52 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



The derivation of the botanical name is uncertain. 

 While some see in it a compound of two Celtic words 

 signifying head and good, suggestive of cephalic qualities, 

 others turn to a passage in Pliny "The Vettones, a 

 people of Spain, were the original discoverers of the plant 

 known as the Vettonica " and find the transition from 

 this to Betonica a very easy one. The specific name 

 refers to its officinal use. 



Betony " helpeth that cannot digest their meate." 

 It was also given in the jaundice, palsy, convulsions, " the 

 goute," dropsy, pain in the head, a yea, although it turn 

 to frenzie." Mixed with honey, it was given for coughs 

 and colds, " shorten esse of breathe/' and consumption. 

 For "stitches and pains in the sides and back" there seems 

 to have been nothing better. A decoction with wine eased 

 toothache, and rendered harmless the bite of venomous 

 serpent or rabid dog. Taken beforehand, it hindered 

 drunkenness; taken afterwards, it cleared the head. A 

 little powder of it refreshed those overwearied with labour, 

 and with a little "hogges larde" was a specific for "biles" 

 and wounds. Many other wonderful properties were 

 ascribed to it, but what has been said will suffice to show 

 the value in which it was held. 



