flowers. 2. Having slathered the herb, you would preserve the juice of it, when it is viry dry (for otherwise the juice will not be worth a button) bruise it weil in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, then having put it into a canvas bag, press it hard in a press, then take the juice and clarify it. 3. The manner of clarifying il is this : Put it into a pipkin or skillet, 01 some such thing, and set it over the hre > and when Di're&zons for making of Syrups, SjC. SoS the scum ariseth take it off ; let it stand over the fire till no more scum. arise; when you have your juice clarified, cast away the scum as a thing of no use. 4. When you have thus clarified it, you have two ways to pre- serve it all the year. (1.) When 'it is cold, put it into a glass, and put so much oil on it as will cover it to the thickness of two fingers ; the oil will swim at the top, and so keep the air from coming to putrify it : When you intend to use it, pour it into a porringer, and if any oil come out with it, you may easily scum it off with a spoon, and put the iuice you use not, into the glass again, it will quickly sink under the oil. This is the first way. _ (2.) The second way is a little more difficult, and the juice of fruits is usually preserved this way. When you have clarified it, boil it over the fire, till (being cold) it be of the thickness of ho- ney : this is most commonly used for diseases of the mouth, and is called Roba and Saba. And thus much for the first section, . the second follows. SECT. II. Tlie way of making and keeping all necessary Compounds. CHAP. I. Of Distilled IVaters^. HITHERTO we have spoke of medicines which consist in their own nature, which authors vulgarly call Simples, though something improperly ; for in truth, nothing is simple but pure elements i all things else are compounded of them. We come now to treat of artificial medicines, in the form of which (because we must begin somewhere) we shall place distilled waters j ia which consider, 1. Waters are distilled of herbs, flowers, fruits, and roots. 2. We treat not of strong waters, but of cold, as being to act Galen's part, and not Paracelsus's. . 3. The herbs ought to be distilled when they are in the greatest vigour, and so ought the flowers also. 4. The vulgar way of distinctions which people use, because they know no betti r, is in a pewter still ; and although distilled waters are the weakest of artificial medicines, and good for little, but mixtures of other medicines, vet t ev are weaker by many de- grees, than they vvould be werethey distilled in sand. If I thoughfc It not impossible to leach you the way of distilling in sand, I- would attempt it. 5. When you have distilled your water, put it into a glass, co- vered over with a paper, pricked full of hojes, so that the excre- mentitious and fiery vapours may exhale, which cause that settling in distilled waters, called the Mother, which coErupt them, tbea cover it close, and keep it for your use. tt)4 Direftions for making of St/rupx, Sfc. 6 Sioppiuz (lijtillcd wafers with a cork, makes them miistri and so does paper, ii it but touch tlie vvaterj it is best to stop them with a blailder, being fir t put in water, and bouud over the top of the glass. Sucli cold waters as are distill, d in a pewter still (if well kept) will endure a year ; such as are distilled in sand, as they are twice as strong, so they endure twice as long. CHAP. II. Of Syrups. 1. A SYRUP is a medicine of a liquid form, composed of in» fusion, decoction and uice. .\nd, 1. For the more frrateful taste. 2. Fcr the better keeping of it ; with a certain quantity of honey or sugar, hereafter ii:entioned, boiled to the thickness of new ho- ney. 2. You see at the first view, That this aphorism divides itself into three branches, which deserve severally to be treated of, viz : — 1. Svrupsmade by in^'usion. 2. Svrnp? made by decoction. S. Syriips made by juice. Of eachof these, (for your own instruction sake, kind country- men and w :mcn I I speak a word or two apart. Ists, Syrups made by infusion, are usually made of flowers, and of such flowers as soon loose their colo.r and sirtngth by boiling, as rose*, violets, peach-flowers, &:c. They are thus made : Having picked your flowers clean, to every pound of them add three pounds, or three pints, which you will (for itis all one) of spring Woter, made boiling hot; fir.t put your flowers into a pewter pot, with a cover, and pour the water on them ; theii shutting the pot, let it stand by the fire, to keep hot twelve hours, and strain it out ; (in such syrups as purge, as daiiiask rose, peach-flowers, &c. the usual, and indeed the best way, is to re- peal this infusion, adding fresh flowers to the same liquor, diverj times, so that it may be the ■stronger) having strained it out, put the infusion into a pewter bason, or an earthen one well glazed, and to every pintol it add two pounds of sugar, which being on'y melted over the fire, without boiling, and scummed, will produce you the syrup you desire. 2dlv, Syrups made by decoction are usually made of com- pounds, yet may any simple herb be thus converted into syrup : Take the herb, root, or flowers, you would make into a syrup, and bruise a little; then boil it in a convenient quantity of spring water; the more water you boil it in, the weaker it will be : a handful of the herb or root is a convenient quantity for a pint of water ; boil it till half the water be consumed, then let it stand Direction for making of Syrups, S{c. 355 till it be almost cold, and strain it through a woollen cloth, let- ting it run out ut leisure, without pressing : To every pint ot this decoction add one pound of sugar, and boil it over the fire till it come to a svrnp, which vou may know, if you now and theii cool a little of it with a spoon : scum it all the while it boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled, whilst it is hot, stra n it agam through a woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you have the syrup per- fected. Ill, 3diy, Syrupi made of iuice, are usually made of such herbs as are full of juice, and indeed thev are better made into a syrup this way than any other ; the operation is thus: Having beaten the herb in a stone mortar, with a wooden jjestle, press out the juice and clarify it, as you are taught before in the juices ; then let the juice boiraway till about a quarter of it be consumed : to a pint of this add a pound of sugar, and boil it to a syrup, always scamming it, and when it is boiled enough, strain it through a woollen cloth, as we taught you before, and keep it lor your use. 3. If you make a syrup of roots that are any thing hard, as Parsley, Fennel, and Grass-roots, &c. when you have bruised them,' lay thoin in steep some time in that water which you in- tend to boil them in, hot, so will the virtue the better come out. 4. Keep your syrups either in glasses or stone pots, and stop them not with cork or bladder, unless you would have the glass break, and the syrup lost, only bind paper about the mouth. 5. All syrups, if well made, continue a year with some advan- tage ; yet such as are made by infusion, keep shortest, CHAP. III. Of Juleps. JULEPS were first invented, as I suppose, in Arabia; and my reason is, because the word .Tulep is an Arabic word. 1. It signifies only a pleasant potion, as is vulgarly used by such as are sick, and want help, or such as are in health, and want no money to quench thirst. 3 Now-a-day it is commonly used, 1. To prepare the body for purgation. 2. To open obstructions and the pores. 3. To digest tough humours. 4. To qualify hot distempers, &:c. 4. Simple Juleps, (for I have nothing to say to compounds here) are thus made : Take a pint of such distilled water, as con- duces to the cure of your distemper, which this treatise wilt plentifully furnish you with, to which add two ounces of syrup, conducing to the same effect ; I shall give you rules for it in the next chapter) mix them together, and drink a draught of it at 35ft Directions for making of Syrups^ Sfc, your pleasure. If you love tart things, add ten drops of oil of vitriol to your pint, and shake it together, and it will have a fine grateful taste. 5. All Juleps are made for present use, and therefore it is in vain to speak of their duration. CHAP. IV. Of Decoctions. 1. ALL the difference between decoctions, and syrup made by by decoction, is this : Syiups are made to keep, decoction only for present use; for you can hardly keep a decoction a week at any time ; if the weather be hot, not half so long. 2. Decoctions are made of leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, fruits or barks, conducing to the cure of the disease you make them for ; are made in the same manner as we shewed you in sy- rup. 3. Decoctions made with wine last longer than such as are made with water; and if you take your decoction to cleanse the passage of the urine, or open obstructions, your best way is to make it with white wine instead of water, because this is pene- trating. 