THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 149 



Tmc.l It flowcreth not until Julj, and the seed is 

 ripe in August or September ; yet the husks after they 

 are ripe, opening themselves, will hold their seed with 

 them for two or throe months, and not shed them. 



Government and Virtues.'] It is supposed to be under the 

 dominion of Saturn. It is used by many country people 

 to purge corrupt phlegm and choler, which they do by 

 drinking the dccoftion of the roots ; and some, to make 

 it more gentle, do but infuse the sliced roots in ale ; and 

 some take the leaves, which serve well for the weaker 

 stomachs. The juice hereof put up, or snuffed up the 

 nose, causeth sneezing, and draweth from the head much 

 corruption ; and the powder thereof doth the same. The 

 powder thereof drank in wine, helpeth those that are 

 troubled with cramps and convulsions, or with the gout 

 and sciatica, and giveth ease to those that have griping 

 pains in their body and belly, and helpeth those that 

 have the stranguary. It is given with much profit to 

 those that have lorrg fluxes by the sharp and evil quality 

 of humours, which it stayeth, having fitsf cleansed and 

 purged them by the drying and binding property therein. 

 The root boiled in wine and drank, doth effectually pro- 

 cure women's courses ; and used as a pessary, workcth 

 the same cffeft ; but causeth abortion in women with 

 child. Half a dram of the seed beaten to powder, and 

 taken in wine, doth speedily cause a flow of urine. The 

 same taken with vinegar, dissolveth the hardness and 

 swellings of the spleen. The root is effectual in all 

 wounds, especially of the head ; as also to draw forth any 

 splinters, thorns, or broken bones, or any other thing 

 sticking in the flesh, without causing pains, being used 

 with a little verdigrease and honey, and the great Cen- 

 taury toot. The same boiled in vinegar, and laid upon 

 any tumour or swelling, doth very effectually dissolve and 

 consume them; yea, even the swellings of the throat, 

 called the kihg's evil : the juice of the lea-ves or roots 

 healeth the itch, and all running or spreading scabs, sores, 

 bfemishes, or scars in the skin, whatsoever they be. 

 II 3 



