THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 245 



falte the root of the Male Peony -washed clean, and 

 slamped somewhat small, and laid to infuse in sack for 

 24 hours at the least, afterwards strain it, and take it 

 first and last morning and evening, a good draught for 

 sundry days together, before and after a full moon ; and 

 this will also cure older persons, if the disease be not 

 grown too old, and past cure, especially if there be a due 

 and orderly preparation of the body with posset drink 

 made of betony, Sec, The root is also efte(5tual for womea 

 that are not sufficiently cleansed after child-birth, and 

 such as are troubled with the mother; for which likewise 

 the black seed beaten to powder, and given in wine, is 

 also available. The black seed also taken before bed- 

 time, and in the morning, is very effectual for such as ia 

 their sleep are troubled with the disease called Ephialte, 

 or Incubus, but we do commonly call it the Night-mare; 

 a disease which melancholy persons arc subject unto ; 

 it is also good against melancholy dreams. The distilled 

 ■water or syrup made of the flowers, warketh the same 

 efFefts that the root and the seed do, although more 

 weakly. The Female is often used for the purpose? 

 ^.foresaid, by reason the male is so scarce a plant, that 

 it is possessed by few, and those great levers of rarities in 

 this kind. 



Pepperwort, or Dittander. J (/i, 4. d. 3.) 



Tins derives its name of Peppcrwort from the biting tasfc' 

 of its leaves and root. 



Descript.'] Our common Pepperwort sendeth forth 

 somewhat long and broad leaves, of a light bluish greenish, 

 colour, finely dented about the edges, and pointed at the_ 

 ends, standing upon round hard sialks, three or four feet 

 liigh, spreading many branches on all sides, and having 

 many small white flowers at the tops of them, after which 

 follow small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, 

 running much under ground, and shooting up again ire 

 many places, and both leaves and roots are very hofe 

 and sharp of taste, like pepper, for which cause it toQY 



4he name« 



M 2 