4. Decoctions sre of most use in such diseases as lie in the passages of the body, as the stomach, bowels, kidnies, passages of urine and bladder, because decoctions pass quicker to those places than any other form of Medicines. 5. If you will sweeten your- decoction with sugar, or any sv- tup fit for the occasion yott take it for,' which is better, you may, and no harm. 6. If ill a decoction, you boil both root?, herbs, flowers, and seed together, let the roots boil a good while first, because they retain their virtue longest ; then the next in order by the same rule, viz. 1. The Barks. 2. The herbs. S. The seeds. 4. The flowers. 5. The spices, if you put any in, because their virtues come soonest out. 7. Such things as by boiling cause sllminess to a decoction, as figs, quince-seed, linseed, &.'e. your be the longer they will last ere they be sour. ' . Lastly, The usual dose to be given at one time, is usually 2, 3, 4, or 5 ounces, according to the age and strength of the pa- tient, the season of the year, the strength of the medicine, and the quality of the disease. CHAP. V. Of Oils. OIL Olive, which is commonly known by the name of Sallad Dirediions for making of Syrups, Sfc. 337 Oil, I suppose, because it is usually eaten with sallads by them that love it; if it be pressed out of ripe olives, according to Ga- len, is temperate, and exceeds in no one quality. 2. Of oils, some are simple, and some are compound. 3. Simple oils are such as are made of fruits or seeds by ex- pression, as oil of sweet and bitter almonds, linseed and rape- seed oil, of which see in my Dispensatory. 4. Compound oils, are made of oil of olives, and other sim- ples, imagine herbs, flowers, roots, i&c. 5. The way of making them is this : having bruised the herbs or flowers you would make your oil of, put them into an earthen pot, and to two or three handfuls of them pour a pint of oil, cover the pot with a paper, set it in the sun about a fortnight ot so, according as the sun is in hotness ; then having warmed it very well by the fire, press out the herb, &c. very hard in a press, knd add as matiy more herbs to the same oil ; bruise the herbs (1 mean not the oil^ in like manner, set them in the sun as before ; the oftener you repeat this, the stronger your oil will be : at last when you conceive it strong enough, boil both oil and herbs to- gether, till the juice will be consumed, which you may know by its leaving its bubbling, and the herbs will be crisp ; then strain it while it is hot, and keep it in a stone or glass vessel for your use. 6. As for chymical oils see the latter end of this book. 7. The general use of these oils is for pains in the limbs, roughness of the skin, the itch, &c. as also for ointments and plasters. 8. If you have occasion to use it for wounds or ulcers, in two ounces of oil, dissolve half an ounce of turpentine, the heat of the fire will quickly do it ; for oil itself is offensive to wounds, and the turpentine quaUfies it. CHAP. VI. Of Electuaries. PHYSICIANS make more a quoil than needs by half, about electuaries. I shall prescribe but one general way of making them up ; as for ingredients, you may vary them as you please, and asyou find occasion, by the last chapter. 1 . That you may make electuaries when you need them, it is requisite that you keep always herbs, roots, flowers, seeds, &c. ready dried in your house, that so you may be in a readiness to beat them into a powder when you need them, 2. It is better to keep them whole than beaten ; for being beaten, they are more subject to lose their strength ; because the air soon penetrates them. 3. If they be not dry enough to beat into powder when you need them, dry them by a gentle fire till they are so. 358 Directions for making of Syrups, (ffc, 4. Having l)caten them, silt them through a fine tiffany siercc, that no gruat pieces may be found in your electuary. 5. To one ounoe of your powder add three ounces of clarified honey ; this quantity I hold to be sufficient. If you would make more or less electuary, vary your proportion accordingly. 6. Mix them well together in a mortar, and take this lor a truth, you cannot mix them too much. 7. The way to clarify honey, is to set it over the fire in a coh- venient vessel, till tiie scum rise, and when the scum is taken off, it is clarified. 8. The usual dose of cordial electuaries, is from half a dram totwodram^; of purging elefluaries, from half an ounce to an ounce. g. The manner of keeping them is in a pot. 10. The time of taking them, is either in a morning fasting, and fasting an hour after them ; or at niglit going to bed, three or four hours after supper. CHAP. VI [. OfComenes. THE way of making conserves is twofold, one of herbs and flowers, and the other of fruits. J. Conserves of herbs aad flowers, are thus made ; ifyou make vour conserve of herbs, as of scurvy-grass, wormwood, rue, and the like, take onlv the leaves and tender tops (for you may beat your heart out, before vou can beat the stalks small) and having beaten them, weigh them, and to every pound of them add 3 pounds of sugar, you cannot beat them too much. .'5. Conserves of fruits, as of barberries, sloes and the like, are thus made ; fiisi, scald the fruit, then rub the pulp through a thick hair sieve made for that purpose, called a pulping sieve j you may do it for a need with tbe back of a spoon ; then tak^ this pulp thus drawn, and add to it its weight of sugar, and no^ more; put it into a pewter vessel, and over a charcoal fire; stir it up and down till the sugar be melted, and your conserve it made. 4. Thus vou have the way of making conserves; the way of keeping them is in earthen pots. 5. The dose is usually the quantity of a nutmeg 5t a time, morning and evening, or (unless they are purging,) when you please. 6. Of conserves, some keep many years, as conserves of robCs ; others but a year, as conserve of borage, bugloss, cowslips, and the like. 7. Have a care of the working of some conserves presently after ihev are made ; look to tliem once a Jay, and stir them about; conserves of borage, bugloss, and wormwood, have got an excellcut faculty at that sport. 3 Directions for making of Si/rups^ Sfc. 359 8. You may know when your conserves are almost spoiled by this; you shall fiud a hard crust at top with little holes in it, as though worms had been eating there. CHAP. VIII. Of Preserves. OF Preserves are sundy sorts, and the operations of all being somewhat different, we shall handle them all apart. These are preserved with sugar : 1- Flowers. I 3. Roots. 3. Fruits. I 4. Barks. 1 . Flowers are very seldom preserved ; I never saw any that I remember, save only cowslip flowers, and that was a great fashion in Sussex when I was a boy. It is thus done : Take a flat glass, we call them jat-glasses ; stiew in a laying of fine sugar, on that a laying of fine flowt-re, on that another laying of sugar, on that another laying of flowers, so do till your glass be full j then tie it over with paper, and in a little time you shall have very excellent and plea -ant conserves. There is another way of preserving flowers: namely, with vi- negar and salt, as they pickle capers and broom buds- but as I have little skill in it myself, I cannot teach you, 2. Fruits, as quinces, and the like, are preserved two ways : (1.) Boil them well in water, and then pulp ihem through a sieve, as we shewed vou before ; then with the like quantity of sugar, boil the water thev were boiled in into a syrup, viz. a pound of sugar to a pint of liquor ; to every pound of this syrup, add four ounces of the pulp; then boil it with a very gentle fire to their riglit consistence, which you may easily know, if you drop a d;op of it upon a trencher j if it be enough, it will not stick to your fingers when it is cold. (2.) Another way to preserve fruits is this : First, Pare ofF the rind ; then cut them in halves, and take out the core ; then boil them in water till they are soft ; if you know when beef is boiled enough, you may easily know when they are, then bjil the wa- ter with its like weight of sugar into a syrup ; put the svrup into a pot, and put the boiled fruit as whole as you left it vvhen you cut it into it, and let it remain till you have occasion to use it. 3. Roots are thus preserved : First, scrape them very clean, and cleanse them from the pith, if thev* have any, for some roots have not, as Hringo and the like ; boil them in water till they be soft, as we shewed you before in the fruits : then boil the water you boiled the root in to a syrup, as we shewed you before 3 then keep the root whole in the syrup till you use them. 4. As for barks, we have but few come to our hands to be done, and of those the few that I can remembtr, are oraDges, le- mons, citrons, and the outer barks of wallnuts, whicli grow without side thVrabians made up theirs with oil and fat, which ncedv elh not so long boiling. 