and contracts humours by absumption exarceates putretude roborates the intimous parts externally applied it astringes purges Ulcers causes wrinkles like Alome with whom it hath relation The Wells of Spada being indued with a Vitrioline quality do miraculously cure grievous and deplorable affections Which excellent faculty they borrow from Vitriol by whose energy they pervade all the tracts and corners of all parts everting what is hurtful not hurting what is good binding what is more lax relaxing what is bound and inciding melting attenuating and expelling what is more crass But besides these excellent commodities Vitriol hath its incommodities also for it is ill for the stomack acrimonious erosive and vomitory and therefore many Monks and women give it sometimes in Wine and sometimes in Rose-water in uncertain weight against quotidian and quartane Agues and indeed the Feaver is often by the excitation of vehement vomiting resolved But this Medicament being imperitely exhibited proves often more formidable then the disease CHAP. 6. Of Alome ALome saith Pliny is as it were the brine of the earth whereof Dioscorides makes three sorts the round the liquid and the jagged or scissile the last is often called plumeous Alome for they are so like in form that they can scarce be distinguished yet they differ both in nature and qualities for the scissile is manifestly astrictive and may be burned but the plumeous is acrimonious Scissile plumeum and suffers not by fire It seems to be the stone Amiantus which wood-like consists of many incursant Lines and is not burned by fire which many take for that Amentus that ingredes the Citrian unguent There is another sort very vulgar and usual lucid spisse and hard like glasse which Physicians call Rock-Alome Alumen rupeum which should alwayes be usurped when Alome is designed absolutely The manner of confecting this is long and laborious which Matthiolus describes accurately There is black Alome in Cyprus that Pliny makes mention of Some say that round Alome is the same with that they call Zucharinum which is confected of crude Rock-Alome white of Eggs and rose-Rose-water Matthiolus saw handled and tasted liquid Alome of which he attests that he never found any thing more astrictive Besides these there are some factitious Alomes as Catinum which is made of the ashes of Kali and vulgar Soda as squamous Alome which is made of a specular stone pellucid like glasse as Lees-Alome which is made of Wine-Lees burned and albified I think it superfluous to describe the manner of confecting these Alomes since they are now of no use All Alome is of crasse parts Vires bindes much whence it is called Stypterion because it is styptical or astrictive it califies moderately cleanses emends putrid Ulcers dries humid ones absumes excrescent flesh takes away itching cures the scab and accedes usefully to many Medicaments made for Ulcers CHAP. 7. Of Salt AS nothing is more common nothing more frequent so nothing more known then Salt without which Beasts can but we cannot subsist Whereof there are many sorts as Sea-salt Fossile-salt Lake-salt and River-salt Sea-salt is most common and best which is solely used in France Fossile-salt which shop-men call Gemme-salt is broken and effoded out of Mynes like stones it is splendent like Chrystal This cast into the fire doth not crack like the rest but ignifies like Iron There is also Indian-salt which Mesue uses in the confection of Pills of Azure-stone but this being wanting we substitute gemmeous Salt They mistake that think that Mesue means by Indian-salt that Sugar which he calls Tabarzet we White for the Indians have their Salt which they effode from the Mount Oromenus in great lumps in whose stead our gemmeous Salt will serve well as in acuating the slower faculty of Agarick and Polypody Ammoniack or Armeniack-salt being very ingrateful both in sapour and colour and gifted with no eximious faculties is judged incommodious it concretes into broad plates under the Cyranium sands with black veins extrinsecally in colour it comes near Alome we call Schiston as also the Salt we call Alkali and Catinum Dioscorides commends Lake-salt and Phrygian-salt but we preferre our own The flower of Salt which flows upon Nilus is neither seen of nor desired by us it is as it were the Spawn of a certain River as also the broth of Salt and the flower of the spamous Sea in Dioscorides There is another kinde of Salt they call Nitre denoted with a double difference the first is the light Nitre of Dioscorides and the Ancients its colour is roseous or white it gapes with some holes like a spunge it ceases now to be brought to us the other is more vulgar called Salnitre or Saltpeter which ingredes the confection of that powder which is made of many nitrous waters in France for warlike Instruments While it is laboured with much coction it eructates Aphronitrum or spume of Nitre different from that which the Ancients mention which is thought to be native not artificial as also a certain friable lanuginous matter white and saltish which adheres to many walls which is thought to be the flower of Nitre I shall not now speak of the confection of Nitre because it appertains not to Apothecaries The faculties of Salt are great many and very useful to man but not so necessary in Pharmacy as many think who praedicate many wonderful and vain things of Salt educed by Chymical Art for they mordaciously assert that there is a purgative faculty in Medicaments because of Salt and when they have got some extract from any Medicament they averre they have got its Salt However Salt is very conservative it astringes absterges purges discusses represses extenuates and vindicates from putretude yet some Salt is better then other Seeing Brine is its liquor it exhibits the same effects Vires it is mixed with Glysters to excite the expulsive faculty which is flow in such as are infested with the Lethargy and Apoplexy CHAP. 8. Of Bitumen BItumen which the Greeks call Asphaltos is as it were the fatness of the earth swimming above the water which cast upon the shore condensates concretes and becomes hard tenacious and inflammable As long as Bitumen swims on the water it is soft but when it is off it becomes spisse and harder then and resembles dry Pitch yet easily liquescible at the fire Many Lakes are bituminous but especially one in Judaea Sodomeus Lacus thence called Asphalites and The dead Sea because of its vastity and because its water remains almost immovable not stormy but heavy falt crass and foetid wherein neither Plants nor Animals breed neither doth it nourish such as are injected or admit them into its bowels Some enumerate a kinde of Fossile terrene matter Carbo petrae which some call but falsly The Earth Ampelitis others better Stone-coal which seems to be a kinde of Jet of which they make Beads and Images which strangers wear in their Hats amongst solid Bituments
Apothecaries prepare daily and openly before all mens eyes and places them in convenient pots and glasses and other vessells in their shops either for present use or perseverance till occasion serves and of those the Physician selects for the necessity of the exigent sometimes this sometimes that and prescribes how much is most convenient to be administred for the expelling of the disease Now the Physicians work is not to prepare these Medicins but to prescribe them hence it is that Apothecaries are tearmed the Physicians hand for it is better to commit our lives into the hands of two than one to operate according to Prescript for if the Physician alone should prescribe prepare and afford Medicines It were too great a trouble to ly upon one mans shoulders Besides he hath power to save or kill and not to be liable to punishment by Law Which is an Impious and Intolerable thing an act not to be indured therefore it was ordained that Apothecaries should be appointed who ought to prepare and preserve Medicaments and to distribute them out in certain quantities according to the Doctors Judgment and decree But I would not abrogate Chymicall remedies totally from Apothecaries shops for there are many of them of excellent vertue Chimica remedia non negligenda to the dissipating of many crabbed distempers but they are such as the learned and skilfull onely should use and not ignorant Mountebanks Qui debeant uti chymicis remediis and wandering Quacks and deceivers who scarce know how to prepare a Medicin yet will proclaime themselves to the world to be more skilfull than Galen and Hyppocrates But to returne to our intended purpose I say there are divers modes of preparing Medicins which that I may prosecute in order I will begin with Lotion afterwards I will extend my discourse to those ingredients which are simply prepared with water often when medicinall with juice or other liquor then I will demonstrate what preparations are made with contunding grinding or scraping afterwards I will explaine what preparation heat performes and I will add to these those that are finished with a mixed manner CHAP. III. Of Lotion LOtion by learned Sylvius is accounted the last manner of preparation Primus praeparationis modus cur by some the middle but by us the first because most Ingredients before they will serve our use before any other preparation can be made ought to be washed though some I confesse are not to be washed till they be burned rosted or scraped This Lotion is twofold Duplex Lotio the one a superficiary Lotion which detracts the adherent filth from the superficies of roots hearbs and other Medicinall materialis and It is common to all other things which being inquinated with clay or other pollutions are to be washed the other is more intimate which dilates it self both without and within and thorow the whole substance Now this preparation is made in water or other liquor for this end and purpose to remove some notious quality or to introduce some good one as the disease it self the nature of the disease or the occasion requires The Ingredient or materiall to be washed is either obdurate solid or stony as the substance of shells bones stones concrete Juices dry gums and metalls or such as are of themselves liquid as Turpenttne Oyle or such as are easy to be melted as wax pitch rosin butter or such as are dissoluble as Lime-stones Bole armeniack Lytharge of God or Silver Those things that are hard and solid before washing ought to be pulverized or burned and so bruised that they cannot be grinded without ustion as Ivory and Harts-horne and so the water or liquor may reach wash and purge every part Those that will easily melt as Wax and Rosin c. ought first to be warmed that being melted they may more eafily yield or be made more pliable if they will easily dissolve of themselves they are to be sprinkled with some water or juice and then washed if liquid of themselves they are to be washed by continuall stirring and commixing water or other liquor with the body of the thing to be washed The liquors in which this Lotion is made is either pure water as fountain or rain-rain-water or medicinall as sulphurous Sea water or Bituminous or some other humour as milk honey vinegar the juice of Plants distilled water and decoctions of simple medicaments This Lotion is either much and hard or little and light or a medium or mean for the things that are washed for the detraction of their filth ought either to be washed strongly or lightly and the water so off changed till it remaines pure and all its impurity segregated and ejected Those that are washed in a medicinall liquor should lye in the same a certain space according to appointment as a whole night or the space of some houres that they may attract the greater power from the liquor or loose their malignant quality This preparationis injuriously called by Sylvius A Lotion when it is rather an Infusion or Maceration or rather as another hath it an Imbution Imbutio quid for the liquor seldom or never adds faculties to the Medicin but rather detracts from it as we see in Rhabarb and others steeped in water whose purgative faculty remaines by being transmitted into the Liquor Yet are they not washed that they may so lose their vertues but increase them Aloe cur abluatur and so in Mesues judgement Aloes should be washed in odoriferous water that it may coroborate the more or in some purging juice or decoction as juice of Roses or the infusion thereof that it may with more celerity relax the belly yet it is not alwayes washed that its purging faculty may be intended but rather that its heat may be remitted as when it is washed in the water of Endive Succory or such like that it may not too much exestuate the liver Lotion therefore ex consequenti either adds to or detracts from medicinall materialls and causes not onely the filth to be wiped off but also mitigates in some their acrimony in others destroyes their malignity and dulls their violence and makes them better either to be assumed or applyed Now that Metalls may be washed Metallica ut abluenda they ought to be pulverized very small and then to be put into pure water or any other Medicinall liquor and to be continually stirred with a wooden Spatula for a whole day and in the morning following the water to be powred out and other water put on and agitated as before till the water that 's powred off be cleere and by this means Metalls lose their Mordacity and Acrimony if they have any such quality for Tutia washed thus is void of all mordacity and therefore we use it Tutiae lotic for the fluxions of the eyes so likewise many other Metalls being thus washed lose their Acrimonious quality As Galen shewes at large 4. Comp. Med.
