86 ottlpipeb's complete hsbbai^ 



face, or body, it will cause it to itch : the stalk that riseth 

 from among them being two or three feet high, hollow 

 and cornered, is very hairy also, having many such like 

 leaves as grow below, but lesser and lesser up to the top ; 

 at the joints of the stalks it is divided into many branches 

 with some leaves thereon, and at the end stand many 

 flowers in order one above another, which are somewhat 

 long and hollow like the finger of a glove, of a pale whitish 

 colour, after which come small black seeds. The roots are 

 great and long, spreading great thick branches under- 

 ground, black on the outside and whitish within, short 

 and easy to break, and full of glutinous or clammy juicei 

 of little or no taste at all. 



There is another sort in all things like this, only some- 

 what less, and beareth flowers of a pale purple colour. 



Flaee, — They grow by ditches and water-sides, and in 

 divers fields that are moist, for therein they chiefly de- 

 light to grow ; the first generally through idl the land, and 

 the other but in some places. By the leave of my authors, 

 I know the first ctows in dry places. 



Time. — They flower in June or July, and give their seed 

 in August. 



Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Saturn, and 

 I suppose under the sign Capricorn ; cold, dry, and earthy 

 in quality. What was spoken of clown's woundwort may 

 be said of this. The great comfrey helpeth those that 

 spit blood, or make a bloody urine. The root boiled in 

 water or wine, and the decoction drank, helps all inward 

 hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcers of the lungs, and causes 

 the phlegm that oppresses! him to be easUy spit forth. 

 It helpeth the defluction of rheum from the head upon 

 the lungs, the fluxes of blood or humours by the belly, 

 women's immoderate courses, as well the reds as the 

 whites, and the running of the reins, happening by what 

 cause soever. A syrup made thereof is very effectual for 

 all those inward griefs and hurts, and the distilled water 

 for the same purposes also, and for outward wounds or 

 sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the body whatsover ; 

 as also take the fits of agues, and to allay the sharpness of 

 humours. A decoction of the leaves hereof is available to 

 all the purposes, though not so effectual as the roots. The 

 roots being outwardly applied, help fresh wounds or cuts 

 immediately, being bruised and laid thereto : and is special 

 good for ruptures and broken bones ; yea, it is said to be 



