hung a little lump of Leaven in the vessells they leave it for two or three dayes and then they drink it with great pleasure to expell thirst for this drink is sharp and sweet and most pleasant to their palates others boyle six pounds of honey in fifty pound of fountain-fountain-water and scum it well and then they dissolve an ounce and an half or two ounces of Leaven or Barm and put in the Barrell leaving a certain space as about two or three fingers breadth empty Apomel is not very watry and as in strength and vertue Apomeli it is equall to vinous Hydromel so hath it the same manner of preparation as we shall shew in our shop Amongst sweet potions is reckoned Oinomel Oinomel which is made of two parts of old wine and one of honey and sometimes of six parts of swee new wine and one of honey according to Oribasius Cap. 25. lib. 5. Collect. and because honey is of thin parts and most sweet those Medicaments that admit of its Commistion do conduce most to the attenuation coction and expurgation of grosse humours CHAP. IV. Of Syrups mixed with Honey THat which the Greeks call Oxymel and the Arabians Secanjabin The Apothecaries and not improperly call a tart sweet potion for it is a sower syrup made of water and honey or sweet wine and vinegar whence the taste recerves it as soure and sweet and as it hath a mixed and various sapour so hath it mixed virtues as by reason of the honey to the vinegar as of the vinegar to 〈…〉 for vinegar hath a purging faculty and it is Gal. l 1. Acetum esse calidum frigidum simpl 〈◊〉 2. Comp Med. loc cold and hot discussive repulsive and therefore Oxymel is commodious for hot cold diseases it cuts attenuates and cleanseth grosse and slimy humours it educes spittle Oxymelitis qualitas takes away obstructions it prepares cold humours for expulsion it moderates hot humours and quenches thirst for honey is averse to cold humours vineger to their lentour and water to heat and therefore causes that the honey be longer cocted better scummed and the vertue of the Oximel Mellis optimi nota better distributed as Messue his Interpreter well observes And the honey should not onely be very good sweet and sharp pale of colour neither too thick nor too watrish nor abounding with spume but the water also being a common solace both to the whole and sick as Galen saith Cap. 27. lib. de renum dignot Aquae bonitas qui dignoscatur Medicat and most necessary to all things ought to be most pure and good and it may be tryed so to be by taste sight and smell by tast as if it be free from all qualities indued with none by sight as if it be pure sincere and exquisitely cleere by smell as if nothing can be smelled therein which is in vitious waters and the vinegar also must necessarily be very good rather white than red Acetum quodnam optimum not stillatitious nor watrish but most sharp which hath a more potent faculty in cutting and attenuating Now that Oxymel is reckoned amongst Medicines is from vineger for it is not of them accounted sweet wine betwixt which Oxymel and Apomel takes place called by Serapis Acumel But because all vineger hath not the same vertue nor all men the same delight in its taste the same proportion of honey to vineger is not generally used for some would have more of vineger others more of honey whence Serapio thinks it should be made according to his mind that drinks yet the confection described by Mesue and Oribasius is most received and approved And it is made of one part of vineger Oxymelitis praeparatio two of water and four of honey and all are boyled together to the consistency of a more liquid syrup for if it be not perfectly cocted yet because of the honey it may be preserved long enough without corruption And this is called simple Oxymel in respect of that which is more compound which besides water honey and vinegar receives many roots and fruits whereof many formes are described by Nicolaus Myrepsus and later writers CHAP. V. Of Juices mixed with Honey HOney is the Countrey-mans sugar wherewith they often condite Cherries Goosberies and Pears Apothecaryes also not for want of sugar but by the Physicians advise confect certain juices fruits and flowers with honey and make them into Conserves Galenjabin Conserva Rosarum sapes and syrups conserves as honey of Roses called by the Arabians Geneljabin and by the Greeks Rhodomel which is made of one part of the flowers of red roses bruised and three parts of honey despumed Mel passulatum Sapes as honey of grapes which confected of one pound of dry grapes clensed and macerated for a whole day in three pounds of water then boyled to the half afterwards strained and mixed with an equall quantity of honey despumed syrups as another kind of honey of roses which is made of an equall quantity of despumed honey and red rose juice the Mercuriall honey or Mel Mercuriale is also confected after the like manner and cocted to the consistency of a thicker syrup And as the consistency of these conserves of roses is various so is their description and preparation for many take the same quantity of roses purged from their white and of honey as Mesue also did but they do not as he Rhodomel boyle them on the fire but expose them to the heat of the Sun Mel Rosatum foliatum for the space of ten or twelve dayes before they repose them in their shops thus also Rhodomel prepared without colature is called by some of a later stampe Mel Rosatum foliatum and by others Conserva mellis Rosarum But that which is confected of an equall part of the juice of red roses and of honey because of its sapour and consistency is called the syrrup of the honey of roses That same is a mean betwixt both because made partly of the leaves and juice of Roses with an equall weight of honey yet the former manner of confection is more approved after which manner also other Medicinall honeys are confected of other flowers Yet is it better that these be insolated than decocted with fire Cur prastet hac insolari quà m coqui because the odour of flowers being easily dissipable perishes and their qualities do not remain integrall after cocture but they will easily endure insolation which acting with a temperate and diuturnall heat not short and fervid better mixes such Medicaments yet that honey which is made of fresh roses is used to be cocted with a slow fire that which is made of dry roses should be insolated Now what way soever honey of roses is made whether of flowers integrall or broken it ought first a little to be calefied that it may be strained and it is called Mel Rosatum Colatum As
white-wine lb ss good Oyl lb j. ss mingle them and insolate them for seven dayes afterwards put them in a bath till the wine be evaporated and the expressed Oyl keep The COMMENTARY This Oyl should be made about the beginning of Autumn we call it Myreol or Unguent of Pigment because both the Plants whereof it consists are called by the French Pigmentum as if they should say Pigment and by some Ambrosia for by the fragrance of its halite it exhilarates and by its aromatical lentour inviscates the fingers of the contrectants When Don Claudius Gonerius a man of much learning and integrity of whom we have oft made mention in our Books of Medicinal Matter had accurately sought into the nature of these Plants whose diligence in finding the varieties and faculties of Simples hath been very great He was moved that Medicks should not celebrate and usurp such eximious Plants which Nature it self had designed excellent by their odour sapour and pinguetude But it may be these Plants are contemptible because of their frequency the herb indeed grows most commonly in cultivated Gardens but the shrub fruticates spontaneously in all places about Paris much whereof in the beginning of September is brought into the City and bought by women to conciliate fragrance and suavity to their vestments When I had long explored their faculties and found them efficacious I made this Oyl of them which responds in faculties to many Balsams for it conduces much to the Palsey Vires trembling and imbecility of the Nerves it cures the cold dolours of the articles digests watry humours takes away dolours sprung from phlegm cocts and resolves crude tumours roborates the Brain and Nerves and with a little Turpentine draws dysepulotical Ulcers to sanity SECT II. Of such Oyls as may be confected at any time IN the former Section of this Book we have comprehended all Oyls more usual and necessary for Pharmacopolists which should be made in the Spring Summer or Autumn by infusion those seasons suppeditating fresh and eximious Medicaments in great plenty Now it rests that we describe such as Art may elicite at any time CHAP. 1. Oleum Mastichinum or Oyl of Mastick D. Mes â„ž Mastick â„¥ iij. Oyl of Roses â„¥ xij generous Wine â„¥ iiij boyl them till the consumption of the wine then strain it and let the Oyl be reposed in a pot for use The COMMENTARY Mesue gives two descriptions of the Oyl of Mastick one consisting of the Oyl of Sesamum and Mastick the other of Wine Mastick and the Oyl of Roses which is frequently used Praepositus propounds a third which all reject Myrepsus besides the former gives two other scarce at all used This description then that we give out of Avicenna and Mesue is solely admitted for whose confection the Mastick must be tunded pretty crassly then cocted and agitated in a double vessel together with Oyl of Roses and red VVine till the VVine be exhaled It roborates the brain Vires nerves ventricle liver and articles it mollifies hard tumours and allayes dolours CHAP. 2. Oleum Nardinum simplex or Simple Oyl of Spikenard D. Mes â„ž Spikenard â„¥ iij. Wine and Water of each â„¥ ij ss Oyl of the Pulse Sesamum lb j. ss boyl them upon a gentle fire till the water be consumed stirring of them lest they burn The COMMENTARY Mesue is too much occupied in varying the same Oyl for he gives four sorts of the Oyl of Roses three of Spikenard amongst which those onely that are first described are usurped the rest seldome or never as other two which Myrepsus gives so sumptuous that they rather seem Balsams or Unguents then Oyls For the confection of this simple Oyl of Spikenard in defect of Oyl of Sesamum sweet Oyl may be substituted without much errour for Mesue sometimes prescribes that of Sesamum or sweet Oyl at pleasure The Spikenard must be minutely cut and macerated three or four hours in a glass or fictile pot in Wine Water and Oyl then all cocted till the water and wine be dissipated Some macerate it onely in water and wine for a whole day but so its faculties are worsted they had better infuse it for a short space in Oyl water and wine calefied a little upon the ashes Now half a pound of Oyl seeming too little for three ounces of Spikenard much whereof is very light the Roman Medicks have added to it a pound more so that it is lb j. ss This Oyl is called Benedict for its eximious vertues it calefies Vires attenuates digests and astringes moderately and thence conduces much to all cold flatulent affections of the Brain Ventricle Liver Spleen and Uterus and emends the odour and colour of the body CHAP. 3. Oleum Croci or Oyl of Saffron D. Mes â„ž of Saffron Calamus Aromaticus of each â„¥ j. Myrrhe â„¥ ss macerate them five dayes in Vinegar Cordumeni i. Carui in ejus loco Cardamomi then infuse for a whole day Cardamomes Ê’ ix afterwards boyl them upon a gentle fire till the Vinegar be consumed with lb j. ss of the best Oyl let the Colature be put in a fit vessel The COMMENTARY There is scarce a disease more frequent then the Neapolitan or a Medicament more usual to it then the Emplaister of Frogs described by Jo. Vigonius for there is not an Oppidane Barber so stupid but he hath made both tryal and gain of this Medicament to whose confection Oyl of Saffron acceding it should be kept in Pharmacopolies otherwise the Medicament will be ill confected yet I think Mesue invented it not for that end for it is credible he never heard of the Venereous Pox else he would not have been silent in that point but he made it to roborate the Uterus and Nerves allay their dolours mollifie and discuss hardness and conciliate colour What Cordumeni is we have shewed in our Book of Simples CHAP. 4. Oleum de Capparibus or Oyl of Capers â„ž of the bark of the roots of CapersÊ’ j. the middle bark of Tamarisk Tamarisk-leaves the seeds of white Willow Spleen-wort Cypress-root of eachÊ’ ij RueÊ’ j. Vinegar generous White-wine of each â„¥ ij mature Oyl lb j. boyl them till the Vinegar and the Wine be consumed and let percolated Oyl be reposed idoneously for future use The COMMENTARY The invention of this Oyl is attributed to the Neotericks for none of the Ancients that I know of speak of it It s Author is uncertain but whoever he was he described this Oyl which is eximiously Medicinal both legitimately and methodically Which is therefore alwayes almost made after the description we have exhibited save by Brassavolus who studying novelties changed it who I think is one of them that had rather be seen then estimated But that it may be duly confected the roots of Cypress must first be minutely incided then brayed with the barks of Capers and Tamarisks the other simples also as Tamarisks Scolopendrium or Ceterach and Rue
takes not onely water but confects Juleps of juices infusions and decoctions And the vulgarity of men call all limpid dulcorate Potions Julens whether they be made of distilled waters onely or of the decoction of a few sweet simples and much water percolated clarified Julepus zizyphorum and dulcorated such as the Julep or rather Syrup of Jujubs for when it is made of a hundred great Jujubs and four pounds of water cocted to the half and one pound of sugar it acquires a more crass consistency than a Julep and therefore when it comes to be used it requires dilution in simple water cocted or in a Prisane whereas a Julep is limnid enough of it self And that same Syrup which from its frequent use there derives its name from Alexandria Syrupus Alexandrinus is improperly called a Julep since it is as much inspissiated by coction and as long kept as any Syrup Now the Julep of Roses is right made when it consists of Rose-water with half as much Sugar cocted almost to the crassitude of a Syrup or little less if it be presently to be assumed as vulgar Juleps Julepus rosatus qui fiat which are made for present use of Sugar or some Syrup with thrice its quantity of water as â„ž The water of Endive â„¥ iij. Syrup of Limons â„¥ j. mingle them Thus Juleps should be of a more liquid consistency that they may be percolated but those that are longer cocted or receive onely a double quantity of Water to their Sugar as the syrup of Roses Syrupus Rosareus Rondeletii according to Rondeletius or an equal weight of both according to Sylvius are because of their crassitude scarce fluid and admit not of percolation Therefore according to the different coction and quantity of Water to the Sugar it will be a Syrup if both be equal or a Julep if three parts of Water be put to one of Sugar according to Loubertus Since Juleps are easy to make I shall onely describe one or two forms â„ž of the waters of Fumatory and Wood sorrel an â„¥ ij of Sugar â„¥ j. boyl them on a gentie fire till one ounce be consumed make it into a Julep for one dose An Hypnotical Julep to conciliate sleep may be thus made â„ž The water of Water lillyes Ê’ ij of Betony â„¥ j. Syrup of Poppyes simple â„¥ j. drink it at the hour of sleep which is at nine of the clock at night CHAP. V. Of distilled Restoratives ALL analeptical and restorative Medicaments which refocillate the habit of the body absumed by long disease or hunger which are prescribed to resartiate the vigour of the faculties weakned with languor are not onely taken from medicinal but alimental matter For whereas they conduce partly to the nutriment of the body and partly to the cure of the part affected it is manifest by reason that they should be endued with various qualities Now they are called distilled Medicaments Distillata cur dicta because they are distilled drop by drop from an Alembick into a subjected Vessel and Restoratives because they are extracted from nutritive flesh from Conserves Cordial Powders and all such things as either by their odour or substance refresh the spirits or roborate the principal parts Many disapprove of the custome of the ancients who distilled the raw flesh of Capons or Partridges purged from their bones and fatnesse together with the powders and conserves for seeing raw flesh is hardly concocted and the faculty of the powders easily and dissipable with what reason are these mixed especially seeing that the water first distilling from the crude flesh corrupts soon they seem to do better that put the flesh halfe cocted and its own juice into the Alembick with the other materialls Neither do we approve of their action Catenarum aurcarum decoctio non utilis who coct golden chains together with the flesh seeing nothing of them is dissolved nor yet extracted from them save that filth they have contracted by touching Their custome is more laudable who cast filings of Gold into coction as the Apothecaryes of Paris use to do who spare no cost that they may confect their restoratives and other compounds well This solemn and excellent distillation may be thus accomplished â„ž Of the broth of one Capon and 2. Partridge lb. ij of the waters of Buglosse Wood Sorrell and Water-Lillyes of each as much as will suffice of the Conserve of violets succory and roses of each â„¥ ij Pulveris Diamargariti frigidi Electuarii triasantali diarrhodonis Abbatis an â„¥ j. Troches of Camphor â„¥ ij filings of GoldÊ’ j. ss put them all into an Alembeck and after convenient maceration let them be distilled according to Art The description of another distillation excellent against hot and malignant feavers â„ž Of the waters of Wood sorrell Goates-beard Carduus Succory of each â„¥ iiij Cock broth lb. j. Conserve of Water-Lillyes Roses of each â„¥ j. Treacle â„¥ ss of the powder of the roots of Angelico and Termentill of eachÊ’ ij Dictamus â„¥ j. Carduus and Citron-seeds of eachÊ’ ij Sage and Orange flowers of each p. iij. put all these into a still and according to Art proceed to the distillation You may adde to a portion of this same distillation when you would use it some fit liquor as the juice of Lemmons or Orenges with a little common sugar or conserve of Roses if the sick desire it CHAP. VI. Of Decoction or Apozemes GErmany indeed that I may a little decline from the rode is happy in that it is not only a nursery of famous men but a treasure also of precious things Yet as the frugiferous tree brings forth with fragrant Apples blasted blossomes and sometimes pestiferous fruits so hath she produced a very Monster in nature I mean that Pseudomedick Paracelsus who professed the Devill the Authour of his Medicine calling his characters and words the Devils Art our syrups and decoctions mans inventions Herophilus the ancient Philosopher denoted these as also all Medicaments with more sanctity calling them the Auxiliatory hand of the Gods which being indued with divine and admirable faculties are able to cure the diseased and preserve the sound body Upon this account Heraclitus famous also amongst Philosophers was wont to call sacrifices Medicaments because they like some praepotent Physick purge the soul as medicaments do the body Cael. Rhod. cap. 2. lib. 12. The Impostor said truely when he called decoctions mans medicaments for herewith the quality of the peccant humours is tempered many pains eased the violence of the untimely guest death abated the acerbity of the symptomes mitigated and the parts reduced to their native bonity and vigour for they are made of all kinds but especially of alterative and roborative Medicaments wherein sometimes some benign purgative simples are infused in small quantity for it were absurd to call any blackish ingratefull laxative decoction wherein much Senny or half an ounce of some electuary as Catholicum or some lenitive hath
been dissolved an Apozeme for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Greeks comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to fervefy Apozema quid unde dicatur or decoct and an Apozeme is onely used for the thin decoction of hearbs Now the whole matter of Apozemes is from plants of whose water juleps are made and of whose decoction Apozems and Syrups amongst which there is this difference that juleps are tenuious Apozematum materia Julepi syrupi apozemata quomodo differunt syrups crasser and Apozemes in the mean all dulcorated either with sugar or honey or both and according to their different consistency more or lesse cocted The ancients used sweet water wherein they had cocted the leaves of some plants instead of Apozemes as many now a dayes do the broath of green hearbs altered with some mixture For the vertue of hearbs is as well left in chickens broath by elixation as in simple water and these alterative broaths are both cheaper and more gratefull than Apozemes yet a sicke man may use both receiving broath made of fit hearbs by the Physicians advice from a Cook that knowes nothing further than a pan or spit and Apozemes prepared with prudence and industrious Artifice from the Apothecary not for nutriment as the broath but calefaction frigefaction humectation siccation apertion or some such mutation and therefore sometimes roots or other parts of bitter or insuave hearbs are taken purged and cocted in a sufficient quantity of water being usefull for that purpose and an Apozeme made for many or few doses according to the quantity of the decoction our of the broath percolated dulcorated with sugar or honey and if need be aromatized with Sanders or Cinamon These Apozemes are not onely made in Summer while hearbs are fresh but in Winter also when either none or onely arid ones can he had though then indeed the use of syrups is more frequent which differ from Apozemes onely in coction which should be more valid in syrups that are more crasse and durable than in Apozemes in Winter and Apozemes to Syrups in Summer whereby so that syrups are Vicegerents to Apozemes it seemes two names denote one thing but in Syrups a greater quantity of sugar is requisite to wit the weight of the whole decoction in Apozemes various as sometime the third sometimes the fourth part of sugar or honey to the weight of the decoction for it is sufficient if you put to every pound of the decoction one quadrant that is three ounces of sugar or syrup or at most a trient that is four ounces But when the sapour of the liquour is very ingratefull the weight of the sugar must be augmented and when the Apozeme is made it must be despumed and purged with the white of eggs Apozemes are variously confected according to their severall purposes An opening Apozeme as to remove obstructions thus â„ž The Roots of Asparagras Butchers Broome Saccory Liquorish Raisons stoned of each â„¥ ss of the leaves of Maidenhaire Agrimony Pimpinell Topps of Hopps Mugwort of each m. ss topps of Hysop p. ij The three Cordiall flowers of each p. j. Boyle these in lb. ij ss of water till halfe be cousumed adde to the colature Syrup of Maidenhaire or sugar â„¥ iiij fiat Apozema for foure doses Another to moderate and asswage the fervour of Choller thus â„ž Of the Roots of Succory Wood-sorrell Sorrell of each â„¥ ss Liquorish An Apozeme against choller Currands of each Ê’ iij. Endive Succory Dandilyon Wood-sorrell Fumitory Lettice Purslane of each m. j. White Roses m. ss or the three Cordiall flowers of each p. j. Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water and in the colature dissolve Syrup of the juice of Wood-sorrell or Lemmons or Sugar of Roses â„¥ iiij aromatize it with yellow SandersÊ’ ss for foure doses CHAP. VII Of Gargarismes GAROARISMES are instituted to the diseases and affections of the Mouth Gumms Palate and throat whose faculty according to Celsus cap. 23. lib. 5. is either levative or repressive or evocative Creame or milk of Barly leviate water wherein lentills or roses or black berryes or quinces or dates have been cocted represses And Mustard Pepper or such sharpe Medicaments evoke But Gargarismes in Actuarius his judgement Cap. 6. lib. 3. Method Medend should not be confected hereof without the admixtion of some sweet things least they should too much offend the gust For when the liquor hausted to the Gurgulio is again revoked to wash the whole concavity of the mouth if it be too sharp it will with its mordacity offend the gustative organs Therefore the sharp simples whereof Gargarismes are confected are either mixed with Hydromel or simple water wherein the syrup of Stecados dry Roses or other such sweet decoction hath been dissolved in such quantity as to abate much of their acrimony or amaritude To educe flegme from the brain or jawes make a Gargarisme thus â„ž PellitoryÊ’ ij Cypress root and Turbith of eachÊ’ iij. A Oargarisâ—â—â— to purge Phlegme from the Braine Elecampane â„¥ j. Tops of Origanum Hysop and Sage of each m. j. boyle them in a pinte and half of water till a third part be consumed in the colature mixe Oximel simplex â„¥ iij. fiat Gargarisma or thus â„ž Liquorish Carthamus seed an â„¥ ss Bay berryes Stavesacre of eachÊ’ iij. Mustard seed white peper an Ê’ ij Galangal Ê’ j. staechados Betony an m. ss boyle them in Hydromel pro Gargarizatu To roborate the mouth and deterge its collutions make one thus A cleanfing Gargarismâ— â„ž The leaves of the Prune tree tops of Bryers Plantaine Jewscare red Roses an m. j. balaustians tops of Mirtles of each m. ss Barley Berberies of each â„¥ ss boyle them in two pintes of water till half be consumed to the colature add the syrup of dryed Roses of mulherryes of each â„¥ ij mingle them This following Gargarisme conduces to the cure of the French disease in the throat or other part of the mouth â„ž Of Guaicum â„¥ j. Sarsaperilla Sasafras A Gargarisme for an Ulcer in the throat of each â„¥ ss lignum LentisciÊ’ iij. boyle them in two pintes of water till a third part be consumed adding towards the end of the coction LiquorishÊ’ vi Roses Sage and Rosmary of each p. j. with the colature often wash the throat Gargarismes may be used at any time especially in the morning and betwixt meales but they should be new continually for by long keeping they corrupt and rather harme than heale the mouth CHAP. VIII Of Emulsions AS one disease may be cured by many and different Medicaments so may one Medicament cure many and different diseases as the same called by the later Medicks an emulsion which may be accomodated to many uses for it conduces much to the mitigating the griefes of the heart and lungs to the conciliating of sleep to the refrigerating of immoderate heat to the asswaging of the Urines acrimony and extinguishing the ardour of the reins They
above This Prescription is accommodate to stay both fluxes to wit of Flowers and Hemorthoides â„ž Shepherds purse Knot-grass Mouse-ear Plantain ana m. j. Roses m. ij Balaustians m. j. boyl them in Bean cod water let the vapour enter in at the genitals This will asswage and allay the dolour of the Hemorrhoides â„ž Mullein m. ij Marsh-mallows m. j. Linseed â„¥ ss boyl them in milk and whil'st they are hot put them in a stool-pan and sit upon it that the vapour may ingrede the fundament CHAP. IV. Of an Hypocaust or Sudatory AN Hypocaust is a place made like a little Fornace Hypocaustum quid wherein sweat is procured by dry heat ascending through like Spiracles from the fire set under it It is called by another name to wit Unde dicatur Laconicum Ejus usus Laconicum because the Laconians chiefly used it as the Romanes did baths It conduces much in frigid and diuturnal diseases for seeing its fervid and sharp heat doth not onely calefy the external habit of the body but the very praecordia and internals also it potently opens the passages calefies melts and by sweat educes the humours But seeing this external calour continually thus occurring and insinuating it self into the internals doth speedily project the humours it can scarce be tolerated one quarter of an hour without dissipation of the spirits and loss of strength whereupon swoundings often follow but the more delicate and such also whose bodyeâ— are loaden with impure excrements are chieâ—â—y in danger of this delinquency Quae ingressum bypocausti praecedere debent He therefore that consults his sanity should never enâ—â—â— these Sudatories till he have by purge and phlebotomy if need be exonerated his body for so the reliques of those humours that infest his body may be easily projected by sudour The Rusticks custome is irreproveable who being destitute of an Hypocaust extracted by due and artificial industry take a Hogshead of a just magnitude and calefy it either by a fire or by setting it over a pan full of burned coals or a vessel full of hot water and set therein sweating profusely and with case without any danger of swourding Some will sit in an oven where bread is but lately drawn out put their heads onely out at the mouth thereof and so sweat abundantly Chirurgions have invented a certain Aestuary of a vimineous texture like a Bird-cage wherein they excite such to sweat as are infested with the French disease which they properly call a Cage wherein the Birds do not nourish but are nourished These miserable Wretches are included herein with hot bricks and almost suffocated till they sweat abundantly in every part of their bodyes having before drunk of the Decoction of Lignum sanctum or Sarsaparilla or some other Alexitery which will both move sweat and deleate the French disease CHAP. V. Of Fomentations FOments are so commodious that no part of the body is averse to their sanative operations Aetius prescribes this Medicament to fore eyes Trallian initio lib. 6. to the ears to the flux of the belly yea he thinks them convenient to asswage any dolour Celsus cap. 12. lib. 3. admits of Foments in Feavers and thinks they should not be omitted but by all means applyed to pleuritical hepatical splenical and arthritical persons as also to the calculative or other parts affected where the ulcer hath not dissolved the continuity nor divided the integrity For Oribasius cap. 29. lib. 9. saith they rarify the skin for transpiration attenuate the blood discuss part thereof and so operate that the parts affected are not so dolorous Foments therefore are made for many purposes as thus to roborate the ventricle â„ž Wormwood both the Mints tops of Dill Roses of each m. ij A Foment roborating the stomack Penniroyal Marjorum of each m. j. Balaustians Cyperus nuts bruised of each â„¥ j. boyl them in water with a fourth part of wine added towards the end of the Coction and foment the ventricle with sponges dipped therein as hot as can be suffered Trallian prescribes many Foments to the splenetick affections which consist of such things as roborate it or as incide and digest the humours or as change and alter its intemperance This Foment after purgation doth remove obstructions and roborate it â„ž Cetrarch or Spleen-wort Roman Wormwood Staechados A Fotus for the spleen Tamaris of each m. ij Broom flowers Jasmine of each m. j. boyl them in water and wine for a good space and to every pint of the Decoction adde Oil of Capars â„¥ iij. with which foment the part affected either with sponges or bladders filled and applyed This Foment is very good to cure the Pleurisy â„ž For the Plenrisy Marsh-mallows Mâ—llows Violets of each m. ij the flowers of Mâ—lilot and Chemomile tops of Dill of each m. j. Linseed â„¥ j. boyl these either in water or milk and foment the side either with cloaths or spunges dipped therein After the foment liniate the part with some lenitive Oil as Oil of Lillyes Almonds or Violets or else with new Butter This foment for the diseased of the Stone must be applyed to the region of the reins â„ž Fotâ—â— pro calculosis Water-cresses Pelitory Beets Violets of each m. ij Fâ—nâ—greek â„¥ ij boyl them in Hydromel and foment the reins therewith CHAP. VI. Of Epithemaes SOme make no difference betwixt a Foment and an Epithema but Fernalius rightly asserts them to be different Medicaments Differentia inter fotum epithema both from their forms and their efficacy seeing a Foment endued with many qualities may be constituted many wayes and applyed to many parts But an Epithema is chiefly eximious for two qualities to wit alterative whereby it emends some distemper and roborative or alexiterial whereby it strengthens the heart and oppugns some kinde of poyson and for the most part applyed onely to the regions of the heart and liver They consist of distilled Epithematum materia cordial and alterative waters or liquid decoctions mixed with powders of fingular virtues wherein the proportion of powder is of one scruple or half a dram to every ounce of water which we mix with a little vinegar Some Alexipharmacal Confection is sometimes diluted in stead of powders as in some pestilent season or in some malignant distemper which impairs the strength of the heart and faculties of the diseased for in such a case it is most secure to mix some Antidote or Mithridate with the Epithema This Epithema doth refrigerate and roborate the liver inflamed with a Feaver â„ž An Epithema cooling the liver of the waters of Succory Endive Water-lillyes and Plantain of each â„¥ iij. Vinegar of RosesÊ’ j. Pulvis Triasant â„¥ j. ss Diarrhadon AbbatisÊ’ j. Troches of CamphorÊ’ ss fiat Epithema and with a cloth dipped in it bathe the region of the liver An Epitheme thus confected will muniate and preserve the heart and strength of the vital faculties â„ž An Epithema to comfort
the purest Sugar lb v. Fountain-water lb iiij boyl them together till half the water be consumed then adde white-wine Vinegar lb ij or 3 or 4 lb. according to the accidity required and so boyl it up into the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Though this syrupe may be made at any time yet we subjoyn it to the former because they have much affinity betwixt their faculties it is called Oxysacharum for the Vinegar and Sugar whereof it consists That it may be rightly made Mesue would have it cocted in Earthen Tinne or a Stone-vessel not Brass or Copper as some do some would have distilled Vinegar but its quality being very sharp it hurts the ventricle and nerves the common Vinegar is better and more accommodate whose various proportions the Authour may prescribe as the Medick would have it sharper or less sharp It refrigerates hot humours incides crass and viscid ones Qualitates attenuates and prepares them for expulsion it arceates putretude quenches thirst and allayes the inflammation of the bowels Myrepsus exhibits another simple syrupe of Vinegar whose use I approve of and it is thus described â„ž Vinegar â„¥ iiij Juyce of Pomegranates â„¥ viij sugar lb j. boyl it up to a fit consistency It is made as the former and both of them are called Simple syrupes in distinction to another more compound whose description Nic. Praepositus gives But seeing it is of rare or no use we shall omit it This incides crass humours moves and impels them if inherent Vires allays calid humours refrigerates the heat of the ventricle and liver and emends the corruption of the humours or any syrupe of Vinegar kills worms whether in the Intestines or in the Veins as I saw in one of Paris in whose basilical Vein was a worm of a palms length CHAP. 21. Syrupus de Byzant simp comp or The Syrupe of Dynari or the Byzantian Syrupe both Simple and Compound â„ž of the Juyce of Endive Smallage of each lb ij Hops Bugloss Borrage of each lb j. boyl them a little and clarifie them and to lb iiij of the Colature adde lb ij ss of sugar to make it up into a Syrupe The Compound you may thus confect â„ž of the aforesaid Juyces rightly clarified lb iiij in which boyl Rose-leaves â„¥ ij Liquorice â„¥ ss the seeds of Annis Fennel and Smallage of eachÊ’ iij. spikenardÊ’ iij. strain it and adde Vinegar lb ij the whitest sugar lb ij ss or lb iij. boyl them according to Art to the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Both the syrupes are usually made but he may omit the Simple one that makes the Compound as also the Compound syrupe of Vinegar for it will supply the want of both The Arabians call it Dynari because it purges the Ureters not from Denarium a piece of Money as some think neither can I credit Bern Dessennius who saith That this Name was invented by an inept and covetous fellow who by Dynari portended some sum of Money It is called the Byzantian syrupe from Byzantium or Constantinople where it is very frequent or was invented or else because Mesue had its description from some Byzantian Medick This syrupe opens Vires incides and attenuates it frees the Liver from obstructions as also the Spleen and Mesentery it helps the Jaundies moves fluors and cures Fevers which arise from viscid humours CHAP. 22. Syrupus de Moris comp or The compounded Syrupe of Mulberries â„ž of the Juyce of Mulberries not altogether ripe lb ss of the Juyce of red Black * * * Before they be ripe berries honey despumed of each lb j. ⸪ Wine boyled to a good consistence sapa â„¥ iiij boyl these according to Art to the consistency of a syrupe The COMMENTARY As in stead of Diacodium which was made in form of an Opiate we use now the simple syrupe of Poppies so in stead of Diamorum the syrupe of Mulberries to whose confection some now adde the succe of Rassberries and of Straw-berries thus confecting it of three kindes of Berries others leave both out and sape also the succes must be cocted with honey to the consistence of a syrupe which is more dilute then Diamorum or Rob of Mulberries which is now seldome made most using this compound syrupe in its stead The simple syrupe of Mulberries also is very good which is made of 〈◊〉 succe and sugar whereunto if you adde a little Rose-watâ—â— It will be more grateful and efficacious in roborating and staying fluxes The compound syrupe cures the eroding Ulcers of the mouth Vires the affections of the teeth and gums the relaxation of the uvula or flesh in the orifice of the throat and all vices of the mouth It may be taken alone out of a spoon or diluted in some convenient decoction in form of a Gargarism CHAP. 23. Syrupus Ribes Berberis or Syrupe of Red-Currans or Berberries â„ž of the Juyce of Red-Currans or Berberries lb iiij sugar lb ij ss boyl them according to Art to the consistence of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY The vulgar French call this Grossula rubra the Moors Riben and the shop-men Ribes they are small round red fruits racemously coherent pregnant with much succe and small stones which tunded and pressed emit a succe which after clarification and colation must be mixed with sugar but the sugar must be added in less quantity to this then other cold succes because this succe will keep long without corruption and because by too much sugar its pergrateful acidity will be obtunded and the syrupe weakened Berberries succe must also be so extracted and so cocted with sugar into a syrupe Berberries is a word deduced from Avicenna's Amyrberis which Dodoneus makes Oxyacantha Syrupe of Ribes or Berberries stayes bilious vomiting Vires cures hot â—evers and Heart-aches quenches thirst and cohibits the immoderate Belly-flux CHAP. 24. Syr. de Agresta seu de Omphacio or The Syrupe of sowre Grapes â„ž of the Juyce of sowre Grapes depurated by residence lb v. white sugar lb iij. boyl them together to a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Mesue makes it as the syrupe of the succe of Citrons therefore he confects it of Omphacium and a Julep which is of water and sugar in a Tinne or Potters-vessel not in a brasen or copper one the Omphacium must first be cocted to the thirds then the sugar must be added which must first be cocted in thrice as much water and clarified then the mixture must be fervefied into tâ—â—â—nsistence of a fyrupe Some saith Mesue adde Cloves but 〈◊〉 are better left out Their custome is commendable who first coct sugar to the consistence of an Electuary whereunto they then adde the succe and coct them lightly into a syrupe whereinto they inject the succe of immature Grapes that it may be more acid This syrupe benefits the heart Vires stayes vomitings and the bilious flux of the Belly quenches thirst allayes the heat of the
