WORMWOOD. | NATURAL HISTORY. 353 
of them, that they be destroyed and slain by them when 
they travel any journey; and therefore there they ordi- 
narily use to carry besoms with them to sweep the plain 
ways for fear of further hurt. 
Topsell, “History of Serpents,” pp. 811-13. 
__ Ir you stamp earth-worms, and then strain them through 
cloth, and then put to the same as much of the oil of 
radish-roots, and between the beating or framing of swords, 
knives, or daggers, when they be hot, you do quench them 
-twice or thrice therein, the same shall cut iron after, as 
though it were lead. Lupton, “Notable Things,” bk. ii. § 43. 
Ir Worms gnaw upon or hurt the mouth of the stomach, 
put honey-combs into the mouth fasting, and hold them 
there, and the Worms will draw into the honey, and so 
void by the mouth. It hath been proved. 
Ibid., bk. iv. § 56. 
Worms and other venomous beasts are driven away from 
any place with the smoke or fume of other beasts of the 
same kind. Ibid., bk. x. § 67. 
V. Vermin. 
Wormwood. 
Hamter, ili, 2, 191. 
Wormwoop is a full sharp herb, and is gathered in the 
end of springing-time, and dried in shadow. And syrup 
made of Wormwood exciteth appetite and withstandeth 
drunkenness. Wormwood with powder of cummin and 
honey doth away moles and speckles, and ache that cometh 
of smiting. And Wormwood keepeth and saveth books 
and clothes from fretting of mice and of worms, if it be 
laid therewith in chests or coffers. And helpeth against 
biting of weasels and of dragons, and healeth it, if it be 
drunk. Wormwood exciteth sleep, if it be laid unwittingly 
under the head; and maketh black hair, if the hair be 
anointed with ointment made of the juice thereof and oil 
of rose. Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xvii. § 12. 
Ler a man or woman use to drink Wormwood, they 
shall not be sea-sick. If writing-ink be’ tempered with the 
infusion of Wormwood, it preserveth letters and books 
written therewith from being gnawn by mice. 
Hollana’s Pliny, bk. xxvii. ch. vii. 
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