¶ The Vertues.
The roots of the male Ferne being taken to the weight of halfe an ounce, driueth forth long flat [ A] wormes out of the belly, as Dioscorides writeth, being drunke in Mede or honied water; and more effectually, if it be giuen with two scruples or two third parts of a dram of Scamonie, or of blacke Hellebor: they that will vse it, saith he, must first eate Garlicke. After the same manner, as Galen addeth, it killeth the childe in the mothers wombe. The root hereof is reported to be good for them that haue ill spleenes: and being stamped with swines grease and applied, it is a remedie a∣gainst the pricking of the reed: for proofe hereof, Dioscorides saith the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dieth if the Reed be planted about it; and contrariwise, that the Reed dieth if it be compassed with Ferne: which is vaine to thinke, that it hapneth by any antipathie or naturall hatred, and not by reason this Ferne prospereth not in moist places, nor the Reed in dry.
The female Ferne is of like operation with the former, as Galen saith. Dioscorides reports, That [ B] this bringeth barrennesse, especially to women; and that it causeth women to be deliuered before their time: he addeth, that the pouder hereof finely beaten is laid vpon old vlcers, and healeth