76 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



under the celestial Lion, and is one of the best cures for 

 tlic eyes ; for all that know any thing in astrology, know 

 that (he eyes are subject to the luminaries ; let it then be 

 gathered when the Sun is in Leo, and the Moon in Aries, 

 appl} ing to this time ; let Leo arise, then may you make 

 it into an oil or ointment, which you please, to anoint 

 your sore eyes with : I can prove it doth both by my own 

 experience, and the experience of those to whom I ha\c 

 taught it, that most desperate sore eyes have been cured 

 by this only medicine ; and then 1 pray, is not this far 

 better than endangering the eyes by the art of the needle? 

 For if this doth not absolutely take away the film, it will 

 so facilitate the work, that it may be done without dan- 

 ger. The herb or root boiled in Mhitewine and drank, a 

 few anniseeds being boiled therewith, openeth obstrudti- 

 ons of the liver and gall, helpeth the yellow jaundice ; 

 and often using it, helps the dropsy and the itch, and those 

 that have old sores in their legs, or other parts of the body ; 

 the juice thereof taken fasting, is held to be of singular 

 good use against the pestilence ; the distilled water, with 

 a little sugar and a little good treacle mixed therewith 

 (the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a 

 little) hath the same effect ; the juice dropped into the 

 eyes, cleanseth them from films and cloudiness which 

 darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness of 

 the juice with a little breast-milk. It is good in old filthy 

 corroding creeping ulcers wheresoever, to stay their 

 malignity of fretting and running, and to cause them to 

 heal more speedily ; the juice olte n applied to tetters, ring 

 worms, or other spreading cankers, will quickly heal 

 them, and rubbed often upon warts, will take them 

 away ; the herb with the roots bruised and bathed with 

 oil of Camomile, and applied to the navel, taketh away 

 the griping pains in the belly and bowels, and all the 

 pains of the mother; and applied to womens breasts, 

 stayeth the overmuch flowing of the courses ; the juice 

 or decc6lion of the herb gargled between the teeth that 

 ache, caseth the pain, and the jJOAvder of the dried root 

 laid upon any aching, hollow or loose tooth, will cause 

 it to fall out ; the juice mixed with some powder 

 of brimstone is not only good against the itch, but tak- 

 eth away all discolourings of the skin whatsoever ; and 



