THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 219 



M-hat larger than broad, pointed at the end, and as it were 

 dented about the edges. The stalk riseth up to be four 

 or five feet high, covered over with such like leaves, but 

 lesser, so that no stalk can be seen for the multitude of 

 leaves thereon up to the flowers, which come forth on 

 all sides of the stalk, without any branches for the most 

 part, and are many set together in a long spike, in some 

 of a yellow colour, in others more pale, consisting of five 

 round-pointed leaves, which afterwards have small round 

 heads, wherein is small brownish seed contained. The 

 root is long, white, and woody, perishing after it hath 

 borne seed. 



Place.] It groweth by way-sides and lanes^ in manjr 

 places of this land. 



Time,'] It tlowereth in July, or thereabouts. 



Government and Virtues.] It is under the dominion of 

 Saturn. A small quantify of the root given in wine, is 

 commended by Dioscorides, against lasks and fluxes of 

 the belly. The decoftion hereof drank, is protfiable for 

 those that are bursten, and for cramps and convulsions, 

 and for those that are troubled with an old cough. The 

 decodtion thereof gargled, easeth the pains of the tooth- 

 ach. And the oil made by the often infusion of the 

 flowers, is of very good efl'e<5t for the piles. 'J'he decodlioa 

 of the root in red wine or in water, (if there be an ague) 

 wherein red hot steel hath been often quenched, doth 

 8tay the bloody-flux. The same also openeth obstruc- 

 tions of the bladder and reins when one caunot make 

 water. A decodtion of the leaves hereof, and of sage, 

 marjoram, and camomile flowers, and the places bathed 

 therewith, that have sinews stiff with cold or cramps, doth 

 bring them much ease and comfort. Three ounces of the 

 distilled water of the flowers drank morning and evening 

 for some days together, is said to be the most excellent 

 remedy for the gout. The juice of the leaves and flowers 

 being laid upon rough warts, also the powder of the 

 dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take them away, but 

 doeth no good to smooth warts. The powder of the 

 dried flowers is an especial remedy for those that ar« 

 troubled with the belly-ach, or the pains of the colick. 

 The deco<5tion of the root, and so likewise of the leayes, 

 is of great etfedl to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or 

 L 2 



