CENTURY X. 149 



wrought by the dilatation of the contracted sinews by 

 heat. There are in use for the prevention of the 

 cramp, two things ; the one rings of sea-horse teeth 

 worn upon the fingers ; the other bands of green peri 

 winkle (the herb) tied about the calf of the leg, or the 

 thigh, &c., where the cramp .useth to come. I do find 

 this the more strange, because neither of these have 

 any relaxing virtue, but rather the contrary. I judge 

 therefore that their working is rather upon the spirits 

 within the nerves, to make them strive less, than upon 

 the bodily substance of the nerves. 



965. I would have trial made of two- other kinds of 

 bracelets, for comforting the heart and spirits : the one 

 of the trochisch of vipers, made into little pieces of 

 beads ; for since they do great good inwards (espe 

 cially for pestilent agues), it is like they will be effect 

 ual outwards, where they may be applied in greater 

 quantity. There would be trochisch likewise made 

 of snakes ; whose flesh dried is thought to have a very 

 opening and cordial virtue. The other is, of beads 

 made of the scarlet powder which they call kermes ; 

 which is the principal ingredient in their cordial con 

 fection alkermes : the beads would be made up with 

 ambergrise, and some pomander. 



966. It hath been long received, and confirmed by 

 divers trials, that the root of the male-piony dried, tied 

 to the neck, doth help the falling sickness ; and like 

 wise the incubus, which we call the mare. 1 The cause 

 of both these diseases, and especially of the epilepsy 

 from the stomach, is the grossness of the vapours 



1 Cardan (De Subtil, xviii. p. 641.) affirms that peony thus applied is 

 good against gout, but he does not mention the falling sickness. But com 

 pare the same writer, De Rer. Varitt. p. 172. 