or intemperate excessively Thirdly because of the ambiguity of Authors about its preparation for some onely fervefie the decoction of Anacardia with honey till it acquire a just spissitude others bray them and macerate them seven dayes in Vinegar then coct them to the half and afterwards coct them with honey into a Syrupe others onely bray and boyl the fruits in water till it be red collecting the innatant spume like Mellago which they keep for honey of Anacardium Lastly I would not have honey of Anacardium confected because its faculties are either noxious or useless and inconvenient either to preserve or resarciate sanity SECT V. Of Rob or Sape or Robub THe succes of Plants are conserved for future uses either by the admixtion of something as Honey or Sugar in confecting Syrupes or by some change wrought in them by Artifice as Rob that is Sape or cocted Wine or Robub that is the succe of any Plant incrassated by the beat of the Sun or of fire Rob simply by a certain Antonomasia denotes Sape or sweet new Wine inspissated by coction but in conjunction with another word it signifies the Sape of that same as Rob of Berberries CHAP. 1. Rob seu Sapa or Rob or Sape â„ž of Wine newly pressed from white Grapes lb xij boyl it upon a gentle fire till onely four pintes remain or so long till it attains to the consistency of honey which preserve in a convenient vessel The COMMENTARY Sape is made three wayes for women make Sape of all kindes of Grapes injected into their Kettles and cocted without water and expressed and inspissated into the consistence of honey and they call it Resinetum as if they would say Racematum that is condited of bunches of Grapes Apothecaries also have their way of confecting it but better for they take new Wine expressed out of white mature and selected Grapes and coct it to the absumption of two of its parts the third that remains hath the spissitude of honey which is the Pharmacopolists Rob or Sape but is now seldome kept being now seldome used Cooks also have their Sape made of new sweet Wine cocted to the consistence of honey which they use to sawces they use also cocted wine called Defrutum which being elixated onely to the thirds and despumed remains still liquid Sape is chiefly commended to the diseases of the Mouth Vires for it doth not onely astringe roborate and cohibit the motion of the fluent matter but also absterge and digest it when delabed But we have treated of Sapes more largely in our Institutions Cap. 6. Lib. 3. CHAP. 2. Rob Ribes or Rob of Currans â„ž of the Juyce of Red-Currans lb ix boyl it till the third part be consumed then let it settle and when 't is clear pour it off which boy upon a gentle fire to the consistency of Honey The COMMENTARY This is the simple Sape of Ribes in reference to the more compound whereunto half as much sugar accedes but it is most usually confected according to the prescribed form It should be made in June for then all the Ribes are red ripe and succulent and they then brayed and expressed emit much succe Rob of Ribes is indued with many qualities Vires for it refrigerates astringes roborates and recreates the heart therefore it is very fit to alter a hot distemper to roborate imbecile parts to propugn heart-aches and help such as vomit for by its clement astringence and delectable acidity it helps and delighâ—â— all parts it attinges Rob of Berberries may be made after the same manner or thus CHAP. 3. Rob Berberis or Rob of Berberries â„ž of the Juyce of Berberries well strained lb viij boyl it in an earthen Pan upon a gentle fire till it acquires the consistency of honey The COMMENTARY Rob of Berberry may be very well made after the same manner with Rob of Ribes for as the fruits are affine in colour magnitude and faculties so also are their succes alike confected It refrigerates astringes Vires quenches thirst either arising from the heat of the ventricle and other intrails or a dry distemper it helps such as labour under the disease of Choler or consumption of the Liver or the Dysentery or the frequent proritation of the Belly CHAP. 4. Rob de Cornis or Rob of the fruit of the Cornel-tree â„ž of the Juyce of Cornel-berries purged from its settlements lb ix boyl it upon a gentle fire till six pintes be consumed and what remains repose in a glass or pot for future use The COMMENTARY Some adde Sugar to it and make it Gelatina but it is less efficacious by how much more suave and it is better to make simple Sape and not to condite it with Sugar that its faculties may not be broken but whole But seeing we have many astrictive and refrigerative syrupes as syrupes of dry Roses Quinces Myrtle and the like we seldome use this Rob which is most commended for its astrictive faculty and thence was wont to be prescribed to stay the Belly-flux Dysentery and the Cholick Choler and Vomitings CHAP. 5. Rob Citoniorum or Rob of Quinces â„ž of the Juyce of Quinces clarified lb ix boyl it till two parts of it be consumed or so long till it acquires the spissitude of Honey The COMMENTARY That their succe may be well depurated it should first be calified then resided that it may be clear then it should be cocted on a slow fire for so it will acquire an idoneous spissitude Rob of Quinces is astrictive and roborative Vires whence it stayes the liquid Belly roborates the stomack conduces to the cholerick disease retains the Haemorrhoids and all Belly-fluxes The Ancients made their Robub of many other fruits which they often used but the later Age had rather make Syrupes and Conserves thereof SECT VI. Of Conserves THe parts of many Plants are condited for their better conservation and delightful use and hence by Pharmacopolists called Conserves whereof we purpose briefly as our Method leads us to treat in this Section and he that knows how to condite the fruits and flowers of any Plant with Honey or Sugar or both he may by the same Art condite the fruits and flowers of all Plants except some few which require longer coction or else shorter then ordinary But every young Artist knows how to intend or remit calour to give shorter or longer coction as the nature of the thing to be condited requires CHAP. 1. Conserva Violarum or Conserve of Violets â„ž of the flowers of Violets pick'd clean and in a stone-Morter beaten very fine lb j. of the whitest Sugar lb ij which beat together till it becomes a perfect paste which preserve in a pot The COMMENTARY Mesue would have the Violets a little dryed but they had better keep their native humidity for therein is their vertue posited which being vanished the flowers cannot easily be purged from their cauls and herbaceous
Effect Some adde Aqua-vitae but I think Cinamon-water is more conducible but neither to hot waters either to cold ones It cures the Venereous Disease it is given every other day and oftentimes every morning fasting from Ê’ ij to â„¥ ss It is most convenient for such as for business cannot lye long and stay much in their Cubicles We have omitted many other Antidotes described by Mesue Actuarius Myrepsus and Praepositus whose composition is not probable nor use laudable before which we prefer these we have transcribed For Zazenea Atanasia both the Requies of Nicholaus Diasulphur Acaristum Adrianum and the confection of Storax are seldome or never prepared because Asyncritum both in facility in preparation and faculty in operation is much before them all For their chief vertue consisting in conciliating sleep it is enough that we have one or two Medicaments as Pills of Dogs-tongue and the Roman Philonium that can with felicity effect this end And we judge the same of Alfessera of Esdra and of the Hamagogous Antidote and other almost innumerable Confections collected by Authors or rather Transcriptors which would make a man nauseate their number SECT III. Of Alterative and Roborative Trochisks VVE have hitherto exhibited Roboratives in form of Powders soft Electuaries and Opiates It now rests before we put an end to this Book that we explicate all Trochisks of consimilar vertues and all necessary for Pharmacopolies as well those which are compounded that they may ingrede the confection of other Medicaments as those that are given alone and serve to the benefit of no others And lest we should have confusedly congested Roborative and Purgative Trochisks together as many do and that perperously we have adjoyned all the Cathartical as Trochisks of Rhabarb of Agarick and of Alhandal to the end of the third Section of our second Book And now acceding to the explication of Roborative and Alterative Trochisks we shall begin with those that constitute parts of Mithridate and Treacle CHAP. 1. Trochisci de Vipera or Trochisks of Vipers â„ž of the flesh of Vipers boyled in water with Dill and Salt lb ss the Medulla of the whitest Bread dryed and powdered â„¥ ij beat them well together and with hands anointed with Opobalsamum or its succidency make little Troches every one to weighÊ’ j. dry them to keep The COMMENTARY These are called Viperine or Theriacal Pastils for whose confection the Vipers must be taken about the end of the Spring or beginning of Summer when they have been recreated with their wonted meat and air The Female should be rather selected then the Male but not while pregnant but agile with a long neck a fiery aspect rutilous and red eyes a broad compressed head a snout reflected upwards an ample belly a tayl not involved growing more gracile by little and little void of flesh a firm but slow pace The Males tayl grows sensibly more gracile and is not destitute of flesh the trunk of its body is smaller its neck thicker its head more august with onely two canine teeth the Female hath four Such as inhabit salt and maritimous places are not selegible those that are taken new are better then the old But that they may be rightly prepared they should be killed with Rods for their anger being thereby incensed they will spit out their poyson Their head and tayl must be abscinded from them when beaten each of them to the measure of four fingers which is enough in greater Vipers those which after this amputation move no longer nor effuse any more blood but lye still and are exanguous must be rejected as useless The useful must be excoriated eviscerated and purged from all their fatness washed well three or four times in clear water and then cocted in a fit pot with sufficient of water with a little Salt and more or less of green Dill as the number of the Vipers is in the prudent Apothecaries judgement as one handful and a half or two for four or five Vipers which number will make up three ounces of Trochisks requisite for the confection of the Theriack They must be cocted on a luculent but not a violent fire without smoke that their flesh may be easily detracted from their spina then the separated flesh must be brayed in a stone-Morter with a wooden-Pestel exactly whereunto in pulveration a third or fourth part of dry pulverated white-bread must be adjected that six dragms or one ounce of bread may respond to four ounces of flesh He that addes more bread makes the Pastils more imbecile and he that addes less more efficacious The flesh and bread thus mixed by triture and subacted into Paste must be made into Pastils or Orbicles They act perperously who inject any of the broath wherein this flesh was decocted into the triture for so it becomes too humid the Trochisks thereof too rancid contracting filth and not easie to be exsiccated they must be small and composed with hands anointed with the Oyl of Balm Cloves or Nutmeg they must be reposed dryed and kept daily in a dry but not an aprique place They are indued with much vertue against the bitings of venenate Animals Vires from them the Theriack mutuates its so profitable a faculty and all other things that help the Leprosie and bitings of mad Dogs CHAP. 2. Trochisci Hedychroi or Sweet-smelling Trochisks D. Androm out of Galen â„ž Aloes-wood Asarabacca-root the herb Mastick and sweet-Marâ—oran of eachÊ’ ij Calamus aromaticus Squinant Costus Pontick Valerian Opobalsamum Xylobalsamum of eachÊ’ iij. Indian Leaf Spikenard Cassia-Lignea Myrrhe Saffron of eachÊ’ vj. AmomiÊ’ xij MastickÊ’ j. all which with generous Wine bring into a mass which form into Pastils The COMMENTARY Andromachus did prudently to write this description in Verses for if he had done otherwise it would have retained little or nothing of its pristine integrity seeing Galen is found in the description and in the defining the dosis of the Simples Rhasis and Avicenna are not excusable who rather for novelties or vanities sake then want of Simples changed the Trochisks The European Medicks do not subvert but substitute in such compounds as are rationally and legitimately described And it is more easie to get the descriptions of the Arabian and Graecian Medicaments then the Simples whereof they consist though they must be very rare if our Parisian Apothecaries compass them not He that hath not all opportunely in readiness may for Asphalathum repose Citrian Santal for Marum true Majoran or Dittany for Amaracum Motherwort for Costum Angelica for Xylobalsamum Wood of Aloes or Lentisks for Cassia Cinamon for Amomum Acorus Rhasis and Avicenna adde the bark of the root of Darsihahan but what Plant that is is neither apparent by its name form nor faculties They call these Trochisci Andaracari but Andromachus and Galen Hedychroi some Idiocry from the author Idiocrius and Idiocrytus that first composed it for its confection first the roots must be prepared then the Aromata's afterwards the rest
expose to the air that it may dry and repose for use This Cloth is partly Sarcotical partly Collective and Epulotical that is it generates flesh agglutinates siccates and heals wounds and Ulcers it stayes fluxions and roborates the parts whereunto it is adhibited He that would have more descriptions of Sparadrappes may reade the last Chapter of the second Section of our fifth Book of Institutions There may as many Sparadrappes be made by Art as Emplaisters We have omitted some few Salves as such as we could either not approve of or disallow of or else such as were more then supplyed in those we have described For the use of the Salves of Barbary and Diaphoenician is quite decayed the Apostolical Salve is seldome made and he that hath the Divinum may well be without it as he that hath Oxycroecum without Ceroneum We have given the best and most useful not onely of Salves but also of other Medicaments for internal assumption and external adhibition All which if an Apothecary will make and keep in his Shop he shall not want any thing for the expugnation of Diseases Finis Libri Sexti AN APPENDIX Of some Medicinal Waters made by Art BEsides simple distilled Waters some others are kept in Pharmacopolies more compositious whose use is commendable in many things and that not onely in external adhibitions but internal assumptions also to correct distempers roborate the parts and erect the faculties Of which sort these are the most usual and eximious which lest any thing necessary should be wanting we have here subjoyned beginning with such as are introsumed Aqua Theriacalis or A Theriacal Water ℞ of the roots of Enula-campane Tormentil Angelica Masterwort of each ℥ j. Cypress Orris of eachʒ vj. Setwel the Pills of Citron and Orange Cinamon Cloves the seeds of Carduus Ivy-berries and Juniper of each ℥ ss Dittany Scordium Balm Marigolds of each m. ss Macerate them a whole day upon hot embers in a vessel well covered with lb vj. of white-wine the next day adde of the decoction of Goats-beard Betony and Water-lillies lb ij afterwards boyl them a little upon a gentle fire In which dissolve Treacle ℥ iiij afterwards put them into an Alembick and distil it in a Bath There is no Theriacal and Alexiterial Water better Vires or more efficacious then this for it doth not onely recreate the faculties but oppugn and extinguish all pestilent and venenate qualities It cures the Syncope Palpitation Swounding Vertigo Lethargie Epilepsie Apoplexy and Palsey Aqua Theriacalis alia or Another Theriacal Water more easie to make ℞ of the roots of Enula-campane Angelica of each ℥ iiij Carduus-seed Cloves Juniper-berries of each ℥ j. Scordium Vipers Bugloss Goatheard Marjoram Balm Betony of each m.j. boyl them in water to lb iiij in which infuse for a whole day and half Mithridate and Treacle of each ℥ ij put them into an Alembick and distil of the water according to Art Its faculties are affine to but more imbecile then those of the former not onely Pharmacopolists but also any one may make it for it consists but of a few things and they easily compassable Aqua Cinamomi or Cinamon-Water ℞ of the best Cinamon bruised lb ss of the best Rose-water and generous white-wine of each lb j. mingle them letting them stand in a fit vessel for two dayes well covered afterwards distilled off according to Art and let the Water be preserved All do not consent about the proportion of Cinamon to Wine and Rose-water for some put twice as much wine and four times as much Rose-water as Cinamon others put water and wine in equal quantity wherein they macerate Cinamon and distil the whole which is the most usual and best way This water accelerates Birth expels Secunds moves fluors recreates the faculties and discusses flatulency Aqua vulgo Clareta dicitur or The Water commonly called A Claret ℞ of Mace Cloves Cinamon of each ℥ j. Galangal ℥ ss Cardamomes Squinant of eachʒ ij Gingerʒ ss infuse them in Aqua-vitae lb j. in a Bath for 24 hours the waters of Wormwood and Roses of each lb ss Sugar ℥ viij let them be trajected three or four times thorow Hippocrates his Sleeve and make thereof a Claret which keep in a fit Bottle It roborates the stomach helps coction discusses flatulency corrects the cold distemper of the nutritive parts restitutes the hearts strength and erects the faculties Claretc alia or Another Claret ℞ of the roots of both Pyonies Missletoe of each ℥ ij the wood of Bayes and Lentisk of each ℥ ss the flowers of Betony Sage and Rosemary of each p. ij macerate them a whole day in lb j. ss of white-wine and lb ss of Balm-water and afterwards distilled and in the distilledwater macerate Cinamon ℥ j. Sugar-Candy ℥ v. which strain and keep This doth most admirably help for the cure of the Epilepsie Lethargie Palsey Apoplexy and other cold affections of the Brain and Nerves Clareta alia or Yet another Claret ℞ of the Waters of Balm and Coltsfoot Put the sugar in a bladder and hang the bladder in water and it will dissolve it of each lb ss infuse therein a whole night Enula-campane ℈ ij Orrisʒ j. Cinamon ℈ iiij make an expression and filtrate it adding dissolved or liquid Sugar-Candy ℥ iij. which after a little insolation put up It hath an excellent faculty in curing difficulty of breathing coughs from a cold cause and 〈…〉 for it incides attenuates cocts and moves spittle The ardent Syrupe is made of Sugar diluted in Aqua-vitae accended for after its conflagration the liquor that is left is oleous and of the spissitude of a Syrupe Clareta vulgaris or The vulgar Claret ℞ of the best Aqua-vitae lb ss of red Rose-water ℥ iiij Sugar ℥ iij. Cinamon ℥ j. traject them three or four times through Hippocrates his Sleeve and make thereof a Claret This Claret is most grateful recreating the heart and principal parts fomenting innate calour and discussing flatulency Aqua contra Calculum or A Water against the Stone ℞ of the roots of Smallage Restharrow Sea-holly Radish cut in slices of each ℥ ij Bean-cods ℥ iij. all the Saxifrages Sea-Rattlegrass Pimpinel Bishopweed tops of Marshmallows of each m. ij Winter-cherries Red Cicers the seed of Grumwel of each ℥ ij Citrons cut orbicularly num iij. macerate them a whole day in a sufficient quantity of white-wine afterwards distil it and put to the distilled water a little Oyl of Vitriol to make it more acid to the gust This water is eximious in breaking and expelling the Stone moving Urine and Fluors accelerating Birth attenuating viscid humours and removing obstructions two spoonfuls or thereabouts according to the age and strength of the assument should be taken in the morning fasting or long after meat Aqua ad Gonorrheam or A Water for the flux of Sperm ℞ of Bears-breech Garden-dock cut small tops of Marshmallows of each m.ij. the flowers of Water-Lillies m.i j.
Elixation Ustion Calfaction Frixion Despumation and what ever acquires mutation by heat may be referred as to its Genus Now Coction is small or great or moderate according to the substance or vertue of the thing cocted for some whose vertue is dissolved by long coction either because t is weak and posited in the superficies or because the substance of it is contained in a rare texture as some seeds many odoriferous spices and most flowers require a light and small Coction others on the contrary whose vertue is not easily resolved either because it is vallid and firme or because it resides in a grosse or dense substance or because it is posited in the middle as in Roots Woods Gumms Stones and sharp Medicaments as Onions and Garlick which grow sweet and mild by Coction require long and valid Coction others whose substance and vertue is posited in a meane between these two extreames as all the three Sandalls Jujubees Tamarinds mellow fruits and many seed endure but a meane and moderate Coction Now that Coction that is made in liquour of a moderate heat is called Elixation What elixation is And that liquor in which the Medicament is boyled is for the most part water and that either simple as common water or Medicinall or compound to which Lees of Wine Hydromel Milk Buttermilk Wine Vineger juices of plants Salt-water or sulphureous waters and all liquors in which Medicaments are put and boyled may be reduced The use of this elixation is manifold The benefit of Elixation First because it resolves the excrementitious humors of a Medicament in boyling and hence Colocynth and Turbith are boyled that they may not gripe and torment the belly but it is quite contrary with those Medicaments that purge by Leniating and Lubricating the belly and with those that are best when they are fullest As Cassia and Tamarinds for such become worse by Coction because thereby their native humidity is diminished and their purgative faculty destroyed Secondly It dissipates all those flatulent grosse and corroding humours that provoke the ventricle to loathing of the same as in Senna Polipodie Carthamus Walworke c. Thirdly It breaks all acrimony violence and ulcerating faculties as Mesue writes of Scammony which by his prescript will be better if it be boyled in a sorbe apple or in a quince or rose water as all other sharp sapors which become better by Coction Fourthly It bridles and corrects the more vehement and maligne attraction of the Medicament and therefore we boyle white Hellibor and most valid Medicaments that their violence may be broken and experience hath taught me that they become more benigne when they are boyled in water or juice of hearbs seeds or fruits Lastly Elixation doth very comodiously mixe the different qualâ—ties of Medicaments that one quality as it were concrete might result from them all which if it be weak in any plant it must be boyled easier and lighter if more potent and valid more and harder by how much the substance of the Medicament is grosser and more solid Therefore we first boyle the woods then roots then seeds then barks then fruits and last of all flowers on a gentle fire free from smoak This order of Elixation is to be observed in the preparation of all Medicaments especially Apozemes which are made of the decoction of roots leaves seeds and flowers dulcorated with Sugar or Syrups The punctuall time of Coction cannot be defined as some vainely have limited but left to the judgment of the Artist for some require much time of Elixation others lesse CHAP. XII Of Assation and Frixion ASsation is the coction of Medicaments in their own juice What Assation is after which manner of preparation flesh roots and fruits are cocted without any adventitious humour Now this Assation is made divers wayes The manner of Assation for flesh is decocted at the fire on a spit or in an oven or an earthen pot or carbonaded on the coals The roots also of black Beets are roasted in the ashes Beta Romana and Chesnuts in a frying pan but those rather appertain to a Kitchin than a Physician Now many Medicaments are dryed before the fire that they may depose their useless and retain their salutary quality others that they may become more mild others that they may be easier and sooner pulverated Rhabarb is sometimes dryed that it may be less purgative Scylla and more astrictive as also the Sea-onion that its vehemency may be obtunded whereby Dioscorides saith it offends the Intrals The brains of Sparrows excite Venery So also Sparrows brains are dryed that they may be sooner pulverable fitly to be mixed with those Medicaments that incite to Venery Many also are prepared by Assation The benefits that come by Assation that their copious and excrementitious humidity may be thereby washed Now they ought to be stirred or moved with a spoon or spatula while they are broyled on a hot tile oven or frying pan lest they be burned and they must be taken out before they grow black Assation and Frixion differ thus The difference of Assation and Frixion Assation is with its own juice Frixion with an adventitious humour as with Butter Oil Wine Vinegar or other juice or liquor after which manner many Aliments are fryed and broyled as Beans and Pease both that they may be more pleasant and also that they may more depose their bad qualities Gal. 29. lib. 2. de Aliment Coriander seed is fryed Coriander seed that is it is prepared with Vinegar that its quality which is noxious to the brain may be obtunded Semina viticis are also to be fryed Agnus â—â—stus that the flatulent humour may be discussed and that they may inhibit Venery Now some are fryed in the oil of sweet Almonds Myrab Citrin Chebul Nigri for the composition of Tripherae Persicae some in the juice of unripe Grapes others in Wine or other Liquor according to the Physicians purpose and scope that they may acquire a better quality or lose their noxious or ill qualities CHAP. XIII Of Vstion MAny Medicaments especially such as are more solid as Minerals or such as are indued with a malignant quality are burned before they be fitted for mans use Some also are burned that they may be sooner pulverated as bones horns claws flax and hairs of Animals others are burned that they may change their colour others that they may obtain a new faculty and one fit for our purpose Many sharp Medicaments are sometimes burned that they may grow milde and lose their Acrimony others not sharp that they may acquire Acrimony And thus as Galen in prooemio l. 9. simpl took notice that many sharp Medicaments lose much heat by burning and many not sharp assume and acquire heat thereby This he proves by the example of Vitriol which becomes more milde and moderate by ustion and some not sharp become more hot and crude by ustion as Fex
Linctus for it is assumed by little and little as it were by licking or sucking that by staying and lingering in the passage it may deerre into the breast or at least its cough-curing virtue may reach the cavities of the Breast and the grisles of the Lungs concoct Spittle and cause its exclusion which by the strength of nature may easily be done after concoction of the humour by a Vomit or Expectoration upwards Now they are not onely exhibited in a morning upon a fasting stomack but also at evening and sometimes betwixt meals to several effects and for several intentions and according to the matter intention and quality whereof the Medicaments consist for they are given to leniate deterge incrassate incide expectorate and stay blood Eclegms also according to the Antients may be made of Medicaments of any sapour yet very bitter and very sharp Medicaments we do not approve of for this use for besides that ingratefull sense they bring to the palate they exasperate the hollow artery and the jaws and greatly molest the lungs yet are souâ— ones sometimes prescribed for the attenuation of gross humours But use hath so far prevailed that in the confecture of CoughcuÃing Eclegms it is almost a Law that nothing but sweet Ingredients should make up the Compound as juice of Liccorish Pines Jujubs Sugar-candy Dragaganth and such like Electuaries mixed in Honey or some fit Syrup But if the condition of any affection preternaturally require bitter or sharp Ingredients then must they be mixed with the other Medicaments in a less quantity both that they may be more easily assumed and also that in altering the humour contained they may not hurt the part containing Quae eclegmata conveniant Asthmaticis Such Lohochs as these are for their notable faculty in inciding and opening commended to the pursy and such as breath difficultly because of gross humours in their Lungs An Eclegm should be assumed upon a stick of Liccorish a little beaten or out of some little measure and holden in the mouth till it melt of its own accord and till it slide down the mouth of the stomack or insinuate it self into the Artery subjected They are reposed in earthen vessels leaded and may be kept a whole year without impairing their virtues Yet such as in their Confecture receive Almonds or Nuts as they grow mouldy sooner so do their faculties sooner fail and decay There is to be sold in Shops a certain Electuary somewhat liquid for Glisters and it is made of one pound of the decoction of Violets Malva the herb Mercury Pelitory of the wall Beets and Wormwood with the same weight of the Pitch of Cassia and Honey despumed which being thicker than any Syrup and borrowing its colour and virtue from Cassia is called Lohoch of Cassia Lohoch cassia CHAP. XI Of Electuaries in general SUch Medicaments as externally applyed can cure any Poyson whether within the body or inflicted on the body by some bite are by the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which introsumed help many grievous affections The Latins do not onely retain and confound both these names but also denote them by the name of Electuary to us for the Antients called them Antidotes the later men Electuaries Whereof according to their different consistency there be two kinds the one solid which Apothecaries make into little pieces which they call Lozenges the other more liquid made and formed into the consistency of an opiate But if according to Galen the difference of Antidotes or Electuaries be taken from their quality and vertues some are assumed because of deadly Medicaments others are prevalent against venemous beasts others are prescribed to diseases contracted by ill victualls and some are accommodated to all these uses which may not only be wholsomley introsumed but also externally applyed as Triacle Mithridate Electuaries according to their different solidity are called Dry and Tabulated Electuaria sicca ac tabulata or Liquid which have the consistency of an opiate a mean betwixt an Eclegme and Pills as all Antidotes whose powders are subactd with sape honey or wine which put to sugar righly prepared and agitated with a woodden pestell do acquire the just consistency of a solid Electuary So that wine and the same Electuary may be formed liquid or solid according to the adjection of sugar or honey with artificiall mixtion yet they can scarce be brought to a solid Consistency which admit of the extract of Cassia and the inner part of fruits The proportion of honey to powders in liquid Electuaries should be the same with sugar to them in dry and solid Electuaries which is that to one pound of honey or sugar should be mixed three ounces of Powder yet either may be increased or diminished as the power of the Antidote is requisite to be more valid or more weak for by how much more sugar or honey is added to the powders by so much is the Electuary weaker and by how much the lesse by so much the stronger In purging Lozenges one dramme of powder should be mixed with an ounce of sugar cocted in water or some juice to a consistency somewhat more solid than a syrup in Cord all Lozenges two ounces of sugar often go to one dram of powder the quantity whereof should be by so much lesser by how much the quality is stronger and the sapour more ingratefull But Physicians should define a just quantity of sugar or honey Medicorum error for while they prescribe onely according to their custome as much as will serve of either indefinitly they leave the Apothecary doubtfull in making the Electuary and they commit the sick persons safety to his judgement for he may make the strength of the Medicament more weak or more intense as he pleases and you shall scarce find two Apothecaryes who put the same proportion of sugar or honey to the same remedy when the quantity is not prescribed In the Confecture of the liquid Antidote Electuarium liquidum faciendi modus the honey is washed with a little water and boyled by little and little on a moderate fire and despumed till the water or other liquor be exhaled then it is taken off the fire and before it be absolute cold three ounces of the mixed powders are sprinkled upon the honey every pound of honey so prepared requires three ounces of Powder and then they are mixed with a woodden postell till the mixture be equall The weight of honey should not be changed because of the mixture of the pulpe of Cassia Tamarinds or Manna Dactyls and Almonds or other fruits for in confecting an Electuary of a Legitimate consistency the weight of dry powders must be answerable to the sape honey or sugar A soft Electuary should not be reposed in a box before it be thoroughly cold least its superiour part be extrinsecally incrusted in a certain Membrane it is betetr to let it be fermented and the
