92 ctjlpepsb'b complete hebbuu 



Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of 

 the Moon. The seed put into the e^ea clears them from 

 motes and such like things gotten within the lids to offend 

 them, and it also clears them from any white and red 

 spots which may be on them. The mucilage of the seed 

 made with water, and applied to tumours or swellings, 

 disperseth and taketh them away. It also draweth forth 

 splinters, thorns, or other things got into the flesh. The 

 leaves used with vinegar, either by itself or with a little 

 honey, doth help boils, felons, and the hot infUunmations 

 that are gathered by their pains, if applied before it be 

 grown too great. The powder of the dried root put into 

 the nose provoketh sneezing, and thereby purgeth the 

 head and brain of much rheum and corruption. The seeds 

 or leaves taken in wine provoketh to venery. It is of 

 much use both for men and women that have weak backs, 

 and helpeth to strengthen the reins ; used either by itself 

 or with other herbs conduces to the same effect, and in 

 tansies often. The fresh leaves dipped in a batter of 

 flour, eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter and 

 served to the table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceed- 

 ingly profitable for those that are troubled with weak 

 bi^kB, and the effects thereof. The juice of the herb put 

 into aie or beer, and then drunk, bringeth down women's 

 courses and expelleth the after-birth. 



It is a usual course with many men, when they have 

 got the running of the reins, or women the whites, to run 

 to the bush of clary, exclaiming — Maid, bring hither the 

 frying-pan, and fetch me some nutter quickly. Then they 

 will eat fried clary just as hogs eat acorns, and this they 

 think will cure their disease, forsooth ! Whereas, when 

 they have devoured as much clary as will grow upon an 

 acre of ground, their backs are as much the better as 

 though they had never touched it — nay, perhaps, very 

 much worse. 



We will grant that clary strengthens the back ; but this 

 we do deny, that the cause of the running of the reins in 

 men, or the whites in women, lies in the back, though it 

 be sometimes weakened by them ; and therefore for me- 

 dicine is as proper as for me, when my toe is sore, to lay 

 a plaster on my nose. 



