2 3 o iT^e Ufeful Family HerhaL 



of a Number of fmaller Flofucles, colledled into a 

 Head. Tlie Root is long and brown. 



The Leaves growing from the Root, are to be 

 gathered for Ufe before the Stalks appear. They 

 are beft frefli. A ftrong Infufion of them is good 

 againft Afthmas, and Difficulty of breathing, and 

 the fame Infufion made into Syrup, is good a- 

 gainft Coughs. The Flowers are faid to be cor- 

 dial, and an Infufion of them to promote Swear, 

 and carry off Fevers, but this is lefs authentic, 

 the Juice externally applied is good againft Foul- 

 nefs of the Skin, 



The ScAMMONY Plant. 



SCAMMONIA. 



\ 



A Climbing Plant, Native of the Eajlern Parts 

 •^^ of the World. The Stalks are numerous, 

 green, flender, and angulated, they are five dx 

 .fix Feet long, but unable to fupport themfelves, 

 without the Help of Bufhes. The Leaves ftand 

 irregularly, and not very clofe to one another ; 

 they are of a triangular Figure, and bright green 

 Colour, and they ftand upon long Foot-Stalks. 

 The Flowers are large and Beil-falhioned, they 

 refemble very much thofe of our common little 

 Bind-weed being whitifh, but they cftener have a 

 yellowilh than a redifh Tinge. The Root is a 

 Foot and half long, and as thick as a Man*s Arm, 

 full of a milky Juice. They wound the Roots and 

 catch the milky Juice as it runs out in Shells ; and 

 this when it has concreted into a hard Mafs is the 

 Scammony we ufe. 



It is a rough Purge, but a very powerful and 

 ufeful one. It is good againft the Rheumatic 

 Pains, and will reach the Seat of many Diforders 

 that a common Purge does not affecSt. However, 



it is feldom given alone: AncJ a great Misfortune 



