28 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Balm. H and s (h d. 2.) 



This herb is so well known to be an inhabitant almost in 

 every garden, that I shall not need to write any descrip- 

 tion thereof, although the virtues thereof, which are many, 

 should not be omitted. 



Government mid VirttieJ] It is an herb of Jupiter, and 

 under Cancer, and strengthens nature much in all its 

 actions. Let a syrup made with the juice of it and sugar 

 (as you shall be taught at the latter end of the book) 

 be kept in every gentlewoman's house, to relieve the 

 weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor sickly 

 neighbours; as also the herb kept dry in the house, that 

 so with other convenient simples, you may make it into 

 an eledtuary with honey, according as the disease is, you 

 shall be taught at the latter end of my book. The 

 Arabian physicians have extolled the virtues thereof to 

 the skies ; although the Greeks thought it not worth 

 mentioning. Seraphio saitli, it causeth the mind and 

 heart to become merry, and rcviveth the heart, faiiitings 

 and swoonings, especiall}' of such who are overtaken in 

 sleep, and driveth away all troublesome cares and thoughts 

 out of the mind, arising from melancholy or black choler ; 

 which Avicen also confirmeth. it is very good to help 

 digestion, and open obstruftions of the brain, and hath 

 so much purging quality in it, (saith Avicen) as to expel 

 those melancholy vapours from the spirits and blood which 

 are in the heart and arteries, although it cannot do so in 

 other par.ts of the body. Dioscorides saith, That the 

 leaves steeped in wine, and the wine drank, and the leaves 

 externally applied, is a remedy against the stings of a 

 scorpion, and the bitings of mad dogs; and commendcth 

 the decoction thereof for women to bathe or sit in to 

 procure their courses ; it iis good to wash aching teeth 

 therewith, and profitable for those that ha^'^e the bloody- 

 jfkix. The leaves also, with a little nitre taken in drink, 

 are good against the surfeit of mushrooms, help the grip- 

 ing pains of the belly ; and being made into an electuary, 

 it is good for them that cannot fetch their breath : Used 

 with salt, it takes away wens, kernels, or hard swellings 

 io the flesh or throat itcleanseth foul sores, and eascth 