life or death of a patient is be imprudently circumduced by these wicked slaves for lucres sake to circumvent the patient I le shew him how to detect and avoid these impious frauds and deceits A lump of Kids blood kneaded in hot bread pulverised Moschi adulterium and Ladanum dissolved and kept in a box after they are mixed wherein true musk had been reposed doth much similate musk yet it may be detected by its consistency colour and odour which soon failes in the fictitious The powder of Xyloaloes Benjoin Storax Ambra and Ladanum mixed together similate together But the peculiar native odour of genuine Amber may be easily diseerned from these Moreover Amber by long attrition in ones hands becomes more friable these more soft The barke of Tamariske Cinamomi macerated in Cinamon water and dryed very much similates Cinamon but the taste will difference them Cloves that are inodorous by age will become fragrant by madefaction in wine Caryo byllorum wherein good Cloves have been macerated but this acquired odour is fugacious Rosin Belzoin Frankincense and a little Storax mixed together do fraudulently similate Belzoin but as they differ in odour so also in colour the spurious being full of white spotts Some instead of Camphyre sell the gum of Juniper Camshora but none can be thus imposed upon but such as are very ignorant for any one that 's conversant with Aesculapius may at the first sight detect the fraud Opobalsamum with a little oyle doth very much represent liquidambar Oâ—â—oâ—alâ—â—mo lâ—â—â— dâ—nbâ—r assâ—â—e wherewith it has affinity in its faculties and this hath been so peritely adulterated that it hath deceived the most experienced in Paris The Orientall Earth Terra Lemmia orientalis called Terra Lemnia is represented by Bole or common Argill dryed pulverated kneaded with Plantain water made into pastills and signed with the great Turks sigill with which Character much comes from Bellonium but the falsity will be deprehended if both be washed with water for the water of Terra Lemnia will be fatter the other more limpid and tenuious They vitiate Bitumen also by the mixture of pitch Bitumen but the fire will discover it for that which hath pitch in it will emit a pleasant odour Opii Opium is similated by Meconium or the juice of the leaves and stalk of black Poppy but the errour may be discerned by the fatnesse which is much in the genuine none in the adulterate Manna Thuris may easily be adulterated Manna thuris since the powder of Rosin doth much resemble it but fire detects the fraud Tacamahaca Tacamahaca is adulterated with Gum Elemi which is very like the true one for they respond in colour consistency and odour only the one is a little more pleasant to the nose Sagapene Galbanum Opoponax and Serapinum being common are seldom adulterated But Bedellium being more rare is adulterated by course Mirrh and so imposed upon idiots Sassafras was unknown of old in Europe which at its first allation was sold dear and was thereupon much sophisticated I knew a man that sold the powder of Box-wood and Fennell-seed for the powder of saffafras but when plenty of the genuine was conveyed the adulteration ceased Some knaves sell an Oxes heart-bone for a Harts heart-bone but they that know both approve of the Harts and reject the other as endued with no eximious vertue Some substitute great plums for Tamarinds but they do ill in calling them Tamarinds since they differ so apertly in shell pulpe and sapour I could detect the adulteration and manner thereof of a thousand other Medicaments out of Dioscorides and other as well ancient as modern Writers but I hold it better toconceale them since man is so prone to evill and so perite to deceive this I le say by the way that waters liquors juices and compound Medicaments may be easily adulterated simples especially integrall ones not so easily The end of the fourth Book OF PHARMACEUTICAL INSTITUTIONS The fifth Book Of the formes of Medicaments whose use is celebrous in precaution and profligation of diseases THE FIRST SECTION Of such as are assumed at the mouth THE PREFACE AS many Aliments are condited with mixture of severall things and prepared with laborious artifice that they may be long conserved without petretude and marcour as Pastyes Puddings many farciments and biscake on which the Mariners feed sometimes by the space of two years while they sayle to the Indies or as that same Powder or meale which the Turkish Souldiers carry in their Zones made like knapsacks which they knead with water and coct to the consistence of a pultis and so feed upon it a whole moneth Others being conservative not above a day or two and some not above an houre without alteration So many Medicaments will endure in integrall strength for the space of a year or two being conserved in Pharmacopolyes as in a rich store-house for future uses Others not enduring without dammage the space of two dayes in Summer as those which are prepared for present use whereof we have determined in order to discourse in this our last Book beginning with them that are intrinsecally assamed either by the mouth or other convenient place as Nose Fundament and the like which are variously compounded not only according to the variety of the nature of the disease but also of the part affected which must have some one some another consistency that they may be more commodiously applyed more fitly adhere or with more ease be deferred to the part affected as potibles must be liquid edibles solid and applicatives indifferent all which that we may severally prosecute we will begin with potulents and then describe other more solid Medicaments in this first Section we will in the second subjoyn a speciall treatise of such as are injected into the belly or uterus in the third we will describe those Medicaments which are applyed to the extrinsecall parts of the body CHAP. I. Of some ordinary decoctions common by their long use Sometimes the substance alone sometimes the juice sometimes the decoction of the Medicament is administred which decoction that it may be more easily and successefully assumed must be of simple distilled or other convenient water or humour as the intention of the Physician and exigency of the matter requires Now the liquor wherein the decoction is made that must be assumed at the mouth of which alone we now speak should be endued with no insuave or violent quality For potulent decoctions made in the juice of Wormewood lesser Centory immature grapes or Lee or vinegar are neither safe nor 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
Rubrick Rubrica or Vermillion so called because it is red is called Synopica from Synops a City of Cappadocia whence it comes and Fabrilis because workmen often use it in drawing Lines their cords being died therewith Some Rubrick is maculated other unicolorate some soft other hard and spisse some fat other moderate All of them are adapted to pictures which because they siccate and astringe serve sometimes to medicinal uses and may be mixed in vulnerary and siccative Emplasters Ocre is a kinde of flave Earth Ochra much commended in Attica not lapideous but fryable luteous and smooth it astringes erodes discusses collections and represses excrescencies Aetius saith That bruises and blue places may be cured by a Medicament made thereof The Cretian Earth or Chalk is so called from the Isle Crete whence it comes though it is copiously found in other Regions whereof there are many varieties one sort whereof is white which exceeds all other Earths therein which Artificers use in protracting Lines another green celebrated for the same use which we ordinarily call Theodosia another is black which workmen-Painters and Taylors use All of them are abstersive whence they are much used in cleansing Tin and Silver vessels The green is more acrimonious then the white and black and more abstersive then both Other Earths as Pnigitis Melia and Ampelitis are recorded in Dioscorides and mentioned by Galen But their vertue is so ignave and effects so small that the later Physicians do not celebrate them who leaving Acorns chuse rather to eat Whear These therefore being useless I will not describe There is a certain subrulous Earth carried about Lutetia which they call Alana and Tripolis serving onely to deterge brazen vessels which here we will omit Of certain Fossiles extracted either out of Sea or Land which are referred either to Metals Stones or Earths And first CHAP. 4. Of Chrysocolle or Boras THe Shop-men following the barbarous Mauritanian Idiome call Chrysocolle Boras it is found in the golden silver and sometimes brazen Mynes in Armenia Macedonia and Cyprus The Armenian Boras whose colour is green and sapour nitrous with some amaritude is most laudable Pliny thinks That that which is effoded out of brazen Mynes whose substance is mud concreted to the hardness of a Pumick-stone is best that which is collected out of Silver Mynes next and that which is had in Golden Mynes worst of the three There is another sort which is worst of all found in Leaden Mynes Avincenna calls Boras Auri capistrum Dioscorides and Galen Chrysocolle or Gold-glue others Green Earth because it equalizes segetives in colour That which is now in Pharmacopolies is not green but white There are two sorts hereof one Native which in Metalline Mynes concretes to the hardness of a Pumick-stone acquiring various colours according to the variety of the Metals out of whose Mynes it is effoded the green is most medicinal and the flave best for ferruminating gold The other Factitious made of Boyes Urine Factitia agitated so long with a Brazen Pestel in a Brasse Morter in the hot Sun till it acquire the consistency of honey or an unguent which either solely or mixed with other Medicaments cures sordid cadaverous and dangerous Ulcers Dioscorides brayed and washed the native and fossile till it looked pure and sincere then he reconded and kept it for use after he had siccated it it will be much more tenuious by ustion Chrysocolle califies cohibits excrescent flesh Vires and is somewhat mordacious it perduces many Ulcers to sanity but its assumption at the mouth is perillous CHAP. 5. Of Vitriol or Calchantum THe Greeks call that Calchantum which the Latines from its blackness call Sutory Ink and from its splendent vitreous Nitre Vitriol Dioscorides reckons three sorts thereof two native and one Factitious Species one sort of the Natives is found concreted in the bowels of the earth another is collected in form of water out of some Myne which put into a vessel soon coagulates into Vitriol The Factitious is made of a certain glebe of earth maculated with rubiginous and atruginous spots madefied transfunded and fermented with water cocted with the heat of the Sun out of which a certain vitriolous humour is elicited which is reduced either by the heat of the Sun or of a fire into Vitriol Pliny Chap. 13. Book 34. teaches many more wayes to confect it as also many perite Metallists which for brevities sake I omit Amongst the Factitious Vitriols the Roman is the best the Cyprian was most celebrated of old the Germanian is worse and it is commonly called Copparose or Dyers Ink which Infectors use in dying clothes The Native which is effoded out of the Cyprian Mountains is called Stalacticum that is stillatitious and pectum that is concrete so that the natural which is either coagulated before effosion or coagulates quickly after extraction from that Mountain and the factitious which is elicited out of the earth of that Mountain may be both called Cyprian Vitriol The Native or Fossile Vitriol participates of Calcitis Misy and Sory especially the Cyprian which is concreted from green water which continually delabes from that Mountain into a Cave washing Calcitis Misy and Sory and spontaneously coagulating into Vitriol Whence one of these doth easily transeate into another for all of them do in time convene yea Galen asserts That he saw Vitriol which in tract of time became Calcitis Lib. 9. Simp. The Native and white is preferred in Medicinal uses which the Metallicolous Alchymists say is produced by their Sulphur and Mercury as of Sperm which they indiscriminately exhibit to all affections out of which they elicite a certain acid liquor a few drops whereof mixed with syrupe of Violets acquire a most elegant red colour and sapour Oyl of Sulphur will do the same and a few drops of both or one of them infused in the syrupe of Roses will make the whole liquor red Tinctura Rosarum which they call Tincture of Roses There is a certain salve made which Pharmacopolists call Diacalciteos from Calcitis and Diapalma or Palmeous salve from Palme and it is alike related to both for it neither admits of Calcitis nor Palme in its confection but so it is called for its rarity for Calcitis Misy Sory Melanteria Diphryges and many more so much celebrated by the Ancients are now unseen and unknown Whence Galen substitutes Vitriol in stead of Calcitis into whose nature age perduces it And it may well be substituted in stead of Misy Sory and Melanteria for all these are of near affinity being similar in qualities but dissimilar in colour and consistency Nature hath enriched Vitriol with eximious faculties which perite Physicians have both experienced and left described as Dioscorides Galen Aelius Paulus Aegineta and Oribasius who have nobilitated it with much celebration it califies astringes dries kills broad worms in the belly helps against toad-poyson preserves moist flesh
in plains and valleys feed not upon so salutary plants as those that inhabit excelse plants and therefore their stones are not so efficacious All of them are much commended against the bitings of venenate beasts Vires for their powder assumed or adhibited cures wounds inflicted by Scorpions Vipers or other Serpents and insperged on the same Animals makes them torpid and innocuous It is storyed that the King of Corduba was freed from a very pernicious poyson by the use of this stone and therefore some think Bezaar is rightly deduced from Bel in Hebrew which signifies Lord and Zaar poyson calling it the Lord of Poysons It conduces upon the same account to all venenate and contagious diseases as the Pestilences Morbils small-Pox and the like it cures also swoundings long sorrows hysterical passions and many other malign affections of which see N. Monard Christoph a Costa and Clusius CHAP. 23. Of Margarites and Unions MArgarites are taken out of certain Shell-fishes living in the Indian sea very like Oysters which if they be small they keep the name Margarites if greater they are called Unions for they are found severally in several Shell-fishes whence the Poet Unde dictus ob hoc quod ab uno nascitur unus Nec duo vel pluris unquam simul inveniantur Yet Aelianus contradicts this opinion teaching from experience that many Unions are generated and found in one Shell-fish according to the abundance of the fishes excrementitious matter which is pure and lucid they are not therefore called Unions because one onely is found in one Shell-fish but because two are never found conjoyned in the same Those that are white round ponderous and smooth such as Queens weare about their necks are best Many Shell-fishes generate Margarites but the best are exotical which are found in the Persian Sea in the East whence they are called Oriental Pearls and in the tracts of Chyna and many parts of India where the Incolists call these Margaritiferous Shell-fishes Berbert and some Barbarians Cheripe others Chanquo which is the Mother of Pearl This great Shell-fish is spiss moderately hollow like a comb but not toothed on both sides but onely on one not striated without but plain and something flave smooth splendent and argenteous within it is generated in its flesh as lumps in hogs flesh stones in the bladder or other places for I saw a man who avoided many stones by stool each one whereof in magnitude equalized a Chesnut or Acorn Fernelius found three stones in the Liver of the dissected carcase of a Noble-man who in his life-time spitted up some like Margarites But to my purpose these Shell-fishes exposed to the air or assayed with a knife open and the Margarites are found together with their flesh which indeed are neither bones nor part of the piscicle but something excrementitious splendent and concrete like the shells wherewith they are tected which are outwardly scabre and impolite but within smooth and fair so that the true Mother of Pearls is never naturally but alwayes artificially polished Those Margarites are greater which are taken from the greater Conchae and in the deeper sea They are so much sought after by women that no one though of mean fortune thinks she is sufficiently adorned till she carry Pearls about her neck But their use is chiefly Medicinal for all both Ancients and latter writers aver That Margarites are very cordial and exhilarate the heart Alchymists dissolve them and get thence liquor of Pearls whereof they predicate many but ridiculous things I knew a very crafty Empyrical Chirurgeon in Paris who required six Peices for the adhibition of two Swallows to his Patient Vires and when all admired he should ask so unreasonably I should saith he have demanded much more because I fed these Animals a whole Month with the liquor of Pearls You may read at large of Margarites and the Fishes wherein they are generated their nature dignity duration and vertues in Rondeletius Lib. 1. de testaceis Cap. 51. CHAP. 24. De Umbilicis Marinis Of the Sea-Navel THe Sea-Navel is either a whole piscicle whereof Rondeletius makes mention or a part bone or regument of some greater fish the former is a turbinated and small Shell-fish so like a Navel that none that see it can chuse but so name it The other Umbilike is all osseous which is either a shell or the bone of another fish for many fishes have certain bones given them by Nature either for the insertion of their fins whereby they defend their lives or for the confirmation and motion of their bodies Thus Sepia is founded upon its bone thus the Slaits back is armed with many pricks which by light cocture may be easily sojoyned from its body whose officles if you take away their prickles do well represent the Sea-Navel We therefore suspect with Berv. Dessennius that Sea-Umbilikes are desumed from Sea-Animals and cast on the shore with other stones and yet they are not of the same kinde with stones Some call them Sea-Gems but their faculties are not so eximious as that they should be reposed among Gems Their form is well known their colour is in some white in some red they are frequently sold in France CHAP. 25. Of the Dental THe Dental is a certain small Shell-fish oblong white sharp without very smooth within hollow like a little tube and acuminated on one side like a Dogs tooth whence it is called a Dental for it is a shell like a tooth wherein a vernicle is procreated which is oblong and slender answerable to the cavity of the shell which goes out of its domicil sometimes to draw water and seek victuals Both it and its tube grow as a restaceous Cane upon a Rock or an old shell It is indued with the same vertue with the Seas Umbilike and other testaceous piscicles and may as well ingrede the composition of the Citrian Unguent as the former CHAP. 26. Of the Antal THere is another Sea Shell-fish called an Antal whose use in Medicine is very frequent if we make the Citrian unguent It is a testaceous tube bred in the Sea of a little fingers length striated without smooth and hollow within out of whose cavity a small piscicle is educed This seems to be the fish which Athenaeus calls Solen for that is of the kinde of long Shell-fishes with a double shell smooth slender and hollow like a reed and open at both ends Pliny calls it a Dactyl or a Digit because it equalizes a finger in longitude or as some say resembles a mans nail However the Antal we use is very well known and vulgar neither should we lose any precious Medicament if it were absent for we can substitute in its stead any shell that is white and striated which strangers bring from the Sea near that famous Mount which is sacred to St. Michael for all of them are of an equal vertue as to the confecture of the said unguent whereunto also another accedes not
