THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 319 



Tormentil. O. (k. d. 3 J 



This is also called Seplfoil, or Steptfoil. 



Descript.'] This hath reddish, slender, weak branches 

 rising from the root, lying on the ground, rather leaning 

 than standing upright, with many short leaves that stand 

 closer to the stalks tlian Cinquefoil (to which this is very- 

 like) with the foot-stalk compassing the branches ia 

 several places ; but those that grow to the ground are set 

 upon long foot-stalks, each whereof are like the leaves 

 oi Cinquefoil, but somewhat long and lesser, dented 

 about the edges, many of them divided but into five 

 leaves, but most of them into seven, whence it is alsa 

 called Septfoil ; yet many have six, and some eight, 

 according to the fertility of the soil. At the tops of the 

 branches stand divers small yellow Uowers, consisting of 

 five leaves, like those of Cinquefoil, but smaller. The 

 root is smaller than Bistort, somewhat thick, but blacker 

 without, and not so red within, yet sometimes a little 

 crooked, having blackish fibres thereat. 



Flace.~\ It groweth as well in woods and shadoAvy 

 places, as in ti)e open champain country, about the 

 borders of fields, and almost in every broomfield in Essexv 



Time.'] It fiowereth all the Summer long. 



Government and virtues.'] This is a gallant herb of the 

 Sun. Tormentil is most excellent to stay all kind of 

 fluxes of blood or humours in man or woman, whether 

 at nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the herb and 

 root, or the decoftion thereof, taken with same Venice 

 treacle, and the person laid to sweat, expels any venom 

 or poison, or the plague, fever, or othcE contagious 

 diseases, as the pox, measles, &c. for it is an ingredient 

 in all antidotes or counter poisons. Andreas Valesius is 

 of opinion, that the dcco6lion of this root is no less ef- 

 fcdlual to cure the French pox than Guaiacum or China ; 

 and it is not unlikely, because it so mightily resistetl*. 

 putrefadlion. The root taken inwardly is most effe(5lual 

 to help any flux of the belly, stomach, spleen, or blood ; 

 and the juice wonderfully opcns-obstructions of the liver 

 and lungs, and thereby helpeth the yellow-jaundice. 

 The powder or decodlion drank, or to sit thereon, as » 

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