catharticke will sufficiently exagitate the ventricle Wherefore the Physician does wisely who being called by some patient never before seen of him askes him whether his body needs a weake and gentle or valid and strong purge and whether he be most commonly laxative or restringed that he may the better accomodate his purgative Medicament neither too much nor too little to exagitate his ventricle nor yet to exclude more in quantity or quality than he should Yet if the body wholly abound with ill humours he may not at once but by little and little not on one day but many remove them for nature cannot beare great evacuations of any humours whatsoever but delights in graduall actions wherein is no violence CHAP. VII A just quantity of Medicaments can scarce be defined yet a little in excesse or defect is not perillous THE Medicinary Art is indeed conjecturall yet much helped by experience augmented by reason and confirmed by reason and confirmed by the authority of Doctors who trying effects by the indagation of causes and being more skilfull and prudent by long observance have left Theorems to posterity grounded upon many strong and necessary reasons whereby diseases may be known remedies invented and a quantity of Medicaments described if not just and definite yet so accomodate to nature and the disease that one may triumph and the other be captivated For what perill can be doubted or expected If where an ounce of Cassia is convenient seven or nine drams be exhibited if where oue dram of Rhabarb is requisite two or four scruples be assumed a small errour should not cause great feare and as all excrementitious humours cannot alwayes be educed by a Medicament without indangering sanity so we shall not need to suspect any harme by the eduction of some of them onely that are not of an offensive quality since meat and drink are not alwayes ingested after the same measere and at the same time Nor yet ill humours always bridg diseases with them Many have often eaten Hemlock instead of Persly in Pottage which the maid hath mistaken because of their convenience in externall form those also who love Froggs eat Toad stools often without harm Yet we must with all judgement and artificiall conjecture endeavour to make the quantity of the Medicament respond to the strength of the nature and the burthen to be educed which if it be copious and a proportionate Medicament cannot with safety be exhibited at once it is better to wash it away in severall dayes than at once both deject strength and humours It s sad to reiterate purgative Medicaments Suppurgatiâ—â—imenda where one will accomplish the design or to minister a violent one where a gentle one would sufficiently exonerate For suppurgation is dangerous which by too much opening the veins sometimes excites the dysentary evacuates blood and prostrates the integrity of natures strength to danger It s better therefore to relinquish some of the superfluous humours than by immoderate vacuation to protrude both necessary and excrementitious ones And as the same quantity of the same Medicament given to the same man at severall times may produce different effects so as its quantity varyes it acts variously one while is more proper for this another while for that disease for if Aphor. 1. lib. 4. Hippocr a woman with child be advised to purge which she may without fear or danger do betwixt the fourth and sixth moneth of her pregnâ—ncy she may confidently assume a roborating Medicament in a small quantity that the cause of that molestation whereof pregnant women complain may be gently removed and the foetus receive no detriment thereby But when the quantity of Opium Diagredium or such Medicaments which have great power in a little bigness is to be excoginted let it be with great care and prudence prescribed and pondered that if a just quantity can scarce be defined the exoberance or defect may â—e very small for whereas the least thing is not reached by the Law nor judged by the Praetor yet we may cafily offend in the least excesse CHAP. VIII Of such Medicaments as may without harme be taken in great quantity for whom they are convenient and when Every Medicament doth more or lesse offend nature as its faoulty is stronger or weaker by how much a catharticke is more grievous in odour or sapour by so much it causes more molestation for all purges saith Galen cap. ult lib. quos quando quibus offend the ventricle especially in its mouth which consisting of of many nerves is of more accurate sensation and therefore we either mixe benevolent lenocinyes with purgatives or select such as are not so ingratefull nor so much disturb the ventricle Which if they can be procured must not yet be presently exhibited save by those for whom they are convenient and in such quantity as may respond to the strength of nature and be easily born Which quantity is various according to the various faculties of the Medicaments which if they be weaker may be exhibited by so much in a greater quantity if stronger in a lesse Now I call them purgatiâ—es weak which by gentle and benign motion of the ventricle cleanse the first region of the body and are measured rather by câ—â—â—â—es than drams as Mannae the pulpe of Tamarinds the pith of Caffia 〈◊〉 â—â—e like Those valid or strong which being small in quantity produce groat and violent effects and which are rather weighed by grains and soruples than by drams of which hereafter all them are accounted weak which are measured by ounces and they vidleâ—â— which are 〈◊〉 by grains they indifferent which are measured by drams as Rhabarb Senny Aloes and the like all which as also all lubricating and roborating purgatives may be taken in greater quantity This also holds good in alterating Medicaments Alterantium dosis which by how much they recede lesse from the symmetry of our body as being onely hot or cold in the first degree may be prescribed in greater quantity by how much they recede more as hot or cold in the fourth degree may be exhibited in lesser quantity it is not then without perill copiously to assume Pepper Bartram Euphorbium or Cicuta Hedum or Water-Lillies because by the former the intralls would be inflamed by the later benummed and chilled But since roborative Medicaments differ much in their active powers they must be used in different quantities as cordiall waters by ounces conserves roborating the principall parts by drams more potent Antidotes by scruples Bezoar-stone and Unicorns horn by grains Now such liquids as are assumed either to roborate alter or purge may be given in a greater quantity Furthermore not only the efficacy of the Medicament but also the state of the body and humours require an augmentation Qui Medicamentis vaitdis qui benignis egent or diminution in quantity a gentle and weak Medicament will not move a strong and firme body which hath been either accustomed
gratefull but unguents Pills Fotus and whatever is extrinsecally applicable that requires decoctions to their preparations may be decocted in any convenient humour whether bitter acerb salty or oyly if the condition of the disease or part affected postulate it But now we treat of that more speciall decoction Quarum decoctionum frequâ—ns usus which after percolation is assumed by the mouth either alone or mixed with other Medicaments dissolved of which sort is the common decoction of any Medicament and the pectorall decoction which no Medick can well be without Now every decoction is either small or much or indifferent according to the substance and strength of the Medicament which is to be cocted Quae parum aut multum decoqucnda for some must be decocted gently as having a rare sustance and weak and dissipable faculties others will sustain a 〈◊〉 valid decoction as consisting of a firm crass and dense substance and endued with faculties not so dissoluble others require a mode rate decoction whose substance and faculties are of a mean consistency thus Fruits would not be so little nor Flowers so much cocted as Roots When a Decoction is prescribed absolutely without the special designation of any liquor Aquae quantitas in decoctis parandis it ought to be made either in pure and simple water as fountain or river water or else in rain water the quantity whereof must respond to the quantity of the Simples to be cocted as near as may be without exuberance or defect for when Simples through coction depose their qualities into the water if it be copious and they few the decoction after percolation will retain be weak faculties As on the contrary if many Simples be cocted iâ— little water the decoction will be exhaled and dissipated and the Simples burned rather than brought to elixation which is acquired by moderate heat in an humour proportionate to the quantity and â—â—ture of the thing cocted Those that sustain the longest coction require more abundance of water the shorter the less many Simples require much so that those that are hard and require long coction should be demerged in water and covered two or three fingers therein Thus a certain measure of water cannot be defined but is often left to the Apothecaries judgement When a Decoction is to be made onely for one dosis Aquae quantitas pro dosi pa randa it 's enough to elixate a few Simples in half a pound of water on a slow fire till it be boyled to half if for two dosis then in a whole pound of water if for four in two pounds And thus may the quantity of water be augmented as the Simples are augmented There are furthermore three Decoctions very usual in making Medicines The first is called the common Decoction which is commonly used to the dissolution of Purgatives sometimes to the coction of Senny leaves and sometimes to the infusion of Simples The second is commonly called the pectoral Decoction because it is used to all such as bring adjument to the pectoral parts The third is the glysteral Decoction of which in its place All men do not describe their Confections alike but every 〈◊〉 adds or detracts something according to his judgement This is the most vulgar and usual description of the common Decoction â„ž of clean Barley p. j. of sweet Plums nu vj. of Raisons stoned Liquorice scraped an â— ss of Anise and Fennel seeds an Ê’ ij is winter Decoctio communis medicinae but in summer of the four greater cold seeds an Ê’ ij of the three cordial flowers an p. j. let the Decoction be made in two pound of water till half be consumed This Decoction percolated will be enough for four ordinary doses or three extraordinary The pectoral Decoction whereof is frequent use in pectoral affections is variously also prescribed but that which Rondeletius gave is thus amended by Bauderonius â„ž of whole Barley p. j. of Figs and Jujubs an nu vj. of Dactyls Decoctio pectoralis nu vj. of Raisons stoned and Liquorice an Ê’ ss of Hyssop pretty dry m. ss boyl them in lb. ij of rain or fountain water to the half Some substitute Sebestens for Jujubs others augment the quantity of Hyssop others adde Capillaries and Cordial Flowers but since their virtue is pectoral enough which are contained in the form prescribed there is no necessity of loading it with more especially considering that by how much more Simples go to the making of them up by so much is their making and assumption more difficult and so on the contrary CHAP. II. Of a Dosis THat certain and convenient quantity of any Medicament which is prescribed or rather given to a sick man at once or necessity compelling at twice is a Dosis for Dosis is Dation whereof there are as many varieties as there are differences in the nature or properties of Medicaments or Bodyes to which the Medicaments are offered Dosis medicamentorum varia For there is one Dosis of Liquids another of Solids and another of those that have a middle consistency Catharticks also are given in various Doses which having once entred into the body if they be too valid or exhibited in too great measure do not onely exagitate the superfluous humours but also the good and laudable and by griping the bowels hurt the faculties there inhering One Dosis also is given to children another to young men another to men of strength another to old men according to their several natures customes and strength The Dosis of Liquids is measured and given in ounces of Solids sometimes in grains often in drams and sometimes in ounces Altering Medicaments are seldome given by one ounce alone Alterantium medicamentorum dosis unless it be to children or else that they be endued with eximious and valid qualities as Aqua vitae Cinamon and those we call Imperial Their more usual Dosis consists of three or four ounces if they be exhibited in greater measure they cause loathings they subvert the ventricle and are insuccessfully excluded by vomit Roboratives especially liquid ones Roborantium dosis are given from one ounce to three or four solid ones are sometimes given by grains as the Powder of Monoceros sometimes by scruples and drams as Cordial Confections and many Antidotes Purgatives are measured and given after the same manner Purgantium some by three six or eight grains as Diacrydion and Stibium also which though it be immite and effrenous yet tamed and castigated by Art and exhibited by a prudent Physician often produces successfull effects And I see no reason why it may not be used in stead of better to the cure of a contumacious disease For if it be lawfull for mans subsidy to seek remedies from Vipers flesh Neotericorum in inveniendis remediis sedulitas and their very skin and excrements how can it be illegitimate to expect solace from those Medicaments which Neotericks sedulity have invented their
therefore seem much to be deceived who think that emulsions serve to nothing save the cure of the virulent flux of the sperme for in many things they may be used instead of Apozems and Hordeates when they are confected of brayed seeds which refrigerate leniate move urine or conciliate sleep upon which in the time of contrition either a Ptisane or decoction of such simples as conduce to that purpose must be superfused as when purged Almonds and Artichocks with the decoction of jujubs and dry grapes are contunded for the asperity of the jawes the frigid seeds with the decoction of Lettices and of the flowers of Water-Lillyes for the heat of the bowells and the same seeds with the decoction of the roots of seeds of Althea Liquorice and Figgs for the Acrimony of urine The quantity of the decoction must be augmented or diminished according to the quantity of the seeds an emulsion should neither be absolutely crasse nor absolutely liquid but in a mean betwixt the consistency of Apozems and Syrups like the more limpid Amygdalates which in colour and sapour differ not much from emulsions but they are somewhat more crasse as Hordeates are denser than Amygdalates Syrups than Hordeates Eclegmes than Syrups and Electuaryes than Eclegmes These are the best descriptions of Emulsions for the diseases of the breast and lungs â„ž An Emulsion to allay the heat of the stomach Of sweet Almonds blanched â„¥ j. Pine kernells not rancid â„¥ ss the 4. greater Coole seeds of eachÊ’ iij. beat them in a stone morter and with a pint of the decoction made of Jujubs and Raisons conquass them together dulcorate it with â„¥ 4. of sugar for 4. doses To extinguish the ardour of the reins and abate the Acrimony of urine â„ž To allay the heat of the urine The 4. greater Coole seeds of each â„¥ ss the seeds of Lettice and white poppyes of eachÊ’ ij bruise them well in a marble morter and mix with them one pinte of water or Ptisan in the Colature dissolve syrup Nimphaea â„¥ iij. forÊ’ doses This following Emulsion conduces to the cure of the virulent flux of the sperme after other universall remedyes â„ž Water Lentills Lettice seed of eachÊ’ ij Purslain and Plantain seed of eachÊ’ j. the 4. greater Coole seeds of each â„¥ ss beat them in a stone morter powring on Barley water lb j. ss add sugar of Roses â„¥ iiij for 5. or 6. doses To be taken two houres before meales CHAP. IX Of Amygdalates ALmonds are either bitter which are solely Medicinall or sweet which are partly alimentall partly Medicamentall Of these a certain potion is confected white as milk which Physicians prescribe to feaverish and pectorall affections for though Almonds according to Paulus Aegyn lib. 7. de re Med. and Oribasius cap. 2. lib. 2. Synopseos be moderately hot or rather temperate yet being brayed and diluted in water their fervour is abated and by a certain inciding and attenuating faculty purge the breast and bowells Actuar cap. 7. de spirit animal nut now of their cremour may be made a certain sorbicle which doth both nourish and lenify the asper Artery and facilitate the projection of such humours as are contained in the breast which is thus made â„ž Of Almonds blanched â„¥ ij beat them in a stone morter and poure on lb ss of water addÊ’ vj. of sugar boyle them a little on the fire and afterwards let it be given Some adde to the mixture two or more grains others refuse How Amâ—gdalates are made it may be administred at any time especially to such as love not pottage or broath but it is most frequently given at the houre of sleep and then you may put to it a little of the seed of white Poppy or Lettice especially if it be prescribed to a sick man that cannot sleep Some bray Almonds with warme water and so by the addition of a little sugar make it up without fire and so give it But it s better to bray them with luke-warme water and afterwards elixate them after the usuall manner the quantity of sugar should be augmented or diminished as the condition of the affection requires for as sweet things are bechicall and most accommodate to the affections of the breast Lungs so by how much the Amygdalate is more obdulcorated with sugar by so much it is more convenient to them by how much its lesse obdulcorated by so much fitter for the feaverish This sweet potion is very common at Lutetia Amygdalata Lutetiâ—e usitatissima in so much that the very women make of it daily so that their Medicks never describe any receipt but bids the Apothecary make an amygdalate leaving the materialls to his arbitration A greater quantity both of sugar and Almonds must be put in the confection that 's made for such as love solids lesse of each and more of water for such as love liquids CHAP. X. Of the Antients Ptisane or Hordeate THe vulgar Ptisane is a potion made of Liquorice-water and a little barley and often without the Ancients Ptisane is a meat made of select barley decortticated with grinding and water hence Ptisana from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to grinde and decorticate Hordeati praeparatio by Galens advice cap. 2. lib. de Ptisana the barley should be fat partaker of no adventitious quality neither too new nor too old nor yet wrinckled which Barley thus selected must be macerated in water then brayed in a morter that the exteriour shell and all glumosity may be excussed then rubbed with ones hands washed and purged from the bran then dryed and kept and when use calls for it then must a part of it be cocted in twelve times as much water on a slow fire till it swell to the height depose all flatuosity Antiquorum Ptisana and become a smooth continuall equall and lubricall juice thus the Ancients at first cocted their Ptisane and exhibited it to the sick yet some of them mixed with it boyled wine or honey or cummin and others a little oil vineger and salt but we being more delicate add none of these but onely sugar and sometimes a few Almonds and as we retain not the mixture of the Ancients so neither do we keep the name calling that a hordeate which Hippocrates and Galen called a Ptisane and it s thus made at Lutetia â„ž The best Barley well purified â„¥ ij boyle it upon a gentle fire in cleere water till the barley begins to swell pour off the water and let fresh be poured on then boyle it upon a cleare fire for four or five houres afterwards straine it add to the colatureÊ’ vj. of sugar afterwards boyle it againe and so make use of it For thus your Hordeate will be more crasse and nutritive in Italy they do not boyl it after colature and it is more liquid and more greedily assumed by some patients but it nourisheth not so much and therefore is assumed not only once a day
Electuaries faculty requires In purgative tables one dragm of powder must be put to an ounce of sugar duely cocted in water or other convenient liquour Portio Sacchari in tabellis purgantibus in roborative tables that they may be more gratefull to the palate more sugar is requisite as two ounces of sugar to every dragm of powder I shall onely hint here a little of tables in this book since I have Cap. 11. lib. 3. at large discoursed not onely of liquid Electuaryes but solid also and tabells in the description of such Medicaments as may be long preserved Yet that I may suggest the formes of all Medicaments to him that would confect them I will adde some few receipts of roborative tabells as ℞ Cordiall Tabulets Spec. Elect. diamarg. frigid de Gemmis anaʒ ss powder of the bone in the heart of a Hart ℈ ss Spodium ℈ i. with sugar dissolved in Rose water ℥ iii. make them into Tabulets ofʒ i. orʒ ii weight take one of them every morning fasting Such as are rich and begin to recover from some long disease or are any way troubled with palpitations and swoundings let them get these tabells confected ℞ Pul. Aureae Alexandrinaeʒ ss diacinam hyacinthor smaragdor pearle finely powdered of each ℈ i. Monoceros horn and Bezoar stone of each ℈ ss with sugar dissolved in Rose water ℥ iiii make them into little Tabuletts Those tabells they call Manus Christi are reducible to this head which are nothing else but Sacharum rosatum either simple as the common or more compound which admitts of Pearls in its confection and is called Manus Christi perlata which is thus confected ℞ Manus Christi perlata Of the whitest sugar dissolved in Rose water and cocted till above the consistency of a syrup ℥ ii pearl finely powderedʒ i. fiant Tabella CHAP. XXII Of Powders BEsides those powders kept in shops for future uses whereof we have spoken elsewhere there many others which are made for present use as the digestive powder which helps the frigidity of the ventricle Pulvis digestivus and the imbecility of the coctive faculty being confected of such Medicaments as are stomachicall roborative help concoction and dispell flatuosity and it is thus made ℞ The seeds of Dill and Coriander prepared of eachʒ ii Orange pill Conditedʒ i ss Pulvis flatus discutiens Cinamonʒ i. Mace Cloves of eachʒ ss sugard Candy ℥ ii or iii. make of these a powder Another Powder also of eximious power and vertue to roborate the ventricle and parts addicted to sanguification and dissipate flatuosity is thus confected ℞ The seeds of sweet Fennell and Coriander Condited of eachʒ i ss Squinant Calomus aromatic an ʒ ss Dianisi Diamargar frigid and Diacinamon of each ℈ i. A crust of Bread well toasted ʒ ii sugar ℥ ii make them into a powder Cordiall and Alexiteriall powders that roborate the principall parts and faculties in malignant feavers may be thus confected ℞ The roots of Angelico Tormentill of eachʒ ss A Cordiall Powder Ligni Aloes ℈ i. Citron seeds and Cinamon of each ℈ ss the bone in the heart of a Hart burnt Ivory the best pearle of each ℈ i. Monoceros horne Bezoar stone of each ℈ ss Dictamusʒ ss sugar of Roses ℥ i ss make of them a powder which must be taken fasting or long after meat with the water of Scordium or Carduus or some distilled restrative or other convenient liquor There are also topicall powders which are applyed to solidate wounds and implete ulcers with flesh of which in their place THE SECOND SECTION Of such as are either ingested or injected CHAP. I. Of Errhins ALL Medicaments are either assumed ingested or applyed Juleps Apozemes Syrups and all such as enter only at the mouth whereof we have before treated are assumed Errhins Suppositories and Clysters are ingested Unguents Salves Fomentations and many more whereof we shall now treat in order are applyed we begin with such as ingrede the body but not at the mouth but the nose privy parts or fundament and have their egresse where they made their ingresse Those which are immitted at the nose are thence called Errhins and vulgarly Nasalia those which are exhibited at the nose to purge the head are thence commonly called caputpurgia by the suffrage of Chyrurgicall Medicks They are constituted of Medicaments indued with a sharp and exterging faculty whereby the expulsive faculty being more validly excited moves and expells the humour lodged in the brain such as be the qualities of Bete Sow-bread wild Cucumber and the juice of Marjoram as also the powder of Euphorbium Hellebore and Pepper and of such like sharp Medicaments which snuffed up the nostrills move sternutation and purge the brain some also consist of astrictive and agglutinative Medicaments as those which are prescribed to stay a bloody flux They are given in divers formes either liquid which must be attracted by the nose or solid which must be ingested into the nostrills or pulverall which must be snuffed up A liquid Errhin is thus confected ℞ A l'quid Errhine Of the juice of the root of Beet and the leaves of majoran of each ℥ i. of the juice of Brank ursine and Sow-bread of each ℥ ss fiat Errhinum let a portion of it as ℥ ss be attracted in the morning up your nose again and again still keeping water in your mouth least the Errhin from the nose flowinto your mouth Some are given in forme of an unguent which they daub on the interiour part of the nostrills and they are good for such as are troubled with continuall headache with bad eyes Epilepsy and dulnesse of smell their bodyes bring first duely purged and they are made thus ℞ Of wild Cucumber Pellitory of each ℈ j. white Pepper An Erhine in the form of an Unguent Carpesium or Cubebs and stavesacre of each ʒ ss with a little oil of orris and wax make it up into a liniment A solid Errhine to stay the bleeding of ones nose is thus made ℞ Bole-Armenick Draggons blood of eachʒ j. Roses Balaustians of eachʒ ss and with a little whites of eggs well beaten make them up into the Consistency of a sollid Errhin or immerge therein a little Hares down or cotten and make it like a tent to be put up the nose in a pyramidall forme to which annexe a thread that you may extract it at your pleasure Ptarmicall or neezing powder when it s used for Errhins is thus described ℞ Hellibor both white and black of eachʒ i. Euphorbium ℈ ss dryed orrisʒ ss make of these a very fine powder let a small portion thereof be snuffed up the nose after a convenient Catharticke CHAP. II. Of Pessi or Pessaries BY the name Pessus or Pessarium we understand all those suppositoryes which are immitted into the privy parts which are by Hyppoerates called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as unguents plaisters roots or bruised hearbs and penicills but
de aliment Common salt or the powder of sal Gemme or Hiera or other simple or compound is sometimes added to honey This is the common suppository wherewith the excretive faculty is excited to its work ℞ An usuall suppository Honey ℥ ij common saltʒ ij or sal Gem. ℈ iiij boyle then on a gentle fire in a little pipkin to aperfect consistency and make a suppository of the longitude of a finger For one cannot coct so little honey as to make up one suppository with honey alone least so little quantity as would serve one glans be burned or cause the ignition of the vessell before it can acquire a tractable consistency This suppository is very good to kill the worms of the fundament and educe that phlegme whereon they feed ℞ Another for the wormes Aloesʒ i ss Agaricke Wormewood of eachʒ j. sal Gemm ʒ ss make of chese a powder to which add honey boyled to a consistency ℥ ij and according to art rowl them up into suppositories Let them be immerged in the oil of bitter Almonds or of Wormewood or in the gall of an Oxe till use calls for them For Infants they cut a piece of white sope like an acorn which they immit or sometimes the stalke of a Bete or Mercury dawbed with butter instead of a suppository for all these gently exonerate the belly CHAP. V. Of Glysters or Enemata GLyster or Clysmus is a word borrowed from the Greeks signifying ablution as Enema injection and both are used for the same thing for ablution cannot be in the belly but by injection of some thing which by the fundament is immitted to the intestines to excite the excretive faculty to mollify the bardness of the belly to alter the intemperature to ease the dolour to discuss the flatuosity to cohibit the fluour and kill and expell the worms in the intestines Glysters are instituted for many more effects also The commodities that ensue Glysters for no part in the body almost but it receives solace from them Com. ad Aph. 17. lib. 18. if dolour possess the head if lippitude the eyes if strangulation the jaws if suffocation the breast if inflation the belly if inflammation the reins if dissury or ischury the bladder a Glyster will successfully cure all these evils Now the Uterus hath its proper Glysters which must be infunded into its fundament by a Metrenchyta the bladder it s Glysters neither want the bowels theirs whose orifice is narrow and nervous and their cavity profound And it is taken for a liquid Medicament infused into the intestines by the fundament whereof there are various descriptions according to the variety of the affections for which they are ordained as to mollify the belly after this manner ℞ Mallows Violets Marsh mallows brank Ursin Mercury Pelitory ana m. j. sweet Fennel seed ℥ ss in the Summer time the four greater cool seeds ℥ j. boyl these in a sufficient quantity of water till a third part be consumed of which after it is strained take lb. j. ss for strong people but for the younger sort lb. j. for infants lb. ss This decoction may in Summer be kept uncorrupt two dayes in some cold place in Winter four but it is best when it is new made Quamdiu decoctum pro Clyst possit incorruptum ser vari and those Apothecaries do ill that keep it a whole week and then use it Folia Orientalia are oft decocted herein and some Electuaries and Honey dissolved according to the various intentions of the Physician as to excite the slowness of the belly and to educe the humours lurking there And better to excite the drowsy faculty something of common Salt or pretious may be added Clysteris inventionem avis dedisse fertur whose virtue in moving the belly is thought to be known by the Bird called Ibis not much unlike a Stork which with its long bill draws up sea water and immits it into its belly whereby it is purged hence according to Galen praef sai introduct was the use of Glysters learned But be sure no Salt be dissolved in the Glysters prescribed to the dissentery for it will much imbitter the dolour of the intestines This Glyster will discuss flatuosity ℞ A Carminate Glyster Marsh mallows Pelitory tops of Dill Origanum Calamint Southernwood the flowers of Melilot and Chamomile ana m j. the seeds of Cummin Anise Coriander ana ℥ ss boyl them in the Colature dissolve Honey of Rosemary ℥ ij Bened. Laxativ ʒ vj. El. de Baccis Lauri ℥ ss Ol. Anethi ℥ iij. fiat Enema Some instead of Oils made by infusion dissolve ʒ j. of Oil of Aniseed educed by the chymical art or a little more or less as the condition of the body and disease require which I have oft expenenced with success when I could not have any other to my minde Here note Validius purgant Clysteres qui pinguia non admittunt that that injection wherein Oil or Butter or both have been mixed doth attract the humours more slowly for the faculty of the Catharticks is dulled with the addition of fats but the dolour of the intestines is sooner quelled Oils and Greases are mixed and added rather to mollify and leniate than attract As ℞ Of the decoction of the four emollient herbs lb. j. dissolve therein Honey of Violets red Sugar Catplicon ℥ j. ss Oil of Chamomile fresh Butter ana ℥ ij conquass them together fiat Clysmus Take notice also that Injections or Glysters do not onely purge the inferiour intestines but the middle also and sometimes the superiour as when the ventricle is ill affected and attracts it from the inferiour intestines so that Galen cap. 1. lib. 3. de sympt caus asserts that some have vomited up part of a Glyster though elswhere he seems to hold the contrary Which may happen also when a Glyster made of Milk or the decoction of Flesh is injected into some macilent fellow with whose sweetness and gratefull warmth his empty ventricle being allured sucks and attracts the liquor to it self that it may be refreshed therewith as we may reade in the Writings of Avenzoar Theys cap. 18. tract 10. lib. 1. This Glyster is good against the Lethargy Apoplexy and other affections of the brain whereby the senses droop and the faculties become dull ℞ Betony Marjoran Calamint Sage Origanum ana m. j. Mercury Arach ana m. ij boyl them with ℥ ij of Senna andʒ ij of Aniseeds in a pint of the Colature dissolve Honey of Rosemary ℥ ij Confectio Hamech and Hier. Diacolocynthidos ana ℥ ss Saltʒ ij fiat Clyster This Glyster cures the dissentery or other great flux in the belly ℞ Plantain Knot-grass Mullet ana m. j. boyl them in lb. j. of Milk and lb. ss of Bean-cod water till the third part be consumed in the Colature dissolve Bole-armeniack and Starch anaʒ ij the yolk of one Egge and so make it into a Glyster SECTION III. Of such as
are extrinsecally applyed and first CHAP. I. Of Baths WHEN we mention a Bath we mean such an one as is made of sweet water whether pluvial or fluvial not such sordid Baths as they have in some places in Spain where they wash or rather inquinate themselves in urine long kept for that purpose nor yet those medicinal Baths wherewith many places of the Earth abound which because of several Minerals they pass through acquire several sapours and odours and eximious faculties in curing many affections For the Earth produces almost as many Springs of Medicinal Waters as diseases Gal. cap. 5. lib. 1. de sanitate tuenda wherewith Normandy and almost all France and Germany and Italy abound But we here speak of a Bath which being made of simple water or the decoction of some herb may be provided in any house Now Baths are instituted for three causes to wit for delight Balneorum usus triplex for preservation of sanity and depulsion of diseases The antient Romanes were great admirers of Baths for pleasure and therefore they made Baths for publick uses both for amplitude and artifice inimitable the structure being of Alexandrian and Numidian Marble Balneorum superha structura for the walls were adorned on one side with Thasian stones on the other with Pictures much recreating the sight their cocks were of silver which distilled warm or hotter water as they would into the vessel for they were so much taken with Lavacres that some of them especially their Emperours and Senatours Balnea Romani habebant in deliciit who had Baths apart would bathe themselves seven times a day And seeing Baths are very voluptuous as Ulpianus not without reason attests the Jews that lived at Tripolis and Damascus had Baths for pleasure wherein men and women bathed promiscuously before Antoninus the Philosophers time which they therefore called Gymnasies To preserve sanity 〈◊〉 mâ—gna militas such as have a hot liver or squalid skin are much helped by frequent bathings in warm water as Oribasius cap. 27. lib. 1. asserts To depell diseases Baths are very usefull for Galen cap. 10. lib. 10. meth med c. 20. lib. 12. commends them in the Hectick Diarian and sometimes in the putrid feaver with due observation Hippocrates also before Galens time attested in many places that Baths conduce to the cure of many diseases part 44. lib. 3. de vict acutor for they open the pores discuss the humours abate the heat of the bowels take away lassitude dilute the terrene and melancholical humour or at least temper and moderate it Make a Bath of milk alone or a very small quantity of water and milk for such as are rich and labour under a Hectick Feaver for such as are not rich let water suffice and that fluvial or pluvial rather than fountain water wherein for more success coct some parts or else integral plants as Marsh-mallows Mallows Violets Vine leaves and Colesfoot of each m. iiij boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath For the morphew or fedity of the skin after the emendation of the prave humours and diminution of blood by purge and phlebotomy let the body be immerged in the aforesaid Bath then let him be washed three four or more times if need be in this following Bath â„ž The leaves of Enulacampane Sorrel Scabious ana m. vj. Tatsane and Fumatory ana m. iij. boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to fill the Bath Some foolish Wretches believe that the Leprosy may be cured by a Bath of Mans bloodâ— but this horrible Prescript seems to be an invention of the Devil and not at all to be admitted for such a Disease whereby the whole Oeconomy of Nature is ruined can neither by external application nor internal assumption nor by both together be emended CHAP. II. Of a Semicupium or Insess AS a Bath is a Lavacre of the whole body except the head which partakes also of the vapours so an Insess of half the body for it is a Bath onely of the belly or a half Bath full of convenient liquor wherein the diseased may sit up to his ventricle his legs and feet be put out called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Latines Insessus or Insessio and sometimes Semicupium It is constituted of the same Materials that make up a Bath and Fomentation and it is less than one greater than the other It is very usefull for it mollifies the Uterus reserates its vessels Semicupii usus asswages colical passions and other dolours caused in the reins by the stone in the ureters by obstructions or in other inferiour parts of the belly This Semicupium will by the emollition and deduction of the vessels asswage the dolour of the stone in the reins â„ž Beets Marsh-mallows Mallows Violets Pelitory tops of Dill anam iij. Linsed â„¥ ij boyl all these in rain water or fountain till their virtues be transmitted pro semicupio Some put the materials in some bag and apply them to the place most pained in the very insession The body that abounds with crude and viscid humours should be first purged by some convenient Medicament if time permit if not then with a Glyster Some make Insessions of the decoction of Tripes to cure the exsiccation hardness and tension of the belly and the colical dolours some adde milk to them others wine others oil That colical dolour which arises from much flatuosity distending and excruciating the belly may be cured with this Semicupium â„ž Polium of the mount Calamint Origanum tops of Dill Melilet Marjoran ana m. iij. the seeds of Cummin Anise Fennel Bay-berries ana â„¥ j. put them all in two bags and boyl them in water sufficient for a Semicupium wherein the diseased must be demerged with his face upward from the knees to the navel CHAP. III. Of a Vaporary AVaporary consists of the same things a Semicupium is made of though in less quantity for it is enough that a few herbs or such things be cocted in a Kettle and the vapour thereof traduced through a hole in a chair whereon the diseased sits to move the Uterus or Fundament for it is onely made to reserate the Uterus to evoke or stay Flowers to open or constringe the Hemorrhoides to asswage dolour and to alter some intemperancy To provoke Flowers lest the vapour should be disgregated and exhaled into the ambient air the perforated chair whereon the diseased woman sits should be accurately involved in many cloaths for so the ascendent vapour will be easily carried to the privities and permeating the orifice of the vessels will attenuate the blood and excite it to motion This Receipt is fit to move Flowers and Hemorrhoides â„ž Marsh-mallows Mugwort Calamint Hyssop Winter-savoury Marjoran ana m. j. Savin m. ij the flowers of Melilot Chamemile and Jasmine ana m. ss let the Decoction be made in water and in a fourth part of white wine and let the vapour be admitted as