Kettle without water and expressed out of a hollow not plain Press into a subdititious vessel wherein the Oyl that swims above the water may be collected The mass may be again brayed and moistened with water and pressed in a hollow Torcular that more oleous fatness may be elicited Dioscorides confects it a little otherwise for he elixates the mature berries in water which exude their fatness through their skins which he subacts with his hands and puts in a shell but the former way is more usual yet Apothecaries make it not but buy it thus ready made of such as congesting a great quantity of berries together make it their work to elicite Oyl Some bray the fresh and mature berries without other mistion and express their Oyl out of them in a Torcular Oyls may be thus extracted out of the berries of Lentisks Turpentine-trees Ivy Junipers and the like which bear odorate berries The Oyl of Laurel-berries is calefactive mollitive apertive and discussive and hence it cures all cold distempers whether simple or mixed with phlegm and flatulency as also the cholical dolour arising hence if it be injected into the intestines with some convenient decoction it presently cures all cold affections of the brain nerves articles and loyns it takes away lassitude opens the spiracles of the veins cures the Palsey and Trembling if the Back-bone be anointed therewith CHAP. 8. Oleum Balfami or The Oyl of Balm THe next of this kinde is Oyl of Balm which flows from a peregrine Tree which is low of stature and not elegant of a subcineritious colour with a luteous flower like Jasmins its leaves fall off about the end of Autumn and grow again in Spring It fruticates copiously in the Arabian Aegyptian and the Babylonish tract it is scarcely cicurable in colder Regions They sometimes cut off its tender succles whereunto they annex Canes oblited with wax that their fat succe may flow into them Sometimes they vulnerate its crasser boughs out of which wounds that precious Lachryma which is so much celebrated distils Some drops of this Oyl exhibited on a jejune stomack help difficulty of breathing take away the obstructions of the Liver move fluours allay stomachical dolours help the tabid and consumed and excite appetite CHAP. 9. Liquid Amber LIquid Amber is a certain oleous Rosine flowing from the incisures of a Praegrand and Venust tree of a vast magnitude whose leaves are hederaceous cortex crass and cineritious which being vulnerated emits this Oyl called from its suaveolence Liquid Amber or Oyl of Amber The Trees from which it flows are so fragrant that they send a sweet odour from the place where they grow into vicine Regions This Liquor is of much use in Medicine for it calefies roborates resolves mollifies all tumours removes obstructions moves fluors cures the suffocation of the Uterus and other diseases of women CHAP. 10. Petreolaeum or Oyl of Peter PEtreol is the work and effect of Natures hand not of the Apothecaries for he onely collects it or buys keeps and uses it when collected for Nature confects it in the bowels of the Earth and it eructates out of the clefts of Rocks whence it is called Petreol or Rock-Oyl It is to be had in those Regions where Bitumen is whereunto it is related for Bitumen is either dense or liquid the dense is as it were the fatness of the earth which swims upon the water and by agitation of the winds is cast upon the shore and there concretes and becomes tenacious and dense The legitimate Bitumen is Judaical by some called Bitumen of Sodom because it is found on the banks of Sodom It is very rare in Europe The liquid which the Greeks call Naphta is very white of colour and rapacious of fire insomuch that fire will leap to it from distance as also to all dense Bitumen Besides this Naphta there is another sort yet more fluxile like Oyl which distils from Rocks and Stones as that which abounds in the Mutinian fields on the Mount Gibion There is also a fossile and terrene Bitumen and that of two sorts the one too hard and frangible which they commonly call Stone-coal the other very dense and intensely black with nitre called Gagates of which we have treated in our Book of Simples Some and that upon good grounds affirm that Amber is a kinde of hard Bitumen Bitumen then is of large comprehension to whose family many refer Pissaphaltus and Mumy However Pissaphaltos is a kinde of mixture made of Pitch and Asphaltos or dense Bitumen which is used in maritimous towns to Pitch Ships withall The Arabians call Pissaphaltus Mumy which in their Language denotes Balm in stead whereof the Syrians and Arabians of meaner fortune used Pissaphaltos in embalming their dead carcases And thus they take Pissaphaltus for Balm and Balm for Mumy which agree not so much as in name for natural Balsam or Balm is Opobalsamum artificial consists of many Aromata's used in conditing Kings bodies Pissaphaltos is a certain mixture of Pitch and Asphaltos Mumy is a thing arising from one or both of them and the putretude of a carcase whose illicite use now to prosecute and disprove appertains not to our purpose whereunto I shall now return Petreol is not to be rejected by Apothecaries for its faculties are of much use Vires It calefies siccates by the tenuity of its substance opens penetrates digests resolves all excrementitious matter helps many diseases of the brain and nerves as the Epilepsie Lethargie and Palsey SECT V. Of Oyls extracted by Distillation and first of such as are elicited by descent BEsides these wayes of confecting Oyls Mesue subjoyns many more all which he saith are made by Resolution Education by descent and ascent is a Chymical term of whose Oyls opportune occasion now gives leave to treat Mesue also leading the way Of which I shall onely subjoyn a few words both because laborious work long time and great cost are necessarily requisite to this education of Oyls and also because they are now adayes made by some base imperite and ignorant Circulators who defraud the Commonalty with their vain promises and spend their time in seeking secret Fopperies and confecting Magisterial Bables I do not now speak of men of approved skill learning and knowledge who given to the study of abstruser Sciences seek the more secret Closets of Nature and finde the more miraculous vertues of Creatures who make Medicaments after several manners change them into several forms and by divers preparations give them divers qualities sejoyning what is useless and retaining what is expetible and so coacting them that in small quantity they have much vertue But such Medicaments should not be exhibited but by the perite for else they are perillous and precipitate men into open danger Yet skilful Medicks and Apothecaries following Mesue their Chieftain may after a Chymical manner educe certain Oyls by distillation and that either by descent whereunto descension by transudation or by draining is
strictly bound as to deny entrance to the liquor for unless it get some chink out of which it may delabe it will not distil into the inseriour Platter These sticks are sometimes adapted to a Frying-pan or the like vessel and the Myrrhe containing Egges superposited thereon and the vessel suspended in a well a foot or two above the water and there left a day or two that the liquor may exude out of the Myrrhe into the subjected vessel This Oyl may be also educed by ascent Which way soever it be educed Vires it is commendable for many uses and specially efficacious in curing cutaneous affections They erre that take either of them for Stax as we have shewed in our Book of Simples CHAP. 6. Of Oyls extracted by ascent THe prolectation of oleous liquors is either by descent of which we have briefly treated or by ascent of which as briefly as we may Now this eduction is effected two wayes either by an Alembick or by Inclination which later way is in proper speaking neither by ascent nor descent but participates of both To the distillation made by an Alembick a straight Cucurbite is required whereon the rostrated Alembick may reside the Alembick sometimes in stead of a beak portends out of its head a certain Pipe long and crooked with turning gyres like a Serpent whence it is called an Intort or Worm The neck of the Alembick should be long and gracile if the matter to be distilled be small and tenuious but short and more patent if the matter be crasser and seeing it must be often changed and renovated an Urinal will be apter then a Cucurbite Sometimes Sand Salt or the like is added to the matter to be distilled when it fervefies and ascends easily The vessel containing the matter should be so fitted that the heat might be put under it and that there may be a way above for the spirits which may pass through the beak whereunto the long tube is appended which tending downwards and trajecting it self through the Refrigeratory carries the delabing matter into its receptacle Now distillation is either 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 Vitrioli 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
known in France many Apothecaries What Apothecaries are to be looked on as Deceivers amongst whom I found some bold Attempters in the practick part of Physick who with flattery and large promises of great wonders did deceive the richer sort of women whom they did not onely deprive of their money but by exhibiting incongruous Medicines operating contra naturaus without method or due observation left their bodyes more diseased than in statu quo prius And others also who by their cunning sophistry did circumvent certain men of knowledge and repute even the Senators themselves Plin. c. 1. lib. 29. by stiling themselves Phyficians Learned men and the like they would feel the Pulse look upon the Urine and discourse of the Causes Symptomes Prognosticks and Cure of Diseases pretend to great things promise far greater and so assert many ridiculous things and prescribe Medicines that rather augment than abate of the we he mency of the distomper and this they impiously thrust their Sickle into the Physicians harvest and most unjustly exercise Pharmacy to the great prejudice of many by confiding in a bare Recipe without either giving cause or reason why it ought to be administred for we ought not to rest and rely upon the judgement of antient Sciolists who assert meerly upon their bare testimony and single apprehension certain Medicines which may prove benign and agreeable to Constitution at some certain time and thereupon presume to be safely exhibited at all times without advice As for instance [o] Lactucae medicamentum esse potest Alimentum venenum Lettice unseasonably and in too great a quantity administred may as easily kill as Hemlock it is both nutriment and poyson accordingly as 't is used Doth not daily experience manifest that more perish by surfeting than any other distemper Doth not Wine though most agreeable to our nature destroy more than War For though it be very cordial and as it were the succus sanguis senectutis as it were old mens milk and restorative to life yet taken at an unfit season and immoderately proves noxious and destructive The office therefore of an Apothecary is onely to exercise or compose certain Ingredients to a medicinal form The duty of an Apothecary and to adhibit them in a decent manner to salutiferous use according to the prescript of some skilfull Physician which that he may with good success accomplish and answer the expectation of the Physician he ought first to select his Ingredients secondly to prepare them and thirdly to compound them of which we intend to speak in order But before we treat of the first let us enquire what a Medicament is CHAP. III. What a Medicament is and what an Aliment and what a Medium between both THE whole Man is a whole Disease saith Hippocrates Epist ad Damog for such is he when he proceeds into the world from the inquination of the wombe that he is ready for the Physician by reason of his imperfections and diseases which he is liable to either as a consequent from the dissent of the four qualities or from the ill use of such things which Nature appointed for nutriment but through the abuse thereof causes innumerable Diseases in the Body which the medicinal Art out of a due observation thereof doth infallibly either prevent or cure either by the prescript of a wholsome Diet or by Medicaments either internally assumed or externally applyed as Hippocrates describes Lib. de diata Gal. de sanis And these are either simple which for the most part Hippocrates used or compounded according to Art they are called Simples which remain and are as Nature produced them as Cassia Rhabarb Polipody Colocynth with many others which have onely obtained their natural composition of the four Elements But they are called Compounds which consist of many Simples of divers virtues noited together by Art and Industry Now a Medicament differs from Aliment Medicamentum quid thus for that is called a Medicament which being either internally assumed or externally applyed can work an alteration in our bodyes as Pepper Euphorbium Pelitory c. And that is called Aliment Alimentum quid which internally assumed doth nourish and augment the body as Bread Wine the flesh of all flying and four footed Creatures except ravenous and rapacious for those Creatures that live by rape are of an evil humour and engender ill blood and are to be rejected as unclean And therefore in Divine Writ the Israelites were forbidden to eat either Eagle Vulture Griffon Raven Hawk or the like and we according to this Sacred Decree do prudently abstain from the flesh of Foxes Wolves Lyons and such rapacious Creatures Now the medium between both Alimentum medicamentosum is a medicinal Aliment which sympathetically partakes of both natures for it partly nourisheth and partly altereth the body as Lettice Radish root Gourd Garlick and many such like As there is betwixt Aliment and Medicament a certain medium so also is there betwixt Nutriment and Poyson for the one preserveth refresheth and augmenteth the other destroyes kils and corrupts betwixt both there is a Medicament which doth effect neither CHAP. IV Of the antient use of Simples alone and of their admirable proprieties GAlen observes out of Hippocrates Lib. de Elem. that a man could never be sick if he consisted onely of one Element for then every mans Nature would be one the Effect one the Cause of his return to his natural station one But now the absurdity lyes in this that whereas the species of diseases are infinite so also the remedies both simple and compound that are to be appropriated thereunto are almost influmerable Those Medicaments that are compounded and yet fearmed simple are but comparatively and improperly so stiled in as much as they are referred to others more compound as Oximel simplex Diaprunum simplex and the like but the Rose Endive Psantain Mine Wormwood and all kinde of Vegetables that are created which have received no composition or mixture by Art are properly called Simples by Physicians which they sometimes use alone as the juice of Plantain for astringent Lotions the juice of Water Lillies ad Erysipileta or St. Anthonies fire the juice of Betony the Canker with which it hath an admirable sympathy the juice of Vine-tendress by Galens advice against the Shingles the fresh or meat of Quinces applyed plaisterwise to the region of the stomack against choler and assumed against the bloody flux the body being first purged as also Betony against Cephalalgia as almost all Plants to the expelling of most Diseases That which is recorded of many Plants exceeds credit which produce admirable effects for the root of Peony applyed to the head or hung about the neck doth cure the Epilepsy Mint put into milk hinders its coagulation and condensation into Cheese as it hath been proved by men of good credit The herb AEthiopis if Fliny speaks true cap. 4. lib. 26. Herba Ethlopidis
