The Description.
Scammonie of Syria hath many stalkes rising from one root, which are long, slender, and like the clasping tendrels of the vine, by which it climeth and taketh hold of such things as are next unto it. The leaves be broad, sharpe pointed like those of the smooth or hedge Bind-weed: among which come forth very faire white floures tending to a blush colour, bell-fashion. The root is long, thicke, and white within: out of which is gathered a juyce that being hardned, is greatly used in Physicke: for which consideration, there is not any plant growing upon the earth, the knowledge whereof more concerneth a Physition, both for his shape and properties, than this Scammonie, which Pena calleth Lactaria scansoriaque volvula, that is, milky and climbing Windweed, whereof it is a kinde; although for distinction sake I have placed them as two severall kinds. And although this herbe be suspected, and halfe condemned of some learned men, yet there is not any other herbe to be found, whereof so small a quantity will do so much good: neither could those which have carped at it, and reproved this herbe, finde any simple in respect of his vertues to be put in his roome: and hereof ensueth great blame to all practitioners, who have not endevoured to be better acquainted with this herbe, chiefely to avoid the deceit of the crafty Drug-seller and Medicine-maker of this confected Scammony, brought us from farre places, rather to be called I feare infected Scammony, or poysoned Scammony, than confected. But he that will know more concerning the making, difference, choise and use of Scammony, let him read Pena in his chapter of Scammonie, in the place formerly cited, where he shall finde many excellent secrets worthy the noting of those which would know how to use such rare and excellent medicines.
2 Scammony of Valentia (whereof I have plenty in my Garden) is also a kinde of Bindweed, growing naturally by the sea side upon the gravelly shore, by the mouth of the river Rhodanus, at the waters called Aquas Marianas, where the Apothecaries of Montpellier gather of it great plentie, who have attempted to harden the milkie juyce thereof, to use it in stead of Scammony of Antioch. This plant bringeth forth many slender branches, which will climbe and very well run upon a pole; as being supported therewith, and mounteth to the height of five or six cubits, climbing and ramping like the first kinde of Scammony. The leaves are greene, smooth, plaine, and sharpe pointed, which being broken do yeeld abundance of milke: the floures are white, small, and starre-fashion: the roots white and many, shooting forth sundry other roots, whereby it mightily increaseth.
The Place.
It doth grow in hot regions, in a fat soile, as in Misia, Syria, and other like countries of Asia; it is likewise found in the Island of Candia as Bellon. witnesseth; from whence I had some seeds, of which seed I received two plants that prospered exceeding well; the one whereof I bestowed upon a learned Apothecary of Colchester, which continueth to this day, bearing both floures and ripe seed. But an ignorant weeder of my garden plucked mine up, and cast it away in my absence, in stead of a weed: by which mischance I am not able to write hereof so absolutely as I determined: it likewise groweth neere unto the sea side about Tripolis in Syria, where the inhabitants doe call it Meudheudi.
The Time.
It floured in my Garden about S. James tide, as I remember, for when I went to Bristow Faire I left it in floure; but at my returne it was destroied as aforesaid.
The Vertues.
The quantitie of Scammonie or of Diagridium it selfe, to be taken at one time, as Mesue writeth, is from five grains to ten or twelve: it may be kept as the same Author sheweth, foure yeres: Pliny judgeth it to be little worth after 2 yeares: it is to be used, saith he, when it is two yeres old, and it is not good before, nor after. The mixing or otherwise the use therof, more than is set down, I think it not expedient to set forth in the Physicall vertues of Scammony, upon the receipt whereof many times death insueth: my reasons are divers, for that the same is very daungerous, either if too great a quantitie thereof be taken, or if it be given without correction; or taken at the hands of some runnagat physick-monger, quack salver, old women-leaches, and such like abusers of phisick, and deceivers of people. The use of Scammony I commit to the learned, unto whom it especially and onely belongeth, who can very carefully and curiously use the same.