182 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Knotgrass. ^ . (c, d. 2.) 



It is generally known so well that it nccdcth no dc- 

 scriptioM. 



Place.'] It groAveth in every county of this land, by 

 the highway sides, and by foot paths in fields; as also by 

 the sides of old Avails. 



Time.'] It springeth up late in the Spring, and abideth 

 until the Winter, when all the branches perish. 



Government and rtrtues.] Saturn seems to me to own 

 the herb, and yet some hold the sun; out of doubt 'ti? 

 Saturn. The juice of the common kind of Knotgrass is 

 most cfl'eclual to stay bleeding of the mouth, being drank 

 in steeled or red Avinc ; and the bleeding at the nose, to 

 be applied to the forehead or temples, or to be squirted 

 up into the nostrils. It is no less efleftual to cool and 

 temper the heat of the blood and stomach, and to stay 

 any liux of the blood and humours, as lasts, bloody- 

 flux, women's courses, and running of the reins. It is 

 singular good to provoke urine, help the slranguary, and 

 allayeth the heat that cometh thereby ; and is powerful 

 by urine to expel the gravel or stone in the kidneys and 

 bladder, a dram of the powder of the herb being takcu 

 in wine for many days together : being boiled in wine 

 and drank, it is profitable to these that are stung or 

 bitten by venomous creatures, and very effedlual to stay 

 all defluxions of rheumatic humours upon the stomach, 

 and kiileth worms in the belly or stomach, quieteth in- 

 ward pains that arise from the heat, sharpness and cor- 

 ruption of blood and choler. The distilled water hereof 

 taken by itself, or with the powder of the herb or seed, 

 is very effedlual to all the purposes aforesaid, and is ac- 

 counted one of the most sovereign remedies to cool all 

 manner of inflammations, breaking out through heat, 

 hot swellings and imposthumcs, gangrene and IktuiOus 

 cankers, or foul filthy ulcers, beir>g applied or put into 

 them; but especially for all sorts of ulcers and sores 

 happening in the privy parts of men and women. It 

 helpeth all fresh and green wounds, and speedily healeth 

 them. The juice dropped in the cars, cleanscth them 

 being foul, and having running matter in them. 



