The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. VII.

¶ Of wild Lectuce, as well that called Caprina as Esopus. Of Isatis and Garden Lectuce.

THe first kind of Lectuce that groweth wild of it selfe without mans hand, is that which is commonly called Caprina, i. Goats Lectuce. This hearbe hath a propertie, that if it bee thrown into the sea, it will presently kil all the fishes that approch neere vnto it. The mil∣kie juice of this Lectuce being turned thick, and soon after mixed with vineger, to the weight [unspec B] of two Oboli, and one Cyath of water put therto, is giuen with good successe to those that haue the Dropsie. The stalks and leaues stamped, with some salt strewed among, and so applied as a cataplasme, do heale vp the sinews that be cut or wounded. The same herb being brused toge∣ther with vineger, preserueth a man from the tooth-ach, if he vse two mornings euery moneth to wash his mouth with a collution made thereof.

A second kind there is of wild Lectuce, which the Greeks name Esopus. The leaues thereof being beaten in a mortar and with barly floure, applied as a pultesse, heale all vlcers: this grow∣eth ordinarily in corn fields.

A third sort comming vp in the woods, is named otherwise Isatis. The leaues wherof being [unspec C] likewise beaten together with Barley-meale or floure aforesaid, cureth green wounds.

A fourth kind there is besides of wild Lectuce, named Glastum, i. Woad, wherewith diuers vse to colour their wooll. It might be likened to the wild Dock for the leaues, but that they be more in number, and of a blacker green withall. This hearb stancheth bloud. It represseth and cureth the fierie and eating tettars, the cankerous and filthy vlcers also which run and spread o∣uer the whole and sound parts: also it dissolueth swellings before theygather to an head, & tend to suppuration. The root or leaues thereof be good against S. Anthonies fire, applied in a cata∣plasme or liniment. It is a singular remedy also for the swelled & puffed splene: and thus much for their properties in particular, respectiue to each seueral kind: but to speak generally of them all that grow wild, they agree all in this, that they be white; that their stem growes otherwhiles to the height of a cubit; that both it and the leaues be rough in handling. Of these wilde Le∣ctuces, [unspec D] That which hath round and short leaues, some there be who call Hieracia; because that Faulcons and such like Haukes are wont to scrape and scratch this herb to get forth the iuice, wherewith they annoint and rub their eies, and thereby recouer their sight, when they perceiue it to be darkened or dim. All the sort of them are full of a white iuice: & the same of the like vertue as is the iuice of Poppies. Ordinarily is this juice gathered in haruest by incision of the stalk: put vp it is in new earthen pots neuer occupied, and so reserued for many excellent effects that it hath. For first and formost, being applied with womans milk, it healeth all maladies that the eies be subiect vnto, as namely, it riddeth away the cloudy webs therein, the cicatrices and scars: all filthy sores with a burnt roof ouer them, and principally disparcleth the mist and dim∣nesse [unspec E] that troubleth the eie-sight. It is vsually also laid with a locke of wooll to the eies, for to represse and stay the waterish humor that hath found a way thither: the same iuice, if one drink it, to the weight of 2 Obolij, in vineger and water, is a good purgation. Beeing taken in wine, it cureth the venomous stinging of serpents. To which purpose, the leaues being parched & dried against the fire, their tender stems also being brused, are drunk with vineger. A liniment made of them, is passing good against the pricking of scorpions; but peculiarly for the sting of the ve∣nomous spiders Phalangia, there must be wine and vineger mixt therwith. Soueraigne defensa∣tiues also these wild Lectuces be, against other poisons; saue those that kill by strangling and suffocation, or such as haue a special spight to the blader; neither are they of any power against Cerusse or white lead. A cataplasme made therof with hony and vineger, & so laid to the belly, [unspec F] purgeth the rotten humors, & expelleth the worms therof bred: their iuice is singular good for them that pisse with gain and difficulty. Cratevas prescribeth to giue the weight of 2 Oboli of the said juice, in one Cyath of wine, to those that be in a Dropsie. Some there be who draw the juice out of the garden lectuce also for the same purpose, but not with like effect. The peculiar