the heart of the waters of Bugloss Scabious Cardaus Sorrel Roses of each ℥ iij. spec diamarg. frigid Triasant of eachʒ j. ss Powder of Tormentill Gentian Dictamus and grains of Kermes of eachʒ ss with which besprinkle a linnen cloth and apply it hot to the region of the heart The Antients much commended the use of Scarlet cloth which is not approved of by the more recent because in its tincture it is infected with much Arsenick but I approve of it in poysonous diseases seeing poysons in such a case are often salutiferous CHAP. VII Of Lotion WE understand not by Lotion here a bath of cold water as Oribasius cap. 7. lib. 1. and Paulus cap. 51. lib. 1. do but the ablution of some particular member in some medicinal decoction to take away its filth correct its distemper digest its humour roborate its parts mitigate its dolour and to conciliate sleep This Decoction will by ablution of the head kill Lice ℞ Staves-acre ℥ ij Wormwood Tansy Betony A Lotion to kill lice the lesser Centanry of each m. ij Coloquintide seeds ℥ ss boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till a third part be consumed and with a sponge wash his head This Lotion will denigrate the hairs of hoary heads which I prescribe to such old women as would not betray their age to their husbands by their whiteness ℞ The bark of Oke and Elm of each ℥ ij Galls ℥ ij the bark of Wallnuts lb. ss the leaves of the Pomegranate tree and Mirtle of each m. ss boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water adde thereunto Alum◠℥ ij Vitriol ℥ j. after the Colature wash the hairs therewith letting it dry in the Sun Yet Galen cap. 1. lib. 1. de comp med loc professes that he never exhibited any thing to such as adorned themselves for their own or others delight for this were all one as to paint a Sepulcher In times past men washed their heads more frequently than now adayes which caused of late this Proverb Wash your head never feet seldome hands often This Lotion made of the decoction of such Simples will mitigate calour and soporate the senses will by ablution of the feet therein conciliate sleep ℞ Lettice m. iij. Betony Water-lillyes of each m. ij Poppy flowers A Lotion to wash the feet to cause rest m. j. boyl them in water and wash the feet therewith CHAP. VIII Of an Embroche or Aspersion BY Embrochation we mean the irrigation of some part affected with some Oil Decoction or Liquor accommodated to the cure of that distemper distilled thereon like rain and hence Embroche from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to rain This Medicament according to Aetius cap. 172. ser 3. tetr 1. is used when bathing is for some circumstances prohibited And as it is the decoction of Poppy and Chamemile it conduces much to such as are infested with night-watches feavers and delirations Archigenes seeing his Master Agathinus to rave because of his long wakes freed him both from his deliry and wakings by irrigating his head with much hot Oil. These irrigations seem to differ from foments onely in this that they are distilled upon the part from on high the foments being onely applyed thereunto by sponges cloaths or in bags Now according to Oribasius Prigatio cap. 23. lib. 9. we use irrigation onely when some inflammation must be resolved or ulcer suppurated Aspersion but aspersion in washing the face and in hot feavers and that in Summer with cold water in Winter with warmer Yet in more simple Feavers as also in the subversion of the stomack we use water mixed with vinegar in aspersion We use aspersions also to cure eyes infested with fluxes by the decoction of Basil which is most efficacious subjecting a dry sponge under the chin lest the water 〈◊〉 down to the breast An Embroche or Irrigation is compounded of Simples cocted i◠Wine Water Lees or Oil as this same for the Lethargy ℞ Embroche capitis Cyperus Calamus Aromaticus Orris Bay tree of each ℥ ss Sage Rosemary Penniroyal Calamint Staechados of each m. ss Squinant Coriander seed Cummin seed of eachʒ ij boyl these in three pints of water till the third part be consumed adde to the Colature Aqua vitae ℥ iij. besprinkle this on the head An Irrigation to conciliate sleep consists of Simples endued with quite contrary qualities and is thus made ℞ Lettice m. ij Water-lillyes white Roses of each m. j. Poppy flowers Betony of each m. ss boyl these and let the Colature be sprinkled on the head To Irrigation we may refer the Stillicide or Laver of medicated waters but it is not now our intention to treat thereof but will proceed CHAP. IX Of a Liniment ALiniment is of a middle consistency betwixt an Unguent and Oil being more liquid than an Unguent Linimenium quid and more crass than Oil for it admits of a very little Wax and Fat in its confection and therefore is not fluid without incalescence at the Fire or Sun Its basis i◠Oil whereunto sometimes is added a little of refinous Fat with Wax yet not so much but it still retains its soft consistency for a Liniment is nothing but a very soft Unguent to the confection whereof any Oil may be assumed so it be accommodated with faculties requisite to the intended scope And therefore almost every Liniment being paregorical and lenitive is confected either of simple Oil or of Oil of Almonds Violets or such like which will not excessively alter any temper as this same to abate the dolour of the side in a Pleurisy ℞ Oil of sweet Almonds ℥ ij ss fresh Butter ℥ j. Litus ad pleuritidem a little Wax to make it up into a Linctus anoint the side therewith Now to mitigate some dolour caused by a frigid humour some Oil must be assumed which is calid in the same degree that it may correct the humours distemper As on the contrary this Liniment made of refrigerating Oils will amend the distemper and asswage the dolour caused by a calid humour ℞ Oil of Water-lillyes ℥ ij ss Oil of Roses ℥ ss Waxʒ iij. Let them be melted for a Liniment ℞ Oil of Violets ℥ ii the musilidge of Marsh-mallow roots or Linsud ℥ i. a little Wax to make it a Liniment and apply it to the part affected This Liniment will mitigate a cold distemper ℞ Oil of Chamomile and Dill of each ℥ i. ss Ducks fat ℥ i. A Litus for a cold distemper Wax ʒ iii. let these be melted together and make a Liniment CHAP. X. Of Mucagines or Musliges BEcause there is often mention made of Mucagines which are either applyed alone or mixed with other Medicaments our Institution leads us now to speak a little thereof Now this Mucilage is efficacious in mollifying humectating and leniating some dolour as that same which is extracted from glutinous roots and seeds sometimes it digests and attracts as
that same which is educed out of many gums The seeds of Line Foenugreek Mallows Quinces Flea-wort and Marsh mallow roots as also their roots macerated in warm water are very mucaginous Figs also Gum Arabick Tragacanthum and Isinglass if they be a whole night infused in water or other liquor and the next day recalefied and strongly expressed through a new cloth or bag will dimit much mucaginous matter Thus the mucage of Bdellium Sugâ—penum Ammoniacum and Galbanum is extracted to make up the confection of the mucilaginous Emplaister To every ounce of water or other liquor they ordinarily impose an ounce of seeds or roots but if the Mucage should be more crass then the quantity of roots or seeds must be augmented if more liquid diminished as one dram of seed to an ounce of water This Muslidge applyed to an inflammation helps much â„ž A Muslidge against inflammation The roots of Marsh mallows â„¥ ss Flea wort seedÊ’ ij â—nfuse them upon hot embers for a day and a half in Night-shade water afterwards strain it and apply it to the part affected This Mucage mitigates the dolour of the eyes caused by heat â„ž Another to the pain of the eyes from a hot cause Quinco kernelsÊ’ iij. infuse them a whole night in the water of Night-shade Water-lillyes and Eye-bright ana â„¥ i. ss in the morning extract the Muslidge and apply it to the part grieved CHAP. XI Of Collyryes IT is not enough that a Medicament be accommodated to an affection onely but it must be fitted to the part affected also for we do not prescribe one Medicament to the ears mouth nose and belly but exhibit a singular Medicament to each as will best fit it The eyes have their peculiar Medicaments called Collyryes which are endued with eximious qualities respecting their affections eximiously such as Galen speaks of libro de oculis libris 4 5. composit medicament loc as also Paulus and Aetius in many places There are two kinds of Collyryes the one dry Collyriorum differentia Collyria ficca called by the Arabians Sicf by the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Latines Collyria fieca the other humid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are by the more recent called Collyries absolutely either because by their liquid form they are better accommodated to application the eyes not tolerating a hard and crass remedy or else because they are made of dry Collyries levigated upon a Marble and dissolved in water or such convenient liquor Some of the humid Collyries are of the consistency of Honey or a soft Unguent Tuthiae praeparatio as Tutia redacted to the form of an Unguent by much ustion and lotion with the juice of Fennel or other convenient liquor Others are altogether liquid and fluxile as all those which are made of the waters of Eye-bright Roses or Plantain with a small quantity of white Trochisks These should be reposed in glass vessels as the more solid in earthen pots And as a multitude of ocular affections are cured by Collyries so a multiplicity of materials go to their confecture as the whole Family of Medicaments whether of Minerals Animals or Plants from which either Powders can be efringed or Waters distilled or Juices extracted or Excrements desumed When you would quicken the sight make an oxydorcical Collyrie of such Medicaments as cure caligation as the galls of Animals the waters of Salendine and Eye-bright or the water of Community which confect thus â„ž Eye bright m. iij. Salendine Fennel Vervine Fumatory A water to quicken the sight ana m. ij Rue Balm ana m. j. Cloves Mace long Pepper ana â„¥ ss macerate them a whole night in equal parts of white Rose-water and white Wine then distill of the water with which wash the eyes This Collyrie will cure the pruriginous scabies of the eye-brows â„ž White wine * * * White For the scabies of the eye-lids Rose water ana â„¥ j. ss Hepatick Aloes finely pâ—lverized Ê’ j. mix them and make thereof a Collyrium This Collyrie will roborate and refrigerate â„ž A cooling and strengthening water for the eyes The water of Plantain and red Roses ana â„¥ ij whites of Eggs â„¥ ss mix them and beat them well together and make thereof a Collyrie This Collyrie applyed to the eyes will asswage their dolour â„ž For the pain of the eyes The waters of Purslain and Plantain ana â„¥ j. ss the mucilidge of Quince seeds made in Night shade water â„¥ j. mingle them fiat Collyrium This Collyrie will most efficaciously desiccate roborate and refrigerate â„ž A water strengthening and drying The water of Mouse-ear white Roses and Plantain ana â„¥ j. Troch alb RhasisÊ’ i. Tutty preparedÊ’ ss fiat Collyrium This Collyrie commonly called Eleiser roborates the eye and hinders the lapse of the fourth membrane or uvea and it is thus confected â„ž Collyrium Elciser Antimony Lapit Hematit anaÊ’ x. Acacia â„¥ ss AloesÊ’ j. let them be finely powdered cum aqua * * * Knotgrass Corrigiolae fiant Trochisci and when occasion calls for them dissolve one of them in white Rose water This other Collyrie which hath its denomination of Lead is endued with a sarcotical and consolidative faculty and is thus made â„ž A Collyrie of Lead Burnt Lead Antimony Tutty washed burnt Brass Gum Araback Traganth ana â„¥ j. Opium â„¥ ss make of these a Powder and with white Rose water form them into Trochisks which dissolve in white Rose water This Collyrie of Lanfrancus so called in whose Works I could never yet finde it is excellent against the French disease and is thus described by the antient Writers â„ž Collyrium Lanfranci White Wine lb j. of the water of Plantain and Roses of each a much as will suffice AuripigmentumÊ’ ij VerdigreaseÊ’ j. Alâ—es Myrrke ana ℈ ij let these be finely powdered and make thereof a Collyrium CHAP. XII Of Virgins milk VIrgins milk is one of those Medicaments which the sedulity of our age hath invented the making of which works no small admiration in the Vulgar whil'st of two unicolourous juices mixed together they educe a third white viscid and lent substance like milk to the spectators eyes Thus many exhibiting a specimen of their ingeny are believed to do miracles while they onely unfold Natures secrets Lac virginale cur dicitur Now it is called Virgins milk partly from its colour whereby it is like milk partly from its consistency and virtues wherein it is eximious even to delete the freckles of the skin which change and adulterate the virgin and genuine colour of the face This topical Medicament is made after many wayes whereof this is the most ordinary Receipt â„ž Litharidge of Gold finely powderedÊ’ iij. white wine vinegar of the best and strongest lb. ss mingle them together stir them with a wooden spatula for three hours afterwards filter the liquor through a brown paper in the form of a funnel
â„¥ ij Oil of Lillyes â„¥ iij. One made of the powder of Linseed cocted in Hydreol to a just consistency will exceedingly mollify and mitigate any dolour This Cataplasm will educe viscid humours open the pores and dissipate flatuosity â„ž Briony root lb. j. Sowbread root â„¥ iij. Mercury m. ij Flatus dissipant boyl them till they become soft in water with a fourth part of white wine bruise them and traject them through a sieve to the pulp adde powder of Bay-berryes â„¥ ss powder of Fennel seeds and Cummin and Chamomile flowers anaÊ’ ij Lupines and Faenugreek ana â„¥ j. Oil of Orris as much as suffices to make a Cataplasm A Cataplasm made of common bread Syncomistum which they call Syncomistum is good for all things if we believe Oribasius For saith he it is convenient almost for all inflammations when it is confected with water and oil of Roses That also is good for many dolours which is confected of leavened bread and oil for it ripens obdurateness heals contusions attracts lurking humours to the skin digests and resolves them There are various forms of Pultises recorded in every Author which here to rehearse would be as endless as useless since these few examples may suffice CHAP. XVI Of Catapasms Empasms and Diapasms ODoriferous Powders compounded of many Aromataes Catapasma quid which for fragrancy and suavities sake are strewed upon cloaths are properly called Catapasms Those Powders also which after litation are applyed to some part of the body as to the stomack for its roboration and those odoriferous Powders which are made for Condiments and other uses as Sarcotical for generation of flesh in ulcers Catheretical for absumption in superfluous flesh Epulotical for the induction of a skar are called Catapasms Paul c. 13. l. 7. But because we have treated of these before we shall not further prosecute that subject neither would we have spoken a word thereupon but for that same paranomasy there is betwixt a Catapasm and a Cataplasm The less affinity falling in the denominations of Empasm and Diapasm leads us to shew their difference each from other as also how they both differ from a Cataplasm Now according to Oribasius cap. 31. lib. 10. Empasma quid those are Empasms which are adhibited to cohibit immoderate heat or other exhalations or to scarify the extremity of the skin or to remove a Pleurisy Those Diapasms Diapasma quid which are accommodated to conciliate suaveolence to the skin or body either by way of Powder Unguent or Liniment Those Cataplasms which are confected after the former description and for the uses we mentioned in the foregoing Chapter Empasins are either used to stay the immoderate fluour of sweat which is not critical but dissolves Natures strength or to help the Mydroptical Sciatical or Orthopnoical Patients Those that stay and cohibit the profusion of sudours consist of Parget dry and levigated Mirtle Pomegranate pils Syrian Sumack Sorb apples dryed and brayed Galls Acacia and such like Astrictives Those that help such as are diseased with the Dropsy such as are infested with the Sciatica and such as cannot breathe unless they hold their neck strait up are confected of Sand burned Wine lees Nitre Salt Sulphur Mustard Water cresses Pepper Pelitory and such like sharp Ingredients whereof Sinapisms also are made which act and produce the same effect with Empasms CHAP. XVII Of Sinapisms and Phaenigms ASinapism is a kinde of Cataplasm for their consistency is alike though their faculties be distinct for Sinapisms consist of one quality and are alwayes calefactory Catalpasms of many and thence they calefy refrigerate mollify relax c. A Sinapism is seldome or never adhibited in acute diseases neither by way of table nor colliquament as Oribasius notes cap. 13. lib. 10. but in Lethargies Apoplexies or the Night-mare and in stupid natures that the dullness of the sense may be excited the faculty awakened the heat acted and the humour discussed The manner of making a Sinapism is thus described by Oribasius and Aetius cap. 181. tetr 1. serm 3. Take dryed Figs q. v. macerate them a whole day in warm water afterwards make a strong Expression and bruise the Figs then take the sharpest and strongest Mustard seed bruise it by it self pouring on a little of the colature of the Figs which will make it beat more easily but take heed too much be not mixed lest it be too thin and liquid then reduce them into small masses of the Figs and Mustard of each equal parts but if you would have the Sinapism stronger take two parts of the Mustard and one of the Figs if weaker two of the Figs and one of the Mustard If the Sinapism be made with Vinegar it is more inefficacious and weak because Vinegar discusses the strength of the Mustard The Sinapism should be put upon a Linnen cloth and so adhibited to the place and should be often looked at to see if it have contracted rubour enough by its admotion for some perceive its effect on them sooner some later so that I cannot certainly define what space of time it must abide on the place But if the Sinapism after long admotion act not nor alter the colour of the skin it must be fomented with hot water with a sponge that the faculty of the Sinapism may be easier intromitted for the Sinapism by extracting the excrements to the skin either ulcerates or at least rubrifies it whence it is called a Phaenigm that is a rubrifying Medicament Phaenigmus After the diseased hath sufficiently used the Sinapism he must be bathed and then have the part affected anointed with oil of Roses CHAP. XVIII Of Dropax and Pication A Dropax is a topical Medicament sometimes hard like a salve Dropax quid sometimes soft like a Malagm as the case requires Now a Dropax is either simple which is made of Pitch and a little Oil onely or compound Differentiae which admits of many calefactories besides Pitch and Oil as Pepper Bartram Bitumen Brimstone Salt and the ashes of Vine branches It is convenient for diuturnal diseases as Aetius cap. 180. tetr 1. Quibus morbis conveniat serm 3. shews and must alwayes be adhibited both before and after a Sinapism before that it may prepare the body for a Sinapism and after that it may exscind the remaining affections A simple one is thus made â„ž Of the best Pitch dissolve it with a little Oil and while it is hot dip in a cloth and clap it to the place affected and before it is cold pluck it off again calefy it before the fire and apply it as before and before it waxes cold pull it off and let this be repeated as often as need requires It helps such as are infested with frequent vomits with collicks Picatio quibus affectibus conveniat and with crudities it helps also such parts as do not grow nor partake of the nutriment The more compound Dropax is
constituted of the above mentioned calefactories Dropax magis compositus when it is prescribed for the reduction of any part perished by cold to its pristine bonity and when it is requisite that it exsiccate Then Oribasius cap. 10. lib. 1. adds Salt Sulphur Wine and the ashes of Vine branches to its confection and when it should open Euphorbium and Lymnestis otherwise called Adarce and all these must be brayed and strewed into melted Pitch The Dropax must be applyed while it is hot the hairs of the place first shaved off and a special care had lest the strength of the Dropax over-power the diseased If the Dropax be speedily pulled off it confirms the remiss spirits Dropacis effectus revokes them to the superficies and minds them of their work Aetius loco dicto It is sometimes adhibited instead of a Psylothrum to evell the hairs of a scurfy head for that malign filthy contagious ulcer of the head cannot be perfectly cured unless the hair be first evelled or abraded CHAP. XIX Of Psylothers APsylother is referred to the cosmical Medicaments which serve chiefly for the bodies culture and ornament neither Unguent nor Salve nor yet partaking of any special form but a depilatory Medicament which applyed in any form whatever will by its quality erode the hairs or down and so make a rough place smooth Now every Psylother properly so called having an eroding and burning faculty doth not onely attenuate but evell hairs and for a time utterly denude the place and therefore must not be applyed without great care and prudence for if it abide too long on the place especially if it be adustive it will ulcerate the skin raise pimples and burn like a Caustick or erodes like an Escharotical Medicament Oribasins cap. 13. lib. 10. reckons these for such Depilatories as may be safely adhibited to wit stillatitious Lixive Arsenick Sandarach and Calx viva Yet may some of those that exulcerate more vehemently be added to make the Psylothers more valid as Paulus Aegineta doth in this description cap. 52. lib. 3. â„ž * * * Millepedae Hogs lice Psyâ—othris Pauli Aselli domestici Assellorum domesticorumÊ’ ij Sandarach â„¥ ss Lime stone â„¥ j. old Vinegar the Lixivium of a Fig tree and lb ss boyl them to the consistency of a Liniment This Domesticus Asellus is an Animal which lodges under water vessels and contracts it self into a lump The Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Millepedae the French Cloportes we Palmer worms Rondeletius prescribes this Psylother to absume hairs Rondeletii Psylother that they may never come again â„ž Auripigmentum Ants egs Gum Arabick ana â„¥ ss Gum Hederae â„¥ ij and with the blood of a Bat or juice of Henbane make it up into a Liniment according to art a portion whereof must be applyed to the place you would have denuded after you have shaved off the hair Oribasius and Aetius call white Vine or Briony a Psylother because of its excellent faculty in eroding hairs This Psylother is most efficacious made after this manner â„ž Another Lime-stone â„¥ ij Auripigmentum â„¥ ss let these be boyled in as much Lixivium as will suffice and make thereof a Liniment with which anoint the place for four hours afterwards wash it with clean water In the Turks Dominion there is a Mineral they call Rusma which may justly be preferred before all Psylothers for its preheminency in acting for though it be very temperate and burn not the part to which it is adhibited yet it doth speedily and without dolour erode the hairs denude the place leaving it very smooth without any token of a hair Which that it may be more commodiously applyed it should be levigated into small powder and diluted in water with half as much Calx viva The Turkish women before they go into a Bath or Hypocaust adhibit this mixture to their privy members and arm-holes which places they much desire alwayes to depilate and glabrify This Rusma is like Iron dross but lighter blacker and seemingly exust as Bellonius observes cap. 33. lib. 3. CHAP. XX. Of Vesicatories THis little extrinsecal Medicament Vesicatorium quomodo a sinapismo pyrotico differt from its effect in exciting the bladder we call a Vesicatory It is a little more vehement than a Phoenigm or Sinapism which onely rubrifies the superficies of the skin and more weak than a Pyrotick which burns the skin for being adhibited to the skin it raises the extream surface and causes blisters which being broken emit water in little quantity if the body be dry or the Medicament applyed to the superiour parts in greater quantity if the body be humid or hydropical and it applyed to the inferiour parts as to the leg for the skin being broken the water fluctuating in the belly or legs will sometimes delabe and flow from the little ulcer as from a fountain but the ulcer is sometimes left dysepulotical A Vesicatory applyed behind the ear on the side the tooth affected stands helps the tooth-ach and sometimes by its adhibition to the feet the Gonagry and Podagry are cured and it is thought to be more conducible to the phlegmatick than the cholerick yet I saw the Ring-worm perfectly cured by the application of a Vesicatory which no other presidy could amend Marcellus cap. 19. lib. de remed commends it to the cure of tetters and other affections of the skin Vesicatorium rusticorum If a Vesicatory be applyed to a wound inflicted by some wild beast or to a malign sore near the groins it will evoke the poyson and very much facilitate the cure The Rusticks make it of the roots of Ranunculus bruised and apply it but the Apothecaries make it of Cantharides pulverated and mixed with a little vinegar and leaven that is the best which is confected of the powder of Cantharides mixed with the Gumme of Elemus And it is thus made â„ž Euphorbium Pepper Cantharides ana ℈ ss and with leaven and vinegar make it into a Vesicatory CHAP. XXI Of Pyroticks or Cauteries HIppocrates Aph. ult lib. 7. saith right What Medicaments cannot cure the Sword may what the Sword cannot Fire may but what Fire cannot is altogether incurable For a Disease is oft so efferous as it will yield to no Medicament but must either be cured by section or ustion or both Now ustion is oft performed with a hot Iron which were able to terrifie the most magnanimous in whose stead the sedulity of our Medicks have invented a Medicament which from its operation and effect they name a Pyrotick for in its efficacy it resembles fire by its application it kills the quick flesh absumes the dead flesh and perforates the sound part that it may receive the excretion of the unsound opens the unsound that it eructate its own excrements Thus a Pyrotick makes an abscess for the corruption to break through thus it breaks the impostume and pertunds the fwellings that each may disgorge
its own poyson Pyroticks are applyed to divers parts of the body as sometimes to the head sometimes to the arms sometimes to one or other leg to resolve and divert rheumatick humours A Pyrotick is sometimes applyed to that same ample production of the peritoneum where the spermatick veins tend to the testicles for the cure of the bursting disease Cauterium ad Herniam that new flesh may supply the place of the morbid and intercept the passage of the descendant intestine that so it may be incarcerated in its proper place Many Circulators do so much adhibit this method of curation on the incautions diseased that they burn both Seminaries and productionary vessels with their oft repeated Pyroticks Their materials are all adust and caustical Pyroticorum materia exceeding the fourth degree of heat as Calx viva Arsenick Sublimatum Tartar Orpine Vitriol Nitre and it may be Lixivium as also the result of the ashes of Vine branches Pyroticks have various confections Conficiendi modus every one making them according to their own arbitration and thinking that best they themselves invent I knew a young Barber as ignorant as could be who was wont to adhibit a little Sublimatum subacted with the Egyptian Unguent which he earnestly commended for the best and most secure Pyrotick Marianus in his Chirurgy much esteems this Pyrotick which he desumed from Jo. Vigonius and it is thus described ℞ Lixivium lb. vj. Soap Roman Vitriol ana ℥ j. boyl them together in a brass vessel till the liquidness of the water be consumed and what remains in the bottom let it be reserved of which make Cauteries of what magnitude you please Cardanus confected his Cauteries of Soap and Lime alone mixed beaten and subacted to the form and consistency of an Unguent but now they are made before the fire and acquire a more solid and convenient form as this ℞ Lime stone lb. j. Salt petre ℥ j. infuse them a whole day in four pints of Lixivium afterwards stir it well with a spatula then strain it three or four times till the water be all poured off which dry before the fire or thus after infusion let the whole mixture be agitated with a rudicle next day let it be percolated three or four times till the water be clear which put in a brass vessel and coct it over a luculent fire till the water be consumed but not till all its lentour be exficcated then make of that mass many Cauteries of several magnitudes which preserve in a glass vessel diligently stopped for future use It is also well confected after this manner ℞ Of the ashes of Vine branches lb iiij Sal Gem. ℥ iij. Lime stone lb j. ss infuse them for four or five hours in lb xv of rain water which stir well together for a good space afterwards boyl it a little and when the whole mixture is perfectly cold strain it six or seven times through a thick cloth put the limpid Colature into a brass bason and coct it till a stony matter be left in the bottome which form into Pyroticks of different magnitudes Amongst Pareus his descriptions I finde a Cautery ridiculously called Sericeum whose effect not answering his vain pollicitations I will not here describe CHAP. XXII De Scuto or Of Plaisters made in the form of a Buckler to be applyed to the stomack MAny Medicaments as well assumptive as applicative are prescribed to the frigid distemper and imbecillity of the ventricle Gentle Purgatives and Eustomachical Medicaments as pils of Aloes and Rhabarb Aromaticum rosatum and digestive Powders are assumed Calefactives and Roboratives Cui parti accommodatum as Liniments Foments whereof before and this Scutum whereof we now treat are applyed Now this Medicament peculiar to the ventricle Scutum cur sic dictum is so called from its form it suscitates heat augments strength and helps concoction It is concinnated of some stomachical Emplaister extended upon a quilted piece of Leather and applyed Sometimes there is a piece of Tiffany put betwixt it and the part affected But it is more ordinarily confected of dry Medicaments which roborate the ventricle involved in bombast and sewed in a double cloth like a Buckler The abundance of Calefactives and Roboratives suggest to us such plenty of matter Ventriculum peculiariter respicientia that we may select such as especially respect the ventricle as Nutmeg Mace Cloves sweet Cane Squinant Roses Mint Wormwood and many more which recreate the spirits by their suavcolence and help concoction by their calour A Scutum thus confected is most efficacious for the said uses ℞ Cyperus Lignum Aloes Calamus Aromaticus anaʒ j. Squinant Cinnamon Cloves Nutmegs anaʒ ss Mace ℈ j. red Roses Marjoran Wormwood Mint anaʒ ij Sageʒ j. make of these a fine powder which quilt between two linnen cloaths cut like the form of a Buckler and applyed This Description requires less cost ℞ Galangal Orris Pepper of eachʒ j. Bay berries Cummin seed anaʒ ss both sorts of Wormwood Mint Sage and Rosemary an◠us ss make of these a Powder and quilt them between a double sarsnet in cotten wool and apply it to the region of the ventricle CHAP. XXIII Of Cucufa and Semicucufa or quilted Caps THE brain being according to Hippocrates lib. de grandul as it were a great glandule and the head the very seat and continent of Plegm which like a Cucurbite it attracts a great congeries of frigid humours is alwayes resident in the head which unless they be vacuated by some convenient Medicament or else their continual generation hindred they will distill upon the jaws lungs breast and parts subjected Yet many are so averse to vacuate Medicaments or their brains of so frigid a constitution that though often purged yet will they complain of gravity in their heads especially if they have been troubled with any noyse or stood bare-head in the air Therefore after universal purgation a convenient Cucufa must be adapted to the head like a Cap Cephalical Powders being insperged in Cotten and the Cotten sewed within a double cloth and put upon the head to roborate it to cure its cold distemper and to stay the distillation Now all the matter of these Powders wherewith the Coif or Cap is refarciated is not desumed from dry Plants but some from Minerals and Animals which are as delightfull as usefull A Powder thus made is both good and pleasant for a roborative Coif ℞ Cloves Cinnamon Calamus Aromaticus Squinant Orris A Powder for a quilted Cap. ana ʒ j. Bay berries ℈ ij Storax benioin anaʒ ss Mace ℈ j. Marjoran Rosemary anaʒ ij Mosch ℈ ss make of these a Powder which quilt in a Cap. Those that cannot procure a Cucufa thus made may thus confect one with less cost ℞ Betony Balm Sage Staechados Rosemary ana m. ss Another for the same Bay berriesʒ iij. Cumminʒ j. make of all these a gross powder to quilt in a Cap or Coif
think that better which is confected by many infusions Some put the expressed succe of Violets others the conserve of Violets in this syrupe incrassated by coction to make it more Violaceous others make it of pure succe of Violets and white sugar others coct their sugar first to the consistence of an Electuary and afterwards with the said succe of Violets into the crassitude of a syrupe Many put a difference betwixt the syrupe of Violets and the Violaceous syrupe calling that the syrupe of Violets which is made of purged flowers and that violaceous which is made of integral and not purged ones and this indeed hath less of Violets faculties in it but it is more solutive for the herbaceous part is emollitive as well as its leaves some put onely four pounds of sugar to five of succe and coct it into the consistence of a syrupe Syrupe of Violets breaks the acrimony of Choler tempers the heat of the bowels subduces the belly Qualitates and conduces to the vices of the breast It is a special auxiliatory in pectoral and lateral inflammations and against the roughness of the Aspera arteria and is very good against the heat of Fevers cholerick and acute diseases the ardour of the intrails and will quench thirst CHAP. 2. Syrupus Tusilaginis or Syrupe of Coltsfoot â„ž of Coltsfoot fresh m. vj. Maiden-hair m. ij Hyssop m.j. Liquorice â„¥ ij boyl them in four pintes of water till the fourth part be consumed let the Colature be clarified and adde thereunto of the finest sugar lb iij. boyl it up to a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe is denominated from Tussilage as from its basis which ingredes it in greater quantity Its author is uncertain and thence its preparation various But we have exhibited the best description appointing the four prescribed simples to be cocted in four pounds of water but lightly Those that make this syrupe in the beginning of the spring take only the flowers of Tussilage those that make it in summer adde as much of the green leaves as they take of its green flowers Some make it in the middle of summer onely of the succe of its leaves depurated and sugar it may be very well made of the decoction of the flowers and sugar and be called simple syrupe in reference to the former more compound which admits of the true Maidens-hair in stead whereof Polytrichum may be substituted It helps shortness and difficulty of breathing the asperity of the windpipe it cocts moves and expectorates spittle but it must be licked like an Eclegm that it may stick longer in the Osophage and reach the amplitude of the asper artery CHAP. 3. Syrupus florum Persicorum Or Syrupe of the flowers of Peaches Tree â„ž of Peach flowers fresh lb j. Infuse them in three pintes of warme Water for xij hours afterwards Boyl them a little and express them and let the like quantity of flowers be again infused in the same Colature and this repeated five times and to the Colature adde lb iij. of sugar which Boyl into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe is either made of the fruits or the flowers of the Peach-tree that which is made of its fruits is seldom in use as Christophorus Mesues commentator confesses and it is made in the beginning of Autume as that of the flowers in the beginning of the Spring Three things require that this syrupe be made of fewer infusions to wit the loss penury and amaritude of the flowers the loss of the flowers which can be regained by no Art for the flowers being evelled new ones grow not again that year and the tree remains fruitless the Penury of them for this tree is sative onely and without culture bears no fruit their Amaritude which will be more intolerable by how much the infusions are more This syrupe educes water and choler Vires kills worms frees the Mesentery from infarctures for it opens the passages incides and educes the humours CHAP. 4. Syrupus de Lupulo Or Syrupe of Hops â„ž of the clarified juyce of Hops lb iiij the juyce of Fumatory lb ij white sugar lb vj. Boyl them according to Art and make it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY All do not describe this syrupe alike for some make it onely of the succe of Hops and Sugar others adde the succe of Fumatory to whose judgment I rather incline for thus its faculties are bettered it must not be made till the season in the Spring be pretty hot for till then the Fumatory whose succe is required appears not otherwise it must onely be made of the succe of Hops depurated and Sugar cocted to legitimate spissitude It allayes the heat of the intrails Vires attenuates cold and crass humours educes hot ones it conduces to the Jaundies Leprosie and all diseases caused by obstructions CHAP. 5. Syrupus Rosarum Pallid or Syrupe of Damask Roses â„ž of Damask Roses fresh lb vj. infuse them eight hours in a close vessel in lb xv of warm Water afterwards express the flowers and let the same quantity be again infused and this repeated nine times and to the Colature adde an equal weight of Sugar to the infusion and so Boyl it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Some put not so much sugar to it but coct it longer till it grow thick and then it is more purgative but less grateful to the palate many following Mesues advice keep the first though twice-iterated infusion in a glass well operculated putting Oyl upon it and insolating it forty days and they call this maceration of Roses not expressed but infused Mucharum Rosarum But lest some should judge us unmindeful of our purpose because promising to treat here onely of Alterative and Preparative Medicaments we have adjoyned syrupe of Roses which is absolutely Purgative we Answer that we describe the most usual syrupes in the same order that the season of the year gives them not remitting the Purgative which are very few till we treat of such Medicaments besides these that do purge they do it so ignavely that they are rather Preparatives then Purgatives It is alterative and Hydragogous for it tempers hotter humours Vires educes watry ones from very remote parts if it be taken in great quantity when it is new made it is more Purgative when older less it may safely be given to old men and children CHAP. 6. Syrupe of Hispidula or Aelurope vulgarly called Cats-foot â„ž of the tops of the flowers of Cats-foot lb j. infuse them a whole night and day in warm water lb v. afterwards Boyl them gently upon a small fire till lb iiij of the Colature remains to which adde Sugar lb iij. and so boyl it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY It is fure enough that this syrupe hath been but of late use for they of our age invented it and being imboldened by much experience approved of it Joannes Gonerius a Parisian Apothecary and perite Medick first made it at Paris who
