226 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



many branches, whereon grow many green leaves, some- 

 what broad, and pointed at the ends, soft and lull of 

 juice like unto Baiil, but longer and a little unevenly 

 dented about the edges ; at the tops of the stalks and 

 branches come forth three or four more white flowers, 

 made of lire small pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a 

 stalk together one above another, with yellow pointels in 

 the middle, composed of four or fire yellow threads set 

 together, which afterwards run into so many pendulous 

 green berries, of the bigness of small peas, lull of green 

 juice, and small, whitish, round, flat seed lying within it. 

 The root is white, and a little woody when it hath given 

 flower and fruit, with many small fibres at it : the whole 

 plant is of a waterish insipid taste, but the juice within the 

 berries is somewhat viscous, and of a cooling and binding 

 quality. 



Place.'] It growcth wild with us under our walls, in 

 rubbish, the common paths, and sides of edges and fields, 

 also in our gardens here in England, without planting. 



Time.'] It lieth down every year, and riseth again of its 

 own sowing, but springeth not until the latter end of April 

 at the soonest. 



Government and Firtues."] It is a cold Saturnine plant. 

 The common Nightshade is wholly used to cool hot in- 

 flammations outwardly, being dangerous to those that use 

 it, as most of the rest of the Nightshades arc ; it must bo 

 used moderately. The juice also clarified and taken, 

 being mingled with a little vincg ir, is good to wash the 

 moutJi and throat that is inflamed ; but outwardly, the 

 juice of the herbs or berries, with oil of roses and a little 

 vinegar and ceruse labomvd together in a leaden mortar, 

 is very good to anoint all infiammations in the eyes. It 

 also doth much good for the shingles, ringworms, and in 

 all running, fretting and corroding ulcers, applied there* 

 unto. A pessary dipped in the juice, and dropped into 

 the matrix, stayeth the immoderate flux of women's courses ; 

 a cloth wet therein, and applied to the testicles or private 

 parts, upon swelling therein, giveth much case, also to the 

 gout that cometh of hot and sharp humo'irs. The juice 

 dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof that arise of 

 heat or inflammations ; and Fliny saith, it is good for hot 

 swellings under the throatt Have a care jou mistake noX 