insomuch that the common sort of Frenchmen call it Flesh of Life And so it may seem wonderfull that some Animals do at once suggest Aliment Nutriment and Poyson for some part of them is life in others death to the Assumers Yet 't is very strange that poysonfull Animals whose bodies are enemies to ours and present death should by application safely cure the wounds and bitings that they themselves have made and they alone in many cases are able to free us from such wounds and the perils ensuing The reason is because one simile attracts another to it and as it were revoking its own substance frees the part affected from Poyson So Crocodiles grease cures those that are smitten by him and those that are hurt with Scorpions are cured by the same bruised and applied plaisterwise Mus Araneus will work the same effect if pulverised when it hath bitten any It is also worthy our notice taking that Poyson doth not onely attract Poyson but also extract pricks and darts out of our bodies without pain which can scarce be by any strength or art effected Many small Creatures are altogether noxious to humane bodies and yet usefull and commodious to health as Cantharides the Venemous Fly Buprestis Salamanders Palmer worms a Sea-hare a Toad a Fen frog for we use Cantharides Lizards Scorpions and Ants daily and effectually to the outward parts but not to the inward for it is altogether unsafe to put those Creatures into the body which are naturally endowed with an evil quality Thus did one Agyrta a forreign and unskilfull Physician Idem fecit maledictus ille Hebraeus Francofurtanus Aaron vocatus qui ante biennium ad Cacodaemones suos abiit apply Cantharides to a man well known to be honest but not wise who desired a Medicament to provoke him to Venery which sent him not to the pleasant Fields of Venus but to the Boat of Charon Yet there are some although noxious which hurt either by biting or touching which being prepared by expert Artificers and prescribed by skilfull Physicians and opportunely applyed do not onely no hurt but produce admirable and salutary effects for Wine wherein by mischance a Viper had been suffocated and extinguished cured a Leper long before separated from the society of his Fellow-Citizens A Snake may perform and effect the same What then will their flesh do skilfully prepared Many efficacious Poysons also are drawn from Minerals Ex mineralibus venena multa and these as well growing of their own accord as Quick-silver red Lead Parget Vitriol Sory Sandarach the Loadstone crude Antimony also the Adamant as those that are made such by Art as Sublimate Chalk Verdegrease Ceruse Aqua fortis and almost innumerable others which are much better unknown than known for it is enough to treat of some Simples beneficial to some Diseases amongst which some are to be preferred before others as less averse to nature and more conducing to health CHAP. XIV Of the faculties of those Medicaments in general which are named from their effects WE have before shewed that some Medicaments respect and corroborate some parts by a specifical virtue as Cephalick respect the head Ophthalmick the eyes Pulmoniack Hepatick the Lungs Liver Spleen and others other parts from whence they had their denomination Now we shall speak briefly and generally of such as are named from their effects that the Apothecary may have in readiness the name and knowledge of Medicaments with their respective quality to the proposed and desired effects For since names are the marks of things if they be conveniently and rightly fitted to them they will more aptly teach guide and direct the Artificer But almost all Medicaments retain their Greek idioms first imposed on them Medicamentorum appellatio a quibus Some named from the Arabian Language have scarce re-obtained their first and proper euphony yet have they in process of time been somewhat refined Medicaments therefore from their effects are thus named by Classical Authors A Medicament is called Cathartick or purging because by some way it draws noxious humours out of our bodies as by vomiting or secession Physicians call that Cholagogon or a choler-purging Medicament which extracts cholerick humours that which purges flegm Phlegmagogon that which purgeth melancholy Melanagogum that which purgeth watry or liquid humours Hydragogum and that which purgeth all humours Panchymagogon Another Medicament is called Polychrestum because it is of much use Eccoproticon is reckoned amongst the benign Medicaments and is so called because it onely moves the dregs Those are called Hypercatharctica or too much purging Medicaments which first purge that humour to which it is congruent and familiar afterwards other humours more apt to follow last of all blood so that they cause the Bloody Flux They are called Emetica that provoke vomiting and educe the humours by the mouth They are called Alliotica that is altering which alter any distemper as hot alters cold cold hot moyst dry Euchyma and Cacochyma that is meats of good evill juice have respect to aliments and those are called Euchyma which get good blood those Cacochyma that get ill blood they are called Epicerastica which afford good juice by little and little in stead of ill juice leasurely drawn out whence comes Epicrasis that is a leasurely evacuation of vitious juice That Medicament is called Hypnotycum which rather causes drowsinesse than sleep Galen lib. 9. Method and that is called Narcoticum which doth not only cause sleep but stupidity and oftentimes Necrosy or death That is called Ureticum which by dividing relaxing and compelling the passages moves the urine and gravell and often expells them They are called Lithontriptica that is Saxifrage which break or sever the stones or pebles in the bladder and eject them That is called Anodynum which delineates and mitigates any paine with a moderate heat it is called also Paregoricum and sometimes Lysiponium that is a labour easing or pain mitigating medicament That Medicament is in generall called Chalasticum which eases the part to which it is applyed or refreshes it with moderate heat but taken strictly it is that onely which relaxeth and cureth any swelling without excesse of any quality as fat butter grease c. That poysonous Medicament which divides and opens the orifices and excites the blood to an issue by its heat or acrimony is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as be Ramsons Savine Leeks Sow bread and many others The Greeks call a repercussive Medicament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because by its refrigerating and binding power it repells the humours breaking out into the members as Plaintain Sorbe Ayles the hearb Mouse-eare other repell by a refrigerating quality only as water and other such repercussours Galen lib. 14. Method but according to Galen and Oribasius all repelling Medicaments are onely to be used in the beginning of a fluxe That is called Helcticum or Epispasticum which draweth the humors downwards and it is contrary to repelling Medicaments
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 qualities 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 vini Quick-silver crude Lime Tartar and many others Now how the same efficient produces contrary effects The reason why sharp Medicaments by Ustion lose their Acrimony Physicians thus judge Acrimony is acquired by heat increased to a certain degree which degree sharp Medicaments exceeding lose their Acrimony But such as were
Fermentation GAlen out of Aristotle observes cap. 9. lib. 2. de diff feb comm ad part 1. lib. 3. epid that Putrefaction proceeds alwayes from external heat in a humid matter as also the internal heat cocteth and corrupteth not So also whatever is in every part dry doth never apertly putrifie as we see neither Brick nor Gold nor Silver to putrifie And because things are putrid from an external heat Mensis Philosophicus Chymicorum Putrefaction is a kinde of Coction as when some medicamental matter is left in a Vial occinded in dung or as Alcumists say a Horses belly for they give feigned names to their feigned art for the space of thirty and sometimes forty dayes the last term whereof is called by them the Philosophical month and the Liquor of this Putrefaction menstruous or Putrefaction finished in a months space The Alcumists own this kinde of preparation Menstruum quid Chymicis as peculiar to themselves but Galen many years before they were hatched taught how to putrifie the Gem Calcitis and Litargie obruted with dung after they were put into a new pot with Vinegar And the Apothecaries also of our time have in this owned Galen who macerate and putrifie the branches of black Poplar for many months together either with Hogs grease for the confection of the Populeon Unguent or with Oil for the Medicine helping weariness Fermentation is not so proper to Medicaments Fermentatio as to Meats and Drinks for a lump of Dough is fermented or leavened that it may make more pleasant and wholsome Bread Wine and Beer are fermented when they grow cold and when there is a segregation of the sincere Suck or Juice Dregs or Faces Sirrups Conserves and Electuaries are also then fermented when new made they refrigerate in the Vessels Alcumists have their fermentation also which they sometimes call Vivification and sometimes Resuscitation for thereby they say that the matter perished is as it were resuscitated from the dead and acquires new virtues The vain Gold-mongers also promise that such a Fermentation will conduce to the transmutation of Metals but they never yet knew the matter of the Ferment nor the manner of its confection CHAP. XVII Of Dissolution MEdicaments are wont to be variously changed before they be exhibited for the most part when whole Medicaments will not serve they are prepared by some triture or dissolution in some liquor or other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now this dissolution is a certain triture whereby Medicaments as well simple as compound are dissolved in some fit humour to a moderate consistency and sometimes smaller sometimes thicker according to the Physicians purpose Now Medicaments are dissolved for many uses first Dissolutionis usus multiplex that they may be easily assumed secondly that they may more readily be compounded with others thirdly that they may sooner be distributed fourthly that they may penetrate into the part affected and if need be remain there as when liquid Medicaments are injected into the belly bladder intestines or any Ulcer in the body fifthly Medicaments are dissolved that they may afterwards be strained and that their virtues purged from excrements may sooner enter the inward parts Thus Medicaments which break the Stone Dithontriptica are dissolved sometimes in white Wine sometimes in the juice of Limmons in the water of Wall pelitory Radish-roots or such like that they may more easily permeate the holes of the reins and the passages of the ureters On the contrary such as are to be moved with the Spittle are to be dissolved in a thicker matter as in Conserves or Sirrup Anachartasis quomodo movonda that they may appear rather as a Medicine to be sucked than drunk And as Triture so also Infusion and oftentimes Calefaction are requisite to Dissolution for such as are hard pliant and viscid can scarce be dissolved till they be broken or steeped or calefied by the Sun or Fire Thus many Medicaments may be dissolved presently after Triture and many kinds of Earth others not without long agitation as all shels of Fishes and many more Some require both Maceration and Calfaction as many Gummes which before dissolution should be macerated with strong Vinegar Aqua vitae or strong Wine But Metals and Minerals cannot be dissolved in any juice or liquor Non quavis in quovis liquore dilui but in the juice of Limmons in Vinegar distilled or in such Watert as the Alcumists call strong Waters Any Medicament therefore is not dissolved in any liquor but in some fit and determinate one for Turpentine may lie a whole natural day in water or in a decoction and scarce be dissolved without some Eggs yolks be superadded In general Grease Marrow and Fatness are melted at the fire that they may be more easily dissolved and ingrede the composition of Unguents and Plaisters All kinds of odoriferous Medicaments are dissolved in cordial Waters or altering Waters for moyst medicinal Plaisters Pils or other Purges whether compound or simple are dissolved in Aqua vitae or other convenient Liquor by an artificial sedulity in drawing out their extracts Solid things also which neither can nor ought to be exhibited in that form are first to be broken and dissolved in some convenient liquor that they may more safely and easily be assumed CHAP. XVIII Of Liquation ALL Medicaments after due preparation thereunto may be dissolved but few can be melted for Stones may be burned Wood accended but in no wise melted because not congulated with cold Liquatio quid For saith Aristotle cap. 6. lib. 7. meteor Liquation is a solution of those things which are congealed by cold into a more liquid and fluent consistency by heat as Fatness Marrow Oil in winter and such like which with little cold are concreted and with little heat diffuded But such things as are concreted with diurnal cold are very hard to melt as Gold Brass and Iron the fusion whereof rather pertains to such as are exercised in Metals and not in Medicaments to an Artist and not a Philosopher Liquation differs from Dissolution Dissolutio non nisi fit cum humere in that Liquation is alwayes caused by heat and seldome or never with any humour Dissolutition alwayes with humours seldome with heat Lead is soon melted with heat Sulphur Pitch and Rosin sooner Salt Manna Sugar Gums of Ivy Prunes Juniper and other Trees are sometimes worked in hot water and so diffused that they may be dissolved The Alcumists have illustrated a Pyrothecny Quomodo metalla facile liquentur and have invented many things whereby the liquative or fusitive Art is enriched as when Sal Ammoniack once sublimated with common Salt then twice by it self will make hard Metals forthwith fluid Copper also may be easily melted otherwise if onely a little of an Asses hoof be injected to it in melting Now the use of Liquation in Pharmacy is great for it causes the Medicaments to change their
hot and exhilarate the vitall faculty yet some more particularly respect the brain as Cloves some the heart the fountain of life as Cynamon others the ventricle as Almonds others the Liver as Dates and some the wombe as muske Amber Civet not that the wombe is delighted with these under the species of odors for it hath not an organ of smelling but is affected with smells by reason that thin and subtil matters or the aery vapour wherewith the spirits are recreated with which it is of all granted that the genitalls swell Mesue hath described many aromaticall confections as Diacinamomum Aromaticum Rosat Diamoschum utrumque diambra the electuary of gemms and many more whose use is excellent in getting and preserving strength in the principall members in preventing and correcting putrefaction and in refreshing the spirits Those that from sickness recover health or are very old and are in riches able to resartiate their lost strength by the prescript of Physicians are wont to use Confections made of Conserves Sirrups and cordial Powders whose excellent virtue is attributed to the sweet odour of suaveolent Spices For the like cause Cur medicamenta aromatizentur many Sirrups are aromatized with the confection of Alkermes or Trochisks of Galliae moschatae or with Musk Amber Civet or other suaveolent Spices hung in a Nodula and so tyed to the Vessel wherein the Sirrup or Liquor is contained that it hangs about the middle of it for so the aromatical virtue is equally distributed to all the Liquor Which also Vintners have learned who make the Wine more fragrant and sweet by hanging Ginger Cinamon and such like in the Hogshead Those of the Courtiers that are more rich Quibus salaces ad venerem utantur leacherous and slothfull that like Beasts they may more potently hold on to their Venery and be more active in that exercise sometimes they eat raw Eggs sometimes fryed with much Musk or Civet whereby they rather destroy than refresh Nature Many Fruits also as Nuts and Pears are before Conditure sticked with Cinamon or Cloves that they may be more gratefull and acceptable both to the palate and heart Juleps also are often aromatized with Rose-water as Apozems with yellow Sanders Sauces with aromatical Confections Cider with Amber or Musk as many other Medicaments with Storax Belzoin Camphire CHAP. XXIX Of Colouration THough Colour according to Galen cap. 2. lib. 1. simpl cap. 30 lib. de Histor Philos cannot shew the faculty of the Medicament yet because it is a quality of a visible body which because it hurts or profits is more or less expetible for as blackness and whiteness do obtund the faculties of seeing so green colour exhilarates them as besides quotidian experience the Philosopher also testifies Probl. 60. sect 32. Now some Medicaments are more desirable being white Coloratio quot modis acquiritur others black others red or of other colour And Colour is especially acquired four manner of wayes by Lotion Agitation Coction and Mixtion By Lotion most become white as Oil Turpentine Wax Some also by Agitation as Penedis the white unguent of Rhasis the plaister Diachylon Galens refrigerating Unguent for all these by how much the longer they are wrought by so much they are the whiter Bechical as white Pils Bechical confections and all sugared Medicaments for Motion and Agitation do get the desired colour to Medicaments But this is not so manifest in the fore-named Medicaments as in the crude Unguent Unguentum crudum ex quibus constat which is made of Lytoridge Oil and Vinegar for these are so long beaten in a morter till they acquire the form of a white Unguent Medicaments by Coction are more colourated as more white or more black as the Coction is valid and long or as it is weak So the Plaister made of crude Ceruse is white of burned Ceruse red And the Plaister of crude Verdigrease is green of burned Verdigrease white and yellow Lastly according to the several colours of the things mixed the colour of Medicaments is various for such as admit Saffron in their mixtion are yellow such as admit Cinnabrium are red and such as have Ceruse are white and such as have the pith of Cassia in their mixture are black CHAP. XXX Of Conditure Saliture and Farture AS Saliture and Farture rather seem to appertain to a Cooks than an Apothecaries shop so doth Conditure to the Confectioners Yet Medicaments sometimes need these for Saliture conduces much to conservation Farture to good sapour and Conditure to both For Flowers and Fruits are not condited onely but also little stalks barks and tender roots both that they may be longer preserved and also eat more pleasantly Thus are the roots of tender Ginger and husks of Cassia Fistula which are not old Nutmegs Myrobolans and other forreign Fruits are condited while fresh that they may be brought to us without any loss of their virtues and faculties from far Countreys Many of our own Countrey sweet sour or Fruits of other sapours pleasant to the palate as soon as they are gathered and if need be their Cortes pill'd off for many are not decorticated as Gooseberries Barberries and so are boyled with Sugar or Honey or both Those that are bitter very sour and sharp are so long macerated in water till they have deposed their vehement quality Now Apothecaries do especially make humid Conditures as they call them as when they so long concoct Fruits or Roots with Sugar and Water that they lose all their watry humidity and after Conditure and Reconditure may be preserved with a Sirrup perfectly boyled But Confectioners do not onely make such like Conditures as these but also dry ones as they term them which are made of Fruits sugared with Sugar extrinsecally boyled with them and afterwards dryed by insolation Now many Fruits are condited with Salt alone as Capers or with some Vinegar added to them Salitura as Cucumbers cut in pieces Purslain Lettices and many Pot-herbs that they may without decay be preserved till Winter for Salt hath an admirable faculty in desiccating and conserving things Hence Flesh and Fish salted are kept without corruption not onely some months but years Wherefore by some Philosophers Epicureis anima pro sale the Soul is called the Salt of the Body because as long as it remains therein it vindicates and defends it from putrefaction It causes also that Medicaments acquire another quality beside what is peculiar to them and therefore Vipers flesh and the parts of many Animals are besprinkled with white and bay Salt for according to Galen there is the same faculty in both with a little if it be used for sapours sake with more if for conditures sake Whatsoever Aliments are desired to be medicinal Fartura if there be any apparent cavity in them it is stopped with Fruits Herbs or Roots wherewith Aliments are often stuffed Now many Aliments are stuffed before Assation or Elixation that