3. The Greeks em))laisters consisted of these ingredients, me- tal'^, stones, divers sorts of earth, faeces, juices, liquors, seeds, roots, herbs, excrements of creatures, wax, rosin, gums. <• CHAP. Xn. Of Poultices. POULTICES are those kind of things which the Latins call Cafaplasmata, and our learned fellows, that if they can read English, that's all, call them Cataplasms, because 'tis a crabbed word few understand ; its indeed a very fine kind o/ medicine to ripen sores. 2. They are made of herbs and roots, fitted for the disease and members afflicted, being chopped small, and boiled in water al- xnost to a jelly ; thea adding a little barley-meaj, or meal of lu. R 362 Directions for making of Sj/rups, i^c. Eins, and a little oil, or rough sweet suet, which I hold to be- etter, spread upon a cloth and apply to the grieved jjlacf. S. Their use is to case pain, to break sores, to cool infiammations to dissolve hardness, to ease the spleen, to concoct humours, and dissipate swellings. 4. I beseech you take this caution along with you : Use no poultices (if you can help it) that are of an healing nature, before you have first cleansed the body, because they are subject to draw the humours to them from every part of the body. • CHAP. XIII. Of Troches. 1. THE Latins call them Placentula, or little cakes, and the Greeks Prochikoh, Kuklislioi, and Arliscoi ; they are usually little round Bat cakes, or you may make them square if you will. 2. Their first invention was, that powders being so kept, might resist the intermission of air, and so endure pure the longer. 3. Besides, tliey are easier carried in the pockets of such as travel ; as many a man (for example) is forced to tratel whose stomach is too cool, or at least not so hot as it should be, which is most proper, for the stomach is never cold till a man be dead ; in such a case, it is better to carry trociics of wormwood, or ga- langal, in a paper in his pocket, than to take a gallipot along with him. 4. They are made thus : At night when you go to bed, take two drams of fine gum tragacuuih ; put il into a g. llipot, and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled water fitting for the purpose you would make your troches for, to cover it, and the next morning you shall find it in such a jelly as the physicians call mucilage: With this you may (with a little pains taking) make a powder into a paste, and that paste into a cake called troches. 6. Having made them, dry them in the shade, and keep them in a pot for your u-^e. CHAP. XIV. Of Pill. 1. THEY are called Pilulte, because they resemble little balls; the Giceks call them Catopoliu. 2 It is the opiiiion of modern physicians, that this way of making medicines, was invented only to deceive the palate, that so, by swallowing them down whole, the bitterness of them might not be perceived, or at least might not be insuflfera- ble ; and indeed most of their pills, though not all, are very- bitter. 3. I am of a clear contrary opinion to this. I rather think they were done up iu this hard form, that so they might be tlie Directions for making of Syrups, Sfc. 36 j ioT.!«'''^r^'"° ^"^ "'y °P'"'°" '' grounded upon reason too. ^on„^r".KT^'.°'"^^^''^>'- ^^''^ ^''' invention of pills wai to J urge the head ; now. as I told you before, such infirmitie. c M f ^u" Passages, were best removed by decoctu.ns, be- «-aUbe they pass to the grieved part soonest ; so here, if the infir- mity lies in the head, or any other remote part, the besi way is to use pills, because they are longer in di<^estion and^therefore better able to cau\he offending huuTow To hv\Jl ^f ""'"l '^'^ you here a long tale of medicines working Dy sympathy and antipathy, you would not understand a word tlllL lu I'^ ''^y''- "^^'ke physicians, may find it in the treatise. All modern pliysicians know not what belongs to flats and sharps m musick, but follow the vulgar road, and call it a and in^d^H ''' t''"'' ;' '' ^■'^'^^^ '■^°"' ^''^ ^ves of dunces, and mdeed none but astrologers can give a reasen f6r it ; and phv- sick without reason, is like a puddi.fg without fat. ^^ 5. 1 he way to make pilis is very .^asv, for with the help of a En'/ • /"''•'r' '■?' ' ''"'-^ diligence, you may make any CHAP. XV. The wmj of mlvhig Medicines, according to [he Cause of the Dnease, and Part of the Body afflicted. *\J^^^ rr"^ '"''^^'* ^''^ ^^y "f *^ "'«'-k» I shall be somewhat the more dihgent in it. I shall deliver myself thxis • 1. lo the vulgar. loglcaHv. '"''^ ^' '''''^^' '^'''■°'°S'' ^ «'■ ^"^h as study physick astro- ^..lT'J^'' '^! 'l'''^'"'', •^"''' ,'''^''' ^ «■" ««^^y " hath been your hard mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyptian cL^rk- ness, even darkness which to your sorrow may be feft : The vul- gar road of physick is not my practice, and l' am therefore the moreunfittog|ve youadnce. I have now published a book called " The Ho v Temple of Wisdom." wl!ich will fully in- sructyou, not only ,n the knowledge of your own bodies, but also in fit medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted • m the mean season take these k^w rules to stay your sto- machs. ■' -^ 1. With the disease, regard the canse, and the part of the body afflicted; for example suppose a woman be subject to miscarry ' through wind ; thus do : J ' =^<'"y^ (1.) Look abortion in the table of diseases, and you shall be directed by that, how many herbs prevent miscarriage f %L h^ V ''''"'' '," '^'i''"' ^'^''' ""'^ y'^'^ shall s^'how manv of these herbs expel wind. ' These are the herbs medicinal for your^nef r2 " * 564 Virediomfor makiftg of Syrupi, S,'c, 2. In all diseases strengthen the part of the body affllctecl. 3. In mixed diseases there lies some difficulty, for sometimes two parts of the bodv re ofHicted with contrary humours, as sometimes the liver is afHicted with choler and water, as when a man hath had ihe dropy and yellow jaundice ; and ihisis usually mortal. In the former, sui'pose the brain to be too cold and moist, and the liver to be hot and dry ; thus do : 1. Keep your head outwardly warm. 2. Accustom yourself to the snuil of hot herbs. 3. Take a pill that heats the head at night going to bed. 4. In the morning take a decoction thai cools tlie liver, for thai quickly passcth the stomach, and is at the liver immediately. You must not think, courteous people, that I can spend time to give you examples of all di eases : These are enough to let you see so much light as you without art are able to receive : if 1 should set vou to look at the sun, 1 should dazzle your eyes/ and make )ou blind. 2dly, To such as study astrology, (who are the only men I know that are fit to study physick, phv-iick without astrology being like a lamp without oil) you are the men I exceedingly res- pect, and s ch docnmci.ts as my brain can give you at present, I shall give you an example with my astrological judgment thereon fit the end of this book. 1 . Fortify the body with herbs of the nature of the Lord of the Ascendant, 'tis no matter whether he be a Fortune or Infor- tune in the case, 2. Let your medicine be something antipathetical to the Lord of the Sixtli, 3. Let vour medicine be something of the nature of his sign ascending. 4. If the Lord of the Tenth be strong, make use of his me- dicines. 5. If this cannot well be, make use of the medicines of the Light of Time. li. Be sure always to fortify the grieved part of the body by sympathelical remedies. 7. Regard the Heart, keep that upon the wheels, because the Sun is the foundation of life, and therefore those universal reme- dies, Aunim Vo Labile, and the Philosopher's Stoue, cureall^lio- .eases by fortifying the heart. A CURIOUS FIGURE OF THE HEAVEN?. JLf you look into page 364 of this book, you will find that I did therein promise to treat you with an example. ^ow, as I do not like to be any worse than my word, I shall now herein give you the following curious relation, by informing you, that on Sriturday, March 28th, 1807, a messenger arrived at my house w ith a bottle of urine from a lady who was sick; but he said that he had strict orders neither to tell me her name or place of abode. The Messenger kept his promise, for 1 could not get any thing out of him. 1 therefore made all my ne- cessary inquiries respecting this matter, from the tollow- ing Figure of the Heavens ; and you may do the same if you please. .^ ft ^^. // 4>- Wliat part of tie Body is Afflicted.'' W'iiat is tlie cause of ih.e Diseas e ? Is tKe Disease in theMhidorBocf/y? Will tills Lady die or recover? Wliat is the pio^per treatment > And Medicine to "be gi-ven? "Will She be rTiIed or other'wise? o 4 V ,e)* )k \, V, a^ 7\ A T/p But as they will not tell me this lady's name nor place of abode, I must first ask tiie follow iig question, viz. I now wish to know by Question ist. whether the lady be sick or no, of whom this question is pro- pounded? 