48 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Government and Virtues.^ It is an herb of the Sun, and 

 therefore cordial; half a dram, or a dram at most, of the 

 roots in powder, taken in wine and vinegar, of each a 

 like quantity, and the party presently laid to sweat, is 

 held to be a sovereign remedy for those that arc infefted 

 ■with the plague, and have a sore upon them, by expel- 

 ling the poison, and defending the heart and spirits from 

 danger. It is also accounted a singular good wound herb, 

 and therefore used with other herbs in making such balms 

 as are nacessary for curing wounds, either green or old, 

 and especially if the nerves be hurt. 



The Bramble, or Black-berry Busb. ? in r. 

 (c. 1. d. 3.) 



it is so well known that it needeth no description. The 

 virtues thereof are as follows : 



Government and yirtues.'\ It is a plant of Venus in 

 Aries. If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly ? 

 TelJ them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars. The 

 buds, leaves, and branches, while they are green, are 

 of good use in the ulcers and putrid sores of the mouth 

 and throat, and of the quinsy, and likewise to heal other 

 fresh wounds and sores; but the flowers and fruit unripe 

 are very binding, and so protitable for the bloody iiux, lasks, 

 and are a fit remedy for spitting of blood, Either the de- 

 coction or powder of the root being taken, is good to 

 break or drive forth gravel and the stone in the reins and 

 kidnies. The leaves and brambles, as well green as dry. 

 are excellent good lotions for sores in the mouth, or secret 

 parts. The deco6lion of them, and of the dried branches, 

 do much bind the belly, and are good for too much flowing 

 of women's courses ; the berries of the flowers are a pow- 

 erful remedy against the poison of the most venomous 

 serpents; as well drank as outwardly applied, hclpeth 

 the sores of the fundament, and the piles; the juice of the 

 berries mixed with the juice of mulberries, do bind naoro 

 efiectually, and help all fretting and eating sores and ul- 

 cers whatsoever. The distilled water of the branches, 

 leaves, and flowers, or of the fruit, is very pleasant in 

 taste, and very eliectual in fevers, and hot distempers of 



