CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

SPUNK

Name. Called also Touchwood.

Description. Grows to the ash and other tree; 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 lttle till it crumbles bettween 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.