1i3 I 366 A most Shocking Disease, ^* Answer. As wc find 5? the ladies significatorloratcd in fIfC 12th house, in (S with 5 La in the fifh l-.ouse, which is the house of sickness : all tlit-se are quite suflicient testimoriics to convince me that, this lady is very ill, and likewise in rather a desperate situation at (his iime. Question 2d. Is the disease in the mind, or hody, or both ? Ansvcer. The }) being afilicted by a D of ^J, which send alsothesame malignant aspc(5t to the ascendant, and parti- cularly as ^ is also the dispositcr of the O-. piovesthat the body is exceedingly afflidlcd. And again, as ^ lord of the ascendant, is afflicted in the 12th house, and (J, w^ho is the dispositer of the 0, is likewise afilicted in the 5fh house by relrogradation, ci.nvinced me that this un- fortunate lady was most drcadlully afflicted both in body jind mind. Question., 3d. What part of the body is affli^ed ? Jnszcer. If vve duly examine the figures, we shall find Mercury, the Lord of the ascendant, in conjunftion m ith ? , lady of the house of sickness, together with the ]) in opposition to fthe ascendant, which together with the planets 9 and $ being posited in the sign Aries, and located in the I'ith house, most fully convinced me that this lady was quite delirious and insane — in a state of madness, melancholy and woeful despair. She charges her tender and aftectionate husband, together with her children, to quit her presence, supposing them to be infernal beings, by calling them all devils. Her head and brain was so exceedingly aifli<5led, that the family could think of nothing else but the sending of this unfortunate lady to a private mad-house without any further delay. To see this lady just before living in splendor, ease and comfort, now in a state of compleat madness and insanity ; to see her eyes rolling in her head, to hear her uttering th e most woeful desperate rambling, insensible lamentations , and destru<5ti«e calamities, that her deranged ideas could possibly conceive and utter ; 1 say this was a sight most dreadful in the extreme for her unhappy husband an d children to behold. Let us now eu(iuire into the caus 9 of this most desperate disease. A most dreadful Disease* 367 Question 4th. What Is the cause of the disease ? Answer. By the unfortuuate position of T^ , retrograde in the 6th house, we are informed that there was a great obstrudliou in the whole nervous system, and also that her whole mass of biood was corrupted and rendered impure, by an obnoxious, strong, gross, plilegraatic humour, which spread itself over the whole body, but was principally seated in the stomach, and from tlience sent up an obnoxious disease or vapour into the head, aftlifting the brain, exceedingly ; while the unfortunate position of $ and 5 in the 12th house, was loading and depressing her spirits and whole mind, with all the most grievous ideas and scenes of the most woeful tenets of deep melan- choly and black, despair imaginable. This appears to be, one cause of her most desperate disease ; but if we duly examine this figure again, we shall find another cause of this lady's most grievous affliftion ; here is (J afHidlint:^ the ascendant by a D with a retrograde motion, and •whoever has read my Holy Temple of Wisdom with at- tention, (a book now extant in the world) must know, that here the children are most grievously afflicting their mother, and the D being lady of the 3d house in ^ to the ascendant, shews that this aftlidlion came by and through the means of one of her said children taking a short inland journey. We also find 1/, lord of the 7th house and dispositer of the ]) , located in the 10th house, and there afflicl;ed by a D of Tj 5° in the 6th house, which inform us, that one of her said children was taken on this said journey by a man (by being in the 10th informs us, that he was a person in some office) and he there receiving tlie D of T2 shews that he was the principal cause of her disease. These premises being duly considered, they produced the following fafts : Sometime about last Christmas, the husband of this unfortunate lady, having previously invited a gentleman to take a few days shooting with him at his house, which he readily accepted, and whom the farmer entertained fur some days, with the best his house could afford : This gentleman, on his departure ffom thence, (he being a married man and having a family likewise) obtained leave of the honest laraier and b4 SC8 Amost remarhuhle Cure, his •wife, to permit their eldest daiis^htcr, (a girl about sixteen) (o s>o home with Jiini, to spend a few da} s, by ■way of itturn for their kiiul hospi!a!i(y towards hin>, addinj? ll-at he would bring her home safe in a few dajSt This noble generous hearted friend broiij^ht the daughter back again, alter she had spent a few weeks with him ; but he had taken the liberty to ruin and seduce her by his artifice, and then brought her home with all the assurance and composure of a Villain, at which time he being again so kindly entertaintd by the farmer, but drinking too much of his strong liquor, which together with the stings of an ungrateful heart and conscience, he, in the course of thr? 21 o 21 5 21 0 22 D 22 c? 22 ? 22 1/ 22 ? 22 ^ 22 ? ys T? 23 0 23 D 23 (? 23 ? 23 ! ^ iU ? 24 V 24 ? 24 ^2. 24 0 24 D 24 c? 24 Explanation of these aforesaid Talks. 375 Mr. Culpeper in his Herbal told you to make use of the Planetary hour, but he never told you how, nor where to find it. I have now given you these useful tables ac- cording unto my promise in page 350 in this book, but I must now fell you how to use them, otherwise you will still remain in the dark. Therefore let it be observed that Astrological hours are always regulated by the motion of the Sun, both in Summer and Winter, and the space of time which is contained from Sun-rise to Sun-set is divided into twelve equal parts, whereef the one half contains the hours before Noon, the other the hours after noon. So also the space of time from sun-set to sun-rise is divided into twelve parts ; these hours are unequal, consisting of more or less than sixty minutes, as the Sun recedes from T to £!: as will be seen by example by the foregoing table. The seven Planets are attributed by the learned ancient wise men to preside over the seven days of the Week, and each of them rules over the first hour of each day, as may be seen by the Table. The first planetary hour of Sunday is the Sun, the second is Venus, and so on. The first planetary hour of Monday is the Moon, the second is Saturn ; and the same is to be observed of the other days. The use of these tables will appear by bare inspeftion, as they require no sort of calculation ; but a person of the meanest capacity will be able to understand them. The reason of their being placed in this manner, in the form of tables, is, because no Herbals which speak of the force and power of planetary influx, and the necessity of gathering herbs for medical use under the planet which principally governs them, have laid dowa any rule whereby any herbalist may know when these said planetary hours are, and consequently could not know the proper and fit time to gather them. This deficiency has not only^ occasioned much uneasiness in the minds of mariy medical gentlemen, but has also much prevented the progress of cures, and many diseases have been deemed incurable from not making use of the precision which is absolutely necessary for the perfedlioa of the same. These tables are so calculated, as by bare inspection to point out those beautiful times, ivhen a S76 Explanation of the aforesaid Tablesi mau ^vlio is endowed with a cominon unflerslanding may hit iijjoii the hour not only in galhi-ring herbs, roots, &c. but to adniinisfiT them in a time coi responding thereiinio, and thereby lorce from the jjutient the otlending mutter that robs hini of the most valuable blessing of health. Example I. To find the planetary hour on Saturday, August the 1st, 1807, at lialf past ten o'clock in the morning, I examine in the Ei)hemeris or Almanack what degree the Sun is in, and I find on that day at noon he is in eight degrees of Leo ; wifli this degree I enter the table No. J. and seek eight degrees of JjCO ; in the first column I cannot find it, but by running over the columns, 1 can find 9 degrees of Q^ in the 15th column in the same page, whicii is the nearest I can come to it by tliis table, and near enoui^h too; which 1 also hnd to be equal with 21 degrees of n which yon may find in the first column of this table; and by thus running even in the columns, in the seventh cohium J find 10 h. 37 m. which shews me if 1 look on the top of the table that the fifth planetary hour would finish at thirty seven rainutee past ten o'clock that morning. Now I refer to the former column, and find that the fifth planetary hour began at thirty-nine minutes past nine o'clock ; therefore as the time I enter was 10 h. 30 m. in the morning, and it being between 9 h. 39m. and 10 h. 37 m. it proved it to be the fifth planetary hour. To know what planet ruled this hour 1 enter the table No. III. and counting down the planets in the last column, under the word Saturday, find the 5th planetary hour on that day to be ? • '^^^ had been on a Sunday tlie fifth planetary hour would have been Saturn, and so on ; I>y which rule may be found the planetary hour for any day of the week. Example II. We will suppose that I want to find the hour of Venus on Wednesday, January 2 1st 1807, I look into my Ephemeiisor Almaaack, and find the Sun at noon on that day is in degrees 0 36 fltf orr.::. 