Liquorice may be added for besides its sweetness it hath a quality like the capillaries yet some reject it because it makes the syrupe more flave but the quality and vertue must be more looked after then the colour The Parisian Apothecaries make it accurately according to the description here given and it is most eximiously Medicinal they that do otherwise mixing but a small quantity of capillaries and macerating them lightly make indeed a pellucid syrupe but both in colour and vertue aqueous and so defraud the Patient of his expectation and the Physician of his scope This is the most celebrated of Preparative syrupes Vires for it is very useful to oppugne all affections of the breast liver spleen reins uterus and to tenuate and prepare humours for it tempers and cocts choler incides phlegme makes the melancholical humour easie to be expurged yea often subduces the belly by much use it moves expectoration incides and cocts the humours contained in the Lungs and educes them by a second purge CHAP. 11. Syrupus capel Vener Monspelie or Syrupe of Monspelian Maidens-hair ℞ of Maiden-hair fresh and cut m.ij. infuse it twelve hours in a sufficient quantity of water afterwards boyl it a little clarifie the Colature and to lb v. thereof adde lb iiij of Sugar to boyl it up into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe is most frequently and simply compounded in the City Montpessier being onely made of the light decoction of true Maidens-hair clarified and sugar cocted to the consistence of a syrupe For thus it is most grateful both in colour and sapour and yet that is more grateful to the palate which admits of Rose-water which is adjected by the Court-Apothecaries that they may by guile rather then science gain their Princes and Nobles grace and get their money by subtilty It is of affine qualities but more imbecile then that which admits of all the Capillaries and Liquorice for it is more ignave in inciding and attenuating the humours and opening the passages and that is most imbecile which admits of Rose-water Vires for its faculty being somewhat astrictive reluctates with those of the Capillaries CHAP. 12. Syrupus de quinta radicibus or Syrupe of the five opening roots ℞ of the root of Smallage Fennel Parsly Butchers broom Asparagrass of each ℥ iiij boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till it comes to lb iiij adde thereunto as much Sugar as will make it up into a Syrupe according to art The COMMENTARY The roots must be first cleansed then washed cut in pieces their middle cut out and rejected then brayed and cocted some would have the coction made in eight pounds of water cocted to five whereunto when strained and clarified they adde four pound of Sugar which manner and proportion I approve of Some would have some Vinegar added to the decoction that its incisive faculty may be augmented but when use calls for it it may be diluted in some attenuating opening or other fit liquour as the Medicks scope requires Some make it onely of two roots to wit Petroseline and Fennel roots but seeing it is less efficacious and the other roots easily attainable it is better to make it with five roots and then they shall not need that which is made of two But if one more studious of curiosity then necessity would rather have it of two let him take of Petroseline and Fennel-roots each four ounces coct them in a sufficient quantity of water and adde to two pounds of the colature two pounds of Sugar and make a syrupe It incides and attenuates crass and glutinous humours Vires diduces the passages removes obstructions expels Urine moves fluors ejects sand and emends the foetid colour of Virgins and the Jaundies CHAP. 13. Syrupus de Althea or Syrupe of Marshmallows Des Fer. ℞ of the roots of Marshmallows ℥ ij red Licers ℥ i. of the roots of Grass Asparagrass Liquorice Raisins stoned of each ℥ ss the tops of Marsh-mallowes Mallowes Pellitory Pimpinel Plantain both the Maiden-hairs of each m j. of the four greater and lesser coole seeds of eachʒ iij. boyl them in lb vj. of water till four remain and with lb iij. of Sugar make it up into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY The use of this syrupe is much celebrated in Paris both for its eximious faculties and its Authors dignity to whom posterity is much engaged for his illustration of the Medicinal Art and for those many Medicaments wherewith he hath furnished Apothecaries shops Syrupe of Althea is most useful to sanative Medicks its preparation is thus The roots must first be purged and washed then cocted afterwards the Liquorice must be cocted for by long coction it grows bitter then the herbs and afterwards the seeds be made in water to the dissipation of its third part Why liquorice must not be long boyled for longer coction makes the decoction more viscid all the Simples whereof it consists are dilucidly explicated in the first Book of Medicinal Matter This syrupe expurges crass and pituitous matters Qualitates takes away obstructions impels the sand in the Reins and abates the heat of Urine CHAP. 14. Syrupus de Cichor comp cum Rhaeo or Syrupe of Succory compounded with Rhabarb Des Nic. Florent ℞ of the roots of Smallage Fennel Asparagrass Barley whole of each ℥ ij The herbs of Succory Dandilyon Endive smooth Sowthistle of each ℥ ij both the Lettices Liverwort Fumatory Hops an m.j. both the Maiden-hairs Wall-rue Ceterach Liquorice Winter-cherries the seeds of Dodder of eachʒ vj. Boyl these in lb xij of water or a sufficient quantity till a third part be consumed to the Colature adde lb vj. of Sugar which boyl up to a Syrupe and in the boyling to every pound of the Syrupe adde of Rhabarb ℥ ss and Spikenard ℈ iiij tyed up in a rag and hung in the Syrupe The COMMENTARY Nicolaus Praepositus whom most Apothecaries have as president doubles the quantity of Rhabarb prescribed eight times and addes four ounces of Rhabarb to every pound of syrupe so that for every ounce of syrupe there are four dragms of Rhabarb and thus it is made all over Paris That it may be exhibited when use calls for it without delay some onely quadruplicate or triplicate the quantity This so ample quantity of Rhabarb displeases Fernelius Joubertus and others as being of no utility but much loss who think that it were more profitable when use calls for it to infuse some Rhabarb in a convenient decoction and mix it with the syrupe because its purgative faculty perishes by coction and asservation Yet they act prudently that make it with eight times as much Rhabarb though its faculties be more imbecile yet it hath other qualities thereby bettered The syrupe of Succory compounded with Rhabarb is alliotical Qualitates roborative and purgative it allayes the heat of the intrails demulceates the acrimony of choler opens the veins takes away obstructions roborates the liver
gently purges the stomack and uppâ—r region of the body educes hot and pituitous humours if it be assumed in great quantity it helps in all bilious diseases and it may be given safely to all ages and sexes That which is made without Rhabarb is called Simple syrupe though it admit of all the described Simples except Rhabarb and Spikenard But there is one farre more Simple made onely of the succe of Succory depurated and Sugar cocted to a legitimate spissitude Both of them are good for such as have hot livers stomacks and fevers and such as labour under the ardour of bowels and obstructions CHAP. 15. Syrupus de Endivia simplex or the Simple Syrupe of Endive â„ž of the Juyce of Endive clarified lb viij of white Sugar lb v. boyl them into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Some conceive that this syrupe should be made of the succe of wilde Succory and Sugar others will rather have it of Endive because it is more refrigerative and not so bitter in other qualities they agree But seeing Intubus is the genus to all the differences of sative Succory as Endive and Broadleaf The syrupe may be made of each succe without discrepance and yet be called the Simple syrupe of Endive or Intubus nay some in a larger acceptation call it Syrupe of Succory there being so much affinity both in form and faculty betwixt the sorts of Succory and Intubus that each may be used for other without any manifest errour It mitigates the ardour of the Liver Vires extinguishes the heat of Fevers and obtunds Choler CHAP. 16. Syrupus de Fumar. simpl or The Simple Syrupe of Fumatory â„ž of the juyce of Fumatory clarified lb ij ss Sugar lb ij boyl it into a Syrupe according to Art The COMMENTARY There are two descriptions of the syrupe of Fumatory the one more compound consisting of more ingredients the other less consisting onely of the succe of Fumatory and Sugar The first being hard to make they often put to young Apprentices at Paris to try their ingeny and a syrupe prepared of those Simples which are described in its form is very insuave in odour and sapour and black of colour and therefore it cannot be an Alterative Medicament because ingrateful and ignave nor yet Purgative because inefficacious it is better therefore to keep the Simple syrupe in Pharmacopolies Now that it may be rightly made the succe of the Fumatory must be depurated in the sun when clarified mixed with an equal weight of sugar if the syrupe must be sweet if not less But when the Fumatory's amaritude would be ingrateful it must be dulcorated with more sugar Now Fumatory is a vulgar Plant whereof there are two sorts the one Hortensian and bulbous which is seldome used in Medicine the other equally growing in cultivated and incultivated fields of whose succe this syrupe is made It frees the Hypochondria from obstructions mitigates choler Vires prepares Melancholy succe and cures such Feavers as arise from the hot distemper of the Liver CHAP. 17. Syrupus de Fumaria major or The greater Syrupe of Fumatory D. Mes â„ž Mirobalan Citreor Chebul of each â„¥ ij ss of the flowers of Bugloss Borrage Violets the leaves of Wormwood Dodder of each â„¥ j. Liquorice Rose-leaves of each â„¥ ss Epithymus Polypody of the Oak of eachÊ’ vij Prunes a hundred Raisins stoned lb ss Tamarinds Pulp Cassia of each â„¥ ij Boyl them a little in water from lb x. till lb iij. remains to the Colature of which adde of the Juyce of Fumatory clarified and white sugar of each lb iij. make it into a syrupe according to Art The COMMENTARY But that I have seen this syrupe in many shops I should willingly have omitted it for many will reject it and think it not worth the description because of its sapour and colour Besides its description prescribes no order for its composition but it begins sometimes with Mirobolambs sometimes with Flowers sometimes with Plants leaves and sometimes with Roots and Fruits But that this composition may be rightly peracted first Polypody must be contunded and elixated whereunto when moderately cocted Prunes Raisins Wormwood Epithymum Binde-weed Roses and Liquorice must be added then all must boyl together till seven pounds of the water be absumed onely the flowers must be added a little before Sugar must be added to the Colature and all cocted to the consistency of a syrupe in the cocting the expressions of Cassia Tamarinds and Mirobolambs must be added and so the syrupe besides its other faculties will be Purgative It gently subduces the belly opens the passages Vires removes obstructions takes away all affections and vices of the skin arising from salt or adust humours CHAP. 4. Syrupus Buglossi Or Syrupe of Bugloss â„ž of the Juyce of Bugloss clarified lb vj. of the flowers of the same lb j. boyl them a little and to the Colature ad lb iiij of sugar boyl it up into the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe being easie to make and of eximious faculties may not be omitted That it may be duly made the brayed Bugloss must lie in a moist and cold place a whole night or a day then it must be calified and expressed for its succe being viscid will not otherwise be easily educed when it is expressed it must stand to subside Some contund the flowers of Bugloss and coct them a little in that succe when clarified others coct them in water and affund the colature with sugar upon the succe all which they coct to the consistence of a syrupe Some take onely the leaves others the roots of Bugloss but I hold the whole Bugloss more convenient Syrupe of Borrages succe is made after the same manner and works the same effects so that he that hath the one needs not the other It is good for such as are marcid with long grief and sadness Vires labour under the Hypochondriacal melancholy or splenatick affections CHAP. 19. Syrupus de succo Acetosae or Syrupe of the Juyce of Sorrel D. Mes â„ž of the Juyce of Sorrel depurated in the sun lb iij. white sugar lb ij Boyl them together and make it up into a syrupe The COMMENTARY This is the most Simple of syrupes some make it after the same manner with the former others coct sugar to the consistence of a solid Electuary whereunto they afterwards adde the depurated and percolated succe then fervefie the mixture till it attain the consistence of a syrupe But more frequently they coct purge and percolate the succe and mix it with clarified sugar which they coct to a syrupe but then its faculties are more imbecile This syrupe Vires according to Mesue its Authour abates bilious and pestilent fevers extinguishes the flammeous ardour of the heart and ventricles and contemperates the aestuating bowels CHAP. 20. Syrupus Acetatus simplex or The simple of Syrupe of Vinegar or Oxysacharum D. Mes â„ž of
be made either with Honey or Sugar but that is better and more suave which admits of Sugar whereof Fernelius addes twice the quantity to the succe but the more usual way of confecting the compound admits of onely two pounds of Sugar as Mesue hints who in his own idiome calls Dulcoacid and Semi-mature fruits Muzae that is pleasant for then their sapour arrides the stomack He that hath the compound needs not the simple But if the Mint be dry its quantity is greater for it is enough that one pound ten ounces be cocted in the succes and as much Sugar added to this Colature for it will be very insuave if made as Mesue describes it It roborates the ventricle hinders heart-aches vomiting Vires sighing and belly-flux but the more compounded is better SECT II. Of Syrupes which may be made at any time IN the first Section we described in order such Syrupes as should be confected in the Spring Summer and Autumn for the end of the precedent season being one with the beginning of the consequent those Syrupes which are made in the end of the Spring may as well be made in the beginning of Summer so that I would not disterminate the former Thirty Syrupes into exact Sections yet we have given their description in such order as the collection of the Simples required placing those first which are made of the first flowers of the Spring those last which are made of fruits in Autumn and those in the middle which are made of flowers roots succes and decoctions in Summer But in this Section we shall onely exhibit such as are or may be made in Winter or other seasons CHAP. 1. Syr. Rosar siccan or Syrupe of dry Roses D. Fernel ℞ of dryed * * * Red Roses Roses lb j. Infuse them 24 hours in hot boyling water lb iiij in the expression mix of the finest sugar lb ij boyl it up to the corsistency of a syrupe The COMMENTARY Every one confects this syrupe after his own arbitration one while augmenting another while lessening the quantity of Roses sometimes iterating their maceration twice and sometimes oftner But no description can be more exact then this of Fernelius wherein is observed a due proportion of Roses to the water and of both to sugar and this syrupe confected with one maceration is all out as efficacious as any but red Roses must be selected not white or pale ones It stayes the belly-flux Vires roborates the internal parts gently deterges and agglutinates Ulcers asswages vomiting and cohibits Rheumatism CHAP. 2. Syrupus Reg. sive Alexand. c. or The Princely or Alexandrian Syrupe of old called The Julep of Roses ℞ of Damask Rose-water lb iij. Loaf-sugar lb ij boyl it gently to a Syrupe The COMMENTARY He that considers this syrupe's perspicuity would with Mesue call it a Julep its consistence a Syrupe and its suavity a syrupe for Alexander or some Prince for both Kings and delicate persons delight to use it It is easie to make and may be made at any time and no Pharmacopoly can well be without it though our Ancestors knew not of it being not of skill to elicite Rhodostagme or Rose-water Mesue describes another Julep of Roses made of their infusion after which manner two syrupes may be made one of pale Roses which is purgative and another of dry ones but neither of them are justly called Juleps This syrupe is cordial bechical roborative and alterative Vires helping the breast liver ventricle thirst and all ardour CHAP. 3. Syrupus de Absinthio or Syrupe of Wormwood D. Mes ℞ of dryed Roman Wormwood lb ss Roses ℥ ij Spikenardʒ iij. old white-wine Juyce of Quinces of each lb ij ss macerate them a whole day upon hot embers afterwards boyl them till half be consumed and to the Colature adde clarified honey lb ij to make it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Dry Pontian or Roman Wormwood must be taken and minutely incided that it may be infunded with Roses and Spikenard in generous Wine as Muskadine or the like in an Earthen vessel leaded 24 hours upon the hot ashes that done they must be fervefied once or twice afterwards honey or rather sugar must be added some make two sorts one of honey and vulgar wormwood the other of sugar and lesser wormwood Some make this syrupe of one half pound of green wormwood in three pounds of water cocted to the third adding to the colature clear generous and ancient white-wine and the best white honey of each one pound and coct them to the consistence of a syrupe Which-ever of these wayes it is made it is very ingrateful and thence many rightly diminish the quantity of the wormwood and augment the sugar for those things that would roborate the ventricle if ingrateful subvert it This syrupe roborates the stomack Vires helps concoction excites appetite discusses flatuosity opens the veins and moves urine CHAP. 4. Syrupus de Stoechade or Syrupe of Stoecados D. Fernel ℞ of the flowers of Stoecados ℥ iiij Thyme Calamint Origanum of each ℥ j. ss Sage Betony the flowers of Rosemary of each ℥ j. ss the seeds of Rue Piony and Fennel of eachʒ iij. boyl them in lb x. of water till half be consumed and to the Colature adde sugar and heney of each lb ij make it into a syrupe aromatize it with Cinemon Ginger sweet-Cane of each 〈◊〉 tyed up in a linen rag The COMMENTARY Mesue gives two descriptions of this syrupe in both which he puts Pepper and Bartram which being hotter are rejected by Fernelius and he addes certain cephalical Medicaments to wit Sage Betony Poeony and Rosemary that it may acquire the effect the Author intends This syrupe is cognominated from its Basis to wit Staecados whereunto the rest are adjoyned to acquire more cephalical and noble faculties Sylvius permits it to be made with sugar and not honey for the more delicate It conduces to many affections of the brain Vires as Mesue attests to which it would nothing confer if it were made after his description for Stoechas which he puts for its Basis is more hepatical or splenical then cephalical therefore Fernelius addes many cephalicals which make his syrupe conduce to the Epilepsie Cramp Trembling and all cold affections of the brain CHAP. 5. Syrupus de Glycyrrhiza or Syrupe of Liquorice D. Mes ℞ of Liquorice scraped and bruised ℥ ij white Maiden-hair ℥ j. dryed Hyssop ℥ ss macerate them a whole day in lb iiij of rain-water then boyl them till half be consumed to the Colature adde of the best honey penidees and sugar of each lb ss rose-Rose-water ℥ vj. and so boyl them into a syrupe The COMMENTARY Many do right in not cocting dry Liquorice long lest it grow bitter but put it in in the end of the coction they clarifie the Colature with Penidia Sugar and Honey then coct it to a syrupe adding thereunto some rose-Rose-water before it be perfectly cocted which
some disallow of because the syrupe is confected for purgation and the Rose-water is astrictive to whose opinion Joubertus subscribing substitutes the water of the infusion of Roses as less astrictive but this water is therefore commixed that the syrupe may thereby participate of an astrictive quality and assumed in the beginnings of diseases stay the fluent humours and coct such as have delabed The infusion may be desumed for want of the water but not as less astrictive This syrupe consists not onely of simple but compound Medicaments to wit of Penidees which are made of Barly Water and Sugar cocted in such proportion and Art that a very solid mass arises thence so tractable that it adheres not to ones fingers but may be drawn into small long crass short or intorted threads alwayes white and hence its name is Alphenicum It stayes the humours flowing from the brain Vires cocts such as are fallen helps the cough and causes the expectoration of cocted humours CHAP. 6. Syrupus Jujubinar or Syrupe of Jujubees D.M. â„ž of Jujubees n. lx Violets the feeds of Mallows of eachÊ’ v. Liquorice scraped and bruised Maiden-hair Barley of each â„¥ j. the seeds of Quinces white Poppies Melons Lettice Gumme Thraganth of eachÊ’ iij. boyl them in lb iiij of fountain-Fountain-water to the Colature adde of sugar lb ij to bring it into the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY In confecting this syrupe the cleansed Barly must first be cocted then the Jujubs added then the Liquorice afterwards Maidens-hair and the seeds of Melons Lettice and Poppy at length Violet-flowers and Tragacanthum in the end lest by longer coction it become fume It should be included with Mallowes and Quinces-seed in a linen cloth and then cocted with the rest in four or five pounds of water to the absumption of the third part and elixated with the said quantity of sugar into the consistency of a syrupe the coction should not be to the half unless the weight of sugar be abated It conduces to hoarseness cough pleurisy it cocts Vires moves and educes spittle and that of Violets and is a mean betwixt the syrupe of Poppy it cohibits all fluxions and cocts the defluxed humours CHAP. 7. Syrupus de Hyssopo or Syrupe of Hyssop D. Mes â„ž of dryed Hyssop the roots of Smallage Fennel Liquorice of eachÊ’ x. Barley â„¥ ss the seeds of Mallows and Quinces Gumme Thraganth of eachÊ’ iij. Maiden-hairÊ’ vj. Jujubees Sebestens of each n. xxx Raisins stoned â„¥ j. ss dryed Figs fat Dates of each n. x. boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to lb iiij to the Colature adde Penidees lb ij make it up into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe is cognominated from Hyssop its Basis in the confection whereof its Author Mesue is so far from defining a quantity of water that he mentions no water at all but they should take eight pounds wherein they should coct the Barly half an hour then inject the incided roots to be elixated a quarter of an hour then all the fruits at length the seeds bound in a linen cloth with Tragacanthum and at last pretty dry Hyssop true Maidens-hair or in its stead vulgar Maidens-hair Penidees made without starch must be added to the Colature by coction reducted to three pounds and clarified some had rather put in sincere sugar others the water of sape and sugar but it is best to confect it according to Mesue's description The same Author describes more preparations of this same syrupe but this we have transcribed is the most usual and best This syrupe conduces much to difficulty of breathing Vires pectoral dolours from a cold cause it takes away obstructions moves flours and deterges sand from the reins and bladder CHAP. 8. Syrupus de Aretemisia or Syrupe of Mugwort D. Fern. â„ž the leaves of Mugwort m. ij the roots of Orris Enula-campane Madder Piony Lovage Fennel of each â„¥ ss the leaves of Peny-royal Origanum Calamint Nep Balm Basil Carrets Savin Marjoran Hyssop Horehound Germander Groundpine St. Johns-wort Feverfew and Betony of each m. j. the seeds of Anis Petroseline Fennel Rue Gith of eachÊ’ iij. bruise those that are to be bruised and macerate them 24 hours in Hydromel lb viij boyl them to lb v. and with lb v. of Sugar coct it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe of Mugwort first described by Matthaeus containing a mass of Medicaments perperously congested was rightly castigated by Fernelius who substracting such things as were not known inconvenient and supervacancous left onely such as were usesul as Plantius well observed for when it is in vain to adde more where the thing may be better done by fewer what need had we of so much cost and time in seeking and congesting many Simples when much fewer were better yet no cost or pains must be spared when the sanity of a man lies at the stake so that the labour be not lost nor cost frustraneous A great and solemn composition whose bonity many ages have found and experience sufficiently proved must neither admit of mutation nor mutilation but such as are described without ground or reason must be either omitted or castigated This syrupe is denominated from Mugwort which is its Basis its preparation is clear enough in the description Yet it may be more Simply easily and as efficaciously made thus â„ž of the roots of Rest-harrow Madder Grass Butchers-Broom of eachÊ’ vj. the seeds of Carret and Roman-Gith of eachÊ’ j. Syr. de Artemisia simpliciter Mugwort m. ij Savin Marjoran Nep Hyssop of each m. ss boyl them in lb v. of water to the Colature adde lb i. ss of sugar and lb ss of Honey to bring it into the consistence of a syrupe This syrupe potently moves suppressed or staying fluors Vires and allayes the strangulation and subversion of the Uterus CHAP. 9. Syrupus resumptivus or The resumptive Syrupe â„ž of the flesh of Snails â„¥ iiij Barley whole â„¥ ij the pulp of Dates â„¥ j. Raisins Kiquorce of eachÊ’ vj. Sebestens Jujubees of each n. xij Cotton-seed Melon Cucumer and Gourd-seeds of each â„¥ ss The seeds of Lettice and * * * White Uagula Calalinae Poppy of each Ê’ ij Coltsfoot Lungwort of each m.j. the flowers of Violets and white Lillies of each â„¥ ss boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to lb iiij of Colature to which ad de lb ij of the whitest Sugar Sugar of Roses and Diatraganthum frigidum of each lb ss coct it to a Syrupe The COMMENTARY The resumptive syrupes in a general acception may be referred to all analepticall and restorative ones wherein Medicks adhibit Snails flesh after the example of that whereof Joannes Tornamyra is Authour by assent though I could neither see it in him nor any other Antidotariographer in my life and that which is now made by Medicks is made after as many different manners as there are different Shops wherein it is made yea all the descriptions
that I have seen of it and they were no few differ among themselves some admitting too many attenuatives others too viscid ingredients others useless ones and others in such a confused form as if they could scarce be prepared as described All of them require nemoral Snails which yet if there be any such are worse as Rubetae amongst Frogs because their succe is sharper and more fervid but less nutritive and apt to resarciate therefore I judge the vulgar more wholesom which live partly on the water partly on the land And Rondeletius said true that Snails could not alwayes live without water whence these terrestrial Snails must be such as live in muddy and fenny places partly on limpid water and partly on dry land But they must be duly prepared before they accede the confection of this syrupe their necks tails and members must be first abscinded their shels divided or separated that all the flesh may be extracted which must be purged from all filth cut into pieces and cocted together with the Simples enumerated and those in such order as they that require longer coction may be sooner injected those that require shorter later And so it were better to coct the simples severally from the flesh and the flesh first or last as the Medick will Sugar and Penidees must be added to the Colature It is good for such as resurge from long diseases Vires or are marcid tabid or consumed or labor under some prave affection of the lungs CHAP. 10. Syrupus exhilarans or The exhilarative Syrupe D. Dom. Laurent ℞ of the Juyces of Borrage and Bugloss lb j. ss of the Juyce of sweet smelling Apples lb j. of the Juyce of Balm ℥ ss of Kermes-berriesʒ iij. Saffronʒ ss Spec. diamarg. frigid ʒ ss Diambrae ℈ iiij Loaf-sugar lb ij coct it into Syrupe according to Art The COMMENTARY Doctor Laurentius the King of France's chief Physician gives this description in a certain learned piece of his about conservation of the Sight Melancholy Catarrhs and old Age and he confesses that his Kinsman Castellanus the King of France's chief Chirurgeon was its Author and it is thus confected The grains of Kermes must be infused a whole night in the depurated succes upon hot ashes the sugar diluted in its strong expression then all cocted into a syrupe in whose middle a little bundle must be suspended wherein the powders and Saffron are contained its dosis may be from one ounce to two ounces in the morning before meat or at night before sleep It is cognominated exhilarative because it hath an eximious faculty in recreating the heart and vitals erecting the saculties abigating sorrow and tempering the malign quality of melancholy This syrupe may be substituted in stead of that that is made of Kermes in such parts where the Illex is coccigerous of which consection we were not unmindeful but being easie to make we omitted it and left to such whom Nature hath inriched with its eximious succe There are inumerable more descriptions of syrupes in divers Authors but some of them being disapproved of others scarce proved we will not onerate or rather inquinate our Antidotary therewith For the acid syrupe of Manna the syrupe of sweet Pomegranates of Persian Apples of acid Prunes of Pears of deansed Grapes of Thyme and many more which Mesue describes are out of use I hear of the syrupes of the greater Centaury of St. Johns-wort of Ivy of Tobacco of Fennel and some others not yet proved by use of which if the Famous Colledge at Paris approve I shall approve also Myrepsus his syrupe the syrupe of Diasireos the syrupes of Lilly of Acorus of Madder of Penny-royal of Turbith of Grapes of Myrobalambs and others which Jacobus de Manliis Andernacus Wekerus and some of the later rank describe are now wholly neglected SECT III. Of Syrupes dulcorated with Honey THere rest yet some Syrupes which we shall describe in this Section that are not dulcorated with Sugar but with Honey nor made like the rest of the decoctions of Roots Leaves Flowers Seeds and Fruits but onely of limpid and aqueous succes whereunto we may well referre that Hydromel which is called the vinous Hydromel for in sapour faculties and consistence it responds to a Syrupe CHAP. 1. Oxymel seu Acetum mulsum c. Oxymel or sweet Vinegar Secanjabin in Arabick ℞ of the best Honey lb ij of Fountain-water lb iiij white-wine Vinegar lb j. boyl them together in a fit vessel to the consistency of a liquid Syrupe The COMMENTARY The Honey must first be cocted in water and despumed then must the Vinegar be by little and little adjected then all cocted together till they acquire the consistence of a liquid syrupe But the Ancients have not definitely described the quantity of Vinegar for seeing Honey according to Galen is hot and in hot natures turns soon into bile so much Vinegar must be added by Oribasius his advice as will correct that bilefying faculty and so it may be made into Oxymel convenient and useful for all ages and sexes for it is as sweet as acid and as mean and should be made variously according to the gust of the assumer so that it may not hurt for things very sharp abrade the intestines and hinder expectoration but that which is moderately acrimonious is very useful to the affections of the breast and lungs for it educes spittle and facilitates spiration for it incides and attenuates crass humours expurges the bowels without molestation and attenuates mans meat It s preparation then is various and the proportion of Honey to Vinegar and of Vinegar to water is various for though the a queous be better to most yet it agrees not to all Oribasius would have twice as much Honey and four times as much water as Vinegar and would have them all cocted to the thirds which is the same with that that Mesue gives whereunto Serapius assents though he elsewhere makes them of equal parts but that is too sowre Now the middle betwixt both may be of one part and a half of Vinegar to two of the best Honey which emits not much spume for all Honey that emits more spume is not so good but must be cocted and despumed longer and so its greatest part dissipated in coction for it must be cocted till it effer no more spume Thus the quantity of the Vinegar must be augmented and diminished according to the will of the user to whom it is more convenient as he more defires is and so it should be made according to every disposition yet that which is kept in shops is usually prepared as Mesue hath described and is made more sweet or more sowre as the assumer desires it and the exigency calls for it Oxymel incides Vires attenuates and prepares crass and viscid humours for expurgation conduces equally to hot and cold affections and effects what we have before mentioned CHAP. 2. Oxymel Stilliticum or Oxymel of Squills ℞ of
Honey despumed lb iij. Vinegar of Squills lb ij boyl them in an earthen pipkin to the consistency of a liquid Syrupe The COMMENTARY The Medick Marcellus makes it after another manner by superadding water For he takes of Squils lb j. Fountain-water lb iiij loyl them to a pinte and half and so let it stand a whole day close covered afterwards press it out and to the expression adde as much Vinegar with lb iij. of the best Honey let it be again gently boyled to a fit consistency Mervardus also and Bern. Dissennius think it cannot be made without water to which opinion some assent who mix twice as much water with this as with the Simple Oxymel But Sylvius saith this is needless seeing the Honey is first cocted and despumed in water and the Vinegar legitimately prepared with Scilla and the Acetum is thus made one pound of the segments of Scilla trajected on a thread and dried in a shade is macerated in eight pounds of white-Wine the mixture is insolated in either a Glass-vessel or an earthen one well glazed with an angust orifice by the space of forty days in the hot Sun then it is strained and the segments being ejected and the Liquorice preserved which was of more use heretofore then now There are many and various wayes of making it but the description we have given is most usual and agrees with that which Paulus Aegineta gives of it There are also many wayes of making Oxymel Scilliticum but Democrates Julian and the rest make it more compound but these are neglected and no where made therefore omitted by us It incides crass humours Vires takes away obstructions caused by crass humours impacted on the lungs and cures the Epilepsie Vertigo Cephalalgia and Hemitrania CHAP. 3. Oxymel Compositum or Compounded Oxymel â„ž of the roots of Smallage Fennel Parsly Butchers-broom Asperagrass of each â„¥ ij the seeds of Smallage and Fenâ—el of each â„¥ j. boyl them all in lb xij of water in the clarified Colature mix of the best Honey lb iiij white-wine Vinegar lb j. coct it into a liquid Syrupe The COMMENTARY The compounded Oxymel is made like the simple Oxymel Stilliticum one simple and usual Vinegar is here substituted in stead of the other Praepositus makes a certain compounded aromatical Oxymel and another potently diuretical mixing with the one many Aromata's with the other Grass-Orris and Radish-roots but these may be added when use calls for it and no other composititious Oxymel kept in shops The quantity of Honey is not determined by Authors because it is sometimes to be made more acrimonious at other times sweeter But if we should define the quantity we would make it in a mean betwixt acritude and sweetness It incides Vires attenuates and absterges viscid and pituitous humours frees the liver spleen and bowels from obstructions expels the sand of the reins and bladder and moves urine CHAP. 4. Hydromel vinosum simplex or Simple vinous Hydromel â„ž of the best Honey lb x. pluvial or fluvial water lb lx boyl them together till an egge will swim at top then insolate it and preserve it The COMMENTARY If this Receipt like not any one he may take water and coct it to the absumption of its third part accurately absterging and abjecting the spume for thus the more dissipable part of the water being vanished the remnant will have a consistence like a liquid Syrupe its sapour will be sweet and the coction fit for conservation Many Medicaments mutuate their basis and appellations from Honey as Mulsam or Mede Hydromel both aqueous and vinous Oxymel and many other Medicinal Honeys of the succes of Plants as Rhodomel or Honey of Roses Honey of Violets Mercury Raisins Rosemary and Anacardium Mede consists onely of Water and Honey mixed in a different proportion and that is called dilute Mede that admits but of little Honey How to make Mede and very much water For we make Mede saith Oribasiâ—â— when we mix much water with Honey and coct them till they cease to emit spume for then the spume must be taken off But the quantity of Honey must be augmented for pituious humours both to alter the peccant humour and to conciliate a more grateful gust Oribasius was out when he thought that Mede should be made of Wine and Honey and Melicrass of Honey and Water for they are both one Though Mesue calls Melicrass Oxymel and gives two descriptions thereof the one consists of Wine and Honey the other besides these two admits of many Aromata's as Cloves Cinamome sweet-Cane Mace and the like which by some he assenting thereto is called a Condite But this kinde of Potion which consists of Wine and Honey is called Oinomel Oinomel it is sometimes confected of two parts of old Wine and one of Honey and sometimes of five parts of new Wine and one of Honey which when cold is reposed into Hogs-heads Oribasius C. 25. L. 5. Collectorum Simple and vulgar Hydromel is prepared just as Melicratum so that they differ onely in name not in substance yet Galen saith Melicratum or Mede should be made of rain-water and Hydromel of fountain-water Apomeli is made also after the like manner for according to Galen it may be made of rain or any water so it be pure and Honey expressed from the comb which must be so long cocted together till spume cease to exurge which must be taken off as soon as it emerges for so it will depose its acrimony The Ancients called it syrupe of Honey-combs Philagrius gives a better description to a better Apomelie thus Let some Combs full of the best Honey be strongly pressed betwixt ones hands and let a portion of the honey expressed be injected into four times as much pure water and let the Honey-Combs be also immerged and washed in the water that they may depose all their Honey then let the water be strained then cocted over a luculent fire and well despumed let it then be taken off and frigefie and let what-ever swims upon be abjected then boyl it again and despume it which iterate thrice and when it is at last frigefied and purged from its excrements inject this Apomeli into an Earthen or Wooden Vessel Aqueous Hydromel is scarce ever preserved in shops but presently made when use calls for it but the vinous is often confected by the Medicks advice and kept in Citizens houses as some Nectar more precious then Malmsey for it potently cocts frigid humours moves expectoration roborates the stomack hinders crudities helps concoction moves appetite discusses flatuosity mitigates cholical dolours moves urine and very much profits cold constitutions The English were wont to make a more composititious vinous Hydromel which they called Metegla Metegla which received less of Honey but more Aromata and Leaven which is thus confected â„ž of the best and most refined Honey lb x. of the clearest spring-water lb lx boyl them together till a third part be
