HOUSELEEK. f 2()'( 







head-ache, and to draw off inflammation oc- 

 casioned by the bite of venomous spiders. 

 It was likewise said to be an effectual antidote 

 against the deadly poison of wolfs-bane or 

 aconitum* 



Its use is also recommended by Pliny for 

 the red gout, erysipelas, and scrofulous swell- 

 ings ; and it was thought to procure sleep 

 to those who were in restless fevers, being 

 placed in black cloth and put under the 

 pillow of the patient. It was also thought 

 that those who carried houseleek on their 

 persons, were never molested by the terrible 

 sting of the poisonous scorpions. 



Dioscorides and Galen direct the applica- 

 tion of the juice with vinegar, instead of an 

 epithem, to an erysipelas, which no physi- 

 cian, says Caspar Hoffman, in our times, 

 would venture to prescribe. 



This hardy plant is erroneously stated to 

 be a native of Britain only. It is doubtful 

 whether it is even an aboriginal of our soil ; 

 and from the early mention of it by the Greek 

 and Roman herbalists, we consider it, as well 

 as the tree houseleek, to be indigenous to the 

 Greek islands. 



# Plin. book xxv. chap. 13. 