1 enf,er the table marked No. 111. and in the column of the planetary houi;s under V/ednesday, I find the seventh hour is under Venus. Now as the Sun is in 0 deg. 36 m. 51 sec. i^i; (the minutes being more than 30, I shall call it the 1st deg» oi '^.) I cuter the tabic No. II. ia the right haad ■f The Conclusion of this Book. 377 column uitli 0^, (which is as near as I can in this table sonic) and in tht seventh column on the left hand, I find the planetary hour of Venus began at noon and ended at 1 h. 41 m. P.M. on that said day. Such was the mode of praiitice when nature only was consulted, and the intention really to make a cure, •without a view to gain. Then disease Avas but little known, and people lived to a good old age. Suppose your iliedicine ready made up, and just agoing to take it, consider Avhat disease you take it for, whether there be any virtue in your said medicine; and if so who it was that gave it the same; and when you arc fully convinced that your said medicine will avail nothing except the blessing of God be joined to the same, you will not forget to duly ask, that you may duly receive it, always before and alter taking the same; and whatever benefit and advantage you may at any time receive through my labours, always remember to give the praise to God alone, who hath most fully enabled me to writ© these books and to do all these things for your benefit and welfare. Therefore see that you always acknow- ledge the most bountiful Providence of God in all these things at all times, unto whom be all praise, honour, glory, dominion and power, for ever and ever, Amen. I have certainly seen some Herbals, where the author has denied all the various planetary influence and eife(5ts of the Stars, either upon the body of man or herbs, &:c. but this error has been committed wholly through ignorance; as in our present day, even some of our ancient and modern astronomers suppose that the planets, by reason of their vast distance from us, can have no influence or eftect on any subject, matter, or thing here below. Thus they labour under a most woeful mistake, seeing that it is not the body of the star or planet that doth produce the least eflcd; on any thing whatsoever, but it is the spiritual part of the same that doth daily perform, operate, and most fully execute, every thing iliat is done and promised by them ; Avhich said subject, matter and thing I have most fully shewn, proved, explained and laid open for the comprehension of the meanest capacity in my elaborate Work, entitled, Tha 378 The Conclusion of this Book. Holy Temple of Wisdom. I speak from my own common daily expeiii-nce, and if any person desire (o know how 1 discerned these mysteries, 1 answer, that I was taught it of God, from whom I received the gift of prophecy, 1 Cor. xii. 10 ; and the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, judgement, knowledge, truth and prophecy, Isaiah xi. 2. Eph. i. 17. Isaiah xxviii. 6. John xiv. 17. Rev. xix. 10, Reader should you not like to enjoy the same privileges, celestial blessin;is and spiritual gifts? The way is laid open, and the only method ofohtaining them is set before you in our said Holy Temj)le of Wisdom. Solomon saith, " 1 prayed and understanding was givea me. I called upon God and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Wisdom of Solomon, vii. 7. Thus we find that the wisest man that ever lived received all his wisdom and knowledge from God by a dream in one night, 2d Chron. i. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ; in this school have I received the major part of my education, and therefore let me prevail upon you to go into this said divine teacher whom you will ever find ready to make you wise unto salvation, and take care that you always use your said gifts humbly, •with praise and thanksgiving, always using them to the great praise, ho^iour, and glory of God, and also for the benefit of your neighbour and youiseil aii the remaining^ days of your lives. THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. V-/ONTAi\iNG a mimbcr of most useful known and prov- ed receipts and prescriptions which I have constantly used iti my extensive and constant practice for some years past, for the beuefit of my patients, with the greatest success. I now make the same a present unto you, and when cither you or your family have duly received the benefits of the same, then remember me, Dr. PARKINS. How to make Eye-wafer. Take a quarter of a pint of Lisbon wine, and a quarter of an ounce of lapis calaniiuavis in powder, put theni toge- ther and shiike the bottle now and then ; make use of this to your eyes with a bit of rag, and it will presently heal and strengthen weak and sore eyes. How to make Salve for all wounds. Take one pound of hog's lard, three ounces of white lead, three ounces of red lead, three ounces of bees wax, two ounces of black rosin, and four ounces of common turpen- tine; all these ingredients must be put together in a pan, and boil three quarters of an hour ; the turpt-'ntine to be put in just before it is done enough, and give it a gentle boil af- terwards. This is an excellent salve for burns, old sores or ulcers, as it first draws then heals afterwards; it is excellent for all wounds, and ought to be always kept in your house. The essential uses of the Oil of Carazsays. It is good against plague, poison and melancholy ;— ' causeth rest, helps difficulty of uvi:ie, jaundice, dropsy; it breaks the stone and expels it, stops fluxes, and expel* wind; it comforts all the inward parts; it provokes the terms, and is powerful in removing all obstructions of the liver, spleea and lungs, causing a sweet breath, taking away asthmas, help- ing ulcers of the lungs, and giveth a good appetite ; it is good in all diseases proceeding from colds, and any way afflicting 3S0 THE FAMILY rHTSIClAIT. the head or nervos, as vertigos, catarrhs, megrim and head- aches; also deafness, if one drop thereof be mixed vilh the oil of ahnonds, antl put into the ear every mornir.g. The dose is to 6, 8, or 10 drops, in any convenient hquor ; out- wardly you may anoint with it, by mixing it vith tiie oil o£ ahuouds, and you may always get them at the chemist's. The oil of Juniper Ben'ies. Iflwasto tell you ho V these valuable nils are made, it •would be of no use to you, as you do not kiiow the art and •work of a Chemist, it is therefore sufficimt that I speak of their virtues, and also at the same time inform you where they are to be had and procured. This usefiil oii expelieth all wind out of the body, and also the stone and gravel, terms and urii.e; it removes all fevers, jaundice, dropsy, gout and cholic ; it cures the gonorrhea and all pams in the reins, for which it is a specific ; it opens all obsuuclions of tiie liver, spleen, gall and lungs, and cures ulcers and tumors in those places. It helps all discuses of the head, as vertigo, megrim, convulsions. Sec. it provokes sweat, and expels both plague and poison. Use it both inwardly and outwardly to oae scruple as the oil of caiaways. The oil of Kosemary. It hath all the virtues of the oil of cinnamon, nutmeg?, caraways and juniper berries ; besides which it is much more powerful than any of them, strengthening the brain and memory, fortifying the heart, resisting poison, and curing all sorts of agues ; it in absolutely the greatest strengthener of the sight and re-?torer of it also if lost ; it m.ikes the heart merry, and takes away all foolish phantisms out of the brain. It'cieanseth the blood, cures the tooth-ach, easetll all pains, and takes away the caus.