properties of which Lectuces, I haue partly written of heretofore, & namely, how they procure [unspec G] sleep, abate fleshly lust, coole intemperat heats, clense and strengthen the stomacke, and finally, increase bloud. Ouer and besides, they haue other properties not a few, for they resolue and dis∣cusse ventosities, they breake winde vpward, and make one rift and belch sweet, and finally help digestion, and of themselues cause no crudity in the stomack. Certes, I cannot say of any thing else but it, that being eaten, both giueth an edge to appetite, and also dulleth the same: and all according as it is taken, more or lesse. By the same reason also, if a man eat liberally of them, they will make the belly soluble: if in a meane, they will stay a Laske, and bring the bodie to costiuenesse. They cut and dissolue the grosse viscositie of slimie fleame: and as some Physiti∣ans haue written, do clarifie the senses. Moreouer, if a mans stomacke be quite gone, so that hee neither desireth to receiue any thing into it, nor can hold and keepe that which it receiueth, he [unspec H] shall find notable comfort by eating of garden Lectuce. But for this purpose they must be ta∣ken vnwashed, with some sharpe sauce made with vineger, to the quantitie of a certaine Oboli, yet so, as that the tart and harsh taste thereof be tempered with some wine cuit or other sweet liquour for to dip into. Moreouer, this regard ought to be had, that if the fleame lying in the stomacke, be very tough and grosse, the Lectuce would be eaten with vineger of Squilla or the sea-Onion, or else with Worme-wood Wine: and if the Cough bee also busie, then Hys∣sope Wine would be mingled withall. In case there bee a fluxe occasioned by feeblenesse of the stomacke, then would Garden Lectuce bee eaten together with wilde Endiue or Cicho∣rie: and so are they good also for the hardnesse and swelling in the mid-riffe and about the heart.

White Lectuce eaten in good quantitie, helpeth the infirmities of the Bladder, and agree [unspec I] very well with those who be troubled in their brains, and ouercharged with melancholy. Praxa∣goras aduised also, That they should be eaten for to helpe the bloudy flix. Moreouer, if they be laid presently (in manner of a liniment, with salt) vpon a burne or scald, while it is new, and be∣fore the place blister, they will fetch out the fire and do very much good. They keepe downe and represse cancerous vlcers, that would be running and eating into the flesh, if they bee ap∣plied at the beginning with falt-petre, and afterwards with wine. Being brused into a liniment they heale S. Anthonies fire, if the place be annointed therewith. If their stalkes or stemmes bee stamped with drie grout or Barley meale, and laid too as a cataplasme with cold water, they mi∣tigat the pains that follow dislocations or lims out of ioint, they asswage also dolorous cramps and convulsions. Being applied in manner of a pultesse with wine and dry Barley groats, they [unspec K] doallay the griefe of red and angry wheales. Moreouer, they were wont in times past to boile them betweene two platters, and so giue them for the disease Cholera, wherin choler is so out∣ragious, that it purgeth vncessantly both vpward and downeward. But for this purpose, there would be choise made of the fairest and greatest stemmes, such also as are bitter, for they bee best. Some to the same effect, make a decoction of them in milke, and so minister it vnto the patient in a clyster. These stalkes being well and throughly boiled, are said to be very whole∣some for the stomacke also: like as, for to procure sleepe, the garden Lectuce is thought most effectuall, namely, that which is bitter and yeeldeth store of milk, which hertofore we haue ter∣med Meconis. This milke Physitians prescribe with very good successe for to clarifie the eie-sight, namely, if it be mingled with womans milk, and the forehead annointed therwith in good [unspec L] season and betimes. After the same manner it helpeth the infirmities and diseases of the eyes, proceeding from cold causes. Other vertues and commendable properties besides I finde in Lectuce, of strange and wonderfull operations. And namely, that it cureth the diseases of the brest, as well as Sothern-wood doth, if it be taken with the best hony of Athens. Item, That if a∣ny women do eat therof, they shall haue their monthly sicknesse come orderly. Also, that the seed of garden Lectuce is giuen to very great purpose against the pricke or sting of any veno∣mous Scorpion. Moreouer, That if the seed be stamped and taken in wine, it secureth one from the imaginarie fansies of Venus delights, in sleepe, and the pollutions also that thereof do insue. Finally, that certain waters which vse to intoxicat and trouble the braine, shall neuer hurt them that eat any Lectuce. Howbeit, some are of opinion, that the ouermuch vse of Lectuce at meat [unspec M] enfeebleth the eies, and impaireth their cleare sight.

Notes

• It should seeme he mea∣neth here the Tithymates, which be La∣ctariae.
• Pliny should seeme here to be deceiu•…•…d: for Isat•…•… is the same th•…•… Gla∣stum. i. Woad, and the wilde thereof inde•…•… is leaued like lectuce which was the occasi on of his error.