In the Dark Ages, medicaments were made from single herbs exhibited in the form of draughts, poultices, lotions, or unguents. The old herbaries of Dioskorides, or of Appulejus, were used as text-books; and a few extracts from these will be curious, perhaps valuable, certainly a help to understanding. (α) The herb Betony or Bishopwort (_Betonica officinalis_) must be gathered in August without the help of iron, the mould shaken from the roots, and dried in the shade. When triturated, two drachms of it, mixed with hot beer or wine or honey, is an antidote to venom, a digestive, a cure for hydrophobia, constipation, toothache, and prevents monstrous nocturnal visitors, or frightful sights and dreams. A lotion, made from the herb seethed in fresh water till two-thirds are evaporated, cures broken-head, epistaxis, fatigue, and rupture; or the leaves may be used as a poultice. (As a matter of fact, Betony is intoxicating, emetic, and purgative.) (β) The herb Vervain or Ashthroat (_Verbena officinalis_) must be pounded as a poultice for wounds and carbuncles. It is an antidote to all venoms, and dogs may not bark at him who bears it. (γ) The herb Clovewort (_Ranunculus acris_), wreathed with red thread on the neck during the waning of the April or October moon, cures lunacy. (δ) The herb Mugwort (_Artemisia dracunculus_), pounded to an unguent with well-boiled olive-oil, will make strained sinews supple. (This is excellent.) (ε) The herb Ravensleek (_Orchis_, Σατύριον) will cure sore eyes when they are smeared with its juice. (ζ) The herb Watercress (_Nasturtium officinale_) will with its juice stop hair from falling. (η) The herb Madder (_Rubia tinctoria_) as a poultice cures sciatica. (θ) The herb Clover (_Trifolium pratense_) prevents him who carries it from suffering sore jaws. (ι) The herb Rosemary (_Rosmarinus officinalis_) is good for the teeth. (κ) The herb Rue (_Ruta graveolens_), eaten green is an antifat; a twig stops nose-bleeding; macerated in vinegar and soused on the brow induces forgetfulness. Recommended for priests who wish to observe their vow of continence. (λ) The herb Dwarfdwostle or Pennyroyal (_Mentha pulegium_), as unguent, cures sea-sickness; as a salve, or burned as incense, cures fever and bellyache. (μ) The herb Sage (_Salvia_), as a lotion, cures itch. (ν) The herb Marjoram (_Origanum vulgare_), steeped in vinegar, cures headache, or may be chewed for a cough. (ξ) The herb Foxglove (_Digitalis purpurea_), as a poultice, cures sores and pimples, ἕρπης. (Its venomous principle appears to be unknown.) (ο) The herb Wildthyme or Shepherdspurse (_Thymus campestris_) will remove all inward foulness by the drinking of its ooze.