Chap. 487. 'Englijh Herbs . 707 
GMUrtns X 6 e V 1 jp. 
VI. The fourth, or Male Childs Mercury. 
This in its Roots , Stalks, Branches , Leaves , 
ani manner of Growing, is fo like the female 
juft now defer ibcd , that it is difficult to dfiin- 
guifh them afunder , but by their flowers ani 
Seeds. At the Joints of this Male Kind come 
forth fiiort foot Stalks, bearing at their tops 
two fmall round Seeds, like to thofe of the 
firft Common Male Mercury , and without giving 
any Flowers like that alfo ; which Seeds are of an 
Aih color, before they be perfeftly ripe : but when 
they come to ripenefs, they become of a blewifh 
afpeft , and not much unlike to Spurge Seed 
growing as they do, two and two together: 
the Leaves are not much unlike the Leaves 
of the Olive Tree , covered over with a fof't 
Down or Wool, and -of a gray color. Some Au- 
thors will have that thefe Childrens Mercuries 
Mate ani female , are the lame with the firft 
Common french Mercuries Male and female , on- 
ly differing as they grow in a differing Cl’ime : 
but it they d.o but coniider only the forms of 
the Leaves’ of each, and compare them (not 
taking notice of the Seed) they may be eafily 
convinced in their own underftandings of the 
contrary. 
VII. The Places. The two firft Kinds are found 
growing Wild in f ranee, as alfo in feveral parts 
of England, as very plentifully by a Village called 
Brook/and in Rumney Marfh in Kent : it grows 
alfo in Vineyards, Orchards, and other (hady 
places, Gcrrard found it under the dropping of 
the Bijhops Houfe at Rochefter ; and are generally 
Sown with us in Kitchin Cardens among Pot- 
Herbs. The two laft grow about Montpelier in 
Prance, as alle in Spain and Italy , but with us 
only in Gardens. 
VIII. The Times. They all Fiower in hot 
Countries in June, July, and Auguft ; and give 
their Seed in fome little time after: But the 
two latter Flower fo late here in our Country 
that they fcarcely bear ripe Seed. 
IX. lbe Qualities. Herb Mercury is hot and 
dry in the fecond Degree: Abfterfive, Digeftive, 
Hyfterick, and a little Cathartick. 
X. The specification. MattMolus makes it a 
Specifick againft the Yellow Jaundice. It Pro- 
vokes the Terms, eafes the Strangury , and pre- 
vails againft Scabs, Tettars , Ringworms, and 
other like Deformities. 
XI. The Preparations. You may have here- 
from, 1. A Liquid Juice of the Leaves, i. A 
De coition of the fame. 3 - A Ponder of the Seed: 
4. A Lotion. ;. A Cataplafm. 6. A Clylter 7 
A Diftilkd Water of the Herb. 
The Virtuei. 
XII. The Liquid Juice. Taken to 4 or ; 
Ounces in Broth or Drink, fweetned with a little 
Sugar, it purges Choletick and Waterilh Humors. 
Hippocrates commends it wonderfully for Womens 
Difeafes; and he applyed it to the Womb, to 
eale the Pains of the Mother: and he gave it 
to provoke the CourfeS in Women, and to ex- 
pel the After-birth. He dropt the Juice into Sore 
and Watering Eyes, and applyed it for Deafnefs 
and Pains in the Ears. It is good againft Agues, 
and cleanfes the Breft and Lungs of Flegm, but 
with fome little Offence to the Stomach. Snuf- 
fed up the Noftrils, it purges the Head, Brain 
and Eyes of cold, ftiarp, and fait Rheums 
affliffing them, and is very good againft Catarrhs 
which fait upon the Lungs. Bathed upon Warts 
it is laid to take them away. 
XIII. The Decol/ion in Water, or Mutton or Veal 
Broth. It has all the Virtues of the Juice afore 
declared , but much weaker, and therefore may 
be given to 8 Ounces or mo're. If it is made 
with Mysrh, and Pepper, it is good againft the 
Strangury , and other Difeafes of the Reins and 
Bladder. It purges alfo the Stomach and Bowels, 
of grofs Flumors , but more weakly than the 
Juice. And ufed as an Errhire, it purges the 
Head, Brain, Eyes, Cfc. 
XIV. The Ponder of the Seed. It may be 
given to a Dram, or a Dram and a half, eithet 
in the Decol/ion , or Diftilled Water, and lo it 
helps the Yellow Jaundice. The Seed of both 
Male and female, boiled in Water or Wine with 
Wormwood, and the Decollion drank, is laid to cure 
the Jaundice perfeflly, in a molt admirable man- 
ner, and that in a very little time. 
• XV. The Lotion. It is made of the Liquid 
Juice mixt with Vinegar. Being applyed to 
Scabs, Itch, Tettars, Ringworms, and other 
like breakings out in the Skin, it cures 
them. 
XVI. The Cataplafm of the Leaves. Applyed 
to Warts it takes them away, as alfo other 
Defamations of the Cutis. Iq is Digeftive,’ being 
applyed to Tumors or Swellings in any part 
it is alfo Dilcuffive, (.where the Swelling will 
not come to fuppuratioD) and will fpend the 
Humor which is the caufe of the Tumor , and 
allay the Inflamarion, by cooling and eafing the 
Pain. 
XVII. The C/yfter. It is made of the Liquid 
Juice, and of the Decollion of the Leaves in 
Mutton Broth , of each equal parts. Exhibitd 
X x x x 2 warm. 