first beat the flowers very small afterwards the Sugar beating them well together till it becomes a soft mass The COMMENTARY The plenty of Medicinal flowers causes plenty of Conserves but Stoechados being very rare and Balm emitting patulous flowers few Conserves if any are confected of them but Sage is so frequent and endowed with so many eximious qualities that a most commendable Conserve Vires Salviae for many uses is made thereof for by a special faculty it roborates the Brain and Nerves conduces much to trembling stupour palsey and affections of the Brain That which is made of Balm gently helps the Memory That which is made of the flowers called Stoechados frees the Liver from obstructions and recreates the Brain Many Pharmacopolists it may be have more Conserves condited of flowers and many fewer and if any one be not content with these he hath liberty to make Conserves of Poeony Tamarisks Primrose and Succory Some make Conserve of Mallows flowers which much conduces to the Stone and vices in the Reins for it leniates allayes heat diduces the passages and expels sand from the Kidneys SECT VII Of Fruits and other parts of Plants Condited FRuits to be condited must not undergo triture like flowers but are condited either whole if small as Ribes and Berberries or somewhat greater as Cherries or else cut into slices as Quinces Roots also purged and sliced are condited Of all which Conditures we shall briefly dissert in this Section CHAP. 3. Cerasa condita or Condited Cherries â„ž of Cherries ripe and purged from their pedicles lb ij white Sugar lb j. boyl them first upon a clear then upon a gentle fire casting off the scum as it arises till their Juyce and the Sugar becomes a perfect Syrupe The COMMENTARY There are many kindes of Cherries whereof those onely are selected for conditure which are very red dulcoacid very succulent and inhaere upon a short pedicle as also such as are obscurely red Now that they may be rightly condited a little water must be put to them for so the Sugar will more easily liquefie and the Cherries be sooner cocted Now they are perfectly cocted when a drop of their Syrupe effunded upon a Marble diffuses not and then they should be removed from the fire and when they grow cold be reposed in idoneous vessels for preservation Condite Cherries because of their suavity and salubrity Vires are exhibited to the sick of any disease and at any time CHAP. 2. Ribes Berberis condita or Condited Ribes and Berberries â„ž of red Currans or Berberries lb j. ss Sugar lb j. boyl them according to Art with a little water till their humidity have acquired the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Of the succe of these fruits inspissated by heat we have a Sape of the same and sugar duly cocted a Syrupe also Both which are eximious in restoring sanity to the diseased as we have above hinted These same fruits are also used for Junkets and to that end integrally condited that they may be kept while winter and exhibited to the diseased to whom they are not onely pleasant but conducible They usually mix some water to their conditure but their own succe would do better in its stead for so the conditure would be more acid and sweet also if an equal weight of fruits and sugar were conjoyned CHAP. 3. Pyra condita or Condited Pears â„ž of Pears decocticated and of the whitest Sugar of each lb ij boyl them upon a gentle fire till the Pears become soft and the liquor of the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Other Pears may be so condited as those they call Rousselets and others whose flesh is solid Some stick them with Cloves that they may be more grateful to the palate for so they attain an aromatical odour and sapour with sweetness Apples having a sorter substance which by coction would be like a Pultess are not condited whole but cut into slices and artificially cocted with Sugar are made into a certain Paste which sected into morsels is studiously dryed and kept CHAP. 4. Nuces condita or Condited Nuts â„ž of Nuts both young and green n.l. purged from their outward Cortex infuse them nine or ten dayes in warm water daily changed then boyl them till they grow soft which spread one by one upon a cloth that they may dry aromatize them with Cloves and Cinamon and afterwards with an equal quantity of Sugar to the weight of the Nuts boyling them gently adding thereunto a little water to a just consistence The COMMENTARY Many care not for condite Nuts because they grow black which ingrateful colour that it may be hindred let the Nuts be first cocted then sticked with Aromata and reconded in a vessel upon which superfuse Syrupe perfectly cocted while it is hot if on the following dayes the Syrupe grow crude again coct it again and superfuse it and if yet it appear too fluid recoct it that it may acquire a legitimate consistence for so the condite Nuts will be whiter They roborate the ventricle Vires disspate flatuosity cure the cholick and help coction CHAP. 5. Pruna condita or Condited Plums â„ž of Plums not perfectly ripe of Loaf-sugar of each lb j. clear water lb ss boyl them till the liquor becomes a perfect Syrupe The COMMENTARY There is every-where great plenty and variety of Plums whereof Damascens white black red and violaceous ones are very expetible but most of all the Imperial Plums which when mature are most grateful And these also like other fruits are condited for better preservation and first they are decorticated and presently cast into water lest they should grow flave or black and then they are cocted till the syrupe of their succe mixed with sugar be of a legitimate consistence Thus may Peaches and ripe Apples be condited The Pills of Oranges and Lemmons partly because of their hardness and partly of their insuavity are once or twice macerated in warm water before conditure into which water at the first time some inject a little bundle of ashes at the second time they are cocted in simple water with an equal weight of sugar and so conserved in their syrupe perfectly cocted But for such as delight onely in dry confectures they may be thus made The Pills thus condited must be taken their syrupe wherewith they are madid either gently deterged with a cloth or lightly washed off with water The Pills thus wiped and exsiccated must be immerged in other sugar cocted to the consistence of a solid Electuary and again cocted therein a little then amoved and exsiccated in the sun Hypocauste or other hot place and then kept But this curious Art of conditing Fruits appertains rather to Confectioners then Apothecaries CHAP. 6. Citonia condita or Condited Quinces â„ž of Quinces decorticated cut in five or six parts purged from their membranes and seeds n.x. or xij of Sugar the like weight boyl them with a little water according to
Art The COMMENTARY Quinces because of their solidity endure much coction and therefore they require more water They should be cocted not onely till they be soft but till their Syrupe be crasser wherein they must be kept whole and not discepted nor reducted to a Pultess Quinces may be condited another way to wit cocted with Sugar and in cocting agitated that they may acquire the consistence of a Pultess and then they must be removed and reposed in ligneous Boxes if the weight of these Quinces and Sugar be equal the conditure will be more sâ—ave but less astrictive There is yet another conditure more red and lucid made onely of the decoction of the Pills and seeds of Quinces with an equal weight of Sugar cocted to the consistence of a Syrupe and kept in Boxes of Pine-wood if in cocting the vessel be shut and covered which contains them the conditure will be more red which colour is most expetible in all conditures of Quinces Some adde the sâ—â—ce of Quinces thereto and call it clear Cidoniat There is also a Conserve made of Quinces but after another manner for their succe is elicited cocted and strained and twice as much sugar added to the colature and cocted to the consistence of an Electuary the succe is in equal weight mixed with sugar and so the Conserve made of a red colour grateful sapour and eximious faculties The Conditure of Leaves CHAP. 7. Folia Adianti condita or The condite Leaves of Venus-hair â„ž of white Maiden-hair picked from its stalks lb j. good Sugar lb ij beat them severally afterwards together till they become a perfect Conserve The COMMENTARY Leaves are seldome condited seeing when dry we can take their decoctions and make Syrupes of them indued with their faculties or keep them dry some for a whole year without damage yet some are so volatile that they scarce retain any thing of their genuine quality when dryed as true Maidens-hair which for its eximious faculties is sought by exotical Merchants and carried in form of a Conserve made as before after which manner other dry leaves may be condited but humid ones thus CHAP. 8. Folia Tussilaginis condita or The condite Leaves of Collsfoot â„ž of the Juyce of the leaves of Coltsfoot lb j. Sugar lb ij boyl then to the consistency of an Electuary to which whilest hot adde of green Coltsfoot finely beaten as much as you see good and make thereof a Conserve The COMMENTARY In the confecture of this Conserve the quantity of the leaves to be brayed is not defined some taking more others less a third part or at most half as much sugar is enough But Conserves thus made should be long insolated and frequently agitated with a Rudicle that they may califie all over and their aqueous humidity be quite dissipated wherewith they abound The conditures of other leaves may be thus confected The conditure of these leaves help the Cough Vires Lungs and hinder the frequent delapse of humours from the Brain to the breast and vitals The Conditure of Stalks CHAP. 9. Caules Lactucae conditae or The condite Stalks of Lettices â„ž of the stalks of Lettices purged from the exteriour skin or cortex lb j. Boyl them in water till they wax soft afterwards dry them upon a cloth then take the like weight of Sugar and with a sufficient quantity of water boyl them till the liquor become a crass Syrupe which repose in a sit vessel If you desire them of a dryer form let them be wiped and dryed and then in Sugar boyled to the height of an Electuary let them a little fervesie afterwards taken out and dryed The COMMENTARY Very few Plants Cauls are condited either because of their hardness or insuavity or other useless qualities But such as have crassitude sweetness tenerity and excellency of faculties may rightly be condited as the cauls of Lettice and Artichock Of both which cauls Confectioners used to make dry confectures after the manner prescribed They quench thirst allay the heat of the stomack and liver Vires CHAP. 10. Caules Cynarae conditi or The condited Stalks of Artichocks â„ž of the stalks of Artichocks the exteriour pellicle taken off and purged from its fibres lb j. boyl them in water till they grow soft afterwards let them be dryed upon a cloth then with the like weight of Sugar and a sufficient quantity of water boyled to the body of a crass Syrupe repose the confecture in a fit vessel which if required more dry prepare them as afore-described The COMMENTARY The white stalks of Artichocks should be desumed before they erupt out of the earth they are used all winter in Paris where they much abound which some upon no grounds use to stimulate Venery for they afford little of genital matter or flatulent spirits to the body but much Melancholical succe The cauls of the vulgar not of the Spanish Artichock should be selected for that is a kinde of Carduus as both of them seem to be depromed from that stock onely one of them hath by culture attained a more fair aspect and gracious sapour They are more celebrated for Junkets for the whole then Diet for the sick Condited Roots CHAP. 11. Radix Poeoniae condita or The condited Root of Poeony â„ž of the Roots of Poeony washed and purged lb ij boyl them in water till they grow soft then repose them to dry in a shade that their humidity may be evaporated then boyl them again with the like weight of Sugar with a little portion of the aforesaid decoction to the body of an Electuary which take from the fire and repose in a vessel for use The COMMENTARY Some Roots should be condited onely in the Spring before their succe be immitted into their branches boughs and leaves others in Autumn when Plants demit their leaves for then much of the Plants vertue goes into the Roots and then the humour is more throughly cocted then at other times others may be condited both in the Spring Summer and Autumn being alwayes succulent whose cauls are either not erupted or grown up or else dryed They must then be collected in that feason wherein their vertue is most prealent as the Roots of Ragwort and Rainbow in the Spring the Root of Poeony in August according to Sylvius or rather in March the Roots of Enula Bryony and Maidens-grass in Autumn as we have shewed at large in our Institutions Cap. 13. Lib. 1. Some of them are amare sharp and insuave which before their conditure should be often macerated in water others are grateful which being one day infused in warm water may in the same or another be cocted forthwith as the Roots of Poeony which may be weâ— condited according to this prescribed form or some other of the like sort when they are cocted and the Sugar cocted like a soft Electuary affunded upon them if they become crude the liquor must be again cocted and that again repeated till they cease
from their crudity These condited are of great potency to arceate and cure the Epilepsie if they be moderately taken in the morning fasting and at the hour of sleep CHAP. 12. Radices Eryngiorum conditae or The condited Roots of Sâ—â—-holly â„ž of the Roots of Sea-holly cut sloping and purged from its inward pith lb j. boyl them in water till they become soft dry them in a shade Sic Radices Buglossi condiuntur then let Sugar be dissolved in the same decoction and boyled to the spissitude of an Electuary to which adde the Roots and again gently cocted that their aqueous humidity may be dissipated 〈◊〉 epose them afterward 〈◊〉 Gally pot and preserved The COMMENTARY The Roots of Sea-holly being sweet needs undergo but one materation before conditure and then be cocted in the same water â—ill they be soft then condited with Sugar as the form shews Mesue addes some Aromata's as Cinamon and Ginger wherewith be would have the Roots stuck and he boyls them with a portion of Honey and Sugar or else Honey onely thrice the quantity of the Roots But the form I have exhibited is more usual and better We everywhere in the Aarabian writings meet with Secacul which is hitherto taken for Sea-holly But its description given by Avicenna and Serapio shew that it is another Plant dissimilar in face if not faculties It grows in India and is there condited and is kept and given for venereous matters as also our Sea-holly which some do perperously call Secacul though their vertues be afâ—â—â—e for both of them are â—or and moist in the end of the first and beginning of the second degree They move Venery Therefore they do right who for defect of the Indian Secacul substiture our Sea-holly and let such cease to be angry at this substitution who must have something of that nature and cannot get the true Secacul Sea-holly is of the kinde of aculeated Plants whose leaves are tender not spinous and rigid and fit for cibaries Dioscorides saith they are broad asperated about their ambient aromatical to the gust and when perfectly grown aculeated with many horrid spines Its heads also are circumvalled with aoute spines its roots long black without white within tender sweet and grateful to the gust It is more largely described in our first Book of Medicinal Matter It s Root condited noâ—â—shes augments seed Vires excites venery moves urine and expels the sand of the Reins and Bladder CHAP. 13. Radices Symphiti condita or The condite Roots of Comfrey â„ž of the roots of the greater Comfrer slieed lb j. macerate and boyl them in a sufficent quantity of water till they become soft dry them in a shade for a whole day Let them Sugar be put to the decoction and boyled to the 〈◊〉 situde of an Electuary to which adde the roots and again let them be boyled till the aqueous superfluity be evaporated and when they begin to be condited repose them in a vessel for use The COMMENTARY The roots of Comfrey as also many other which by cocture become easily soft are rightly condited after this prescript yet some had rather prepare and condite them thus First they coct the washed and cleansed roots then they bray them then they transmit thâ—â— through a fieve then put twice their quantity of Sugar to them and coct them to the consistence of an Electuary then they recalifie them and recond the conditure in Boxes And thus they do with all other crasser roots for thâ—â— they may be better pâ—rged from their fibres and more perfectly confected in every part They stay the running of blood from any part Vires cohibit the delapse of homours and agglutinate wounds in the internals CHAP. 14. Radices Enâ—â—â— conditae or The condited roots of Enâ—â—a-campane â„ž of the roots of Enâ—â—a-campane washed purged and sliced lb ij infuse them in warm water for the space of four dayes the water being daily changed then boyl them till they grow tender then dry them in a shade afterwards take the like weight of Sâ—gar which dissolve in the aforesaid decoction and boyl it up to the consistency of an Electuary then adde the aforesaid roots and coct them together gently which afterwards repose in boxes The COMMENTARY The roots of Enula must be macerated more or less as their insuavity requires and if it may be emended by two or three macerations they need no longer immersion lest their whole vertue be deposed in the water They roborate the stomack Viret recreate the heart discuss flaâ—â—lenty help concoction resist poysons and pestiâ—ent viâ—ulâ—â—â— diseases CHAP. 15. Radices Satyrii conditae or The condite roots of Satyrion â„ž of Satyrion roots washed and picked lb j. boyl them in water till they become tender then let them be dryed in the shade covering them with a cloth when they are dryed ningle them with the like preportion of Sugar dissolved in the abovesaid decoction and â—oyled to a good consistence which coct a little that the humidity of the water may be dissipated The COMMENTARY The whole roots of Satyrion should be condited for their mole hinders not but that sugar may pervade their whole substance We have adjoyned no Aromata's that they may be more safely exhibited to such as labour under Hectick Fevers they are indued with like faculties with Diasatyrium but more imbecilely as we shall shew in its due place Many other roots are condited after the same manner with these which for brevities sake I omit We have no fresh Ginger but it comes all condited to us from Bengala a countrey in India SECT VIII Of Eclegms that must be preserved in Pharmacopolies EClegms do by good right challenge place amongst the Preparative Medicaments for they prepare the humours contained in the breast for expulsion by vomit or impact them into another place for eduction by stool For seeing they are either acid or sweet they incide viscid humours and make them easie to be separated from the parts whereunto they adhere The sweet ones concoct the same and make them sit for exclusion by spittle If they be of a mixt sapour and dulcoacid they both attenuate and concoct But thâ—se that the Ancients kept in their Shops are now almost out of use And now when some prave affection of the highest region of the Breast or Asper Artery requires a Lohoch or Eclegm they are quickly made for present use being both for vertue and sapour at the best So that the Ancients Eclegms as they are less grateful so they seem to be less useful Yet lest our Shop should be quite void of them we shall select a few of more easie confecture and particular use As CHAP. 1. Eclegma Scilliticum or Eclegm of Squills D. Mes â„ž of the Juyce of Squills Honey despumed of each lb ij boyl them together according to Art to the consistency of Honey The COMMENTARY This Eclegm is most easie to confect and most simple consisting onely of the
same things that make up Honey of Squills onely they differ in preparation and proportion For in Honey of Squills the leaves are confusedly insolated with the Honey in a fit vessel and strained when use calls for it But in the Eclegm of Squills onely their succe is cocted with Honey above the consistence of a Syrupe Eclegms of Squills potently incide and prepare for expulsion Vires crass and viscid humours impacted in the spirators They very much help such as breath with difficulty or have much of viscid Phlegm in their Lungs or highest region of the Breast CHAP. 2. Eclegma de Caulibus or Eclegm of Colewort D. Gord. â„ž of the Juyce of Coleworts lb j. boyl it a little and scum it afterwards adde SaffronÊ’ iij. Sugar and Honey of each lb ss boyl them according to Art to the consistence of a Linctus The COMMENTARY The succe of Garden-Cauls must first be educed then depurated by the Sun or fire then Honey or Sugar added to it and they perfectly cocted then must well-pulverated Saffron be mixed therewith or as Gordiâ—nus its Author would have it injected therein 〈◊〉 while cocting because he will have it tend to its spissitude but it is credible he means by his Electuary a Lohoch for the cure of difficulty of breathing But the leaves of red Cauls should be selected when the diseases of the highest part of the Breast are respected or the Belly to be moved Lonoch of cauls cures difficulty of breathing Vires inveterate coughs cocts moves and excludes spittle CHAP. 3. Eclegma de Pulmone Vulpis or Eclegm of Foxes Lungs D. Mes â„ž of Fox Lungs prepared and dryed of the Juyce of Liquorice white Maiden-hair sweet Fennel-seeds Anise-seeds of each equal parts make it into a Lohoch with Syrupe of Red-roses or Myrtles The COMMENTARY Some confect it with simple Hydrosa charum that is water and sugar others with sugar solved and cocted in Saxifrage water and some that would have it more roborative with Rob or inspissated succe of Myrtle as Mesue advises We confect it with syrupe of Roses or Alexanders syrupe for so it is more grateful then those with Rob of Myrtle and Hydrosacharum yea its faculty roborates in a mean betwixt them But if it be kept for a Roborative it may be rightly confected with syrupe of Myrtle but Pharmacopolists do not now preserve it Foxes Lungs should if possible be onely taken by such as are young sound and given to hunting they must be washed in water incided according to the vessels whereto they adhere and wherein they are suspended their blood must be expressed then moderately washed in white-wine imposed in a pot dryed in an Oven pretty hot and kept When use calls for them a portion of them must be levigated very small and mixed with some idoneous liquor as in this Eclegm with the said Syrupe and other pulverated Medicaments Mesue describes this Lonoch of Foxes Lungs to difficult breathers Vires but some would rather bray the Lung and exhibit it mixed with Julep of Roses others upon good grounds prefer the Lungs of other wholesome Animals as Hogs Rams or Calves Lungs for the easure of such as are troubled with difficulty of breathing for the diseased may eat these with more delight and salubrity to the quantity of two or more ounces and so better consult the sanity of his Lungs then if he uses an ounce of this Eclegm wherein there is scarce a scruple of Foxes Lungs Yet this should be kept in Pharmacopolies because it is very bechical and may be successfully used by such as are tabid CHAP. 4. Eclegma sanum expertum or A sound and experienced Lohoch D. Mes â„ž of Raisins stoned Figs Dates of each n. xij Jujubees Sebestens of each xxx Foenugreek-seedÊ’ v. Linseed Anise-seed sweet Fennel-seed dryed Hyssop Calamint the roots of Orris Liquorice Cinamon of each â„¥ ss Maiden-hair m.j. boyl them all in four pintes of water till half be consumed to the Calature adde Penidees lb ij boyl it again to the crassitude of Honey then adde these following powders and pastes Pine-kernelsÊ’ v. blanched Almonds Starch of eachÊ’ iij. Liquorice Gumme-Thraganth Arabick of each â„¥ ij ss Orris â„¥ ss Let all these be exactly mingled and beaten into a Lohoch The COMMENTARY That this Eclegm may be well confected the root of Orris should be cut into short pieces and be first cocted in limpid water by half a quarter of an hour then must the seeds be injected then the fruits and leaves last the Liquorice and Cinamon the powders being levigated a part must be confusedly mixed and conjected into the colature duly cocted with Penidees that of these united and agitated with a Pestel may arise an Eclegm which from its effect is called Sound and Expert for it contains many fruits seeds leaves and some gummes which commonstrate its eximious faculties whereunto they adde Amylum to make it more viscid Now Amylum may be made of many cereals but the best is that that is made of Wheat five times madefied with water till it be soft which done the water is effused without agitation lest something that is useful flow out with it when it is very soft and the water effused it should be calcated with ones feet and so broken then should water be again superfused upon it and it again calcated and the enatant bran received into a sieve and the rest dried in a Basket and forthwith baked in the sun and kept For thus it is grinded without a Mill and thence called Amylum It leniates exasperated parts stays the fluxions of the eyes and rejections of Blood This Eclegm cures the cough Vires and hoarseness contracted by a cold distemper it incides attenuates and deterges much and concocts cold humours CHAP. 5. Eclegma de Pineis or Eclegm of Pine-kernels D. Mes â„ž of Pine-kernels cleansed from their skinsÊ’ xxx sweet Almonds Hazel-Nuts Gumme-Thraganth Arabick Liquorice Juyce of Liquorice white Starch white Maiden-hair Orris-root of each â„¥ ss the Pulp of DatesÊ’ xxxv bitter Almonds Honey of Raisins fresh Butter white Sugar of each â„¥ iiij Honey as much as will suffice to make it up according to Art into an Eclegm The COMMENTARY That this Eclegm may be rightly made the dry roots must first be brayed apart then the Maidens-hair then the fruits then the gummes and Amylum but such as may better be incided as Almonds and Filberts may be cut with a knife When all are well levigated Rob or Honey of Raisins must be added then butter then an idoneous quantity of the whitest and best Honey that the Eclegm may be of a legitimate consistence It cures inveterate coughs Vires difficulty of breathing moves viscid spittle helps the asperity of the voyce helps coction and expectoration of humours and cures such affections of the Lungs and Breast as arise from the plenty or noxious quality of humours Finis Libri Primi The Apothecaries Shop OR ANTIDOTARY THE
SECOND BOOK Of most selected and approved Purgative Medicaments THE PREFACE THe multitude of Compounded Purgatives are almost innumerable their forms multifarious and their preparations various We shall here exhibit the most select best and approved and those either in form of a liquid or solid Electuary as Opiates or Hierae or in form of Pills and Trochisks For Pharmacopolists seldome keep Purgatives in form of Powders or Potions We shall adde the manner and reason of their confecting and the quality of the Confection But we shall withall omit many Purges described by the Ancients because their use is not salubre nor a due order observed in their Composition as admitting of many noxious useless and unknown Medicaments We shall also neglect many described and invented by late men who being covetous of vain-glory cognominated some after their own Titles and from a fictitious effect We shall I say relinquish such and give onely the more select approved and useful We dissect this Treatise into four Sections In the first whereof we speak of liquid Electuaries in the third of solid ones in the fourth of Pills and in the second of bitter Confections which Medicks call Hierae CHAP. 1. Diacassia D. N. Praepos â„ž of the flowers and leaves of Violets Mallows Beets Pellitory Roman Wormwood of each m. ss boyl in lb iiij of water till half be consumed to the Colature adde of Honey lb j. boyl it to the consistence of a liquid Electuary then mingle with it Gassia lb j. and so make it into an Electuary and repose it in a fit vessel The COMMENTARY All do not make Diacassia alike for some coct the succes of Plants with honeys to a fit crassitude and then adject the Cassia others elixate the Plants and in the colature dilute Cassia and Honey and then fervefie the whole mixture to the consistence of a liquid Electuary But that manner wherein the Cassia is so long cocted is disapproveable but the other whereby the Canes wherein the Cassia is contained are washed in the strained decoction and afterwards a pound of honey added and they cocted to a legitimate spissitude that by the adjection of a pound of Cassia they may become an Electuary is very good Some in stead of honey mix sugar therewith others both some adde Manna others Senny others other Medicaments and so confect various Electuaries of Cassia whereunto I assent not For it is enough that we have Diacassia made according to the prescript for Glysters and if the pith of Cassia must be assumed at the mouth it may be extracted fresh and taken alone or mixed with other Medicaments as the Medick requires But Aegyptian or Oriental Cassia should be selected which is without redly black and within full of a fat medullous and black matter which is of force to contemperate heat wash the Belly and gently purge the Body and may thence be securely given to Boyes Old-men and pregnant Women for it subduces the Belly without molestation but it is thought procurative of flatulency and therefore many educe its pith in the vapour of cocted Anise or Fennel others mix some Cinamon with it and Coraeus gives it with some grains of Berberries to such as have weak Intestines I hear of a new kinde of Cassia brought from Brasile a half ounce whereof doth more move the Belly and copiously educe humours then a whole ounce of the vulgar and oriental Diacassia is a benign Medicament and purges clemently it allayes the heat of the Mesentery gently moves the Belly humectates its siccity and by lubrication and detersion deposes the excrements by stool CHAP. 2. Electuarium lenitivum or The lenitive Electuary â„ž of Polypody of the Oak Senny picked Raisins stoned of each â„¥ ij Mercury m. j.ss Barley Maiden-hair Violets of each m. ss Jujubees Sebestens of each num xx Prunes stoned Tamarinds of eachÊ’ vj. LiquoriceÊ’ ss boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till a third part be consumed to the Colature adde Pulp of Cassia-Fistula Tamarinds Prunes Loaf-sugar and Sugar of Violets of each â„¥ vj. Senny powdred â„¥ iij. ss make it into an Electuary according to Art The COMMENTARY The Raisins which ingrede this confection should be purged from their stones if white Adiantum or true Maidens-hair cannot be had Polytrichum may be substituted in its stead Conserve of Violets or Sugar of Violets may be mixed at pleasure He that judges Conserves inept in Electuaries may adde Anise or sweet Fennel-seed or a little Cinamon yet this Electuary hath hitherto been confected without any of them and the users have not found any molestation from flatulency The fruits whose pulps must be educed must be humectated in a part of the prepared decoction another part thereof with sugar must be made into a Syrupe and the pulps with sugar of Violets mixed with it while hot then must an ounce and an half or at least an ounce and three dragms of well-levigated Senny be added to every pound of the Composition whereof they say Rhasis is Author This lenitive Electuary thus cognominated from its effect Vires levifies mollifies and subduces the Belly educes all obvious but especially pituitous and melancholical humours without molestation it helps against the Pleurisie and other pectoral affections The Florentine Medicks describe another by the name of the Magisterial Electuary which admits of Turpentine Ginger and Scammony which our Shop may well be without CHAP. 3. Electuarium Catholicum or The Catholical Electuary â„ž of Polypody of the Oak well bruised lb j. pure water lb ix boyl them together till a third part be consumed and in two parts of the decocoction let there be boyled Sugar lb viij to which adde pulp of Cassia and Tamarinds madefied with the other part of the decoction of the leaves of Senny of each â„¥ viij of the best Rhabarb Polypody sweet Fennel-seeds Violets of each â„¥ iiij of the four greater cool seeds of each â„¥ j. Liquorice Penidees Sugar-Candy of each â„¥ ss make into an Electuary The COMMENTARY That this universal Antidote may be duly confected many things must be brayed and prepared apart and first of all Polypody which being twice assumed must be bifariously prepared In the first course it must be brayed only pretty grosly in the second it must be levigated very small that which is onely contunded must be long cocted in the prescribed or sufficient quantity of water and a Syrupe must be made of two parts of its colature and sugar The Tamarinds and Cassia must be humectated with the rest that their pulps may be more easily separated and secerned The Rhabarb must be brayed alone the Senny Liquorice Fennel and Violets both alone and together twice as much of the Syrupe of Violets may be mixed in stead of the Violets the four cold seeds must be excorticated and minutely cut with a Pen-knife then must the Penidia and Sugar be pulverated then must all be put together and agitated with a ligneous Pestel or Rudicle till
they become an Electuary of a legitimate consistence And the composition of this solemn Medicament is not onely various but there are also various opinions concerning its Author for Sylvius seems to ascribe the invention thereof to Galen Joubertus to Nicolaus Myrepsicus Bauderonius to Nicolaus Salernitanus Adolphus Occon to Nicolaus Praepositus Valer. Cordus to Nicolaus Alexandrinus who indeed hath described it but not as it is vulgarly made But none know certainly to which of these to attribute its invention but all call it Nicolaus his Catholicum not adding his Sirname Now this Medicament is called Catholical or Universal either because it expurges all humours or because it draws them from all parts of the Body That which is made according to this prescript is called Simple Catholicum in reference to the more compound which receives twice as much Rhabarb and Senny yet neither of them substantially or in powder ingrede that same as they do this simple Catholicum but the Senny is cocted and the Rhabarb infused and its expression joyned with the mixture which formed into an Electuary is called Catholicum Duplicatum Many coct Anise and Fennel and others Coriander-seed with Polypody to discuss its flatuosity but there is Fennel enough in the description to effect this so that there is no need to congest so many Medicaments of the same faculty together If any like not Anise he may in its stead substitute sweet Fennel or Coriander or an equal weight of each yea any may adde some Cinamon to make it more grateful and it will be of good consequence The rest I leave to the old description which most Medicks approve of and prefer before many purges which to pervert as Rondeletius hath done were a piece of a piacle Some keep a certain Catholicum in their shops for Glysters different from the common one onely in this that it admits of onely old and worse Rhabarb and is confected with Honey in stead of Sugar That which is very purgative wherein Apothecaries put Turpentine Coloquintida and Hermodactyls is not good I hear of some that make a more liquid Catholicon onely of Syrupe and the infusion of some pulps but its faculties being very imbecile and not respondent to the scope of the Author whoever first made it I think it is not now kept or prepared Fernelius gives more descriptions of Catholicum one whereof amongst other things receives Hellecampane Hyssop Ginger Cinamon Nutmeg and Honey another amongst Purgatives Agarick Turpentine and Diacridium which compositions made by a perite artificer are good but they are seldome kept in shops Let that then which we have according to the Ancients minde here described be continually kept for the true Catholicum in each Pharmacopoly It clemently and gently purges all humours cures Fevers Vires and acute diseases especially such as proceed from the prave disposition of the Spleen and Liver CHAP. 4. Diaprunum seu Diadamascenum simplex or Simple Diaprunum or Diadamascenum D.N.Myr. â„ž of fresh and ripe Damask-Prunes n. 100. boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till they grow soft then let them be pulped through a hair-sieve In the percolated Colature boyl the flowers of Violets â„¥ j. In the Colature dissolve Sugar lb ij boyl them into a Syrupe to which adde the pulp of the aforesaid Prunes inspissated by it self lb j. of the pith of Cassia and Tamarinds of each â„¥ j. then sprinkle in these following Powders viz. White Sanders red Sanders Rhabarb of eachÊ’ iij. Roses Violets the seeds of Purslain Endive Berberries Juyce of Liquorice Thraganth of eachÊ’ ij of the four greater cool seeds of eachÊ’ j. make it into an Electuary according to Art The COMMENTARY The description of this Electuary shews the manner of its confection which indeed is the best though some make it otherwise who wash and elixate not onely the pulps of Plums and Tamarinds but of Cassia also to the consistence of Honey with a Syrupe whereunto they afterwards adde the Powders that together with its desired faculty it may acquire its legitimate consistence But all agree not about the quantity of Violets for some according to Nic. Myrepsus his decree take onely half an ounce others an ounce and a half we aiming at the mean take one ounce to be a little cocted in the strained decoction of the Plums Some besides the Authors intention adde Cinamon but we think it unfit for a lenitive and refrigerative Medicament And we judge no otherwise of Berberries-seeds though we know that they are roborative for Diaprunum may easily be without their help seeing it admits of Rhabarb and Roses which are farre more roborative and seeing its main faculty should rather be lenitive then roborative But that they call Spodium is not once to be thought of in this confection because the Grecian Spodium is noxious and the Arabian cannot be had and is withall inconvenient as also Antispodium which being nothing but burnt Ivory hath no affinity with the burnt Roots of Cane which Avicenna calls Spodium as we have shewed in our third Book of Medicinal Matter Chap. 11. CHAP. 5. Diaprunum compositum seu laxativum or The Compound or laxative Diaprunum D.N.Myr. â„ž of the simple Diaprunum afore-prescribed lb j. Scammony prepared â„¥ ss mingle them and make them into an Electuary The COMMENTARY Both the sorts of Diaprunum are compounded and laxative but the simple not admitting of Diacridium subduces the Belly easily scarce moving the first region of the Body the other which admitting of Diagridium moves the Belly potently and deduces humours from all parts is called the more compound Onely one ounce of Diacridium is added to each pound of the simple Diaprunum so that one ounce of the Electuary contains but one scruple of the same Nic. Salernitanus doth perversly augment the weight of the Diacridium mixing seven dragms thereof with each pound of the Electuary for so its purgative faculty becomes more efferous and its use more unsafe Diacridium must be levigated very small and put to the Electuary while hot This Diaprunum Vires besides those qualities it hath common with the other purges potently and yet without molestation it is successfully used in the diseases of the Reins and Bladder in Fevers and all calid affections CHAP. 6. Diaphoenicum seu Confectio de Dactylis or Diaphoenicum or Confection of Dates D. Mes â„ž of Dates not perfectly ripe macerated three dayes in VinegarÊ’ 100. PenideesÊ’ l. of the best TurbithÊ’ xxx DiagridiumÊ’ xij Ginger Long Pepper Rue dryed Cinamon Mace Lignum Aloes the seeds of Anise Fennel Carret Galangal of eachÊ’ ij Honey despumed lb ss or as much as will suffice to bring it into the consistency of a solid Electuary The COMMENTARY Seeing Dates of a perfect magnitude and not absolutely mature are somewhat flave there is no need of this word Kirron in the prescript which vulgar Apothecaries usually adde for if they derive it from the Greeks it signifies flave if from the Barbarians who