they may be more gratefull to the palate and sometimes that they may more conduce to procure or keep sanity as when Polypody Capers dry Grapes Barley or other parts of Plants are included in the belly of a Capon or Goose An old Cock is wont to be stuffed with Barley that besides its faculty of subducing the belly wherein according to Galen and Oribasius it is effectual it may cleanse and nourish Night-caps are often quilted with Cephalical Powders put in a double linnen cloth the topical remedy of the form of a Buckler is prepared after the same manner but it receives roborating and stomachical Pouders such as are wont to be prescribed to the weakness of the belly But it is properly called Farture by which exenterated Animals and excavated Fruits are stuffed with medicamental or alimental things and sometimes with aromatical onely for jucundity sake CHAP. XXX Of Distillation DIstillation is an education of a watry or oily humour out of any thing by heat Distillatio quid And it is effected either by ascension or descension and that either by a humid or a dry heat Distillations by humid heat are made in Balneum Mariae or in a Vapour made of hot water Balneum Mariae Balneum Mariae aut maris as some say is a Vessel containing in it heat into which another vessel is put containing the matter to be distilled It was wont to be called Cucurbita Cucurbita or Boccia upon which is put another Vessel with a beak commonly called an Alembick or Capitel which are most strictly closed together with a glew made of Bran and whites of Eggs. Distillation in the vapour of hot water is also made in two vessels Balneum roris the one contains the matter to be distilled and in the other is put a long copper or brass vessel half full of water so that there is space enough left between the Cucurbita and the boyling water by the vapour of which carried upwards the matter to be distilled grows hot and suscitates the vapours to the beaked Capitel whence it descends into the Receiver Both these Bathes are described in various forms for every one Variae sunt formae balnei according to his minde changes innovates adds or detracts something rather form the elegancy of the Boccia than the facility of Distillation But in all of them the fire which is the efficient cause of Distillation must be made in such place that with little labour it may calefie the water in the Boccia Now the fire should be clear not smoky or filthy Ignis in distillatione qualis such as is made of Charcoal or Cannel and it must be so ordered that it neither be too potent and burn the matter nor so small as to be extinguished before the work be perfected Before the water begin to be cold let other be made hot or at least warm and calefied according to that degree of heat which the condition of the matter requires for some may be distilled with a benign vapour others with a more potent others best with warm water Integral fresh Plants or parts of them cut into pieces Plantarum distillatio are conveniently distilled in a humid Bath If they be dry they should be wet with some convenient liquor before Distillation for so the waters distilled do better retain the strength and faculties of the Plants though they cannot be so preserved because more excrementitious Yet many waters do not retain the sapours of the Plants because they so inhere in their terrestrial substance that they will not ascend with the most vehement heat The humid Bath is expedient in distilling waters the dry one if it may be called a Bath as it pleases most in educing oils and waters Balneum siccum Now it is properly called dry because no water is put under the Cucurbita but fire onely with dust sand or the filings of iron or steel sometimes interposed Which that it may be commodiously done Fornacis structura the furnace must be built with such industry that it may have a port open towards the bottome through which the ashes may be taken out which fall from the burning coals laid upon the little gridiron Above the gridiron there must be another port through which the coals may be immitted above the arch whereof must be inserted little iron beams or grates overthwart then above must be placed the brazen earthen or iron pan into which the Cucurbita is put and it must be buried sand or ashes being cast upon it then the beaked Capitel may be placed above it In the top of the furnace must be constituted certain holes or wind-passages through which the smoke may pass The use of a certain Instrument of Copper called an Alembick Alembicus is here requisite and frequent in whose inferiour cavity are contained iron beams sustaining the burning coals in its middle the Boccia in its superiour part the beaked Capitel in form of a Helmet and sometimes round with a Refrigeratory formed like a Cauldron that it might contain an abundant quantity of water which when it grows too hot is effunded by a cock placed towards its bottome and new water and cold is poured in again The beak in some Alembicks is very long and strait and oft times in some of the form of a serpent whence it is called a twining beak or worm that so it may be transferred through a Hogshead full of cold water whereby the water may be better congealed and tempered A certain Boccia made of glass Retorta vesica and crooked commonly called a Retort serves for that distillation which is made by sand or ashes as also another strait one which hath its name from a bladder of oval form made of glass or copper lined with tin which serves for distilling those things which are easily sublevated as roots seeds leaves flowers and suaveolent Spices such as are not so easily sublevated as farnesses rosins and gums are to be extolled and that more aptly in a Retort of very thick glass The forms of distilling are so many Varia distillandi formeae and the instruments as also their matter so various that they can scarce be kept within certain Laws yet is this old custome still observed that Apothecaries do commonly distill young Plants and other Medicaments in Pewter Alembicks or Leaden tinn'd within which are not so noxious as many fear yet them of Glass and Clay are better but they may easily be broken and then useless Now such things as may not endure the vehemency of heat may be better distilled in Balneum Maria afterwards in hot ashes wherein as in the Bath some temperate and milde heat may be preserved and cherished not so in sand and filing dust for these will not be hot but with vehement heat wherefore they are used in educing Oils by distillation Now the waters distilled ought to be insolated for some dayes space in Vessels
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 sweet 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 it self for vinegar hath a purging faculty and it is Gal. l 1. Acetum esse calidum frigidum simpl li. 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 bonit as 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 fruits are harder more difficult to be cocted and lesse dissipable than flowers and leaves so Medicinall honey is made of these after a different manner for insolation will not suffice but they must be long concocted in water before honey be put to them and that fruits may be rightly cocted they must first be macerated
quantity of Sugar boyled in Rose-water to the consistency of an Electuary Conservae ex rosis siccis to which a little juice of some sowr Simple as Lemmons or Sorrel may be mixed for this juice doth not onely make it sweet and sowr and pleasant to the taste but of a more red and pleasant colour By the same art may other dry Conserves be made of dry Flowers CHAP. VIII Of Condites in general ROots Conditura cur fiat Fruits and other parts of Plants are condited either for conservation or for sapour or both For Conservations sake many are condited with Salt or Vinegar and sometimes both as Olives Capers Samphire Cucumbers and Broom-flowers For Sapours sake the pils of Oranges Lemons Almonds Pine-apples Cloves Nuts and many Seeds are confected with Honey or Sugar For both Conservation and Sapours sake many Roots Fruits and Flowers as the root of Ragwort Pears Plums Barberries and the flowers of Bugloss and Violets both that they may taste better and keep longer And such things as are to be condited are first concocted in an apt syrup and reposed and reserved with it in an earthen glass or vessel which are called by Apothecaries Condita liquida liquid Condites But if after perfect Concoction they be exposed to the open air till their superficies be dry and that viscid lentor wherewith they cleaved to the fingers of such as touch them Confecturae siccae be resolved then are they called dry Confectures Hereunto by a certain affinity may be referred a certain kinde of Condite which is called Pasta regia or a Mazapane but we shall treat of that more positively in our fifth Book in our Treatise of particular Remedies Those Delicates which the Confectioners call Tragemata Tragemata i.e. Junkets may be referred to solid Condites for they as other Condites are prepared by the help of the fire and the addition of Sugar but after a different manner For examples sake if Seeds are to be condited the Sugar must first be cocted into the consistency of a syrup then is it by little and little poured upon the Seeds then are they moved with ones hand and that so long till the Seeds be covered and incrustated all over with the Sugar Lemmons pils small cut as also Cynamon are condited after the same manner Now Fruits being humid they require a liquid Confecture and Seeds being dry a dry one CHAP. IX Of Powders THE Medicinal Art can by no means want Powders for when Medicaments are either too humid or dry by the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the dry for the most part are pulverated the humid are made up and concinnated with these Powders as Electuaries solid Conserves Trochisks Plaisters and other Medicaments both intrinsecally to be assumed and extrinsecally to be applyed for nothing in Chirurgery is more frequently prescribed than incarnating astringing and closing Powders Pulverum in Chirurgia frequens usus and nothing so carefully prepared and kept of Apothecaries as cordial capital and roborating Powders which are not onely mixed with other forms of Medicaments but oftentimes prescribed alone to divers uses and affections as to roborate the principal parts preserve their strengths extinguish Poysons stay Fluxes help concoction to binde or lose the belly Many external passions are oft cured with these alone Pulvis vulnerarius optimus seldome without them as any Wound with red Powder compounded of two parts of Dragons-blood and one of Frankincense as a great Ulcer after detersion with incarnating Powder Pulvis epuloticus optimus Thus a slash or skar of a Wound is closed with an Epulotical Powder the best whereof are the Powders of Pompholix Brass oar Ceruse Spodium Terra Lemnia and Lead rightly prepared Now generally Pulveres in medicina quid praestent Medicaments are either given in the form of Powders or of them other forms are made borrowing their matter from Powders for these do not onely serve for to be fitted to the forms of several Medicaments but whether you look to the body or the quality of Medicaments these are for the most part their very Basis And Powders are made of the most select Medicaments beaten more or less as the nature of the Medicament or the exigency of the matter requires And all that are levigated or redacted into Powder are called of the Latines by a general name Pulveres which the Arabians call distinctly by these three idioms Sufful Alkool Alkool Sufful Sief and Sief Sufful denotes any kinde of Powder whether small or great Alkool that which is very small Sief denotes the attrition of certain Trochisks upon a Marble mixed with Rose Fennel or other convenient water to the griefs of the eyes Now some Powders to wit such as are made by the Confectioners are destinated onely to Sauces as the Powders of Pepper Ginger Nutmeg Cynamon and such like sweet Spices and they are called of the Seplasiaries small Spices which they used to keep in Leather bags Other Powders are cordial and roborative which pertain onely to the Medicinal Art as the Powder of Diarrhodon Abbatis Diacynamon Dianisi Laetitia Galeni and other cordial Powders which should be reposed in boxes glasses or pots close covered lest their virtue suddenly expire Other Powders are also made as Cathartick Powders which are onely for present not future uses because by keeping they are much worse and weaker Yet scarce is any Powder internally assumed alone and unmixed but is put in water or some other liquor though not so applyed externally which we often lay to Wounds and Ulcers alone Perfumers Cosmeticorum studium Chamberers and such as would take away wrinkles from old women with painting and promise to fascinate and cure stinking breaths make several Powders of suaveolent Spices as of the root of Orris of Roses Sandals Storax Betzoini sweet Cane Cynamon Cloves Marjorum Amber Musk Civet of which and other odoriferous Simples they make two excellent Powders which they call Chyprium Violetum and also many other and various Powders for the delectation of them that desire them They are wont to repose them in silken bags and put them in chests with their cloaths But the Apothecary need not be sollicitous about these for whom it is more expedient to have good Pulvis Diamargaritonis than Chyprium CHAP. X. Of Eclegms in general A Certain Medicament is made for the diseases of the Lungs something thicker than a Syrup and more liquid than an Electuary which the Arabians call Lodoch the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines 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