^s which hinder conception ; it hath a very grateful taste, and hath so many virtues that I can never express them all, or give it its due commendation. Use It to 15 drops as you do the oil of caraways. A remedy for a loading and sluffi'ns, at the stomachy can* sing a loss of appetite. '^. Calomel ppt. gr. xx Ext. Cathart 5p. m. ft, pUul. No. X Capt. duas altern noct. If you cannot read this excellent prescription the Chetnist caaciakeitup foryou. THE FAMILY PHtSlCJAK. Stf ^ remedy for all cold acJies and jmins in the hones^ limbs and joints^ caused by rheitmatisin, gout, or accidents. Take friar's balsam ai.d tincture of myrrh of each one ounce, spirits of turpentine two ounces, and good old strong ale dregs three ounces; mix ail of them well together, an* batlie the attlicted part of the body with the same. A remedy for a strain, 6)C. Take the oil of swallows, the oil of peter, and the oil of turpentine, of each an equal quantity, mix them well toge- ther, and anoint the part afflicted with the same. Remedy for the asthma and shortness of breath. Take of tlie milk of gum ammoniac, six ounce?, syrup of squills, four ounces and a half; mix them together. Tiiis promotes e.xpectoralion in a very great degree, and relieves those who are short winded. It is justly esleemed for its serviceable properties in asthmatic casis, by rarefying and thinning viscid cohesions in the pulmonary vessels. A spoonful is lo be taken four or five times every day, and in particular every morning. An essence for the head-(K^e. Head-aches are sometimes caused from an obnoxious vapor ascending out of the stomach, which in this case must be cleansed by proper remedies ; but for common head aches take of French brandv, or rectified spirit of wine, one quart; put it into a strong bottle, aMd add one ounce of camphire cut small, a quarter of an ounce of the essence of lemon, and two ounces of the strongest volatile spirit of sal ammoraac, stop the bottle quHe close, and shake it three or four times a day for a week. The method of using it is to rub the hand with a little of it, and hold it hard upon the part alfiicted until it is dry. If the pain is not quite relieved, repeat it till it is. Compound tincture of Sena, commonly called Dajfy's Elixir. Take of the best sena two ounces; jalap, coriander seeds and cream of tartar, of each one ounce ; coarse sugar three ■quartersof a pound; of brandy three pints. Let them stand all thus mixed together for ten or twelve da}s, then strain off what is fine for use. This is an agreeable purge and nothing can be more useful than to aiwajs keep it ready made in your houses for farni* Jy use. 382 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Godjrey^s Cordial. Tiike seven gallons of water ; raspingi of sassafras and aniseeds, of each four pounds ; powder of carraway seeds, eight ounces; opium, six ounces; coarse sugar, lifteeri pounds ; boil them all together till one lialf of the liquor be evaporated ; strain it through a coarse bag or cloth, and then add three gallons of the spirit of wine rectified, ii you wish to make any less quantity you musl propor- tion the same by the above-mentioned standard, and then you may make any quantity you please. Stoughton's Bitters. Take gentian root two ounces, dried orange peel two ounces and a half, cochineal, in powder, half a dram, proof spirit or brandy two pounds ; let them stand ten or twelve days, and decant off what is clear for use. Friar's Balsam, commonlj/ called Turlington's Balsam of Lijc. ihe true and best method of making it. Take gum bttnjamin twelve ounces, gum storax eight ounces, balsam of tolu (or peru) four oui.cos, succotrine aloes two ounces, rectilied spirits of wine five quarts and a pint. I^et them stand to digest twelve or fourteen days; then decant for use. I'iUs for giddiness, palsy, head-ache, SfC. Take native cinnabar levigated two drachms, castor and salt of amber, of each one drachm, oil of marjoram fifteen drops, balsam of Peru one drachm, syrup of piony a suffi- cient quant ty to make a mass; and from every draciim of it cut off nine piils. 'J he dose is three of them to be taken three times each day. Remedy for the wJiooping or chincough. Take tlowtr of benjamin, and strained opium of each two drachms, camphire two scruples, essential oil of aniseeds half a drachm, rectiiied spirit of wine one quart, four ounces of powdered liquorice, and four ounces of honey; then di- gest and strain off the elixir. Another remedy for the same disease. Take of the musk julep six ounces, paregoric elixir half an ounce, volatile tincture of valerian one drachm; mix them, and take two spoonfuls three or four times every day. niz FAMILY physician; 385 Take milk of gum ammoniac, and of small cinnamon ■water of eacli two ounces; tincture of castor two drachms, syrup of balsam half a drachm ; mix them and administer one spoonful presently after. I'owp.r^ls the decline of tlie disease, a deroction of the bark in lull doses may be prescribed lo advantage. 'I liese medicines nmy also be taken with success in any otiier old dry bad obstinate cough whatsoever. How to cure warts. Go into the field and take a black snail, and rub them with the same nine limes oneway, and then nine times another, and then slick that said snail up(»a a blat k thorn and the warts will waste. I have also known a b'ack snail cnie corns, being laid thereon as a plaisier. If you have what is called bloorl or bleeding warts, then tiiki- a piece of raw beef that never had any salt, and rub ihein with the same just in the same manner as you used the snail above mentitmed ; aft«f this operation is performed you must bury that piece of beef in the earlh. For /he falling down of the almonds of the ears. Mix a little bole armoniac in powder, with some venice turpentine; spread it on sheeps' leather as broad as a stay, and then apply tiiesame under the throat from carlo ear. A remedi) for St. Anthony's Fire. Take a common puvjie, and then anoint the part afflicted with ihe marrow of muiton. For an Ague. Drink the decoction of camomile well sweetened with treacle, lake it when you are warm in bed and sweat two hours. A cure for an asthma or shortness of breath. Take a quart of aqua vita, one ounce of of aniseeds bruis- ed, one ounce of liquorice sliced, half a pound of raisins stoned; then let them all s!eep ten days in the aquavits, being well covered up, after which time pour tlie same off" into a bottle, then add two table spooni'uls of fine sugar to the same, and stop it very cluse fur use. For a bruise or scald ouiwardlif. Take one quart of neatsfoot oil, half a pound of red lead, two ounces of bees wax; boil all these things together three S84 rut, FAMILY niYSlCINA, hours, dining vliich time you must stir lliem well ; then acid to tl-.e same one (unceof the oil of elder, let it cool for use, and bathe the part afllicled with the same. For a bruise inzcardfi/. Drink a strong decoction ot comiVey witli bread and butter. j4 cure for piles or sorex. E?.t rosemary and siige with bread and butter, and apply ivheat flour and honey by way ot' plaibler. For a carJccr in ihe monih, or a sore moulh. Tiike the juice of plantain and rose water mixed with the same, and frequently wash your mouth j and if your gums are sore, take gun powder, roach alUini, bole arnioniac, and honey, of each an equal ciuantity; mix Iheui well together, and when }cu rub your gums with the same let tlie rheum run out of your moulh. For ihe f curvy in ihe gums. Make stronsi sage tea and d.ssohe therein a little alium, dip a cloth thcrem and ri.b your gums with the same. If you wish to make your teeth white, mix a little burnt alluni with six spoonfuls of honey, and two spoonfuls of the juice of celandine, and rub your teeth with the same. For the heart-hum. The salts of tartar talien in a little water is a cure for the heart-burn. You may mix an equal quantity of magnesia with the same if you please. For the lluclc jaundice. Take an handful of the long leaves that grow upon arti- choke stalks, bruise and put them into a pot with tiiree pints of ale ; let the pot stasiJ in -a warm place close covered up for twelve hours, then take a small glass of this liquor, mixed ■with half a glass of while wine, for nine mornings together fasting, an'p the happy means of restoring to health ofbody a great number of my fellow mortals, by tliis most salutary and achnirable medicine for a many years past, to my own heartfelt satisfaction and tiieir great comfort and relief, but ( it is our blessed divine physician alone that doth give virtue (o all and every one of our said medicines, before they can even imbibe tiie least power of healing the body of man. even him who healed tlie sick and the diseased by a word, a touch, &c. even without the application of any medicine whatsoever ; and .hath likewise taught and almost fully ena- bled his disciples, in all the various ages of the world, to do the same, ""l hese are called miracles, but there are some amongst us, who through ignorance deny the power of mira- cles, since our Saviour and the apostles time; but these are they who deny the holy scriptures, and also the power of those gifts of God, mentioned in the 1st Cor xii. &c. but we find that God is just the same yesterday, to-day^ and for ever, Heb. xiii. 8. A PRESENT FOR THE LADIES. I Will now retire a little from the medical department, and make out a present for the ladies in general ; therefore after having now healed them of their several diseases, sicknesses and bodily infirmities, I will herein moct fully enable them to enjo/ themselves, by teaching them IIozo to make currant wine. ^ Take four poand of ripe currants, squeeze the juice well out of them, then put therein four pounds of coarse sugar and one gallon of water. Stir this well until it is all melted, then put the samfr in your barrel, and cork it up well for two months. If you make two gallons you must keep it in the barrel four months, and so in proportion to the quantity you make : after which bottle it for use. Some add a little raspberry juice or brandy. Ilozo to make sugar cakes. Take half a pound of lump sugar powdered fine, half a ponnd of butter melted, and six eggs beaten fine ; add thereto a little rum ; a bit of candied peel cut small, and also a few carraway seeds, together with as much fine flour as will make a paste ; tlien cut them into what form you please, and bake them on a tin. How to make gingerbread. Take one pound of fine flour, one pound and a half of but- ter, two pounds of sugar, four spoonfuls of rose water, ten eggs ■well beaten up, and a quarter of a pound of ginger ground very finej then make all these things into a paste, and bake the same in what manner and form yoa please. How to make currant pudding. Take one pound of currants, one pound of suet, five eggs, four spoonfuls of flour, half a nutmeg grated very fine, a tea spoonful of ginger in powder, a little powdered sugar, and a little salt} then boil this said pudding for three hours. How to make a potatoe pudding. Mash one pound of boiled potatoes, put to them a quarter ot 3 pound of butter, the yolks of four eggs aad one white of an egg, and sugar to the taste j a"htile brandv, some nutmeg, a quarter of a pmt of ere im, a little orange peel cut thin, a paff- paste, an J then bake it halt ^n hour. Hou^ to make egg sauce. Melt yourbuirer thick and fine, then chop two or three harti" boiled eggs fine, then put them into a bason, pour the butter . ovec tiiem, and have good gravy in the dish. S 2. 