Wild Flowers as They Grow 



which, parallel to the surface, pushes through the 

 moist ground in which it delights. Permeated by 

 acrid juices, it once had quite a reputation, and was 

 suspected of many virtues. For instance, the juice 

 snuffed with enthusiasm brings on violent sneezing, 

 and we have on Dr. Thornton's authority in his 

 " Herbal " of 1814, that " in this way it has cured 

 complaints of the head of long standing in a mar- 

 vellous way." It also cured dropsies, dyspepsia, 

 old coughs, and the " biting of serpents, " among 

 other things ; was good as a " licking medicine," 

 and " laid plaisterwise upon the face of man or 

 woman, doth in two daies at the most take away 

 the blacknesse and blewnesse of any stroke or bruise," 

 though old Gerard, whose prescription this last is, 

 adds a warning that if the skin " be very tender and 

 dehcate, it shall be needful! that ye lay a piece of 

 silke, sindall, or a piece of fine lawne betweene the 

 plaister and the skinne, for otherwise in such tender 

 bodies it often causeth heat and inflammation." So 



warmly do the recommendations of it ring for the 



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