[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link book
An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

PART III
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And so they keep them for their use.

Two or three of these will give a pleasant sower relish unto a large vessel of any liquid thing.

This Goraca is in great use among them.
[Excellent at the cure of Poyson.] As there are in this Countrey very many Poysonous Plants, and Creatures, so the People have excellent skill in the healing thereof.

There is one plant among the rest so strong a venom, that no creature will eat or touch it; and this is the leaf, that the People sometimes carry with them when they go to demand their debts, and threaten their debtors, they will poyson themselves before them, unless they will pay them.

It is called Neiingala, a sprig that springs out of the ground almost like an Hony-suckle, but not so big: and bears a curious Flower much like an Hony-suckle.
[They easily heal the biting of Serpents, by herbs.] They are oftentimes stung with venomous Serpents, upon which sudden death follows without speedy help: But if the bite be taken in time, they can certainly cure themselves, and make nothing of it.


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