juice that it may be mollified and pills may thereof be made greater or lesser or mean as we desire they should stay more or lesse time in the belly Pills Pilulae validiores quando jumendae that draw humour strongly from the head or other remote parts should be exhibited foure or five houres after a slender supper or about midnight and it is good to sleep after they be assumed Such as purge benignly Benignae quando may be safely swallowed an houre or two before any meale such as are in a mean are most safely used upon a jejune stomack in the morning Halfe a dramme is enough to move the belly Pilularum dosis often a whole dram is given of the valid to purge more potently and to strong bodies a dram and half which purge grosse humours some there are who are averse to all pills others to none some will assume none but the greater sort others none but little ones in a spoon with much syrup many will scarce assume any unlesse they be involved in cherryes or the skins of dry grapes some will swallow them hidden in the yolk of an egge or in the leaves of spinage or lettices cocted others will swallow then after some other manner for their ingratefull sapour hath invented a thousand wayes to assume them CHAP. XV. Of Trochisks SOme Medicaments are from the forme of little wafers called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were little round bread like lupines or sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Latines Pastills Orbicles and they are thus formed for the Medicaments conservation and sometimes correction for Medicaments are more safely kept in that solid forme than in powders Yet they must be pulverated for use Pilulae bechicae if they cannot be assumed whole such onely excepted as by some are called Bechicall pills which must melt in the mouth for Trochisks of Scilla and vipers in in the confecture of a Treacle lose the forme of pastills and are pulverated And they are made of Medicaments for the most part dry or beaten and dissolved with wine water or other liquor till they acquire the consistency of pills and then they are formed into orbicles and then dryed in a shade before they be reposed in boxes where they may be kept a whole year sometimes two or three especially if they admit of Opium in their confection or any valid Medicament whose strength is not easily dissipated Trochisks therefore because of their obdurity and density do preserve very long that strength of those Medicaments whereof they consist and they more easily resist the injury of the air which Powders cannot do but being very small condescend to the air and are therewith easily changed yet are not all Trochisks made of Powders but some of Medicaments which cannot be pulverated as Scilla and vipers flesh Neither are Trochisks onely introsumed but also externally applyed those that are assumed at the mouth as they may be made of every kind of Medicaments so do they receive from Medicaments their roborating purging and altering faculties those are said to roborate which having respect to a particular place augment its strength as Trochisks of Galliae Moschatae roborate the brain Trochisciroborantes of Terra lemnia the heart of Rhabarbe the Liver of Diarrhodon the ventricle of Capers the spleen such as are confected of Catharticks retain the strength of their simples and by moving the belly Purgantes expell the humours as Trochisks of Agarick Alhanhal and of Rhabarbe we judge the same of altering Trochisks Alterantes which by their opposite quality change any distemper as cold hot or hot cold dry moist or moist dry Neither do we want Trochisks for externall affections as those which from their forme colour and Author are called white Trochisks of Rhases and many other which are grinded on a marble that Sief may be made for Collyries to many affections of the eyes The peculiar Confection of Trochisks shall be more largely explained in our book intitled the shop it rests now that we treat of those Medicaments which are only externally applyed THE SECOND SECTION OF THE THIRD BOOK Wherein is delivered a general explication of external Medicaments CHAP. I. Of Oils AS all Diseases are either internally generated or externally annexed so all Remedies that are prescribed to them are either internal of which we have largely heretofore treated or external to which we shall now speak And we shall begin our explication of local Medicaments with Oil which by right vindicates the first place to it self because the Apothecary may want many Medicaments but scarce Oil at all Gal. cap. 3. lib. 6. simpl med Oleum alimentum est medicamentum For it is not onely brought to the table because it is sweet and expressed out of mature Olives for hereunto we understand the denomination of Oil properly attributed but the very basis of Unguents Plaisters and Sear-cloaths and the common bond of those Simples whereof they are confected And because it is of it self temperate or hot and moyst in the first degree or as Galen saith cap. 25. lib. 3. simpl medic because it is a medium betwixt hot and cold moyst and dry Medicaments it helps lassitude and wearisomeness leniates asperities mollifies and cleanses the squalid skin and both wholsomely and pleasantly cures many affections which he mentioneth cap 6 7. lib. 2. simpl medic Now Oils which are frequently used Oleorum differentiae are either simple or compound those are simple which are homogeneal and receive nothing from Art but extraction which is made without the mixture of other things Pallas inventrix olei After which manner Minerva first educed Oil and taught that Art as Diodorus writes for before her Garden there was an Olive tree unknown to all as also the use of Oil which before that time no man had taught how to educe And almost all Oils drawn out by expression are simple as Oils simply so called which is expressed out of mature Olives Omotribes Oleum omotribes or Omphacinum which is of unripe Olives as also Oil of Almonds Wallnuts and other Fruits as other Oils educed out of Seeds which differ even as the Seeds for hot Oil is extracted out of hot Seeds and cold out of cold Seeds Yet all Oils are somewhat changed with age and because of the dissipation from the watry part that which is hot becomes hotter and the cold refrigerates more slowly for old Oil according to Galen cap. 6. lib. 1. compos medic secundum gener hath power to extenuate which is an effect of heat Oil also according to the diversity of the Fruit out of which it is extracted as being mature or immature and according to the manner of preparation and alteration induced by Art acquires another and different quality and efficacy in alteration As for example Oleum ovorum Oil of Egs yolks though it be not perfectly mixed yet by losing
some humidity by its preparation it is more hot and dry and is a Medicine most usefull in smoothing the skin and curing an impetiginous itching and other affectious of the skin as also some fistulous and malign ulcers The same quality happens to all expressed by the force of the fire from which they perpetually retain their acquired heat Olei amygdalini facultas And when Oil of Almonds is thus extracted it is onely extrinsecally applyed when without fire it is sucked up like a gratefull Lohoch to ease the asperity of the rough artery and coct and move Spittle so that it is oft given with a little Sugar to Children that are troubled with coughing or that have any distillation from the brain to the lungs without any purging Medicaments especially without anodynal Medicaments That Oils may be extracted the Fruits and Seeds should first be purged and the Apothecaries do ill that extract Oil out of Almonds before decortication The Seeds cleansed are brayed with a pestel Olea exprimendi modus after contusion they are put into a pan and set upon the fire and stirred pretty long that they may calefy then are they involved in a rough cloth and subjected to a wooden press till by valid compression the Oils be expressed Those that we would educe without the help of fire or heat must after they be bruised very small be presently put into the press that the Oil may exude by drops Petreol which is educed out of Salt-petre from whence it hath its denomination takes place amongst simple Oils But our purpose is to treat of such as are made by Art Liquidambor and Balsam also are simple Oils which distill by drops out of the incisions of forreign Trees But more of this in our Shop Some simple Oils also are distilled sometimes as well by ascent as by descent as out of Juniper Guaiacum Cloves and such like Olea educta per ascensum descensum both wood and dry Fruits which being put into a pot Oil ascends into the vessel above by virtue of the fire set under or descends into the vessel set under by virtue of the fire above Yet are not all Oils extracted by descent nor alwayes by the help of the fire for Oil may easily exude out of Tartarum and Myrrhe included in a bag and suspended in a moyst place as in a Wine-cellar Of all which manners of educing Oils more elsewhere But compound Oils wherewith the Apothecary should be especially furnished are such in which the matter of stocks fruits flowers and of any simple is infused and macerated After which the whole is insolated till the strength of the matter remain in the Oil which is afterwards expressed and reposed After this manner are made the Oil of Violets Roses St. Johns wort Water-lillies and many more which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Unguenta and especially those which may be inspissated by the admistion of gums and odoriferous things whence they are called Myropolitans or Unguentarians who sold such Oils and Unguents as were suaveolent with whom any fragrant Oil was taken for an Unguent as Unguents for Oils We scarce approve of their opinion which call onely them simple Oils which are made of Flowers Fruits or other Simples infused macerated and insolated in Oil of Olives and those compound Oils which are cocted on a slow fire with wine water infusion or convenient decoction till almost all the admixed humour be assumed for those seem no less but rather more compound than these because not onely the total power of the things infused but a good portion of the substance in which it inheres remains with the Oil after expression in the former Hence that Oil which partakes of no excess but is temperate is such perpetually from the condition of the thing infused which if cold then is the Oil cold if hot hot if it have the power to exsiccate then will the Oil exsiccate Such Oils as are educed by expression onely Quibus vasis olea servanda or by maceration and expression together may be most safely kept if reposed in vessels of glass or clay perfectly before hardned with the valid heat of a fornace But such as are educed by distillation whether by ascent or descent which are commonly called Chymists essences must alwayes be kept in solid glass vessels with strait orifices close covered left their substance and quality being dissipable soon expire CHAP. II. Of Vnguents UNguents as Galen testifies cap. ult lib. 7. simpl med were called by the Antients Oily Medicaments confected of suaveolent spices and according to Actuarius cap. 1. lib. 5. meth are onely externally applyed and being onely spread along are thought to benefit but such parts as cannot endure other remedies such parts as Oribasius cap. 27. lib. collect saith are grieved with Cataplasms and hurt with fluent madefactions Now Unguents are of a grosser consistency than Oils and a mean betwixt Oils and Plaisters as Liniments betwix Oils and Unguents for a more liquid Unguent is called very often a Liniment Unguenta cur dicta inventa of the confection and use whereof we shall treat more at large in the fifth Chapter And because the consistency of Unguents Liniments and Sear-cloaths do not much differ they are used sometimes indistinctly for that is called a Liniment wherewith the parts to be helped are liniated that an Unguent wherewith they are anointed and that a Sear-cloth which made of Wax and Oil is applyed The Arabians under the name of Unguents oft comprehend Sear-cloaths and Plaisters and many thick Oils and the antient Greeks all well smelled Ointments so Dioscorides lib. 1. calls many sweet Oils Unguents and Hippocrates lib. 1. de medic affirms that Physicians should not onely get fame and glory of the Vulgar by the good constitutions of their bodies and decent Ornaments but by sweet Unguents that is by aromatical and suaveolent things Yet for clearer explications sake they are distinguished from one another and an Unguent properly is an Oily Medicament Unguentum quid of a middle consistency betwixt Oils and Plaisters which yet doth not still remain alike for when heat is more vehement the unctious and fat matter melts more and the Unguents become more liquid and soft and when the heat is weaker more solid and therefore Unguentarians use to put less Oil in Summer and more in Winter to their Unguents for cold inspissates a fluent Unguent as Oil it self which Galen observes cap. 1. lib. 8. comp med gener in the composition of his stomachical Sear-cloth Now that proportion of Oil must be observed in the confection of Unguents that to one ounce of Oil be mixed one dram of Powder Olei proportio in unguentorum confectione and two drams of Wax or as Galen saith cap. 2. lib. 4. comp med gener that four times as much Oil as Wax be put in the confection of Unguents and eight times as much Oil as Powder
the qualities of all flowers perish with their odour sapour and colour But I am of opinion that Roses which of all flowers retain their suavity longest as also all such as by their gratious odour exhilarate the spirits are most cordial for all suaveolent flowers whether herbal as the Lilly of the Valley or arbustal or arboral as the flowers of Orange trees are cordial and may with success be used in medicinary business The flowers of Chamemile Melilote and Anise are accounted cordial but I prefer as more excellent the flowers of Oranges Jasmine Deluce Sage Rosemary Betony Clove-gilliflowers and many others which with their fragrancy delight the nose and recreate the spirits The hairs or capillary herbs are five Herbe capillares quinque Maidens-hair commonly called Mompiensian hair common Adiantium Polytricum Citrarch or Wall-fern Rue on the wall without all reason called Salvia vitae to which we may adde Epithymum and Woodbind The common mollifying herbs are four Mallows Marsh-mallows Emmollientes berbae octo black Violet Garden Bear-foot or brank Ursine whereunto four more are adjoyned Mercury Pelitory of the wall Beet and Arache all which are used in making the decoction of Clysters and laxative Cataplasms There are many pretious Fragments Fragmentae pretiosa quinque but five artificially in use among Physicians as of Saphire Granate Emerald Hyacinth Sardis The Vulgar know onely four kinds of Cordial Waters and cannot be perswaded to a fifth to wit of Endive Succory Bugloss and Borrage but I finde eight besides these that are more cordial to wit the Water of Carduus Scabiose Marigold Devils bit Wood-sorrel Goats-beard Sorrel and Water-lillyes Some conduce to the roboration of the brain Quatuor aquae cephalicae and are therefore called Cephalical Waters which are four to wit the Water of Betony Balm Roses and Orange tree flowers There are also in Shops four hot Unguents as Ung. Aregon Quatuor unguenta calida quatuor frigida Martiatum Altheae and Agrippae and as many frigid ones to wit Ung. Album Rosatum Populeum Citrinum CHAP. XV. Of succedaneous Medicaments PHysicians should not use Succedaneous Medicaments unless they be thereunto compelled either having not knowledge or having not trial of the requisite Medicament yet an Apothecary by the Medicks advice may substitute a convenient Medicament instead of another that is so rare as it cannot be had or so dear as it cannot be purchased yet so that the succedaneous be in species kinde and virtue very similar and answerable to the deficient and if it may be a simple Medicament should be put for a simple and a compound for a compound as A Plant for a Plant A Root for a Root A Bark for a Bark Seed for Seed Liquor for Liquor Gum for Gum Rosine for Rosine Oil for Oil Mineral for Mineral Salt for Salt Earth for Earth Stone for Stone Gem for Gem Metal for Metal Animal for Animal Part for Part. The same Law must be observed in compounds but not so strictly for powder must be put for powder eclegme for eclegme electuary for electuary syrup for syrup Yet there is often such affinity in quality betwixt Medicaments of different consistencies that a substitution may be easily admitted For if any hath an aversation to a bechicall eclegme he may without danger assume syrup of jujubs and he that refuses pills why may he not assume some other catharticke of equall vertue in a potion Thus Physicians do oft indulge their Patients by prescribing liquids to such as nauseate solids and on the contrary Yet a simple Medicament is not always substituted for a simple one for since one can scarce find two simples alike in all things for the want of one to which no single one responds we substitute two or more whose concourse exhibite the similar vertues whether in elementary qualities as heat cold humiditie and siccitie or in secundary qualities which follow the modification of the matter For it is enough if the substituted Medicament effect that which the genuine and deficient promised For one that wants a rare and precious Medicament calefying or refrigerating in the seoend degree and hath other two the one hot or cold in the third degree the other in the first may by putting these two together acquire one accommodate to his purpose to wit calefying or refrigerating in the second recesse which rule is of use in mixing attenuating incrassating and other simples But because the soile and the heavens change the qualities of simples as we have observed in the Persian tree we must with diligence observe which are fittest for substitution for there is much difference betwixt our flower deluce and that of Florence for their is Cephalicall and Bechicall our Phlegmagogous and strongly purgative And as Canary wine is more noble than Spanish and Spanish than French wine so the grapes from which they are expressed are of distinct qualities sapours and degrees of heat and therefore simples of the same kind and species have not alwayes got the same temperature and degree of qualities for what growes in a hotter soil is hotter and in a colder colder When therefore a Medicament is prescribed which because of its soil is hotter Quamado gradu tertio aut quarto calidum substituitur pro minus calids and cannot be got another of the same kind may be substituted through the colder if in greater quantity For that which is hot in the fourth degree may be taken in such a quantity as it may only calefie in the third degree as for example if you take but about four grains of Euphorbium it will calefy onely in the third degree which in greater quantitie would calefy in the fourth and by how much you take lesse by so much it calefies lesse but every Medicament hath a determinate dosis else so small a portion might be given that though it were fire yet would it neither burn nor calefie and Cloves which are hot in the third degree if lesse than three grains of them be administred they calefy not to the third degree and so of all qualities in their degrees Now there are in every degree three parts or mansions Cujusque gradus tres partes beginning middle and end which are so constituted that the beginning of one degree coincidates with the end of another as the beginning of the fourth with the end of the fift So the end of Winter differs little from the beginning of the spring The usuall dosis of such as calefy in the fourth degree is of four grains whereof there being three mansions Dosis callidorum in quarto gradu the chief dosis which attains the end of that same grade is of twelve grains that which attains the middle sixteen and the beginning twenty grains which is the dosis of such as calefy in the end of the third degree Wherefore when any want a Medicament that califies or frigifies in the end of the first degree he may substitute one