together onely Salt Saffron Sugar and Scammony must be prepared apart The weight of the Powders without Salt and Sugar is Ê’ lij and thrice as much despumed honey must be put thereto that the confection may be of a legitimate consistence which benignly subduces the Belly Their opinion must be rejected who think that Diagridium must either be lessened in quantity or quite substracted lest the Medicament become too Cholagogous for there concurring three Phlegmagogous Purgatives this quantity is well defined both to excite the slow faculty of Turbith and to purge some choler with the phlegm It doth not onely draw these humours from the first region of the Body Vires but from the Reins also and remoter parts It absolves obstructions expels all viscid humours and moves phlegm from the articles CHAP. 9. Electuarium seu confectio Hamech Des Fernel â„ž of the barks of Citrian Myrobolans â„¥ ij Chebulans Indian of each â„¥ j. ss of Violets Coloquintida Polypody of each â„¥ j. ss of Wormwood Thyme of each â„¥ ss of the seeds of Anise Fennel Rose-leaves of eachÊ’ iij. after they are well bruised let them be macerated a whole day in lb ij of Whey afterwards boyled to lb j. then make a strong expression and to the Colature adde of the Juyce of Fumatory pulp of Prunes and Raisins stoned of each lb ss of white Sugar and of Honey despumed of each lb j. boyl them to the consistency of Honey then sprinkle in these powders of Agarick and Senny of each â„¥ ij of Rhabarb â„¥ j. ss Epithimus â„¥ j. DiagridiumÊ’ vj. Cinamon â„¥ ss GingerÊ’ ij the seeds of Fumatory and Anise Spikenard of eachÊ’ j. make it into an Electuary The COMMENTARY Fernelius hath well castigated and changed this Electuary preserving its vertue entire and reducing its description into an easier form for as Plantius saith Myrobolambs twice decocted and then brayed and imposed are frustraneous Rhabarbs faculty perishes by coction Cassia Manna and Tamarinds by coction corrupt Diagridium also when cocted is without vertue nor easily commiscible and yet by Mesue's ancient description these were all thus prepared and confusedly mixed without art or order Wherefore we have extracted this description from Fernelius as being much better when made and much casier to make without which no Pharmacopoly should be once found And notwithstanding this same Rhythmical admonition of a certain Versificator Non eris illusus teneas si quod tenet usus When the use is prave it must be changed and that mutation is good which is from good to better Mesue requires to this confection the Whey of Goats-milk but defines not how much yet we may assume the Whey of Asses milk in its stead and if that be wanting of Cows-milk in two pounds whereof the Simples must be macerated and cocted and they will depose their faculties therein The pulps of Raisins and Plums must be dissolved in the colature the Honey Sugar and succe of Fumatory must be all cocted therein above the consistence of a Syrupe the rest must be added as the description shews it is easie enough This confection purges both the Biles and salt phlegm Vires and thence conduces to the Canker Leprosie Raving Melancholy Tetter Itch Scab and such cutaneous affections Barber-Chirurgeons use this to purge all such as are infected with the French disease as though all had one temper and but one humour peccant in all men But such of them as boast more glotiously and are by conference with Medicks something more prudent acknowledge the matter peccant in this disease to be various according to the various natures of the diseased CHAP. 10. Tryphera solutiva â„ž of DiagridiumÊ’ x. of the best Turbith â„¥ j. of the lesser Cardamomes Cloves Cinamon Mace of cachÊ’ iij. yellow Sanders Liquorice and sweet Fennel-seed of each â„¥ ss * * * Winterflag Acorus Squinant of each Ê’ j. the bark of Citron condited Rose-leaves of eachÊ’ iij. of VioletsÊ’ ij of Penidees â„¥ iiij Loaf-sugar lb ss the whitest Honey despumed in the Juyce of Apples lb j. with which make it into an Electuary The COMMENTARY The acception of the word Tryphera seems to be contrarily taken by Mesue whos 's Trypherae as he describes them are not delicate as the word denotes but grateful in colour and sapour and incommendable in faculties I exhibit one indued with all these dowries for its sapour is very grateful its colour pleasant and its faculties eximious and easily tolerable by such as need them We leave out Ginger which was wont to be added to Turbith because we have accumulated many Aromata's to castigate its serity which are more sweet and cordial which also abate of the fury of Diagridium especially Roses Violets and Santals which allay also the heat of the Aromata's Penidia are added for mitigation Sugar for suavity and Honey for conservation Anton. Landaeus an Apothecary of Paris made it after this form faithfully as I have described it and exhibited it by my advice to many sick people who without any insuavity to the mouth subversion to the stomack or torsion to the Belly were thereby successfully purged and securely liberated from their diseases It is most commodious to such who abound with many bilious and pituitous excrements and can take no purgative Medicaments but grateful ones for this confection is not insuave and yet it potently subduces the Belly removes obstructions purges crass and viseid humours helps compounded Fevers and all such diseases as arise from phlegm and bile But it is not so good in the heat of Summer unless it be drunk in some validly-refrigerative decoction or other such liquor CHAP. 11. Diabalzemer seu Electuarium Sennatum â„ž of the roots of Succory Bugloss Polypody of the Oak the bark of the roots of Capers Grass-roots Liquorice Currans of eachÊ’ vj. Maden-hair Mules-fern Ceterach Dodder Mugwort Fumatory Egrimony Betony Balm the flowers of Broom and Violets of each m. ss Boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till lb iij. of the Colature remains in which infuse and boyl of the leaves of Senny the seeds of Carret and Coriander of eachÊ’ j. ss black Hellebore Turbith of each â„¥ j. ss ClovesÊ’ ij boyl these till a third part of the Liquor be consumed to the Colature adde lb j. ss of the Sugar which again boyl till it comes to above the consistency of a Syrupe to which adde the infusion of â„¥ ss of choyce of Rhabarb in steel-Steel-water strongly expressed forth then adde of the Powders of Senny â„¥ ij of Lapis Lazuli prepared Cinamon of each â„¥ ss Sassafras â„¥ j. Pyony-roots Tamaris Epithimus the middle bark of Ash of eachÊ’ ij Sem. Agni Casti Roman Gith Spikenard of eachÊ’ ij Rosemary Stoechados of eachÊ’ ij Make it into an Electuary The COMMENTARY Each disease hath its praesidy but every Dispensatory suppeditates not a Salve for every sore We shall endeavour now to adde something wherein many have been defective and afford an
wherewith they mix the Powder of Worms But I had rather make it thus ℞ of Steel well preparedʒ ij Cinamonʒ ss the species for the Electuary of the three Sanders and de Gemmis of each ℈ j. the Powder of Dictamus ℈ ss with Sugar dissolved in Balm-water ℥ iiij of which make Tablets ofʒ iij. weight or ℥ ss one whereof take in the morning fasting They used to put more Sugar to Cordial Tabels but then they are less efficacious THE SECOND PART Of Powders necessary to be had in Shops IN the former part of this Section we have tradited onely most select Cordial Powders omitting onely such whose qualities were affine and similar whose descriptions were ungrounded and use disapproved Now in this second part we shall treat of such as being more frigid and sweeter are not as the former Aromatical but Bechical and Thoracical for they are convenient for the Cough of the Lungs and all Thoracical affections CHAP. 17. Pulvis Diaireos simplex ℞ of Florentine Orris ℥ ss Sugar-candy Pul. Diatrag. frigid of eachʒ ij make of them all a Powder to be kept for use The COMMENTARY The Author of this Powder is most uncertain but its use most frequent it should be conveniently excepted in Sugar duly cocted in the white of an Egge clarified with coltsfoot-Coltsfoot-water and concinnated into Tabels or Lozenges Each ounce of Powder must have a pound of Sugar yea they sometimes put two ounces of Sugar to one dragm of Powder and the Electuary thus made is more grateful but less efficacious as on the contrary when each dragm of Powder receives an ounce of Sugar The manner of its preparation is so easie that it needs no further description It stayes the distillation of the Jaws Vires attenuates cocts and expectorates crass humours There is another composition of Diaireos denoted by Solomons name which being harder to make more insuave and no whit more efficacious is seldome made CHAP. 18. Pulvis Diatragacanthi frigidi or The Powder of cold Diatragacanthum D. Myrep ℞ of Penidees ℥ iij. Gum Thraganth ℥ j. Gum Arabickʒ x. Starch ℥ ss the seeds of white Poppyʒ iij. of the four greater cool seeds Liquorice of eachʒ ij Camphyr ℈ ss make of these a Powder The COMMENTARY This Powder hath its name and basis from Tragacanthum which in its composition is most prepollent It receives many Bechical viscid refrigerative and lenitive simples whereunto Myrepsus its Author addes Nettle-seed as very accommodate for the attenuation and expurgation of crass humours which because it makes the compound both in colour and sapour ingrateful is by Neotericks omitted others supplying its faculty better It is kept either in form of a Powder as the rest or of a tabulated Electuary each ounce of Powder admitting of a pound of Sugar It helps all hot affections of the lungs and breast Vires conduces much to such as are macilent or consumed it cures the Pleurisie asperity of the tongue and jaws and cocts and expectorates spittle CHAP. 19. Pulvis Diapendit sine speciebus or The Powder of Penidees without species D.N. Myreps ℞ of Penidees ℥ ij Pine-nuts sweet Almonds decorticated white Poppy-seed of eachʒ iij. the Juyce of Liquorice Gum Thraganth Arabick the four greater cool seeds Starch of eachʒ j. ss Camphyr gr viij make of them all a Powder The COMMENTARY Diapenidion is made either without species as in this form or with them when Cinamon Cloves and Ginger are added thereto as Myrepsus its Author describes it and the said species Almonds Poppy-seed and Liquorice-juyce are put in equal weight It is kept either in form of a Powder or of a solid Electuary which by the Authors advice may be thus made Three ounces of Violers must be macerated and cocted in a pound of water till the water be of a violaceous colour one pound of Sugar must be cocted in the colature to the consistence of a solid Electuary wherewith whilst hot the Penidees and other levigated simples must be so mixed and subacted that the mass may acquire a solid form whereof tabels or Rhombodies may be concinnated and reposed for use All with one consent confect Penidees thus but few agree in the proportion of the simples for each one changes their weight this we have delivered is the most usual form This Powder conduces very much to those that are infested with a cough Vires pleurisie difficulty of breathing asperity of jaws hoarseness and many vices of the lungs If it be made with the species besides the enumerated effects it also incides attenuates and cocts viscid crass and cold humours preparing them for expectoration CHAP. 20. Confectio de Rebecha ℞ of the Powder of Diaireos cold Diatraganth of eachʒ ij Powder of Liquorice ℥ ss Sugar-candyʒ iij. and with Gum Thraganth dissolved in Rose-water make a Paste of which Rolls The COMMENTARY Though this confection be of an unknown Author yet it is most usual grateful for sapour and commendable for effects The Powders whereof it consists are indeed kept severally till they be mixed with Tragacanthum solved in Rose-water or other convenient liquor or else coacted with Sugar cocted in some idoneous humour into a mass whereof Pastills or Bacills may be formed We anumerate it amongst Bechical Powders because it is of the same use and consistence Some think this consection is called Rebecha from Bechia for it is Bechical some ignorant fellow reading Rebechi for ℞ Bechi in some ancient Medicks receipt gave the name to this Confection which is now called Rebecha It cures such as cough Vires breathe difficultly spit corrupt blood are infested with the Peurisie asperity of the tongue and jaws and hoarseness CHAP. 21. Of Penidees PEnidees are much commended amongst bechical and arteriacal Medicaments which consist but of a few ingredients for they are made of Sugar and Barley-water mixed in such proportion and so cocted that a mass expurges thence of such solidity that it is tractable not adhering to ones fingers but easily ducible into long or short crass or small threads which that it may be duly effected the mass while hot is adduced reduced and drawn upon a ferreous hook affixed to the Beam till it be dealbated and severall figures made out of those threads Bulcasis the Author of this Compound made it of pure water Sugar and Honey mixed with as much Oyl of bitter Almonds But now we take Barley-water omit Honey and onely anoint the hands of the subacter and the Marble on which it is projected with Oyl The shop-men call this Medicament Alphenicum from the whiteness it contracts by subaction and duction It cures the cough hoarseness and asperity of the artery moves Vires cocts and excludes spittle and helps all affections of the Lungs and Breast SECT II. Of liquid Antidotes THere are of the Powders described and other Cordial and Alexiterial ones diluted in some idoneous liquor certain soft confections made which we sometimes call Liquid Antidotes
sometimes Opiates and sometimes Cordial Confections Now some of them are onely Cordial recreating the spirits and vital parts others Alliotical and Hypnotical altering and conciliating sleep and others Theriacal working the same effects and withall oppugning and expugning poyson if they meet with any We will begin with the true Cordials CHAP. I. Confectio Alkermes or The Confection of Alkermes D.M. ℞ of the Juyce of fragrant Apples of the best Damask Rosewater of each lb j. ss infuse in them for the space of a whole day the husks or Cods of * * * Sericum crudum Silk-worms lb j. make a strong expression to which adde the best Juyce of Kermes-berries lb j. Sugar lb ij boyl them till they come almost to the body or consistence of Honey to which whilst hot adde ⸪ It is better to grinde the Amber with the Powders and so to mix it crude Amber small cutʒ ij and when 't is dissolved cast in these Powders of Cinamon Aloes-wood of eachʒ vj. the Azure-stone burnt and washed Pearl of eachʒ ij Leaf Goldʒ j. Mosch ℈ j. make thereof a foft Electuary The COMMENTARY The greater part of Pharmacopolists infuse silk dyed in the succe of tinctured grains or Kermes newly tincted in Rose-water But Joubertus to whom I assent would rather infuse crude silk in the said liquor and then adde the succe of Kermes to the expression for so there is less loss and the vertue of the silk if it have any may be easily elicited before tincture by infusion And though its first Author Mesue instituted it otherwise yet it is no piacle to discede either from him or any other Author if the thing may be made either better or more useful thereby I rather assent therefore to such as infuse crude silk in rose-Rose-water and succe of Apples and afterwards adde Kermes to the expression It is prudently provided in the Roman Antidotary that onely four ounces of silk be macerated seeing it may not be totally omitted with loss to the Medicament for as I would not be refractory so would not I be too credulous nor suffer every thing that is spoken or written too precipitantly to inhere in my minde And that I may speak freely Sericum being the excrement of a certain sordid Insect I can scarce perswade my self that it is indued with so great vertue as the Ancients put upon it I know indeed that Clay is not destitute of faculties and that the qualities of Animals Hair Cleys and very dung are not contemptible but if not cordial yet efficacious by their sharp and troublesome quality But more of silk in its proper place I now return to our confection wherein the Azure-stone is put yet not so prepared as in the confection of those Pills which are denominated from it for therein it is exhibited crude that its purgative faculty may remain intire but here burnt that it may perish in both pulverated and frequently washed that it may depose its vomitory and keep its cordial and roborative faculty It must be burned in a crucible or small earthen pot then brayed and often washed first in common water then in cordial as Rose-water or such convenient liquor and dryed till the water after lotion remain limpid This is a precious but not so operous a compound as the Augustane Dispensatory portends it is prepared as other Confections The sole dissent about its composition is in the tincture of the silk and the weight of Musk which some augment others minuate if Aloes-wood cannot be had Citrian Santals may be substituted It is very efficacious for many things Vires for it cures the palpitation of the heart swoundings doting and sadness without a manifest cause and much helps such as are languid wearied with long sickness and newly recovered CHAP. 2. Confectio de Hyacintho or The confection of Hyacinth ℞ of Hyacinths red Coral Lemnian-Earth Bole-Armeniack of each ℥ ss Kermes-berries Tormentil-root Dittany Citron-seed Saffron Myrrhe red Roses all the sorts of Sanders the bone in the heart of a Hart Harts-bone burnt shavings of Ivory the seeds of Sorrel and Purslain of eachʒ j. Saphyr Smaragd Topaz Pearl crude Silk filings of Gold and Silver of each ℈ ij Camphyr Mosch Ambergrise of each gr v. with Syrupe of Lemmons make it up into a Confection The COMMENTARY Neotericks invented this Confection which the Mompelian Medicks who were first seen to usurp it had in much use It agrees onely nominally with that in the first Section of the greater Luminary which is denominated of Hyacinth under the authority of its Inventor Galen But whoever was the Author of this he hath selected the best Medicaments congested them in the best Method and Order and therefore I judge nothing changeable herein unless it be Ivory which I think were better crude then burnt and Silk which I would willingly detract or tinct it in Kermes before composition Some require a greater weight of simples who may by my permission either augment or lessen the quantity if they detract not from the vertue and efficacy of the mixture for a little change is none It much helps the heart and noble parts in their affections Vires it cures the Syncope exhilarates the heart emends palpitation dulcorates the breath takes away melancholy and her sister sadness without a manifest cause it cures venenate and contagious diseases and produces the same effects with the confection of Scarlet grains CHAP. 3. Rosata novella or A new invented Opiate of Roses D. N. Myrep ℞ of Rose-leaves Sugar Liquorice of eachʒ ix Cinamonʒ ij Cloves Spikenard Ginger Galangal Nutmegs Setwel Storax Cardamomes Smallage-seed of each ℈ ij make of all these a Powder adding thereunto despumed Honey as much as will suffice to make it an Opiate The COMMENTARY This confection admits of Roses for its Basis and Nomenclature and of many Aromata's both to attenuate and concoct crass and frigid humours and to recreate the spirits and roborate the native heat and of some Bechical ingredients also to move and promote spittle It is sometimes kept in form of a Powder but more frequently of a soft Electuary or Opiate We have omitted some scruples and grains added its probable upon small grounds to the greater weights which he that will may super-adde for the detriment will be none and the utility as much It roborates the imbecile ventricle Vires takes away loathsomness discusses flatulency excites appetite helps concoction incides viscid humours cures cholical dolours stayes vomiting and helps the imbecility of the heart and stomack Myrep cap. 2 14. Sect. 1. CHAP. 4. Confectio de Baccis Lauri or The confection of Bay-berries ℞ of dryed Rueʒ x. Sagapenumʒ iiij Opoponaxʒ iij. Bay-berries the seeds of Bishopweed Cucumer Lovage Roman Gith Carret Caraway Long-Pepper black Pepper true Acorus bitter Almonds Origanum Horsemint Castoreum of eachʒ ij Honey despumed as much as will suffice to make it up into an Opiate The COMMENTARY In this confection
For whether the Stomack or Liver Reins or other interiour bowel be pained much help may be administred by due external applications For all the Medicaments of old were external which the Ancients following their Captain Nature used without experience and Countrey-men yet hurt with a blow a fall cut or knock without choyce assume the first occurrent Plant and apply it to the part affected and it often falls out that a noxious Medicament upon strong natures produce successful effects Now we shall in these three Books shew what Medicaments Topical are best which should be kept in Pharmacopolies and how they are made And as we have methodically proceeded in the three former First describing the most liquid as Syrupes then the more crass as Eclegms then the most crass as Electuaries and last the most solid as Pills and Trochisks So now in the three later Books we shall begin with Oyls first then pass to the more spisse as Unguents and then to the most crass as Emplaisters Taking then our rise from Oyls whereof Cerates Unguents and Emplaisters matuate much of their parts we shall first treat of such as are made by impression or infusion then fly to such as are made by expression and at last to such as are elicited by ascent or descent The Apothecaries Shop OR ANTIDOTARY THE FOURTH BOOK Of Topical or External Medicaments AND FIRST Of Medicinal Oyls made by infusion OYls whereof there is frequent use in Medicine are either simple or compound Those are simple which have nothing from Art but their eduction admitting of no mixture but educed by expression as Oyl simply so called expressed from mature and Omphacinum from immature Olives as also the Oyl of Almonds the Oyl of Walnuts and many more expressed out of fruits and seeds which mutuate their various qualities from the variety of seeds whence they are educed as hot Oyls from hot cold from cold seeds c. Oyl absolutely so termed is meant of that onely which is extracted from mature Olives whose expression appertains no more to Apothecaries then the expression of Wine or confection of Bread as to their manners how which laborious work and business is duly committed to Rusticks and diuturnal labourers Seeing all these are aliments and fitter for Tables then Shops therefore an Apothecary should not sollicite himself about the expression of common Oyl but about such as are elicited meerly by Art Of all which we shall treat in this Book In whose former Section we shall examine all such as are made by impression or infusion of Medicaments beginning with the Oyl of Violets which are the first flowers of the Spring CHAP. 1. Oleum Violatum or Oyl of Violets â„ž of washed Oyl lb v. of the flowers of Violets fresh and bruised of the Juyce or water of the infusion of Violets lb ij Insolate them together for a whole week then take out the Violets by a strong expression and new ones put in afterwards boyl it till the water be consumed The COMMENTARY All the Students in Pharmacy with one consent follow the dictates of Mesue their Captain whom they extol with praises and adore with admiration Yet his Laws and Precepts in compounding Medicaments cannot by duration challenge to themselves infallibility for we see many of them improved and many disproved and it is no imprudence to recede from him or any old Author though they merit most of praise when one sees by long use and experience a better and more compendious way And thus we have something detracted from or something added to the composition of some Medicaments or their method changed Thus they dissent in Medicinal Oyls made by infusion and maceration as in this Oyl of Violets to whose confection Mesue commands the Oyl of mature Olives and of Almonds or Sesama to be taken and washed then the flowers to be macerated seven dayes therein insolated and expressed afterwards to be cocted three hours in a double vessel and this to be interated thrice the expressed flowers being always abjected and fresh ones immitted and then to be cocted on a slow fire till the watry humidity be dissipated and then they reposed in a fit vessel Many Apothecaries follow this prescript others will not swear to his words but follow the dictate of their own Reasons and change some things ever and anon for it is easie to adde when a thing is invented or detract something that is superfluous or castigate what is ill disposed But the Oyl of Violets is now made every-where almost after this manner First a certain quantity of sincere common Oyl is assumed verberated and washed in Fountain-water and imposed in a glass or earthen vessel well glazened new Violet flowers are infused therein and so macerated a whole week and if the season permit insolated then they are boyled a little on a slow fire that they may be expressed afterwards new flowers are immitted as before and expressed which is thrice iterated then the flowers after the last infusion are abjected the Oyl cocted on a flow fire till its aqueous humidity be dissipated and then it is reposed and kept in a fit vessel The Oyl of Violets extinguishes inflammations Vires helps the Pleurisie leniates the asperity of the Artery and Lungs allays hot impostâ—umes remits all inflammations and mitigates dolours CHAP. 2. Oleum Keirinum or Oyl of Wall-flowers D. Mes â„ž of Wall-flowers â„¥ vij of the best Oyl lb j. ss of the water of the decoction of the flowers â„¥ iij. ss mingle them and after insolation express the flowers adding the same three times over boyl the water away and preserve the Oyl The COMMENTARY The copious Wall-flowers occur next which the Arabians call Keiri out of which Mesue educes Oyl by impression as he doth out of Chamomile and Roses that is by three infusions insolated and expressed with a little of the succe or decoction of the same flowers which after the last maceration he absumes by gentle coction and having expressed and strained the Oyl he reposes it in a fit vessel and keeps it But it is now commonly made by one or two infusions without any commixtion of any succe or decoction the flowers being left a whole month confusedly immerged in the Oyl before colature but this manner is not good for hereby the Oyl is more turbid and its faculties weaker Being duely made it calefies moderately attenuates allays Vires digests mitigates dolours from flatulency cold or pituitous matter it benefits such as are gowty or paralytical and cures the dolours of the nerves and junctures CHAP. 3. Oleum Irinum or Oyl of Orris â„ž of the roots of Orris lb j. the flowers of the same lb ij macerate them in a sufficient quantity of the decoction of the same root adding sweet Oyl or Oyl of the Pulse Sesamum lb v. Boyl them in an idoneous vessel straine out the roots and flowers adding a fresh quantity three times over and the Oyl which is last pressed
part of the water of the decoction of Lillies to the Oyl which by slow coction they exhale and the Oyl thus made is most efficacious and fit to be reposed for use for by its ternal maceration insolation and expression it acquires more vertue It calefies moderately Vires resolves allayes dolours from what cause soever mitigates all acrimony and tempers all the ardours and dolours of the Breast Ventricle Reins Uterus and Bladder CHAP. 8. Oleum Nenupharinum or Oyl of Water-Lillies â„ž washed Oyl lb v. the flowers of Water-Lillies purged from their herbaceous part without their filaments within lb ij of the decoction of the same flowers lb j. and â„¥ iiij let these be reposed in a fit vessel insolated and expressed and this reiterated three times as before described The COMMENTARY This Oyl is made after the same manner with that of Violets The Oyl whether mature or immature must be first washed for Mesue gives neither definitively However the immature is more convenient and accommodate then the other in which the flowers of the white not luteous Water-Lilly must be macerated and infused for a Senate then must the whole be a little fervefied and expressed having before received one pound and three ounces of the water of the decoction of white Water-Lilly-flowers when all this is again iterated and the aqueous humidity exhaled by a slow fire the Oyl expressed is duly made and may be reposed for use But that the decoction which should be mixed therewith may be rightly taken four ounces of the flowers of white Water-Lillies must be cocted in a pound and an half of fountain-Fountain-water till three or four ounces thereof be dissipated and the colature hereof must be mixed to the maceration It refrigerates more then Oyl of Violets it conciliates sleep Vires allayes the heat of the Liver Reins and Bowels obtunds Venery hinders stiffness of the Yard and cures head-aches from a hot cause CHAP. 9. Oleum de Mentha or Oyl of Mint â„ž of Oyl lb ij ss Garden-Mint lb j. of the Juyce of the same â„¥ vij ss mingle them exhibit them to the Sun seven dayes afterwards pressed out and three times fresh Mint put in and the Oyl expressed preserved The COMMENTARY Some assume Omphacium to the confection of this Oyl that it may by its stypticity roborate the ventricle others take mature and complete Oyl that it may califie more and help concoction whence some call it Eustomachical Oyl Sative Mint should be selected crisp and green whose leaves should be tunded and macerated in Oyl and thrice changed according to the prescript Oyl of Mint calefies the cold Vires and roborates the imbecile ventricle it helps concoction stayes vomiting revokes appetite helps the nauseative stomack and discusses flatulency CHAP. 10. Oleum de Absynthio or Oyl of Wormwood â„ž of common Oyl lb v. Tops of Wormwood lb ij Juyce of the same lb j. and â„¥ iiij mingle them and macerate them as before prescribed The COMMENTARY This Oyl is of an uncertain Author and though it be described by many yet the proportion of the Wormwood to the Oyl is alwayes diverse some adding a very small quantity thereof others a very great one We following the excellent method of the Parisian Pharmacopoeans adde five parts of Oyl to two of VVormwood and a fourth part of its succe in proportion to the Oyl Some to make it more roborative would have Roses added to its confection but we think it better as described for VVormwood participates of stypticity especially the Pontian and vulgar If any would have it more astrictive he may when use calls for it mix a little Oyl of Myrtle or Roses with it It calefies and roborates Vires especially the ventricle it moves appetite cocts crude humours dissipates flatulency kills worms and takes away obstructions from a cold cause CHAP. 11. Oleum Anethinum Chamaemelinum or Oyl of Dill and Chamomile â„ž of common Oyl lb ij flowers of Chamomile or tops of Dill lb j. of the decoction of the same lb ss mingle them and insolate them for seven dayes and boyl them till the watry part be evaporated let this be repeated three or four times and afterwards kept for use The COMMENTARY As these two Oyls have the same faculties so the same manner of confection some dry the flowers of Chamomile a whole day in a place not exposed to the Sun neither defining the dosis of them nor of the Oyl Many take an equal weight of flowers and of their decoction and as much Oyl as will serve for their due maceration Some immerge onely one pound of flowers in five pounds of Oyl and insolate them about half a month in the Dog-dayes then express them and repose the expression But if the judication of the good or ill mixtion and preparation be despumed from the power or imbecility of the Medicament these Oyls will be most efficacious if confected after this description Oyl of Chamomile calefies and resolves moderately allayes dolours sprung from a cold cause and roborates the nerves The Oyl of Anethum resolves calefies discusses flatulency roborates the Nerves takes away laffitude mitigates the dolours of the articles relaxates the spiracles of the veins and helps in convulsive fits The Oyl of Rue is and ought to be made after the same manner Indeed Nic. Alexandrinus describes a more composititious one which besides the tund leaves of Rue admits of sweet Marjoram and Cumin But it is seldome made for keeping for that which Mesue gives will potently enough effect what this pollicitates It calefies attenuates digests allayes the dolours of the Uterus proceeding from a cold cause discusses flatulency and is according to Actuarius accommodate to all dolours in all parts that require calefaction The Oyl of sweet Marjoram is either simple which Mesue confects of its leaves and succe or of its decoction and Oyl or else more compound which besides these admits of Myrtle-leaves of wilde Betony Southernwood Water-Mint and ligneous Cassia but this is scarce ever made the former seldome save to the confection of Melilote and according to Mesue the former is made like Oyl of Myrtle this like Oyl of Melons or of Quinces that is the leaves and succe of sweet Marjoram are confusedly macerated insolated expressed and thrice changed in Oyl What Sampsuchus is and if it differs from Marjoram we have shewed in our Book of Simples It calefies and roborates the head and all kinde of Nerves Oyl of Jasmin should by the decree of all Medicks be kept in Pharmacopolies for it hath most efficacious faculties both in allaying dolours from a cold cause and in digesting and resolving But it is most commendable for Belly-aches which much molest children it must be confected as the complete Oyl of Roses or of VVall-flowers are made CHAP. 12. Oleum Hypericonis simplex or The simple Oyl of S. Johns-wort â„ž of the tops of S. Johns-wort not altogether ripe lb j. common Oyl lb
