Chap. 134. Of Cives, or Chives.

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I. The Names. They are called in Greek, In Latin, Schoenoprasum, as though you mould say, Junceum Porrum, Rush Leek : In English, Gives or Chives, which are a kind of Small Grass Leeks.

II. The Kinds. They are either Schoenoprasum sativum, Garden Chives : or Schoenoprasum agrestis, Field or Wild Chives.

III. The Descriptions. Chives have many little headed Roots or Bulbs fastned together, out of which grow down into the Earth, a great number of white little threads, or firings, which have both the Smell and Taste of Onions and Leeks, jointly, so as if they were participating of both. From these Roots spring up about a handful high, long, slender, round, green Spires, almost like to Rushes, amongst which grow up small and tender Stalks, which send forth certain knops, or heads, like those of the Onion, but much less, in which are contained the Seed.

IV. The second, or Wild Kind, has a small, and somewhat Bulbous Root, but nothing near Jo many joined together, from which spring downwards a

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V. The Places. The first are nourished up, and grow only in Gardens : the other grows Wild in the Yields, and by way sides in uncultivated places in several Parts of this Kingdom. I have found them by the sides of the Highway, and in the Field going from Canbury-Houfi near Islington, towards the Boarded River, and that in several places as I walked along.

great many white threads or firings. And from the same upwards spring firth a great number of small blades, almost as high again as the former, harder, and of a darker green, and sometimes not absolutely roundt otherwise ( excepting their thick growing together ) they are much alike, and differ but a very little in their Taste and Smell.

VI. The Times. They flourish long, and continue many Years, and well endure the cold of Winter.

VII. The Qualities. They are hot and dry in the third Degree _·, Aperitive, Abstersive, Digestive, Discussive, Diuretick, and Suppurative ; Stomatick, Pectoral, and Nephritick Alterative, Emmenagogick, Lithontriptick, Alexipharmick, and Spermatogenetick.

VIII. The Specification. They are peculiar against Diseases of the Reins and Bladder.

IX. The Preparations. You may prepare from them,
1. A liquid Juice.
2. An Essence.
3. A Decoction.
4. A Distilled Water.
5. A Cataplasm.
6. The Seed.

The Virtues.

X. The liquid Juice. It provokes Appetite, causes thirst, heats, warms, and strengthens the Stomach, opens Obstructions, yet is something flatulent ^ it loosens the Belly, provokes Urine, and the Courses, and is good against the bitings of Mad Dogs, Serpents, and other Venomous Creatures. Dole, one ounce or more in White Wine ; it eases the Strangury, and is good against all Obstructions of the Reins, Ureters, and Bladder, expelling Stones, Sand and Gravel.

XI. The Essence. It has all the Virtues ot the Juice,, but is indeed more powerful ; the constant use of this Preparation, or the Juice, admirably en-creases Seed, and excites Venery. And this, or the former Juice, being snuffed up the Nostrils, it purges the Head and Brain, of cold, moist, and flegmatick Humors, and prevails against the Lethargy and other Diseases of the Head and Brain, proceeding from cold and moisture. Dole from one to two ounces in any proper Vehicle.

XII. The Decoction in White Port Wine. It has the Virtues of the Juice and Essence, but not full out so powerful, and may be given against the Stone and Strangury, from four ounces to eight, once or twice a Day, as also in the Paroxysm.

XIII. The 'Distilled Water. Being drank to fi* ounces, or more, either alone, or mixt with White Port Wine, it provokes Urine, and is laid by some to break the Stone, and drive it forth.

XIV. The Cataplasm. Made by beating the whole Plant with Mithridate, and Pulp of Figs, and applied, is good to ripen and break a Plague Sore, or any other Apostem. It is profitably applied to Scaldings or Burnings by Water or Fire, or Gunpowder : As also to the Piles when extreamly inflamed and swelled.

XV. The Seed. Made into Pouder, and given a dram at a time, it encreases Seed, and stirs up Luit both in Man and Woman : and given to Childrt 11 which have Worms, it kills and expels them : It is alio good against the bitings of Venomous Beasts.

Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.