that is calld or frigid in the beginning of the second degree he that wants a medicament hot in the end of the second degree may exhibit one that 's hot in the beginning of the third Now since the doses of compounds are deduced from simples according to the deficiency of any simple another may be substituted which is Analogicall to the deficient in the mixtion whereof if the aforesaid Lawes be observed the result in the compound will be no way deficient by substitution CHAP. XVI What Medicaments and when they are rightly substituted LEast our Pharmaceuticall treati should be defective or a patient destitute of praesidy when his auxiliatory Physician prescribes him something that neither the Pharmacopolitans shops nor gardens affoard we will here describe the supplements of such defects which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins Succedanea Substituta or more vulgarly quid pro quo But as we before observed such substitutes should be similar What substitutes ought not to be allowed of inivertue to those whose place they spply and whose vicegerents they are now if such cannot be found then those must be elected which differ in little and respond in many things For its absurd to call those succedaneous Vicegerents which are mdued with opposite not succedaneous and symbolicall qualities and they write without reason who substitute Euphorbium for Agarick Pellitory for Sorrell and Melliote for a Quince for these have no affinity with each other But when some weaker are substituted in place of better their qualities must be augmented by quantity for quantity reduplicated recompenses the weakness of the quality as on the contrary if the substitute be too valid lesse quantity must be exhibited that thereby its rigour may be diminished Now this should not be done without the advice of some skilfull Doctor which many do not onely despise but themselves prescribe Medicaments to the great damage of their patients but such are for the most part unconstant importunate and talkative knaves who trimly apparelled intrude themselves to the sicks presence and deceive them with fair speeches I speake of that impious rabble who deceive the incautious vulgar but the skilfull and prudent who take nothing rashly but at a Phisicians advice and preception may substitute legitimate Vicegerents in the place of such as want or are decayed Those that without choice and care repose for genuine and good what ever Medicament comes first to their hands will make dangerous Medicaments and substitutions One was wont pleasantly to inculcate that of the Ninivite to such a busy fellow Saepe loco illius quid pono Least therefore any errour be committed in reposition of suppositories we shall here place the substitute in opposition to the deficient You may substitute For Wormwood Origanum or southernwood For Southernwood Origanum For The juice of Acaoia The juice of Cistus or Hypocistis For Bears foot Mallowes For Acorus The root of folefoot or Radix Asari For The true Venus haire The Common For Ameos Anise seed For Amomus Acorus For Gum Amoniack Propolis For Bitter Almonds Persian nuts For Woolfs grease Weasels grease For Harts grease Goats grease For Alum Fossile salt For Althea Mallowes For Arsenick Sublimatum For rain-Rain-water Fountain water For Sea water Saltedwater For Anise Carret For Round Aristolochy Long. For The flower of Fomgranate The rind thereof For Balsam Limpid Turpentines For Borrage Buglosse For Bettony Parsley For Spinach Arache For Butter Oyle For Calamus Arom Squinant For Cardamomum Cyperus For Calamintha Wild mint For Germander Ground pine For Cinamon Common Cassia For Cinabrium Red Lead For Juice of Citron Limmons juice For Daucus Creticus English carret seed For Dates Massilian figgs For Dittany Sage For A Bears tooth A hogs tooth For Diphryx Burned Brasse For Liquorice Raisons For Wallwort Elder For White Hellebore Elaterium For Blacke Hellebore Lapis Lazuli For Epithyme Epithymbrum For Eruca Erisimum For Agrimony Liverwort For Sea holly Oenone For Fenygreek Orobus For Fennell Smallage For Partridge gall Cothurnix gall For Verdigrease Rust For Fumitory Sowthistle For The hulls of Senny Twice as much of its leaves For Myrtle leaves Its berryes For Galangale Acorus For Galbanum Sagapenum For Gentian Tormentill For Liverwort Agrimony For Helecampare Flower deluce For Hysope Savoury For The juice of Cistus Acacia For Jasmins flowers Rormary Flowers For Jujubs Raisons For Sweet rush Cardomomum For Henbane Poppy For Lettice Garden Succory For Sorrell Black Violet For Laureola Misletoe For Lacca Storax For Sciatick Cresses Cretian Cresses For Loadstone The Phrygian stone For Mallowes Arach For Mandrake Poppy For Honey Sugar For Mumy Pissaphaltum For Spicnard Schaenanthum For Nep Wildmint For Nutmeg Cloves For Water-Lilly Lettice For Sheepsgrease Calfes marrow For Oyle Butter For The juice of unripe grapes Juice of Limons For Opium Lettice juice For Opobalsamum Oyle of Cloves For The juice of panax Gum Amoniake For Ryce Wheat meale For White thorn Gooseberry tree For Poppy juice Mandrake juice For Petty spurge Sea Lettice For Parsley Smallage For Plaintain Mouse-eare For Pompholyx Burned brass oar For Walwort Ground pine For Quinquenerve Plantain For Radish-seed Its juice For Rosemary Majoram For Gooseberryes * Berberryes For Rue Tansey For Sagapene Pyne gum For Sage Calaminthe For Elder Wallwort For Cantonicum Southernwood For New wine Sweet wine For Cuttlebone A pumick stone For Sutureia Thyme For Saxifrage Burnet For Houseleek Nightshade For White spike Lavander For Tansey Feverfew For Sowthistle Succory For Cuckow bread Sower dock For Thyme Satureia For Thimelaea Chamelaea For Tamariske Citrarch For Tussilage Lungwort For Garden Valerian Wild For Masculine betony The famale For White Hellebore Turpethum For Black Violet White For Red Wine White For Sweet Cassia Cynamon For Yylobalsum Radix Ligustici For Ginger Pepper For Civet Musck But because it seldom falls out that one can erre twice in a Medicine let junior Apothecaryes diligently beware least they substitute any thing without the Physicians advice if they do otherwise they may exhibite and sell spurious Medicaments for legititimate as I have 1000. times observed in some ignorant fellowes who without discretion substitute any simple which of its self is deficient CHAP. XVII Of Adulterate Medicaments MEns insatiable avarice hath rapt some to that heighth of iniquity that they exhibite Adulterate Medicaments for true and genuine the dignotion whereof is of great moment in making Medicaments and should be a Physicians and an Apothecaryes imployment accurately to learn that to be their patients may exhibited none but good which may conduce to their adjument and sanity not adulterate whose end is perill and languour These I thought meet to detect least some unskilfull Apothecary be deceived by such circumforaneous prestigiatours who often sell the flowers of Carthamus for Crocus and Ivory for Monocerots horn and similate many more especially rare and precious Medicaments whose use is frequent and vertues eximious Least therefore the Apothecary in whose hand the
it is meet And that I may return to my purpose Quam varia catharticorum dosis some Catharticks are given onely in a small dosis as Colocynthis and Hellebor by a few grains or scruples others by drams as Rheum others by ounces as Manna Cassia Tamarinds A Dosis then denotes a quantity of a Medicament fit to be exhibited at once as when any Medicament of three or four ounces at the most is made into the form of a potion Decoction or distilled wherein we dilute Roboratives as Powders Antidotes and Cordial Confections or infuse Catharticks as Agarick or dissolve them as Catholicon or Diacarthamum whereof every one hath its peculiar dosis whereby it should be given in greater or lesser quantity as it is of weak or valid faculties But to describe every of these according to the nature and quality of every Medicament and body were to comprehend the whole method of Medicine CHAP. III. Of a purgative Potion EVery kinde of Medicaments may be given in any form but not so fit perhaps to cure a Disease or help any part The most usual form of such as free the passages of obstructions deduce the vessels Purgantia cur in forma potabili convenientiora and provoke monthly flowers and urine is liquid But those especially that are purgative require a more potable form for hereby they more promptly diffuse themselves more easily ingrede the small veins and more efficaciously deduce the humour inhering in those parts For one dram of a solid Medicament diluted with some humour Catharticum liquidum citius ducit will move the belly more than twice as much of it whole Wherefore when we say a purgative Medicament absolutely we mean a laxative Potion whose dosis should seldome exceed three ounces lest by moving the ventricle it be presently excluded by vomit Now purgative Potions are various according to the various nature of the Medicaments and humours to be educed For every humour except blood which is vacuated onely by the section of some vein or artery hath its proper eductive Cathartick that which purges Choler is called a Cholagogous that which purges Melancholy Melanagogous and Phlegm a Phlegmagogous Medicament And of each of these whether simple or compound are made purgative Potions when they are macerated infused dissolved or cocted in some fit liquor as to educe Choler thus ℞ of the roots of Succory Sorrel Liquorice an ʒ ij of Endive Cholagogon Fumitory Agrimony an m. ss of the three cordial Flowers an p. j. let a Decoction be made in a small quantity of water wherein infuse of Rhabarb ʒ ij ss of Orange colour'd Sanders ℈ ss dissolve in the expression Syrup of Violets ʒ vj. and make a potion thereof When a stronger Purge is required either you may augment the quantity of the things or take a stronger Medicament as this ℞ of Diaprun dissolved or Electuary of the juice of Roses ʒ iij. Alia potio validior let it be dissolved in ℥ iij. of the fore mentioned Decoction or of Endive water put to it of the syrup of Succory compounded with Rhabarb ℥ j. and make a Potion Phlegm may be deduced by many Medicaments as well simple as compound as well as Choler whereof I shall take these few prescriptions in stead of many examples ℞ Polypody of the Oak Grass roots Raisons stoned of each ʒ iij. of the seeds of Carthamus ʒ ij Germander Ground-pine Betony of each m. ss of Anise seed ʒ j. make a Decoction in which boyl on a slow fire of the leaves of Senny ʒ ij ss in the colature infuse of Agarick ʒ j. ss in the expression dissolve of the syrup of white Roses ʒ j. make a Potion thereof In such a Decoction after colation you may dilute of the Electuary of Diacarthamus ʒ iij orʒ ss of the syrup of damask Roses ℥ j. that it may be a Potion Senny Rhabarb and Polypody vacuate flegm also and so do Turbitum Carthamus seed Colocynthis Widow-wail Veratrum album white Hellebor the seed and root of Wall-wort Benedicta Laxativa and Diaphoenicum whereof a perite Artificer may make various purgative Potions Melancholy also hath its peculiar Catharticks as Epithymum Melancholiam quae ducunt Azure stone Senny black Hellebor and amongst the compounds the Confection Hamech Catholicum Diasenna and King Sabor's syrup Of one or more whereof dissolved infused or cocted in some convenient liquor a purgative Medicament may be confected as thus ℞ Barks and roots of Capers and Tamarisks roots of Bugloss Melanagogon optimum Liquorice Raisons and Currens of each ʒ iij. of whole Barley ʒ ss Cateras Maiden hair Marigolds Borrage of each m. ss of the three cordial Flowers of each p. j. of which make a Decoction wherein infuse Senna ℥ ss sweet Fennel seeds ʒ j. in the Colature dissolve syr Regis Saboris ℥ j. make it into a Potion Or ℞ Liquorice Raisons stoned an ʒ iij. Jujubs nu vj. Epithymus Spleenwort tops of Hops Wood sorrel Fumatory an m. ss Broom flowers p. ij make a Decoction in which dissolve Confectio Hamech ʒ j. ss Diasenna ʒ ij syrup of Violets ʒ vj. or ◠j. make it into a Potion Catholicum also is usefull to purge Melancholy Catholicum polychrestum est for being universally commodious to purge any noxious humour it easily accommodates it self to those wherewith it is mixed as if it be mixed with Rhabarb it purges Choler if diluted in the decoction of Senny or mixed with the confection of Hamech it purges Melancholy CHAP. IV. Of Juleps THE acception of Julep and Syrup with the Arabians is almost one and the same for they confound them together and speak of them under the same head or Chapter understanding nothing more by an absolute Julep than Sugar dissolved in Rose water and cocted to the consistency of a Syrup But we speaking more distinctly treat of them both but in several Chapters and Books to wit of Syrups which should be inspissated by a longer coction in our Officine but of Juleps which should be but lightly cocted and presently assumed in this our Book of Medicinal Receipts Now Julep is a Persian word Julep quid signifying a sweet Potion which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and they make it of any distilled dulcorate water as of Syrups of the juice or decoction of Simples elixated with Sugar or Honey to a more crass consistency Serapio that he might eschew the insuavity of all odour and sapour confected a Julep or rather Hydrosacharum of Water and Sugar onely which he calls a simple Syrup Avicenna to conciliate more suavity adds thereto a third part of rose-Rose-water Mesue 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-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 ℞ The water of Endive ℥ iij. Syrup of Limons ℥ 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 ℞ of the waters of Fumatory and Wood sorrel an ℥ ij of Sugar ℥ 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 ℞ The water of Water lillyes ʒ ij of Betony ℥ j. Syrup of Poppyes simple ℥ 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 ℞ 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 ℥ ij Pulveris Diamargariti frigidi Electuarii triasantali diarrhodonis Abbatis an ℥ j. Troches of Camphor ℥ ij filings of Goldʒ 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 ℞ Of the waters of Wood sorrell Goates-beard Carduus Succory of each ℥ iiij Cock broth lb. j. Conserve of Water-Lillyes Roses of each ℥ j. Treacle ℥ ss of the powder of the roots of Angelico and Termentill of eachʒ ij Dictamus ℥ j. Carduus and Citron-seeds of eachʒ 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
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 ℞ An Emulsion to allay the heat of the stomach Of sweet Almonds blanched ℥ j. Pine kernells not rancid ℥ ss the 4. greater Coole seeds of eachʒ 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 ℥ 4. of sugar for 4. doses To extinguish the ardour of the reins and abate the Acrimony of urine ℞ To allay the heat of the urine The 4. greater Coole seeds of each ℥ ss the seeds of Lettice and white poppyes of eachʒ ij bruise them well in a marble morter and mix with them one pinte of water or Ptisan in the Colature dissolve syrup Nimphaea ℥ iij. forʒ doses This following Emulsion conduces to the cure of the virulent flux of the sperme after other universall remedyes ℞ Water Lentills Lettice seed of eachʒ ij Purslain and Plantain seed of eachʒ j. the 4. greater Coole seeds of each ℥ ss beat them in a stone morter powring on Barley water lb j. ss add sugar of Roses ℥ 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 ℞ Of Almonds blanched ℥ ij beat them in a stone morter and poure on lb ss of water addʒ 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 Amigdalates 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 Lutetia 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 ℞ The best Barley well purified ℥ 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 colatureʒ 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 about the houre of sleep but twice or thrice like a julep And seeing barley however prepared cannot be made to calify but is alwayes cold according to Galen com ad part 30. lib. 1. de vict acut cap 16. lib. 1. de aliment a Ptisane made of these two is both good Medicament
frequent junket for it is most gratefull to the gust and nourishes very much wherefore it is prescribed to the macilent and such persons as are vexed with any preternaturall affection in the breast or Lungs Many bechicall and sweet ingredients go to this confection as sugar pistack-nutts pine-kernells and other sweet fruits which brayed and accurately subacted with simple or rose-water become a masse whereof wafers or morsells Marcipanis quibus constet as Rondelet calls them are concinnated which are gently cocted in an Oven till of red they become yellow and acquire a competent hardnesse The vulgar manner of this confecture with the dulciaryes is most simple as being made onely of Almonds rose-rose-water and sugar But Apothecaries by a Physicians advice adde something to these which hath respect to some one part which tempers some noxious humour and by its nutritive as well as Medicinall faculty preserves as well as resartiates sanity The most usuall and pleasant confection of Mazapane is this ℞ Sweet Almonds decorticated ℥ iij. Pistakes ℥ j. Marcipanis optimus bruise them very well in a morter with a little Rose-water add thereunto the finest sugar lb ss fiat pasta which you may make into what forme you please Marchepane after this manner is usuall also and very accomodate to expell flatuosity ℞ Pistakes ℥ j. blanched Almonds ℥ ij Anifeseedʒ i. Cinamon ℈ i. after they are finely beaten add of the finest loafe sugar four ounces and so make it up into a paste which if by too much water it be too liquid let it fervefy in a bason on a slow fire till it be more crasse then make Marchpane which dry a little in the Oven after bread hath been extracted Those little long masses of bread which are confected of flower and thrice or four times as much sugar with a little Coriander Panis biscoctus and a small portion of eggs subacted together may by some affinity be referred hither which they commonly call Biskakes But I would not put my sickle into another mans harvest therefore I will leave these sweet breads to the confectioners CHAP. XVIII Of Piniolates or Pignolates ANother kind of paste is made almost after the same manner which the Neotericks call Piniolate or Pignolate because it s made of Pine kernells cleansed and immerged in melted sugar and cocted to the consistency of condite sugar But that the Pine kernells may depose all their rancour they should be macerated a whole day or half at least in water and Rose-water should be dropt into the confection for so it will be more gratefull to the gust as also to the smell if a grain of Muske be mixed therewith as we see in many junketts which are set at the head of the table the most usuall forme of confecting pineolates is this ℞ Of the finest sugar dissolved and cocted in Rose water till it be about the consistency of an Electuary lb ss mingle with ℥ ii of Pine kernells infused in water for the space of twelve houres afterward stir them together