THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 143 



Place.l It groweth iu cornfields almost everywhere, as 

 -^vell as in gardens. 



Tir/ie.2 It flowereth in May, for the most part, and the 

 seed ripeneth shortly alter. 



Government and Virtues.'] Saturn owns the herb, and 

 presents it io the Avorki as a cure for his own disease, and 

 strengthener of the part of the body he rules. If by 

 my astrological judgment of diseases, from the dccum- 

 •biture, you find Saturn author of the disease, or if by 

 direction from a nativity you fear a Saturnine disease 

 approaching, you may by this herb prevent it in the one, 

 and cure it in the other, and therefore it is fit you keep 

 a. syrup of it always by you. The juice or syrup made 

 thereof, or the deco6lion made in whey by itself, with 

 some other purging or opening herbs and roots to cause 

 it to Avork the better (itself being but weak) is very 

 cffedlual for the liver and spleen, opening the obstructions 

 thereof, and clarifying the blood from saltish, cholerick, 

 and adust humours, which cause leprosy, scabs, tetters, 

 and itches, and such like breaking out of the skin, and 

 after the purgings doth strengthen all the inward parts. 

 It is also good against the yellow jaundice, and spendeth 

 it by urine, which it procureth in abundance. The 

 powder of the dried herb given for some time together, 

 cureth melancholy, but the seed is strongest in operation 

 for all the former diseases. The distilled water of the 

 herb is also of good elFeft in the former diseases, and 

 conduceth much against the plague and pestilence, being 

 taken with good treacle. The distilled water also, with 

 a little water and honey of roses, helpeth ail the sores of 

 the mouth or throat, being gargled often therewith. The 

 juice dropped into the eyes, cleareth the sight, and taketh 

 away redness and other defeats in them, although it 

 procureth some pain for the present, and causes tears. 

 Dioscorides saith, it hindereth any fresh springing of hairs 

 on the eye-lids (after they are pulled away) if the eye- 

 ■lids be anointed with the juice hereof, with Gum Arabick 

 dissolved therein. The juice of the Fumitory and Docks 

 mingled with vinegar, and the places gently washed or wet 

 therewith, cureth all sorts of scabs, pimples, blotches, 

 wheals, and pushes, which arise on the face or hands, or 

 -any other parts of the body. 