38S A PliESENT Foa TliK LADIES. fdozp to make bread sauce. Put a good piece of the criiinh of bread, not new, into a fnlT half pint of water, with iin onion, a blade of mace, and a few pepper corns in a bit of cloth 3 boil these a few iiiiniues, then lake out tiie onion and spice, wash the bread very smoutlj and add to the same a piece of butter and a little salt. Mors to make forced meat balls. Take an equal quantity of lean veal and beef suet beaten toge- ther ; then add pepper, salt, cloves, nutme;Ts, parsley chopped ^lall, with a few crumbs of bread, and yolks of eggs, accord- ing to the cjuantity, then roll them into small balls." //oci' to make paste for cheesecakes. Take as much flour as butter, and rub them well together \vith a little fine sugar > then mix up the sanie with a little warn* milk. Hoxa to make cheesecakes. Put a quart of milk oti the fire, then boat eight eggs well ; when the milk bolls, stir them upon the fire till it comes to «r curd, then pour it out, and when cold put a little salt, rose- water, and three quarters of a poaiid of currants in the same>. cold put it to them, two days after boil up the pickle, pour it to the nuts and cover them close. Repeat this for three days. How to pickle French beaiis. Pour over them a boiling hot brine, thea cover them close, the next day dr^in ana dry them ; pour over iheni a boiling hot pickle of white wine vinegar, Jamaica pepper, black pepper, mace and ginger. Repeat this till they look green. How to pickle onions. Peel small onions into salt and water, shift or remove them once a day for three days; then set them over the fire in milk and water until they are ready to boil ; then dry them, pour ovei thena the fbllawing pickle when boiled, viz. vinegar, mace and TABLE OF DTSEASES-, ABORTrON,45, iq6, 149, Aconites, 218, 248 Aches 248, ,6\ Adders, 325 Adult choler, H4 Afier-binli, 10, 15, 29, 32, ."vt 83, (JG, 10(>, I'.S, 136, 171, 1 S4, 1 89, 207, 2 1 7, 240, 24 1 248, 283, 329 Agues, 7, 16, 23, 29, 39, 42, 57, 6<>, 6S, 72, 87, 94, 97, VJ5, 129, 158, J70, 173, 177, 179, 187, 193, ig7, 207, 221, 238, 277, 279, 289,299, 300,309,313, S2b Almonds in the ears, 47, 71, 112,224 Andicomes, 55 St. Anlhonv's fire, 3, &7, 87, 94, 100,'ll7, 169, IdO, 173 ) 180,198,256,268,279.307, 335 Appetite, 29, 39. 42, SO, 83, J03, 146, 185, 200, 209, 226, 300, 33S Apoplexy, 188, 211,329 Arteries, 28, 65 Asthma, 172, 335 Back, easeth pains of and strengtheneth, 90, 270, 327 Baldness, 37, Soj, 330, 348 Barrenness, 73, 127, 223 Beasts venomous, 3, 4, 25, 28, 31, 37, 45, 46, 4 8, 59, 6(1, 72, (S9, 114, 146, 176, 178, 185, 225, 241, 321, 325, S38 Beautv, 99, 133, see Face and Skm Bees, 31, 174, 19t;2<^l Belching, 39, 63 ' Belly-ach, 27, 69, 219, 311, 321 £elly binds, 175, 181, 218, 236, 243, 251, 272 Bell_y opens, 25, 67, 174, 175, ]8<>, 197,218,-236,25J,277, 815 Binding, 7, 41, 44, 158, 308, 330, 335 Birth, 217,302, 318 Biting of mad dogs 3, 15, 28, 65,''72, 133, 144, M6, 175, 208, 2(^1, 250 Biting of serpents, 10, 23, 68, 120, 124, 129, M7, 169, 210, 234, 250 Black and blue spots, 32, 45, 54,68, 112,201, 230, 232, 286, 338 Bladder, 25,65, 97,99, 13 1, 153, 159, 207, 219, 217, 325, 327 Blastings by lightning, 258 Bleeding by leeches to stay, 33 Bleedings, 5, 20, 34, 39, 46, (iO- 63, 72, 87, 103, 120, 167, 172, 173,182, 190,208,213 216, 218, 224, 260, 283, 286, £88, 298,308, 816,325, 333, 335 Blemishes, 102, 123 Blindness, 162, I91 [ Blisters, 37, 104, 260, 273 Blood congealed, 2, 9O, l\0, I3-' Blood coolelh, 300, 319 Blood purgeih, 55, 103, 113 Blood spitting, 5, 29, 48, 9J, 1 13, I76.1.2r), 236, 249, 2:.^, 269, 2b3,299, 309, 318,333 Bloody flux, see flux Bloody urme, 92,95, 172, 249, 258, '299 Blows, 238, 2U Boils, 28, 72, 90, 193, 220, 2«2, 300 Bones broken, 55, 56, 95, 1 10, 121, 124, 127, 131, 181, 14y> 175, 294 Bots, 146 Bowels, 5, 68, 74 8 Bjainj TAHLE OF DISEASES*. Brain, 23, 27, 28,69, 90, 100, 120, 126', 147, 173, 179, J 84, 187, 188, 201, i^03, 238, 248, 270, 282 Breath difficult, 15, 32, 34, 39, 54, 6\,6S, 123,1(J9,174, 195, 201,273, 294, 318, 32J., 325 Breath stinking, 37, 139, 2O9, 210, 273, 299, S02, 333 Breast, 7, 8, 27, 95, 101, !03, 108, 133, 135, 137, 155, 163, 183, 198, 208, 220, 24-8, 2G2 Bruises, 2, 7, 21, 27, 38, 3g, 52, 61, 82, 87, 95,100, 108, 116, 127, 132, 221, 240, 21.1, 28 (J, 289, 297,317 Burning, 4, 13,21, 2g, 37, 53, 121, 159, 177, 189, 239, 310, 323 CACHEXIA, 8, 11,98,109 Cancers, 7, 92 Cankers, 37, 47» 54, 63, 71, 72,87, 118, l39, 182, 2l6', 203, 283,291,301,309 Gantharides, 45, 227 Carbuncles, 29 1, 330 Catarrhs, 207, 263 Cattle poisoned, lOO Chilblains,- 37, 133, l64, 180 Chikibirth, i>», 93 Chincough, i;t9, 318 Choler, 3, 11, 23, 72, 79, 108, 113, lig, 138, 119, 154, 161, 170', 200, 235, 25 J, 269, 271, 276, 300, 321, 322 327 _ Choleric fluxes, 255 humours, 29, 207, 250, 268, 2(59, 307, 308, 338 Choleric pushes, Qt Chops, 209, 262, 282, 322 Cold, 69, 203 Colic, 3, 7, 15, 27, 69, 73, 116, 127, 154, 168, 179, 210, 219, 252, 260, 272, £79, i'go, 291, 293 Conception, 188,283 Consumption, 50, 65, 66, 171, 179, i89,-'56, 274 Convulsion ;, 3, 39, 5 t, 68, 85, 99, 1 18,-1 J3, 146, 155,241, 303, 314, 335 Cough, 15, 32, 39, 42, 50, 54, 68, 87, 9!, 101, 104, 123, 131, 133, 157, 158, 161, 16j,174, 179,189. 193, 191> 198, 200, 216, 219, 222, 2 30,231, 239,256, 265,267, 274,283,290, 3i4 Cramps, 3, 25, 53, 54, 6S, 6g, 85, gg, 146, 203, 218, 241, 277, 283, 293, 30J, 309 Cuts, 209 DANDRUFF, 37, 294, 334 Dead child, 3, 4, 51, 56, 79, 135, 139, 147, 184, 203^ 240, '-'41, 218, 283 Deafness, (>, 72, 133, l64, 200, 207, 291, 302, 330 Defluxions, 281, 283, 301, 308, 335 Diabetes, or those who cannot keep water, 46, 319, 348 Digestion, 67, 146, 158, J85, 193,209, 220, 272, 274, 287, 290 Difficu'ty of breathing, 2, 23, 94, 133,222,239, L79 Dimness of sight, 274, 277, 279, 291, 334 Disease sudden, 2 Dislocations, 53, 57 Dogs, 171, 175 Dreams, 159, 186, 210, 257 Dropsy, 2, 8, 11, 23, 26, 32-, 39,54, 57, 69,7s, 76, 119, 124, 133, 135, 138, 145, 147, 158, 159, 169, 178, 180, I89, 200, 201, 203, 214, 216, 232, 240, 218, 249, 277, 289, 29g, 307, 310,313 Drow£uies9> TABLE OF DISEASES. Drowsiness, 273 D-'aiikemicss, 177 IJiilne-s i)f spirit, 28^ Dysury, 25, 33, 3 ,37, 53, 5C), '61/65, (.8, 72, 176, 310, 3.'1, 3.4 EARS,22, 107, 120, 125, 130, 137, 10'4, 171, 178, 182, i^OO, JOl, 207, 208, 212, £Jfi, 230, 232, 2J5, 23g, 250, 268, 2yi Ear wig, lol Epidemical diseases, 15, 39, 46, 63, 6 j, 330 Ephialles or tlie mare, 99, 243 Excoriations, I98, 249, 258 Eyes, 5, :', 17, 25, 30, 32, 33, ■:59, 48,52, 59, 06, 76, 79, 90, JOt, 106, 108, lis, Ivi), 125, 130, 134, 110, 143, 155, 15Q, 171, 17.3, 1:9, 191, 1 292, 302, 3u9, 325 Grpings, g, 115, 14g, 155, 18G, 193, 21G, 2'18, 318 Green sickn.'ss, "9 Gums, 47, 61, 71, 209, 311 HA ,11 to make yellow, 29 ii air to restore, 121, 175, 18g, 195, 198, 221, 236, 239. Head, t7, 23, 48, 90, 133, 139, 149, 184., 195, 19s, 201, 2ii.>, 209,223,230,269 Head acn, 56, 117, 120 130, L 14l8, 163, 170, 177, 214, TAKLE OF DISEASES. 