2  CULPEPER’s ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, 
ture. The fimple oil of this plant hath the fame virtues as that of caftor, but is 
much ftronger ; if fnuffed up the nofe, it purgeth the head of phlegm ; it-is alfo 
good in old and cold pains of the joints, liver, and fpleen. It is good for cold difeafes 
of the nerves and brain, the head-ach, and pains in the fide thereof ; it cures the 
lethargy, being fnuffed up the nofe; anointed on the privities it provoketh luft, 
and it healeth all: numbnefs and fliffnefs proceeding from cold. Oleum de euphorbig 
compofitum, or the compound oi] of euphorbium,. operates as the fimple, but more 
effectually; it healeth old and cold difeafes of the nerves and brain, and prevents 
drowfinefs. It is very effectual in cold pains of the womb, kidnies, and bladder, be- 
ing anointed on the regions thereof. The extract of euphorbium healeth the palfy, 
gout, fpafm, and dropfy, and bringeth phlegm from the nerves. 
Pe oe ce 
DesoripTion. OF this there are two kinds principally to be treated of ; viz. the 
male and female. The female groweth higher than the male, but the leaves thereof 
are lefs and more divided or dented, but of the fame fmeil as that of the male. The 
virtues of each are the fame. <=. | 
_: Pace. They grow on heaths and in fhady places near the hedge-fides in moft 
parts of this kingdom. ) g 
Time. They flower and feed at midfummer. : : 
_ GovERNMENT AND Virtuss. It is under the dominion of Mercury, both the 
male and female. The roots of both thefe forts of ferns, being bruifed and boiled 
in mead, or honey-water, and drank, killeth both the broad and long worms in the 
body, and abateth the fwelling and hardnefs of the fpleen. The green leaves eaten, - 
purge the belly of cholerick and waterifh humours, but it troubles the ftomach; 
: they alfo caufe abortion, confequently are unfit for the ufe of pregnant women. 
he roots bruifed and boiled in oil or hog’s lard, make a very profitable ointment to 
il wounds, or draw forth thorns from the flefh. The powder of them ufed in foul 
eth up their malignant moifture, and caufeth their fpeedy healing. Fern 
» the fmoke thereof driveth away ferpents, gnats, and other noifome cre2- 
fenny countries are fometimes very troublefome. ; aa 
WAT ERP E RN. : 
ofmond-royal. — | 
ne forth in the {pring time, it hath feveral rough hard 
aor S, alt- FOUR, GF fateith on one fide, and hollow ; they are about two feet high, 
Paving many branches of winged yellowith green leaves on all fides, fet one againtt 
. <a another, 
