S70 OnLPBPKR'S COMPLETE HERBAL. 



morphew, marks and discolourings of the skin : along with 

 hen's grease, it dissolves cold imposthumes and carbuncles; 

 mixed with vinegar it dissolves the hardness of the skin : 

 rubbed upon the back with Unguentum de AlhastrOj it will 

 take away the ague : a plaster made with tobacco, will heal 

 venomous stings and bites. The decoction of the husks is 

 a good gargle for the tooth-ache, and preserves the teeth 

 from rottenness ; the ashes rubbed on the teeth will clean 

 them. The decoction helps watery ruptures, if applied morn- 

 ing and evening. If steeped in aqua vitoB^ it helps the palsy, 

 if the place be bathed with it ; steeped in wine, and two 

 spoonfuls drunk every moming, fasting, makes stinking 

 breath sweet. It is a stimulant in phlegmatic disorders, par- 

 alytic complaints, and relaxations of the stomach, and is 

 put into aloetic and nervous medicines for all female dis- 

 orders. It is good for the quinsey, if put into bread poul- 

 tice, and applied to the part which is .affected. 



PEPPER (WATER)— ('Po^onum Hydropiper,) 



Descrip. — It sends forth long broad leaves, finely dented 

 on the edges, pointed at the ends, of a li^ht bluish-grees 

 colour, standing upon round hard stalks, three or four feet 

 high, spreading many branches on all sides, having many 

 small white nowers at the tops, after which come small 

 seeds in small heads. The root is slender, spreads much 

 onder ground, shooting up again in many places; and both 

 leaves and roots are of a very hot and sharp taste. 



Flace^ — Itgrows naturally in many parts of this country. 



Time, — It Bowers in the end of June, and in July. 



Virtues, — It is good for sciatica, gout, or pains in the 

 joints, or any other inveterate disease, if the leaves are 

 bruised and mixed with hog's-grease, and applied to the 

 place, and kept on four hours in men, and two hours in 

 women, the place being afterwards bathed with wine and 

 oil mixed together, and then wrapped up with wool or 

 skins, after which they sweat a little. It amends the de- 

 formities or discolourings of the skin, and helps to take 

 away mailcs, scars, or scabs, produced by burns. 



PERIWINKLE (GREAT.)— (' Vinca Major.) 



Descrip. — It has many branches running on the ground, 

 shooting out small fibres, taking hold of the ground, and 

 roots in divers places. At the joints of these branches 

 stand two small, dark, green, shining leaves, and with them 



