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Olive Spurge

Description. This is a low shrubby tree, with many flexible branches, seldom growing above four or five feet high, shooting out clusters of flowers all round the upper parts of the branches, early in the spring, before the leaves appear: they are of a pale purple, or peach-colour, of a single tubulous leaf, cut into four segments at the end, of a pleasant, sweet smell; and are succeeded by small, longish, round berries, of a red colour. The leaves grow thick together on the tops of the twigs, about two inches long, and scarce half so broad at the end, where they are broadest. The root is full of branches, and runs deep in the earth.

Place. It is planted here in gardens, but grows wild about Geneva, and the mountainous parts of Germany.

Time. It flowers in February and March. The root, bark, leaves, and berries, are used.

Government and virtues. All the species of spurge are under the government of Mercury, and agree in their qualities. They purge serous and choleric humours very violently, and help the dropsy and inveterate asthma; but, as I said before of the other spurge, we having milder, gentler, and yet as prevalent medicines, these are very rarely used.

SPUNK.

Name. Called also touchwood.

Description. Grows to the ash and other trees; but that is supposed to be the best that grows to old oaks that have been lopped, and which has been gathered in August and September. The inward part is the best which feels to the touch like buff, which must be taken out, and beaten a little, till it crumbles between the fingers.

Place. Not only live trees, but decayed ones, and rotten wood, produce this excrescence.

Time. Weather that is warm and damp is the most favourable to all the fungous excrescences.

Government and virtues. Spunk is under the Moon. It is sometimes used for stopping of blood upon the amputation of a limb, without making any ligature. The softest part should be chosen, and when reduced to powder, as much of it must be applied to the wound as will somewhat more than cover it: and over this a broader piece must be applied with proper bandages. The moss which grows in old wine-casks is the best thing that can be employed for this purpose.