23.), 238, 2()S, 297, 307, 3 16, 324, 325, 327 Hearing, see ears Heart, 28, 63, 9I, 146, 147, 156, 20?, 215, 268, 274, 282, 306, 322, 327 Heat, J 58, 150, I89, 23g Hemorrhoids, I75, 180, 258, 30.', 309 Hemlock, 161, 200, 223, Henbane, 164,200,225 Hiccoush, 111, 129, 157, 208, 214 " High colour, 45 Hips, 3t8 Hoarseness, 66, 87, 137, 1 89, K)8,22'2, 230,251,25b", 262, 283, 327, 333 Humours, 2u2 Hvpochonclria, lOg, 114 JAUNDICE black, 57, I66, ■ ! — -^yellow, 18, e5, 26, 32, 39, 46, 68, 6y, 101, 109, 113, 161, 166, 177, 232, 234, 235, 249 Iliac passion, 29 1 Iinposthumef, 8, 22, SO, IO9, 228, 230, 23g, 263, 282, 283, 288, 294, 315 Inflamnaations, 45, 22, 33, 50, 56,71, 87, 90, 94, 120,159, i63, 180, 187, 190,20., 208, 231, 239, 256, 258, 277,3'.iO, 318,321, 326,327, 330,348 Infeetion to preserve trom, 230, Indigestion, 15, 27, 28, 39, 74 Joints, 3, 34, 57, 79, 87, 95, 117, 139,201,248,269,279, 304, 311, 321 Itch, 3, 8, 11,37, 48, 60, 72, 76, 106, 156, 170, 179, 200, 291, -294, 300, 319 KEllNEIJa, 93, 110,155,210, 217,300, 308,323 Kibes, 133, l6), 180 Kidnies, 100, 114, 124, 144, 153, 180, 190, 247, 288, 310, 339 \ King's evil, 21, 30, £3, 71, 78, VI, 124, 131, 142, 146, 149, 180, 192, 198, 210, 229, 263, 277, 291, 308, 3og, 333 Knots in the flesh, 87, 93, 10&, 110, 155, 162, 1^5, 211, 217, 308 LASKS, 111, 138, 140, 153, 157, 161, 172, 177, 182,214, 218,211), 245, 261, 270, 277, Lechery 160 Leprosy, 4, 26, 30, 53, 6&, 119,121, 133,166, 179,210, 221, 225, 228, 241, 29 1, 333 Lethargv, 3, 17, 102, 130, 220, 225, 230, 232, 235, 238, 283, 291, 318 Lice, 11,28,57, l64, 169,278, 309 Limbs, 178 Ijver, 11, 27, 42, 6I, 63, 6Q>, Si, 97, 107, 113, 121, ISS', 155, 156, 157, 170, 171, 180, 190, 209, 234, 241,249, 257, 270, 277, 296, 306, 313, 31 S, 319 Loathing of metrt, 204, 26? Longings. 204, 326 Loose teeth, 306, 3 1 I Loss of voce, 184, 256 Lungs, 32, 83, 129, 133, 155-, 169, 1 89, 193, 197,200, 203-, 212,222, 224, 2 11, 273, 27 9i, 282,318, 319. 334 Lust provokes, 25, 45, 84, gO, 1 -.6, 208, 209, 22 1, 221, 22g, 233 Lust stops, 159, 160, 186,257, 334 MAD do;,s, 250 Madness, 166 Mandrakes, 225 Mare TABLE OF DISEASE*. Mare, 6l, C43 Marks in the skin, 2G7, 286 Measles, 16', 202, 282, '3\() Megrims, 32, 137. 300 Melancholy. 18, 28, 50, 63, (j(i, 114, 123, 143, 148, IG6, 207, 215, 243, 252, 304, 310,312, 328 Members, disjointed, 137, 175, Memory, 72, 120, 179, 187, iW), 273, 285 Milk in nurses, 50, I29, 186, 197, 208, 254, 302, 307, 328 Milk curdling, 208, 232 Milk in caiile, g3 Mineral vapours, 145 Miscarriage, 204, 283, 310 Morphevv, 4, 54, 109, 113, VJ3, 170, 194, 239, 267, 279, 294, 325 Mother, 4, 18, 25, 34, 45, 54, 64, 16, 111, 112, 120, 123, 128, 178, 197, 203, 207, 217,223,224,234 239,241, 243, 24t, 279, 28.9, 291, 293 Mouth, 9, 4 3, 50, 61, 7 1, 87, 93, 143, 21s, 241, 203,288, 289, 296,316,326 Mumps, 99 Mushrooms, 28 230, 338 Muscles cut, 92, 95 ^Jai[s in the iiesh, 7, 211 KaveJs of children, 137, 25S Neck, 118, 221, 314 Nettles, 174 Nerves, ■;8,9.-, 177,324 Nightshade eaten, 225 Nipples, 137 Nocturnal pollutions, 156, 210 Noise in the ears, 37, 1O4, I69, 200, 20), 290, 302 Obstructions of the gall, 76, 79, 109, 114, 129, lOl, 191- Obstructions of the liver, 2, 3, 8,9, 10,23,32,37, 3£>, .8. 7O', 79, ivg, 115, 124, 129, 33, 143, 170,171,181,194, 231, 232, 239, S47, 24 ?r 274, 325, 329 ( :bsLruciions of the reins, g, 239, 325 Obstructions of the spleen, 2, 3. 8, 9, 10, 32, 37, 39, 54, 08, 79. 109, 124, 129, 143, 170, 171, 184, liH; 231, 232, 239, 247, 218, 325 Pains, 1^9, 220, 264, 279, ^^9 in the back and belly, 39,99, 115, 129, 138, 241 -bowels, 97, 179> 216, 277,302, 309 ears, 9I, 120, 200, 205, 208, 210, 239, 251, 254, 277, 279, 310 head, 98, 128, 338, 250, 256, 282, 283 reins, 2, 221, sides, 39, 85, 97, 138, 148, 221, 227, 279, 294, 324 Palsy, 32, 39, 54, 87, 99, 108,. !20, 130, 179, 188, 211,. 248, 235, 291, 329, 335 Pestilence or plague, 15, 46, 48, (is, 64, 65, 146, 229, 2.7, 313, 325, 333 Phlegm, II, 25, M, 57, 65,: 97, 03 106 119, 138, 158, 165. 171 201 207> 224,230. 2 lO, 241,276 282, 290,293^ 290,304 308: 318. 321 Phibisick. 42 95, I89, igT,' 216^ 238, 257, 273, 274 Piles,48, 78, 95, 107, 132, 137, »39' '75' 180 219 224. 239, 250 251 iaiples, 46. 102 143, 279, 294. Pin and web. 160, 188, 189, 25O. 321, 322. 324 lleurisy, 15,156 222, 224,294 i'oison, 15, 27, 32 46, 48, 50^. 52, 71, 106. 112. 135- 158, 168, 171, 178, 185. 197. s.6ln \ 279. 30O' 322' 328 Polypivs, TABLE OF DISEASES. TolypTis, io6, 118, 225,252 Privities, 33, 48. 61 loB, 117. 135' 1,50* 1.55- 160. 163, 167, 168, 173, 180 182. 189, 191, £05 222 2^6-250 260, 263 PushM 35 91 143, 159, 338 Quarta 1 agues. 20. 125, 148, 166, 249 252, 260 Quotidian agues. 97. 125 ■Quinsy, 7, 48- 87. 99, 169- 192. 193 231, 263: 327. 330. 338 Reins, lb, 25- 46, 124 128 159, 182, 219. 247. 248 257, 270, 277 281, 286, 288 292 310, 325. 327 Rheum loi. 107, 157, 171, 178, 203, 269 Rickets, 118, 314 Ringworms, 50, 54, 72, 76, ilo, 170, 173.190,208,226,251, 279, 291 294, 300 ■Ruptures, 5, 39, 44, 4.6, 53, fiS, 87, 92, 95. 97, io4, ic5, 117, 150. 179, 81, 213,216, 210 9.31, 266, 281, 286, 288.31; ,^.7, 318 Scabby heads, 48 142,189,158, 224, 239 Scabs, 8, 11, 26, 37, 61,661 123, 143' »5^» 170. '^79-' 200, 2c8, 221, 225, 227, 250,267, 279,292, 294,319 Scars, 68, 321 Sciatica, 15, 21, 65, 68, 79. 87, 101, 102, 108, 163, 166, 180, 217, 222, 244, 254, 279. 291, 302,309,311, 315,322 Scurvy, 56, 102,179, 185, 262, 294, 319 Sleep to procure, 186, 2-6, 258, Seed increafe, 124, 230, 2^75 Shingles, 87, 173, 226, 235, Sinews, 3, 39, 48, 65, 69, 85. J17, 121,139, 177' 189,201' £14>217, 2c;4 330, 333 Skin, 64, 99, 120, 121, J59, 173, 192,244, 245,267,296 Small pox, 4, 46, 202, 282, 310 Smell loss of, 37 Sores, 3, 7, 21, 48.65,72,193 142,150, 168,170, 171, i8i| 183, 1 go, 216, 225,270, 277 278, 279, 283, 286, 289" .Speech lost, 188, 273 Spleen, 4, 11, 20, 28, 57, Sg 102, 114,126, 138, 1I7, 149, 157, 169 177 178,200,205, 250, 2521 277, 296, 303, 304' 306, 310, 313,319,329, Jsphnters, 7, ^c^, 90, 110, 149, 159,220,246 294,302,324 Stitches, 26, 27. 39. 54, 57, 69, 73, 74, 123, 146, 177,' 227, 234,252,281,283,313,323 btomach, 10, 11, 27, 30, 39 42, 59, 74, 82, 107, iii| 123,133' 146, 154,158,170, 179, 200, £01, 209, 212, 231 Sirr.iguary, 10, 2556, 93, 132 149. 173- 178, 182,189,207,' 235, 248. 254, 268, 281, 302,304,310,324 Stone, 3, 25, 32, 33, 35, 43,- 44' 54' 5^- 59^ ^5' 66, Sg 71, 73, 80, 93,97, 102, u6' 123, 114, 129, 132, 195; i5«, 203,204,214,216,217, 224, 226,231,232,236, 239, 265,268,077,281, 250,302 Sun burning, 38, gg Surfeits, 15, 66, 178,338 Swe]ling,i3, 30, 41, p^6, 66, Gj^ 69, 84,90,91, 121, 139, 149^ 160, 163, 168, 176, 195, 198,' 205, 220, 222, 248, 263, 282,294,309, 321,327,338 Svvconings, 28, 50, 114, 184, 215, 241, 270, 322 Teeth, 123, 131, 150, S58, 269 Terms provokes, 5 8 9, 10 15' 17. 28, 32, 39, 45, 56] 641 TABLE OF DISEASES. €4,66,68, 73, 79, 85, 90, 102, 106, 111, 120, 124' I35^i44'''46- »55' '57' 170' 177, 178, 182, 193, 200' 203, 217, r23, 231, 239' 240,283,291,303.321, 329 Terms stops, 16, 37, 47^ 48, 63'87,05,99>ioo, 134, 190, 19,5, 204, 209, 212, 213,214, 218, 22j2 4J, 250, 265. 268, 279' 291, 300,310, 319,330 Tetters, 4i, 50, 54, 72, 76, 170. 172,173, 190,208,250, 251,279, 291, 294, 300, Thirst, 192, 257, 300, 301, 305, Throat, 9, 18, 50, 71, 93, 107, 193, 268,297, 316,327 Thorns, 7. 55, 90, 303 Tooth-ache, 3, 11, 15, 22, 28, 47' 57' 87, 133' ^39' 169^ aiS, 221, 247, 25c, 256, 266, C77, 309 Vr,jVai! in women, 215 e'om, 293 315 Veins broken, 52, 92, 28^, 319 Venery, 187, 208, 224* 267 Vertigo, 2, 3, 37, 54, 72, 99 Vomiting, 5, '23, 42, 46, 59, 63, 63, 92, 116, 120, 176, 182, 2o8, 2 13, 214, 227, 235, 241 , 237, 260, 270, 30 1, Ulcers, 4, 15, 1?, 21, 37, ^8, 39, 46, -18,50, 52, 61, 63, 65, 72, 73, 87, 9i.92, 98, . 102, 106, 107, 109, 120, I2G. !32, .06, !38, 150, it)b, 166, 167, K'8, 172, 5 77, '82, IS9, I92, 216, 226, 247, l.Wrinklcs, I06 147, 149,154,158,170,177, 180, i82, 184, 193,221,231, 279,283,287,291,21.), 299 Warts and Wens, 60, ?(), 132, 133, 173, 207, 217, 2l9, 254, 279, 321,324 Wasps, 8, 31, 32, U' 7 Wheals, 37, 5,^, Co, 85, 143, 239, 254, 379, 302 Wheezings, (J4", 94, 123, 133, 169, IS9, 222, 224, 239, 252, 273, 302, 325 Whitlows, 55, 223 U hites, 5, 16, 20, 37, 49, 63, 87, f'5, 185, igo, 209, 2C0, 2C9, 274. 311 Wind, 15, 32, 45, 57, 66, 73, 74, 111, 129, I58, 179, 231, 274,291,299,309,310 34-8 Witcliciaft, 32,39, 168,211 Womb, 18, 54,128,215, 3IO, 325,327 W omen after delivery, 2 Worms, 3, 4, 8, ^2, 39, 46, 64, 67, 68,98,99, 11 2, 116, 123, 126, 138, I46, 161, 165, K'g, 170, 182, I85, 315,224,229 ^B5> 256,267,281,291,299, 30"' 309' 3 18, 3iy, 325, 330 Wounds, 4, 5, 9, 22, 27, 34, 39» 43' 44» 47» 4^, 5-> 57 > 61, 63,91, 92, g5, 97, 100, I08, 112, 11 7, 121, 1 31, 1 40, I50- 153''55»1C8, 176,183, 192,2 2,213, 216, 220,258, 263,279, 281,285,286,288, '-89,297, 310.517,323,348 249, 200, 2G3, 2G5, 266, 268, 277, 281, 283, 28S, 28g, 290, 294, 29(). 297, 299, 303,310,317,323, : 25, 332 Urine bloody, 7, 59, 81, 84,3 IS Urine to provoke, 3, 8, 9, 20, 43, 56, 73, 74, 81, 8d, 97, 102, 1O6, 107, 114. 120, 124 »27, 129, 139,143, 114, 146. Yellow jaundice, 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 5°f 5^> 7-. 76. 87, 91, 93, 114,124,129,135,138,144, I48, I70, 171,190, 194,195, 200, 207, 2 1 6, 222, 248, 26g, i^74, 277,278, 281,283,2-^9, 298, 299, 3oo, 304, 307, 310 319* 325* 338- Bociions, Pr ni.'s, c^u^s street, liatton Garden, London. :n.llaM/cii,;d 41.S!./,>/i/i.,- Il,'i-t t'J.Kiinini crti /:'./.,i,/i,.<\f„i,lh /■ul.Ujhr.l In- /?. I ;•,.„•/,• I' /-.".////v i^'ihofl. 44.Lulii:s-Hc,Lflr,iii .57. Hcdiie Mn-fttird I'iM'.'lii;! IvH.if.^Av i- C':Ju1v I'SiSon. Bupturc Wort 82.ThoroiujTi Wax SO.A'ui'iViy ■ tuhlUicJ *K Ji.(>«jby i C. July i ^ifioa . Ifi. ■i'f'i.incl 10 -l. Jumper lO.'iJ'lavtimi ^uhtxjhra ht n.r-,'jhv <•