Vertues and use.
This Herb being drunk, not only provoketh vomiting, but purgeth downward, and by U∣rin also, purging both Choller and Flegm: if you ad to it some Spicknard, with the Whey of Goats Milk or Honeyed Water, it is made more strong, but it purgeth Flegm more ma∣nifestly than Choller, and therfore doth much help pains in the Hips and other parts, it be∣ing boyled in Whey, it wonderfully helpeth the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, and therfore profitable for the Dropsie and Jaun∣dice being steeped in Wine and drunk.* 1.1 It helps those continual Agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humors: An Oyl made therof by setting it in the Sun, with some Lau∣danum added to it, provoketh sweating (the rige of the Back being anointed therwith) and therby driveth away the shaking Fits of A∣gues. It will not abide any long boyling, for it loseth its chiefest strength therby; nor much beating; for the finer Pouder doth provoke Vomits and Urin, and the courser purgeth downwards.
The common Use herof is to take the Juyce of five or seven Leavs in a little Drink to caus Vomitings: The Roots have also the same Vertue, though they do not operate so forci∣bly, yet they are very effectual against the bi∣ting of Serpents,* 1.2 and therfore is put as an in∣gredient both into Metbridate and Venice Treacle. The Leaves and Roots being boy∣led in Ly, and the Head* 1.3 often washed ther∣with, while it is warm, comforteth the Head and Brain that is ill affected by taking cold, and helpeth the Memory.* 1.4
I shall desire Ignorant people to forbear the use of the Leavs, the Roots purge more gent∣ly, and may prove beneficial in such as have Cancers, or old putrified Ulcers, or Fistulaes upon their Bodies, to take a dram of them in Pouder in a quarter of a pint of white Wine in the morning. The truth is, I fancy Pur∣ging and Vomiting Medicines as little as any Man breathing doth, for they weaken Na∣ture, nor shall never advise them to be used unless upon urgent necessity. If a Physitian be Natures servant, it is his duty to strengthen his Mistris as much as he can, and weaken her as little as may be.