THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN EJ^LARGED. 325 



io expel the ^v^^ul in the belly. The green herb with 

 the root taken Iresli, being bruised iiiul applied to tlie 

 head, taketh away the pains and prickings there, stayeth 

 rheum and thin distillations, and being boiled in white 

 wine, and a tirop thereof j)ut into the eye*;, taketh away 

 the dimness ot the sight, or any i)in or web therein : It is 

 of excellent j)roperty to heal any inward sores or wounds, 

 and also for outward hurts or wounds, and drawing away 

 splinters or thorns out of the llesh. 



Vervian. ?. {temp. d. 2.) 



Tjiis has also obtained the name of the Simpler's Joy. 



Dcscript.'] It hath somewhat long broad leaves next 

 the ground, deeply gashed about the edges, and some only 

 deeply dented, or cut all alike, of a blackish green colour 

 on the upper side, somewhat grey underneath. The stalk 

 is square, branched into several parts, rising about two 

 feet high, especially if you reckon the long spike of 

 flowers at the tops of them, which are set on all sides one 

 above another, and sometimes two or three together, 

 being small and gaping, of a blue colour and white inter- 

 mixed, after which come small round seed, in small and 

 somewhat long heads ; The root is small and long, but of 

 use. 



Place.'] It groweth in the edges and way-sides, and other 

 waste grounds. 



Time.] It tlowereth in July, and the seed is ripe soon 

 after. 



Government and Flrtucs.'] This is an herb of Venus, 

 and excellent for the womb to strengthen and remedy all 

 (he cold griefs of it, as Planfain doth the hot. Vcrvaia 

 is hot and dry, opening obstruftions, cleansing and heal- 

 ing : It helpelh the yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the 

 gout; it killeth and expelieth wc.ms in the belly, and 

 causeth a good colour in the face and body, strength- 

 eneth as well as corrcCteth the diseases of the stomach, 

 jiver, and spleen ; helps the cough, whcezings, and 

 shortness of breath, and all the defects of the reins and 

 bladder, expelling the gravel and stone. It is held to 

 be good against the biting of serpents, and other >c- 



