72 THE ENGLISH PUTSICIAN ENLARGES. 



more in number than the other. The seeds and (he rootr 

 are alike, the roots of both sorts abiding many years. 



Ihiic.'] They flower in Summer, some earlier than 

 others, and some abiding longer ihan others. 



Government and rirtues.^ They belong unto Saturn ; 

 and it is found by experience, that the decoction of the 

 herb, either in -white or red wine being drank, doth stay 

 inward bleedings, and applied outwardly, it doth the 

 like ; and being drank, hclpeth to expel urine being 

 stopped, and gravel and stone in the reins or kidnies. 

 Two drams of the seed drank in wine, purgeth the body 

 of choleric humours, and helpcth those that are stung 

 by scorpions, or other venomous beast, and may be as 

 etfedlual for the plague. It is of very good use in old 

 sores, ulcers, cankers, fistulas, and the like, to cleanse 

 and heal them, by consuming the moist humours fall- 

 ing into them, and correcting the putrefaftion of humours 

 o&nding them. 



Carduus Benedictus. <J in Tr (h. d. ^.) 



It is called Carduus Benediftus, or Blessed Thistle, or 

 Holy Thistle : I suppose the name was put upon it 

 by some that had little holiness in themselves. 



1 shall spare a labour in writing a description of this, 

 as almost every one that can but write at all, may describe 

 them from his own knowledge. 



Time.2 They flower in August, and seed not long after. 



Govenunent and Virtues.^ It is an herb of Mars, and 

 under the sign Aries. Now, in handling this herb, 1 

 shall give you a rational pattern of all the rest ; and if 

 you please to view them throughout the book, you shall, 

 to your content, find it true. It helps swimmings and 

 giddiness of the head, or the disease called Vertigo, becausa 

 Aries is in the house of Mars. It is an excellent remedy 

 against the yellow jaundice, and other infirmities of the 

 gall, because Mars governs choler. It strengthens the 

 attractive faculty in man, and clarifies the blood, because 

 the one is ruled by Mars. The continual drinking the 

 decoction of it, helps red faces, tetters, and ring-worms, 

 because Mars causeth them. It helps the plague, sores^ 