ij of the decoction of the flowers and leaves of the same lb ss mingle them and insolate them for a whole week then boyl them and afterwards express them and repeat this three times Oleum Hyperici magis composit or The more compound Oyl of S. Johns-wort D. Jac. de Manl. ℞ of the tops of S. Johns-wortʒ iij. infuse them for two or three dayes in ℥ x. of Wine then boyl them to ℥ iij. which press out adding a few more which macerate boyl and strain to which adde Oyl ℥ vj. Turpentine ℥ iij. Saffron ℈ j. boyl them till the wine be consumed then press out the Ingredients keep the Oyl The COMMENTARY There are three sorts of Oyls made of S. Johns-wort the most simple and usual is made of its leaves and flowers with Oyl the more compound admits of Turpentine VVine and Saffron besides these The third and most compound admits of other Oyls Lachrymae Succes Roots Leaves and Earth-worms The first is kept in Apothecaries shops the second in Chirurgions taberns and the third sometimes in one sometimes in another as the Medicks design The more simple Oyl is better if it be made of the flowers alone macerated thrice in Oyl insolated and expressed Some take the Summities onely of the flowers with its little leaves and grains to the confection of this Oyl which way soever it be made it is very red and as it were bloody of a kinde of middle consistence betwixt an Oyl and an Unguent It roborates the Nerves very much deleates red spots digests and resolves humours mitigates dolours and recreates the junctures That which Manlius describes seems rather to be some Balsam or Unguent for agglutinating wounds then an Oyl yet being eximious we will not omit it If the wine first affunded be exhaled by the first ebullition more must be affunded that it may be dissipated by the last It calefies and siccates conduces very much to pricks or wounds in the Nerves it cures burnings helps him that hath the Sciatica and is successfully usurped in all dolours contracted by cold The Cyprian or Lygustrian Oyl which the Arabians call Oyl of Alcanna is made like that of Rue but it is seldom kept nor yet the Oyl of Enula of Melilote of Carthamus Citrian Santal and many more which Authors describe rather out of ostentation then necessity CHAP. 13. Oleum de Pomis Mandragorae or Oyl of Mandrake-Apples ℞ of the Juyce of ripe Mandrake-Apples Oyl of Jasmin or common Oyl of each equal parts boyl them till the Juyce be evaporated afterwards adde again as much succe which evaporate as before and this repeat three times The COMMENTARY There are two descriptions of this Oyl one tradited by Mesue which we here exhibit as being easier and safer another by Praepositus which is too stupefactive and narcotical for it admits not onely of the succe of Mandrake but also of Henbane Poppy and Hemlock with Opium also And seeing benign Narcoticks unless they be duely prepared and rightly exhibited consopite the senses extinguish innate heat we need not congest so many Medicaments of contrary qualities into one Moreover we do not in the use of Narcotical Medicaments so much desire the stupefaction of the senses as the mitigation of the inflammation and dolour If you have not Apples enough in this confection you may help out the quantity with the succe of the roots thereof for no substitute is so affine to any part of Mandrake as another part of the same The preparation is apparent enough by the description It extinguishes all inflammations allayes dolours Vires stupefies the senses helps the head-ach and phrensie and by way of liniment moderates the ardour of the reins CHAP. 14. Oleum Myrtinum or Oyl of Myrtles D. Mes ℞ of the leaves of green Myrtle ℥ v. Oyl of unripe Olives lb j. mingle them and insolate them eight dayes boyl them in a bath take out the leaves and let fresh be immerged and that three times reiterated the Oyl expressed preserve Oleum Myrtillorum or Oyl of Myrtle-berries ℞ of Myrtle-berries lb j. Oyl of unripe Olives lb ij ss of the water of the decoction of the leaves and berries ℥ vij macerate and boyl them till the absumption of the water then eject the berries and fresh ones added which must be macerated and boyled till they grow soft which must be repeated three times if the efficacy of the Oyl requires it The COMMENTARY That is called Oyl of Myrtles which is made of Myrtle leaves macerated and expressed that of Myrtles which is made of Myrtle-berries both are usual and eximious But for want of berries the other is more frequently kept in shops He that hath onely dry berries and would make Oyl thereof must immerge them in odorate wine till they be swelled then mix them with Oyl and coct and express them and repose the expression for use They sometimes make the Oyl of Myrtles only of the succe of their leaves and Oyl with a little Ladanum but the way we have described is more usual and better Botn of them refrigerate Vires condense astringe roborate the brain nerves and ventricle retain hairs stay them from falling off cure the gummes and teeth-ach confirm loose members and emend biles or lumps erumping by way of liniment CHAP. 15. Oleum Cydoniorum or Oyl of Quinces D. Mes ℞ of the Medulla or flesh of Quinces and of the Juyce of the same of each lb ss Oyl of unripe Olives lb j. and ℥ iij. let them be insolated in a glass for fifteen dayes afterwards boyled to the consumption of the Juyce and after the Oyl is expressed adde thereunto fresh Quinces and let this be repeated three or four times keeping the last expression The COMMENTARY This Oyl which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is made in Autumn when the Quinces have attained their perfect magnitude before maturity They must be plucked not depelled purged from their Down then rasped or deraded with an instrument exasperated with some segments afterwards an equal weight of their succe and flesh not brayed but deraded and not expressed must be taken confusedly mixed with the Oyl thrice insolated cocted and expressed as in the prescript Sylvius saith that the succe of Quinces will so crack and move while it is cocted in Oyl as that it will excuss all the Oyl out of the vessel therefore saith he this Oyl should be cocted in a double vessel lest by this impression on the Oyl the Quinces faculties evade more imbecile It refrigerates Vires astringes roborates the retentive faculty of the ventricle and intestines helps concoction stayes vomiting and thence conduces to the disease of Choler Lientery and Dysentery confirming and roborating each loose and imbecile part CHAP. 16. Myrelaeum seu Oleum Pigmentatum or Oyl of the Oak of Jerusalem ℞ the tops of the Oak of Jerusalem or of the herb so called m. iij. the berries or seed of the same ℥ viij
must be tunded together only the seed of Agnus Castus apart then all must be mixed together macerated fifteen dayes in Wine Vinegar and Oyl then cocted in a double vessel till the wine and vinegar be dissipated and then the Oyl strained and kept It much helps the affections of the Spleen Vires for it cures its hardness swelling obstructions and dolours it opens the spiracles and pores of the skin resolves humours and discusses flatulency CHAP. 5. Oleum ex Euphorbio or Oyl of Euphorbium D. Mes â„ž Euphorbium â„¥ ss Oyl of Wall-flowers odoriferous Wine of each â„¥ v. boyl them together till the consumption of the wine The COMMENTARY As water may by Art be made more cold or more hot so may Oyl according to Galen which may be made very refrigerative if Sedum or Sempervive be macerated therein refrigerative and stupefactive if Mandrake and hot if Pepper or Euphorbium be macerated in it From all which legitimately adhibited Oyls may be by impression elicited most accommodate for Medicinal uses for though Euphorbium be exceeding hot and sharp yet Galen commends it for many uses as mixed with wax for the affections of the Hips melted with Oyl to the Hemicrany from a cold cause from the lection whereof Mesue being made more learned and bold brought this Oyl which he invented amongst those other he describes adding another out of Avicenna whereunto he adjects some few things but that is of no use obselete but for the confection of the former white and new Euphorbium should be selected in defect whereof by Galens advice twice as much old must be usurped it must be levigated into small powder and a little wine or Oyl of Keyri superfused lest it should offend the nose and brain of the tunder when it is brayed it must be mixed with Oyl of wine and moved alwayes with a rudicle then cocted slowly till all the wine be exhaled and then the distrained Oyl must be reposed It much helps the cold affections of the brain and nerves Vires the Cephalalgie Hemicrany and Lethargie being immitted up the nostrils it also helps the cold dolours of the junctures liver and spleen CHAP. 6. Oleum Moschellinum or A sweet smelling Oyl â„ž of Nutmegs num ij MoschÊ’ ss Indian leaf Spikenard Costus Mastick of eachÊ’ vj. Storax * * * Xylo-Cassia Cassia-Lignea Myrrhe Saffron Cloves Cubebs Bdellium of each Ê’ ij pure Oyl lb iij. generous Wine â„¥ iij. let them be bruised that are to be bruised and mingled together boyling of them till the Wine be consumed let the strained Oyl be preserved for use The COMMENTARY Most dissent about the Author Description Name of this Oyl and the dosis of its simples for all that have spoken of it either adding or detracting something have obscured its origine and changed its antique description which Joubertus finding shamefully depraved castigated and reduced to a better form which here we have exhibited under the name of Musk-Oyl for it having two bases both eximious and yet affine in faculty it may be denominated from either for whether we call it Muscellinum from Musk or Moscatellinum from Nutmeg it may legitimately bear the name But it is foolishly by some called Oyl of Balanus which is an odorate simple as though it were elicited out of the brayed Unguentary Acorn That it may be duly made all its ingredients must be brayed apart and put together into Oyl and VVine to be there macerated in an obturated vessel upon hot ashes for a day or two except Storax and Musk then they must be all cocted in a double vessel till the wine be evaperated then the Oyl must be percolated and the pulverated Storax added to the hot colature which must be again servefied on a slow fire and at length the Musk added and the mixture kept Some adde Ê’ ij of Musk others Ê’ iij. which if it please rich men let them take it but poor men may not compass it Alexandrinus assumes Oleum Pumicum which some interpret pure Oyl others Carthaginean Oyl we with Joubertus take sweet and sincere Oyl for water wine for Neregil that is the Indian Nut Nutmegs for Costum if it may not be had Angelica's root for Xylo-Cassia crass Cinamon for Carpobalsamum Cubebs or the seed of Lentisks or Turpentine-tree the rest are frequent It is good for all corporal frigidity Vires especially for the cold of the ventricle which it roborates it calefies and helps concoction it cures Strangury Cholick and almost all nervous affections SECT III. Of such Oyls as are confected of whole Animals or of their parts MEdicinary Oyls are neither all nor alwayes elicited out of Plants but confected of whole or parts of Animals by infusion or expression for seeing all living Creatures were made for Mans use some he hath for Meat others for Clothing some for Service and others for Medicine for Sheep nourish him the Silk-fly clothes him the Horse works for him and Worms cure him But more serve for mans Medicament then his Aliment whose Medicinal faculties are diversly extracted prepared and exhibited by perite Medicks whereof they most frequently confect Medicinal Oyls As CHAP. 1. Oleum Lumbricorum or Oyl of Earth-worms â„ž Earth-worms washed in White-wine of Red-wine and generous Wine of each lb ss clear and old Oyl lb ij boyl them till the absumption of the Wines let the percolated Oyl be kept for use The COMMENTARY Those descriptions which are founded on the testimony of no famous man never pass through many hands without some maims seeing any may freely change them without fear of rebuke Yet this Oyl though of an uncertain Author is alike described of all wherein there is no difference but onely in the dosis of wine and worms which are in some exemplars equal in others not Some describe less wine then will suffice for the coction of the worms others so much as will require longer coction VVe have given a a legitimate proportion of each to other For its preparation the Earth-worms must be often washed in change of waters and then in white-wine where they may subside an hour the lotion being finished and the wine abjected the worms must be put into a double vessel the Oyl with red or white wine affunded and all cocted till the wine be evaporated then may the Oyl trajected through a Canvas strainer be reposed for use Some bray the worms mix them with Oyl in form of an Unguent but such are of rare use It allayes the dolours of the articles Vires roborates the imbecility of the nerves from a cold cause and recreates all the nerves by way of liniment CHAP. 2. Oleum de Scorpionibus simp or Simple Oyl of Scorpions D. Mes â„ž of Scorpions nu xx or more or less according to their magnitude Oyl of bitter Almonds lb ij macerate them in a glass with a narrow mouth well stopped for thirty dayes in the heat of the Sun and then let the Oyl be
strained and kept Oleum de Scorpionibus comp or Compound Oyl of Scorpions D. Mes â„ž of the roots of round Birthwort Gentian and Cypress of the bark of the roots of Capers of each â„¥ j. Oyl of bitter Almonds lb j. ss insolate them together in a vessel well covered for twenty days then adde Scorpions from ten to fifteen according to their bigness which insolate for a month afterwards let it be strained and kept The COMMENTARY Nature takes man for her Son whom she nourishes defends and liberates from diseases which she abigates either by the opposition of contraries or by the similarity or dissimilarity of Alexiterials Thus the Theriack which is in a mean betwixt the nature of man and of poyson cures malign contagious and pestilent diseases Thus Scorpions always to us offensive do not only cure the wounds themselves inflicted but also other venenate diseases by evoking the malign quality out of which by infusion and expression Mesue makes a simple Oyl consisting only of Scorpions and bitter Almonds and another more composititious besides these admitting of Cypress Aristolochy Gentian and the bark of the root of Capers If any one following Manardus his advice mix Scorpions with more Antidotes it shall be work worth his labour for it is of eximious vertue against all poyson and pestilence I have omitted the description of such more composititious Alexipharmacal Oyls because the frequent description of the same Medicament would make a man nauseate it Mesue took the compound Oyl we have transcribed from Rhasis which should rather be confected then the simple because more Medicinal and efficacious for whose confection the root of Cypress as also Aristolochy Gentian and the root of Capers must be minutely incided contunded then macerated in Oyl insolated and acted as the prescript shews Sylvius understands by one Kist of oyl one Sextary but we have put one pound and a half for a more certain dosis By way of liniment it helps venenate diseases Vires breaks the stones of the Reins and Bladder diduces the passages mitigates dolours and expels sand which it doth more effectually if the affected be therewith anointed after he comes out of a Bath Both of these Oyls have like faculties but the compound hotter and better CHAP. 3. Oleum de Castorio or Oyl of Beavers stones â„ž of Beavers stones cleansed from their membranes â„¥ j. white-wine â„¥ iij. Oyl lb j. let all be boyled together to the exhalation of the wine afterwards strained and kept The COMMENTARY Praepositus is not unjustly accused of latrociny for he stole the description of the Ancients not detecting their Authors that he might draw to himself their glory as it appears by that mole of Medicaments which he hath transcribed amongst which if there be any of his own invention they are not like the genuine offspring of a perite Medick or dexterous Apothecary which thing his description of the Oyl of Beavers stones sufficiently evinces for whose confection he prescribes â„¥ j. of Beavers stone to be decocted in lb j. of Oyl till the third be dissipated without the intervent of any wine water or fit decoction which the yongest Apprentice would finde to be imprudence for who knows not that Oyl will endure a whole dayes coction without sensible jacture unless it burn such things therefore as are cocted in Oyl mollifie not but become hard This Oyl may indeed be made without any liquor if it be onely macerated insolated and left for it was of old kept without percolation Fernelius adjects â„¥ j. of Aqua-vitae but this so small a portion cannot long endure fire Manlius gives another more composititious description which being harder to make and more sumptuous is seldome used we shall therefore hold to Praepositus his description with some castigation which shall effect as much as that of Manlius's pollicitates For it conduces to trembling Vires to the dolours of the nerves and articles to convulsious Fits and Palsey Mesue makes an Oyl of whole black Vipers cocted on a slow fire in an earthen vessel well leaded with a narrow orifice till their flesh be dissolved for the Itch Tetters and other cutaneous vices Fallopius assumes two Vipers of any colour cuts them in pieces immerges them in Oyl exposes them to the Sun about the canicular days in a vessel with a strait orifice afterwards expresses and keeps them which expression he prescribes as most conducible in curing the Ulcers of the French Pox. CHAP. 4. Oleum Vulpinum or Oyl of Foxes â„ž a Fox at his full growth and fat his intrails taken out and his skin pulled off and cut into small pieces of common Salt â„¥ iij. tops of Dill Thyme Germander of each m. j. boyl them together in an equal quantity of water and white-wine till the flesh be separated from the bones and to lb ij of the Colature add lb iiij of Oyl Sage Rosemary of each m. j. boyl them together till the water be consumed then let the Oyl be strained and kept The COMMENTARY It is not enough that we select the best simples but also rightly prepare rationally describe duly mix and exactly unite them into compounds that no useful part thereof be lost But how ill doth the old description of Foxes Oyl accord with these Laws let its form speak for Mesue commands that a Fox should be exenterated and then cocted integrally both body skin hairs feet and all in Fountain and Sea-water Oyl and Salt till the members be dissolved and a little Hyssop and Anise injected into the coction and some more water affunded whereas there was a pound of each sort before And thus you should have a pot of hairs bones flesh and plants cocted to putretude whose expressed pinguetude is Mesue's Foxes Oyl Paulus would have a Fox exenterated and yet cocted alive till his bones were separated but I cannot conjecture how an eviscerated Fox should be cocted alive Rondeletius would have one boyled with his skin and guts and only the excrements of the belly abjected but it is past my skill to eject the recrements and leave the intestines in the carcase His Colleague Joubertus would rather have the skin abjected then the bowels who would have the intrail washed and elixated with the flesh We reject both skin tayl and intrails as useless afterwards we cut the members and trunk and coct them in wine and falt with nerval and digestive herbs We adde to the colature Oyl Sage and Rosemary and so coct it again till the aqueous and vinous humidity be dissipated The Oyl thus made is very eximious Vires and most efficacious in what Mesue promises for it potently digests and resolves roborates the nerves defends them from cold injuries and cures the difeases of the articles CHAP. 5. Oleum Formicarum or Ants Oyl â„ž of Ants with wings â„¥ ij mature Oyl lb ss macerate them for the space of forty dayes in a vessel well covered exposing it to the heat of the Sun
dry or moist the dry distillation is made in a furnace sometimes by the intervent of Coals sometimes of Sand and sometimes of hot ashes the humid is made in St. Maries Bath Now there are as many varieties of Baths and Furnaces as there are different wayes of distillation so that they can scarce be complected But now we shall briefly explicate how the most usual Oyls are elicited CHAP. 7. Oleum de Lateribus or Oyl of Bricks LEt inveterate Bricks broken into small pieces be burned on accended coals till they be red-hot then inject and dimit them into clear and old Oyl till they be filled therewith then beat them into powder and put the powder in a vitreous Cucurbite on which impose a rostrated Alembick and place it in a furnace duly structed accend the fire underneath it and keep the Oyl that flows from it The Bricks that are made of old earth should be selected as best which should be broken into crasser pieces of the weight of Ê’ vj. or â„¥ j. which after ignition must be extinguished in clear antique Oyl or Oyl of Rosemary if it may be spared and pulverated very small then injected into a vitreous Cucurbite well adapted to the furnace and bedaubed with clay that the powder may therein calefie by the fire under it and exude this Oyl which is diversly denominated for some Medicks call it rightly Oyl of Bricks others improperly Artificial Petreol in opposition to the Natural which distils spontaneously out of Rocks others by a more special Nomenclature call it The Holy Divine and Blessed Oyl The Alchymists do more arrogantly call it The Oyl of Magisteries and the Philosophers Oyl whom therefore Sylvius derides because they onely call themselves Philosophers in their daily speech and writings affirming themselves the sole Philosophers seeking that nominally which they cannot attain really This Oyl extenuates penetrates digests Vires and absumes all excrementitious matter conduces to the cold affections of the Spleen Reins Bladder Nerves Uterus and Articles it cures also the Lethargie Palsey and Epilepsie It is hot in the third degree and by so much more efficacious by how much more antique CHAP. 8. Oleum Vitrioliâ— or Oyl of Vitriol TEn or twelve pounds of Vitriol may be injected into a vitreous vessel obduced with clay and set on the fire till its phlegm be extilled then it should be taken off and brayed and purged from its phlegm which should be again iterated till no phlegm would emanate but the spirits leap out then should it be taken off the fire and its red calx taken pulverated and imposed in a crooked or rather straight Cucurbite whereunto an ample Recipient should be adapted and diligently conjoyned with clay and the Oyl distilled by a luculent fire continuing both night and day when all is cold the whole Liquor exempted and imposed in a vitreous vial first the insipid water then the acid which they call Oyl may be segregated from the sediment If this Oyl be often imbrued in its phlegm or the circulation of the spirit of wine it will be sweet for Alchymists mix an equal quantity of this and this Oyl then they digest and evoke them out of a singular Vial till the Alome being separated from the Sulphur of the Chalcantum the Oyl remain sweet Vitriol affords many several Medicinal Remedies as Spirits Oyl both acid and sweet Salt Colchotar and a certain thing the Chymists call Balsam The Spirit of Vitriol differs from its Oyl in its preparation tenuity and active vertue for it is the more subtile liquor of Vitriol or that I may speak in their own language the quintessence thereof which is made after many manners as thus The Vitriol is agitated very much with the vehement heat of the fire within its straight Vial so that that which distils upon the pulverated earth which they call Colchotar is alwayes resunded and at length by the vehemency of the fire propelled through the crooked glass and this is the most efficacious Spirit Some distil water and Oyl together out of the best Vitriol which are crasser Spirits which they purge from their dregs till they be attenuated into subtiler Spirits But they are better elicited while they are driven through a new Alembick by affunding the extillatitious liquor alwayes upon the dead head and then circulating it a whole week The common Oyl of Vitriol is educed after this vulgar manner A certain quantity of natural and good Cyprian Vitriol is taken calcinated in a vessel of Copper till it be quite red and its phlegm dissipated then it is brayed and included in a Cucurbite obduced with clay irrigated with Aqua-vitae and so left for a day then it is collocated and setled in a furnace duly structed and at first a modorate then a vehement fire accended under it that all its liquor may extil which after refrigeration is put in a small Cucurbite coarctated with a capitel and so its aqueous liquor stills in S. Maries Bath and its pure Oyl remains in the bottome of the vessel which is again put into another Cucurbite circumcinged with accended fire that it may be better and more throughly purged It s colour is more or less red or white as its efficacy and calour is more or less moderate â„¥ iij. of Oyl may be elicited out of lb j. of rubefied Vitriol All the qualities of the Oyl of Vitriol are so intense Vires that it cannot be assumed alone but mixed with some water decoction or fit conserve and though it be exceeding hot yet a few drops thereof mixed with much water become acid and both grateful and useful to the Feverish It penetrates by its tenuity carries the water to remote parts removes obstructions arceates putretude recreates the bowels and conduces much to the Pestilence Epilepsie Palsey and Strangury It doth not infect the simple decoction of Roses but the Syrupe of Violets with a purpureous and elegant acid sapour for a few drops thereof cast into an ounce of the said Syrupe will make it from violaceous purpureous CHAP. 9. Oleum Sulphuris or Oyl of Sulphur LEt a broad dish be so supposited to a suspended Campana that their brims may be distant about three fingers and let a vessel containing Sulphur which hath not yet suffered fire be put in the bottome of the dish and accended and agitated with a red-hot Iron when that is absumed let more be set on and ignited as before that out of its copious vapour erected into the Campana a concrete oleous liquor may delabe into the dish Some take an equal quantity of Sulphur and Pumice or Flint-stone brayed and putting the mixture into a crooked Cucurbite adhibit it to a moderate fire and educe most excellent Oyl thence Oyl of Sulphur is educed many more wayes for some adde Spirit of VVine to pulverated Sulphur and accend them when the water is absumed they bray the Sulphur and mix sand with it including them in a Vial and eliciting Oyl by
will educe clear water then incend it and you will have rubicund Oyl keep each apart They are special Medicaments for the cure of wounds Balsamum 5. Med. Florent or the fifth Balsam by the Medicks of Florence â„ž of Turpentine lb j. old Oyl â„¥ vj. Oyl of Bayes â„¥ iiij Cinamon Spikenard of each â„¥ ij new Tyles well boyled â„¥ viij Bray such as are to be brayed and distil them in an Alembick It moves Urine breaks stones kills worms helps the hissing of the ears the Palsey Cramp Gout and all dolours of the Junctures either by way of Potion or Unguent a small quantity thereof in a water fit for the affection may be drunk Balsamum 6. Euonymi or The sixth Balsam D. Euonym which is yet vulnerary â„ž of Turpentine â„¥ ss Olibanum â„¥ vj. Aloes Mastick Galangal Cinamon Saffron Nutmegs Cloves Cubebs of each â„¥ j. Gum of Ivy â„¥ ij Pulverate and mix them with Turpentine then put them in a glass Alembick and adde to them Camphyr and Amber-grise of eachÊ’ ij Distil them with a slow fire the first water will be white and clear and is called the Wine of Balsam the second is flave called Oyl the third croceous and that is the surest Balsam This Balsam is much commended for its excellent faculties for it is the most speedy collective of wounds sarcotical to hollow Ulcers and epulotical to all it is a sure help for the Palsey and imbecility of the Nerves Balsamum 7. vulgare or The seventh and vulgar Turpentine â„ž of Venetian Turpentine lb j. Gum-Elemni â„¥ v. common Rosine â„¥ iij. let these be melted together adding thereunto the powder of long Birthwort â„¥ ij Dragons-bloodÊ’ iij. repose it in a vessel to cool This Balsam is inferiour to none in perducing old or new Ulcers to sanity it especially cures the external diseases of the head it is easie to make Balsamum 8. admirabile or The eighth and admirable Balsam â„ž of the leaves and stowers of Tutsan or the grains of the leaves flowers or tops of S. Johns-wort the tops of both the Oaks of Jerusalem of the leaves of Ground-Ivy of each m. ss of both sorts of Sage and of Ground-pine of each m. ss Macerate them two dayes in lb ij of white and generous wine adde lb ij ss of old Oyl Boyl them on a slow fire till the wine be dissipated adde to the colature of Turpentine lb j. Olibanum â„¥ iiij Myrrhe â„¥ iij. Mastick Dragons-blood of each â„¥ ij Storax â„¥ j. Boyl them a little on a slow fire then repose them seven dayes in the Sun and repose them in an earthen or glass vessel for use This Balsam is not causlesly called The Wonderful one for many affections which contemn other Praesidies are miraculously cured by the adjument of this It presently cures any new Wound or Ulcer it heals also inveterate and dyepulotical ones it roborates the nerves cures trembling and palsey conduces to all external affections of the head especially cold ones it foments innate heat allayes frigid dolours and roborates the parts I could describe more but they are needless if these be in readiness Finis Libri Quarti The Apothecaries Shop OR ANTIDOTARY Of EXTERNAL MEDICAMENTS THE FIFTH BOOK Of Unguents and Cerecloths THE PREFACE UNguents were of old in such use and fame that he that handled or sold them solely or them and other Medicaments was called an Unguentary and Myropolist The Arabians often call Cerecloths and Salves Unguents as Dioscorides doth many odorate Oyls according to that of Hippocrates A Medick should be Unguented that is Perfumed that by the fragrant halite of his vesture he may purchase glory amongst the vulgar But now Unguents are in a more angust acceptance taken onely for those Medicaments which adhibited and illited onely on external parts are thought to auxiliate them when other Medicaments would either through their gravity burthen them or through their humidity hurt them and are olaginous of a middle consistence betwixt a Cerecloth and a Liniment as a Cerecloth is betwixt an Unguent and a Salve Now the proportion of Oyl in the confection of an Unguent is such that one ounce thereof responds to each dragm of Powder and two dragms of Wax So that there is four times as much Oyl as Wax and eight times as much Oyl as Powder And seeing heat makes the consistence of an Unguent softer and cold harder Myropolists used to mix more Oyl in Winter and less in Summer with their ingredients Now seeing there is much conformity betwixt a Cerecloth and an Unguent both consisting of the same Materials onely differing in proportion the Unguent receiving more Oyl and less Wax that it may be of a middle consistence betwixt a Liniment and a Cerecloth more spisse then the one and more liquid then the other We have determined to treat of them both in this Book In whose first Section we shall describe the most approved and usual Unguents in the second Cerecloths Now Unguents are either made with fire as those that admit Wax Rosines and decoctions of Simples or without fire as such as need onely nutrition and subaction as the crude Unguent and the Unguent of Quicksilver of which we shall in particular treat in this Book beginning with the Refrigerative The first whereof that occurs is the Unguent of Roses CHAP. 1. Unguentum Rosatum or The Unguent of Roses D. Mes â„ž Hogs-suet nine times washed in hot and cold water fresh red Roses of each lb iij. mingle them and let them be macerated seven days afterwards boyl them upon a gentle fire and let them be strained afterwards fresh Roses put in macerated boyled and strained as before afterwards pour upon it of the Juyce of red Roses lb j. ss Oyl of sweet Almonds lb ss boyl them upon a gentle fire till the Juyce be consumed and if in boyling you adde a little Opium it will be excellent to procure sleep The COMMENTARY That this Unguent may be duly confected the Hogs-grease should be accurately purged from its membranes nine times washed in warm water and nine times in cold that it may depose all its odour for so it will be more apt to receive any odour and easily admit of the fragrance of Roses Now the maceration of the Roses should be iterated that they may be more efficacious half as much of their succe and the sixth part of as much of the Oyl of Almonds as there is of grease should ingrede the colature according to Mesue But to three pounds of Hogs-grease we put a pound and an half of the succe of Roses and half a pound of the Oyl of Almonds Some in stead of the Oyl of Almonds put the Oyl of Roses or Omphacinum but then the Unguent will not open the pores of the skin nor permeate so quickly It may be made without any Oyl seeing it is liquid enough of it self and thus almost all Myropolists make it But it is better to have it too liquid with the Oyl of
many kindes of Medicaments are profitable but the forms of all are not idoneous for the eyes will not tolerate any save Collyries and Unguents for Cataplasms Salves and the like may sometimes profit when applied to the Eye-lids but immitted into the Eye they would blinde it This Ophthalmical Unguent so called from its effect arceates the fluxions of humours temperates their heat mitigates their acrimony stayes and dryes away tears allayes dolour takes away redness and roborates the Eye if after its universal remedies purgation and phlebotomy it be adhibited to the Angles of the Eyes and Eye-lids CHAP. 11. Unguentum de Minio or The Unguent of Red-Lead or the red Camphyrated Unguent â„ž of sifted Red-Lead â„¥ iij. Lithargie â„¥ ij Ceruse â„¥ j. ss TuttyÊ’ iij. CamphyrÊ’ ij Oyl of Roses lb j. ss make it into an Unguent according to Art The COMMENTARY There are two descriptions of this Unguent one more simple which is made without the other more composititious which is made with Camphyr It is called the red Unguent from its colour and its Basis Red-Lead it conduces to ill and inveterate Ulcers which scarce admit of integral curation and perduces them to scars Of hot Unguents CHAP. 12. Unguentum Resumptivum or The Resumptive Unguent D. Praep â„ž yellow Wax lb ss Hogs-suet quart j. Goose Duck and Capons-grease Oyl of Almonds Dill and Chamomile of each â„¥ ij the musilidge of Marshmallow-roots and Linseed of each â„¥ j. ss the * * * Oesypum Grease that proceeds from the necks of sheep â„¥ ss make it into an Unguent The COMMENTARY Rondeletius finding this Unguent in Praepositus his Antidotary in many things reprehensible some things he detracted others he substituted others he disallowed of as inaccommodate to that purpose and the whole Composition he much changed for in stead of white wax he puts flave in stead of Oyl of Violets the Oyl of Almonds but he expunges the succe of Tragacanthum Gum-Arabick and Quinces-grains as inconvenient by their astrictive vertue to digest humours But if in resolving the principles of Diseases some Roboratives be requisite when use calls for this Unguent a little Oyl of Quinces or Omphacium or the like as occasion requires may soon be mixed therewith Now that it may be more digestive the succe of Foenugreek is added thereto though in small quantity because its odour is insuave If the Marrow of Calves-bones be adjected it will be more emollitive and laxative according to Fernelius That it may be duly made the wax first cut into pieces must be melted with the Oyl then the Butter and Greases when all are melted Oesypus must be added to them and all agitated with a rudicle then they may be taken from the fire and the succes extracted first in common or as some say is better in Rose-water must be mixed with them and all moved with a stick till they acquire a due spissitude This Unguent leniates the dolours of the Breast cocts the humours that cause coughing moves spittle helps the pleurisie resolves the useless and noxious humours that adhere to the Muscles of the Breast and relaxates leniates and mollifies the parts CHAP. 13. Unguentum de Althea or The Oyntment of Marshmallows D. Myreps â„ž of Marshmallow-roots Linseed and Foenugreek of each lb ss Squills â„¥ iij. let them be washed and macerated for three dayes in lb v. of water then boyl them till they grow thick to a pound of this musilidge adde lb ij of Oyl boyl them till the musilidge be dissipated then adde Wax lb ss clarified Rosine common Rosine of each â„¥ iij. Turpentine Gum-Thraganth Gum of Ivy of eachÊ’ j. Let all these be melted in a Kettle stirred and so removed from the fire till it grows cold and becomes into the consistence of an Unguent The COMMENTARY Fernelius gives a far more simple description of this Unguent omitting Squills Scammony Galbanum and Ivy Gum because they make the Unguent too sordid and lest these should impair its digestive faculty by their absence he addes some simples to make it efficacious Yet I think these so necessarily requisite that he that expunges them expunges much of the odour and vertue of the Medicament If Ivy Gum cannot be had its succe may be substituted The quantity of water which was three pounds being too little to elicite and coct the succes in is augmented to five pounds The rest are easie the manner of its confection and the description plain It calefies Vires mollifies mitigates humectates and digests thence it removes the cold distemper and cures the hardness of the nerves it emends too much siccity and cures the Pleurisie and other affections arising from crude humours adhering to the Muscles CHAP. 14. Tetrapharmacum or The lesser Basilicon D. Mes â„ž yellow Wax Rosine black Pitch of each â„¥ ij ss sweet Oyl lb j. make it into an Unguent according to Art Basilicum majus or The greater Basilicon â„ž Wax clarified Rosine Heifers-suet Ship-Pitch Frankincense Myrrhe of each â„¥ j. Oyl lb j. make it into an Unguent The COMMENTARY This Medicament is from its prepollent faculty in cocting and suppurating humours called the Basilical or Regal Unguent which when it consists onely of four Simples is called Tetrapharmacum or lesser Basilicum when of more the greater Basilicum both of them are Diapyetical or suppurative but the simple one is more imbecile and less calid then the more composititious wherefore being temperate it is more idoneous for cocting and suppurating humours For the temperate Medicament is truly pepastical and maturative having more cognation with our native calour whence Galen saith It rather acts by quantity then quality whereas Resolvatives being more valid work more by quality then by quantity not absuming superfluous humours Seeing then that this Tetrapharmacum is as it were symmetral it must needs be the best suppuratory and by cocting humours rightly convert them into slimy matter just as the temperate palm of a mans hand moved long on any part abounding with prave humours Rosine and black Pitch which hath not yet been used in pitching ships must be melted with Oyl and when cold agitated with a Pestel into the consistence of an Unguent The Tetrapharmacal or Basilical Unguent mitigates dolours Vires cocts noxious humours impacted on the part allay their acrimony and fill Ulcers with flesh CHAP. 15. Mundificatum expertum or The expert Mundificative â„ž of Wormwood the lesser Centaury Egrimony Speedwel Clary Plantain of each m.j. macerate them in lb xij of water and boyl them upon a gentle fire and in lb ss of the colature dissolve common Honey lb ss boyl them again till the water be almost consumed to which adde Oyl of Roses lb j. wax melted in the same â„¥ iij. powder of burnt CrabsÊ’ iij. flower of Lupines and powder of Gentian of eachÊ’ ij Myrrhe Aloes of eachÊ’ j. ss Orris Verdigrease of each â„¥ j. make these into an Unguent according to Art The COMMENTARY Seeing vulgar