THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 281 



Rupture- Wort. T? . (c, I. d. 2.) 



This derives its name from its principal virtue. 



Descript, This spreads many thready branches round 

 about upon the ground, about a span long, divided into 

 many other smaller parts full of small joints, set very 

 thick together, whereat come forth two very small leaves 

 of a French yellow, green coloured branches and all, 

 where groweth forth also a number of exceeding small 

 yellow flowers, scarce to be discerned from the stalk and 

 leaves, which turn into seeds as small as the very dust. 

 The root is very long and small, thrusting down deep in 

 the ground. This hath neither smell nor taste at first> 

 but afterwards, hath a little astringent taste, without any 

 manifest heat; yet a little bitter and sharp withal. 



Place.'] It groweth in dry, sandy and rocky places. 



Time.'] It is fresh and green all the Summer. 



Government and Virtues.'] They say Saturn causetb 

 ruptures; if he do, he doth no more than he can cure; 

 if you want wit, he will teach you, though to your cost. 

 This herb is Saturn's own, and is a noble antivenerean. 

 Kupture-wort hath not its name in vain; for it is found 

 hy experience to cure the rupture, not only in children, 

 but also in elder persons, if the disease be not too invete- 

 rate, by taking a dram of the powder of the dried herb 

 every day in wine, or a decoction made and drank for 

 certain days together. The juice of distilled water of the 

 green herb, taken in the same manner, helpeth all other 

 fluxes cither of man or woman ; vomiting also, and the 

 gonorrhea, or running of the reins, being taken any of 

 the ways aforesaid. It doth also most assuredly help 

 those that have the stranguary, or are troubled with the 

 stone or gravel in the reins or bladder. The same help- 

 eth stitches in the sides, griping pains of the stomach or 

 belly, the obstructions of the liver, and cureth the yellow 

 jaundice; likew ise it kills the worms in childri'n. Being 

 outwardly applied, it couglutinateth wounds, and helpeth 

 to staj' defluctions of rheum, from the head to the eyes, 

 nose and tcethj^ being bruised green, and bouad tkereto; 



