THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 117 



fistulas ; and for green wounds, many do only bruise the 

 herb, and apply it to the place, and it healeth them 

 quickly. The same docodion in wine, fomented to any 

 place pained with the gout, or to joint-aches, or pain of 

 the sinews, giveth much ease. The powder or deco6lioii 

 of the herb taken for some time together, is found by 

 experience to be singularly good for ruptures and burstings 

 in people, either young or old. 



Duck Meat. 5. in s. (c. 771. 3.) 



This is so well known to swim on the top of standhig 

 ■waters, as ponds, pools and ditches, that it is needless 

 further to describe it. 



Government and Virtues.'] Cancer claims the herb, and 

 the Moon will be lady of it ; a word is enough to a wise 

 man. It is efleiSual to help inflammations, and St. An- 

 thony's fire, as also the gout, either applied by itself, or 

 in a poultice with barley meal. The distilled water by 

 some is highly esteemed against all inward inflammations 

 and pestilent fevers ; as also to help the redness of the 

 eyes and swellings of the private parts, and of the breasts 

 before they be grown too much. The fresh herb applied 

 to the forehead, easeth the pains of the head-ach coming 

 of heat. 



Down, or Cotton Thistle. S. (h. d. 2.) 



Thistles are so generally known as to require no 

 description ; but thisdiff; rs from the common thistle. 



Descript..~\ This hath large leaves lying on the ground, 

 somewhat cut in, and as it were crumpled on the edges, 

 of a green colour on the upper side, but covered with 

 long hairy wool, or Cotton Down, set with most sharp 

 and cruel pricks, from the middle of whose heads of 

 flowers, thrust forth many purplish crimson threads, and 

 sometimes (although very sildom) white ones, the seed 

 that iollowetii in the heads, lying in a great deal of white 

 down, is somewhat large, long, and round, like the seed 

 of ladies thistle, but somewhat paler. The root is great 

 and thick, spreading much, yet it usually dieth after 

 seed-time. 

 1 



