268 CULPEPER’s ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, 
fimply of themfelves, to the gout, fciatica, or joint-achs, in any part, hath been 
found to be an admirable help in = of that nature. 
NIGHTSHADE. 
Description. COMMON nightfhade hath an upright, round, green, hol- 
low, ftalk, about a foot or half a yard high, fhooting forth into many branches, 
whereon grow numerous green leaves, fomewhat broad and pointed at the ends, foft 
and full of juice, fomewhat like unto bafil, but larger, and a little unevenly dented 
about the edges; at the tops of the ftalks and branches, come forth three or more 
white fowers compofed of five {mall pointed leaves apiece, ftanding on a ftalk toge- 
ther one above another, with yellow pointels in the middle, compofed of four or 
five yellow threads fet together, which afterwards turn into fo many pendulous 
green berries of the bulk of fmall peas, full of green juice, and fmall whitifh round 
flat feed lying within it. The root is white, and alittle woody when it hath given 
flowers and fruit, with many fmall fibres at it. The whole plant is of a watery in- 
fipid taite; but the juice within the berries is fomewhat vifcous, and of a cooling 
and binding quality. 
Piace. It groweth wild in this kingdom, and in rubbifh, the common paths and 
fides of hedges, in fields ; and alfo in gardens, without any planting. 
Time. It dieth annually, and rifeth again of its own fowing; but fpringeth not 
until the latter end of April at the foonelt. 
~GovernMENT AND Virtuzs. It is acold faturnine plant. The common night- 
thade i is wholly ufed to cool hot inflammations, eirther inwardly or outwardly, being 
no ways dangerous, as the other nightfhades are; yet it muft be ufed moderately 5 
5 the diftilled water only of the whole herb is fitteft and fafeft to be taken inwardly, 
—— the juice, being clarified and mixed with a little vinegar, is very good to wath the 
- rpouth and throat, when inflamed. Outwardly, the juice of the herb or berries 
a little vinegar and cerufe, pounded together in a leaden mortar, is very good 
all hot inflammations in the eyes; it is alfo very good for the fhingles, 
rms, and in all running, fretting, and corroding, ulcers ; and in moift fiftu- 
‘ las, if sie se be mixed with hen’s-dung and applied thereunto. A cloth, wet in 
at id applied to the tefticles, when fwelled, giveth much eafe, as alfo to 
the gout which ; ifeth from hot and fharp humours. The juice dropped into the 
ears eafeth pains thereof, arifing from heat or inflammation, Pliny faith, it is 
for hot fwellings under the throat, Care muft be taken th 7 the deadly nightfhade 
is not miftaken for this. — = 
DEADLY 