with a spatula that the whole masse may be subigated in the end add mosch ℈ i. and so make a paste whereof you may make Cylinders which repose and exsiccate on a paper that they may grew harder CHAP. XIX Of Pandalea THere is another kind of solid paste called Pandaleon which is by Rondeletius prescribed to the affections of the breast and lungs for it consists of many things that attenuate and coct viscid humours and move expectoration and all Pandaleas seem to be bechicall nothing differing from pectorall Ecclegmes and syrups save in consistency nor from solid Electuaryes save in externall forme for they are compounded made and cocted after the same manner onely solid Electuaries are harder and are rolled out into quadrate or long figures and Pandaleas are kept whole in a woodden box as conserves in a glasse or earthen vessell and when use calls for them they are cut with a spoon or knife and a piece thereof given to be retained in the mouth like so much Alphenix or bechicall Tablets that it may melt and go down like a lohoch It hath the same consistency and is kept in the like vessells as those same sugared confections or comfitures usuall and frequent in Spain which they call Marmelades They are made commonly of some sweet powder and sugar perfectly concocted in some convenient water that they may concrete Some conserves are sometimes added and a little honey if need require and such a Pandalcon how ever displeasing it may be to some mens palate is very good and is thus confected ℞ Pul Diaireos Salomonis ʒ i. diatrag frigid ℈ ii powder of yellow Sanders ℈ i. sugar dissolved in Coltsfoot-water ℥ iiij fiat Pandaleon which keep in Marmalet Boxes Some also make a Pandalcon of Pine kernells or Almonds decorticated and brayed with sugar or honey thus ℞ Pine kernells well cleansed and bruised ℥ i. Penidees ℥ ss clarified honey as much as will suffice to make it up into a sollid paste or Pandalcon CHAP. XX. Of Hypoglottidian Medicaments commonly called sublingues THe cough and stinch of breadth molest all that are neere us seeing the cough affronts their ears and the stinch their noses now certain bechicall and Aromaticall pastilles will cure both affections which from their round and long forme which Apothecaries put them in and that same quality which is predominant in them whereby they expectorate the humour causing coughing are called bechicall from the manner of their use Hypoglottidian and from the odour which they acquire by Mosche Moschardine Medicaments They are very pleasant which are thus confected ℞ Of the finest sugar ℥ j. ss Penidees ℥ ss orrisʒ ss yellow Sanders Cinamon of each ℈ i. mosch ℈ ss with musiladg of Gum Thragants made in Rose water make them up into a paste of which forme any figure long round or what will lye most conveniently under the tongue The description is both easy and good ℞ Sugar of Roses ℥ ii sugar Candy ℥ i. starchʒ i. spec diacinamon diamisi and orris of each ℈ i. mace ℈ ss Zivet gr vi with the musiladge of Gum Thraganth made in Balme water fiant Hypoglottides CHAP. XXI Of Tables or Tabuletts TAbells pertaine to solid Electuaries yea they are very Electuaryes being confected of powders and sugar perfectly cocted that their consistency may be harder and they longer and more securely preserved without damage and impairement The like quantity of sugar is required in confecting tables Sacchari quantitas in tabellis as of honey in liquid electuaries and in both the quantity is augmented or substracted as the validity or imbecillity of the 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 here they are taken for a long Medicament equalizing or exceeding the length and thicknesse of a finger which is intermitted into womens naturalls with a thread bound to it that being so far intruded it may be more commodiously extracted A Pessaryes forme should be pyramidall smooth round Pessorum
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 â„ž Another for the wormes AloesÊ’ i ss Agaricke Wormewood of eachÊ’ j. sal Gemm Ê’ ss make of chese a powder to which add honey boyled to a consistency â„¥ 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 â„ž Mallows Violets Marsh-mallows brank Ursin Mercury Pelitory ana m. j. sweet Fennel seed â„¥ ss in the Summer time the four greater cool seeds â„¥ 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 â„ž 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 â„¥ ss boyl them in the Colature dissolve Honey of Rosemary â„¥ ij Bened. Laxativ Ê’ vj. El. de Baccis Lauri â„¥ ss Ol. Anethi â„¥ iij. fiat Enema Some instead of Oils made by infusion dissolve Ê’ 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 â„ž Of the decoction of the four emollient herbs lb. j. dissolve therein Honey of Violets red Sugar Catplicon â„¥ j. ss Oil of Chamomile fresh Butter ana â„¥ 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 â„ž Betony Marjoran Calamint Sage Origanum ana m. j. Mercury Arach ana m. ij boyl them with â„¥ ij of Senna andÊ’ ij of Aniseeds in a pint of the Colature dissolve Honey of Rosemary â„¥ ij Confectio Hamech and Hier. Diacolocynthidos ana â„¥ ss SaltÊ’ ij fiat Clyster This Glyster cures the dissentery or other great flux in the belly â„ž 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 anaÊ’ 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 Beâ—â—eorum magna 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 blood 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 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
day recalefied and strongly expressed through a new cloth or bag will dimit much mucaginous matter Thus the mucage of Bdellium Sagapenum 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 ℞ A Muslidge against inflammation The roots of Marsh-mallows ℥ ss Flea wort seedʒ ij infuse 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 ℞ Another to the pain of the eyes from a hot cause Quinco kernelsʒ iij. infuse them a whole night in the water of Night-shade Water-lillyes and Eye-bright ana ℥ 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 ℞ 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 ℥ 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 ℞ White wine * White For the scabies of the eye-lids Rose water ana ℥ j. ss Hepatick Aloes finely pulverized ʒ j. mix them and make thereof a Collyrium This Collyrie will roborate and refrigerate ℞ A cooling and strengthening water for the eyes The water of Plantain and red Roses ana ℥ ij whites of Eggs ℥ ss mix them and beat them well together and make thereof a Collyrie This Collyrie applyed to the eyes will asswage their dolour ℞ For the pain of the eyes The waters of Purslain and Plantain ana ℥ j. ss the mucilidge of Quince seeds made in Night shade water ℥ j. mingle them fiat Collyrium This Collyrie will most efficaciously desiccate roborate and refrigerate ℞ A water strengthening and drying The water of Mouse-ear white Roses and Plantain ana ℥ j. Troch alb Rhasisʒ i. Tutty preparedʒ 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 ℞ Collyrium Elciser Antimony Lapit Hematit anaʒ x. Acacia ℥ ss Aloesʒ 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 ℞ A Collyrie of Lead Burnt Lead Antimony Tutty washed burnt Brass Gum Araback Traganth ana ℥ j. Opium ℥ 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 ℞ Collyrium Lanfranci White Wine lb j. of the water of Plantain and Roses of each a much as will suffice Auripigmentumʒ ij Verdigreaseʒ j. Aloes 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 ℞ Litharidge of Gold finely powderedʒ 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 into a glass drop by drop to that which is filtrated adde pluvial or fountain water in which dissolve a little salt upon the mixtion whereof a milk will appear This is also an usual form ℞ White wine vinegar lb. ss Litharidge of Gold finely powdered ℥ j. boyl them together till the third part be consumed and to
the Colature adde a little Oil of Tartar and it will become white It may also be thus confected ℞ Ceruse ℥ ss Litharidge ℥ j. Trochisks of Camphorʒ ss the strongest Vinegar lb. ss macerate them three or four hours afterwards filtrate them and to the filtration adde the water of Bean flowers or Plantain or Roses in which dissolve a little Salt and it will become white It is very good against the redness of the face and pimples Ejus virtuor and roughness of the skin CHAP. XIII Of Alume water THE affinity of the qualities minde me of another water of eximious virtues which derives its denomination from Alume which is its basis Since many Juices ingrede its confection which are better new than old it can scarce be made before or after Summer but about the end of August or the beginning of September for then the juice of Grapes is most copious and most acid being immature and therefore more accommodate to confect this water Being extrinsecally applyed it cohibits and deterges inflammations pimples and other infections of the skin adhibited also above the tongue that grows black by the acuteness of a Feaver it will not onely delete its roughness but so moderate its calour as to reduce it to its natural heat I shall here exhibit its more usual and approved description whereunto a skilfull Medick may easily adjoyn another if the particular nature or condition of any affection require it and thus it is confected ℞ Aqua aluminosa magistralis Of the juices of Plantain Purslain Grapes Roch alume ana lb. j. whites of Eggs no. xij mix them well together with a spatula and afterwards distill them in an Alembick Some by mixing the juice of Nightshade and Limons with it make it more prevalent against filth and lice and other affections of the skin and they call it the Magisterial Alume water CHAP. XIV Of a Frontal AFrontal which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Medicament which imposed on the forehead doth help the head-ach and it is often exhibited to extinguish its ardour and conciliate sleep when in long Feavers too much waking hath dejected the strength corrupted the blood and exagitated the mind For then a topical refrigerative Hypnotick applyed to the frontispiece of the head will be very salutiferous by abating the dolour mitigating the fervour tempering the blood and cohibiting the ascendent fumes Nicholaus Myrepsius tells us that a Frontal duely confected and rightly adhibited to the eyes cures lippitude and abundant fluours But we must take heed we do not adhibit humectative and refrigerative Frontals to a flegmatick brain or old men in winter especially seeing they are not meet for such in summer Quibus frontalia bene vel male conveniunt nor yet for any of a cold nature But they may be successfully applyed to young men and such as are cholerick or infested with some hot disease which alwayes causes great dolour in the head at any time But the use of Frontals is no way safe for young girls whose Cranium yet gapes and whose Vertex is yet moveable especially such as admit Vinegar in their composition which is an enemy to the brain or are endued with a narcotical or with a refrigeratory or calefactory quality or any other eximious faculty in excess They indeed are very expetible which by the first degrees change the distemper of the four qualities cohibit vapours gently soporate the senses and roborate the brain All Frontals are either somewhat humid or altogether dry the humid are of multifarious forms and consistencies for they are either made in form of an Unguent or of a Liniment or of an Opiate or of a Cerato malagma as when some oleaginous Medicaments are super-added to brayed herbs and a Frontal formed of the mixture Neither are dry Frontals uniform but confected of leaves and flowers either integral or pulverated and sowed in a double Syndon or pure cloth This Frontal is accommodate to women ℞ Of the leaves of Lettice and Betony cut small and of Rose leaves ana m. j. madefy these in Oxyrrhodino and make thereof a Frontal This Frontal will asswage the fervour of the head and conciliate sleep ℞ Conserves of Water-lillyesʒ vj. of Roses ℥ ss Fervorem mitigans somnumque concilians of the flower of Poppyes p. ij beat them together in a mortar with a little Unguent Populeon fiat Frontale CHAP. XV. Of Cataplasms and Pultises THis soft Medicament which onely extrinsecally applyed doth asswage dolour repell mollify relax and calefy as also move vacuate and digest corrupt matter is called both by Greeks and Latines Cataplasma It hath the consistency of a Pultis whence it often borrows a name though in proper loquution Puls is rather an Aliment and Cataplasma a topical Medicament which is not confected solely of Honey wherein some Simples or Compounds accommodate to that purpose have been cocted as the Antients used to make it but of Roots Herbs Meal Oil and Butter and very often and that successfully by clinical women of Milk Bread crums Oil and the yolks of Eggs to mitigate leniate and concoct And he that calls a Cataplasm thus compounded a Pultis and a Pultis made of Barley meal the mucaginous matter of Linseed and Eggs yolks a Cataplasm doth erre nothing according to Fernelius for both have the same consistency to wit a mean betwixt an Unguent and a Salve and as it were the result of both their materials compounded together both have the same method in confecture and in use Fernelius thinks that the Antients used Cataplasma and Malagms for the same thing but Galen initio lib. 7. de comp med gen according to the meaning and opinion of the Antients names those Medicaments alone Malagms which mollify parts preternaturally obdurated so that a malactical and mollitive Medicament and a Malagm do not at all differ nor constitute distinct species as 't is very probable Pultises then are constituted of Roots Leaves Stalks cocted to a putrilency Meal Fat and Oil. If dry Plants be required they must be pulverated if green cocted till they liquefy then stamped in a mortar trajected through a scarce and mucaginous fat or oleaginous matters added to the pulped matter and sometimes meal and then must they be again cocted till they acquire the crassitude of a Pultis This Cataplasm will asswage dolour and mollify obdurateness ℞ Anodynum malacticum The roots of Lillyes and Marsh-mallows ana ℥ ij Mallows Pelitory Violets ana m. ij boyl them till they become soft beat them small and pulp them through a sieve to which adde Linseed ℥ ij Oil of Lillyes ℥ 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 ℞ Briony root lb. j. Sowbread root ℥ 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
the mixtion of other things But maleolent things though tempered with the ambient air are averse to the brain both in quality and substance according to Galen cap. 10. lib. de instrum odorat which Aristotle also confirms whil'st cap. 24. lib. 8. de Hist Anim. he sayes that Women may become abortive at the smell of an extinguished Candle Seeing then that suaveolent Odours are consocial to the spirits and their familiar Pabulum the Physician will not onely acquire praise of the Vulgar by being perfumed but he will be better able to prescribe Odoraments both to roborate the spirits and defend sanity Now they are either described in form of an Unguent or of a Pomander or of Trochisks or of Powder An Odorament in form of Powder is thus confected ℞ Calamus Aromaticusʒ iij. Orris Florentineʒ ij Storax Benioin anaʒ j. Roses ℈ ij Clovesʒ ss Mosch Amber anaʒ ss make of these a Powder Our later Physicians extoll an Odorament they call the * Damask Powder Cyprian Odour or the Violet Odour which being variously described every one calls a suaveolent or fragrant Powder or the Cyprian or Violet Powder An Odorament in form of an Unguent may be easily made if you put the above described Powder in Oil Amber and Wax that it may acquire a fit consistency Or thus ℞ Yellow Saenders Calamus Aromaticus Squinant Cinnamon anaʒ j. Storax Benioin Mace anaʒ ss Waxʒ iij. Ol. Moschelini q. s fiat unguento Or thus ℞ Mace Cinnamon anaʒ ss Benioin ℈ ij Civet Mosch Amber ana ℈ ss Camphor gr 5. with Oil of Almonds make it up into an Unguent An Odorate mass also may be made of select Aromataes whereof Pomanders or Trochisks may be formed whose suaveolence is of great esteem as ℞ Citron pill dry Cinnamon Labdanum anaʒ j. Storaxʒ ij Mace Cloves Lignum Aloes Orris anaʒ ss Camphor ℈ j. Mosch Civet Amber ana ℈ ss with musilidge of Gum Traganth make it into a mass of which make Pomanders or Trochisks CHAP. XXVII Of Perfumes and Suffumigatories ALL sweet Odours exhilarate the spirits but many will not communicate their scent save by fire and therefore such are set over burning coals or otherwise so calefied that they emit their odours plentiously Thus did the first Adorers of a Deity make their Incense Sacrifice thus do Physicians confect their Perfumes for sanity and thus do the Courtiers confect theirs for pleasure Yet the matter of Perfumes is not alwayes injected upon coals but sometimes put into a brasen or silver pot which the Vulgar call a Cassolet Corula Cassoleta together with water of Roses or Oranges laying quick coals under it that it may boyl and with its vapour fill and perfume the whole house A Perfume is either humid or dry and both either for pleasure or sanity the humid may easily be made and is very familiar to delicate women who being sick or taking purgative Medicaments perfume their Cubicles with the pills of Oranges Lemmons Cloves Cinnamon and Rose water mixed together and put in a Cassolet over the fire The dry ones are more frequently confected by Apothecaries at the Phyficians precept either for pleasure or profit Those who through epicurism and voluptuousness profusely spend their Fathers means most accustome delicious Perfumes Those whose spirits want refection brains roboration hearts exhilaration and bodies vindication from some extrinsecal malignity require sanitiferous Perfumes Now Perfumes help the lungs stuffed with abundance of flegm Suffitus quibus affectionibus conveniat and yet they are not convenient to all diseases and affections about the breast for Aetius cap. 144. tetr ser 3. saith that they do harm such as spit blood by opening the vessels neither yet are they convenient for those who have some dry disease about their breasts but they eximiously conduce to such as are pursy orthopnoical and whose breasts are infested with many crude humours as also to such as labour under the French disease Lues Indica suffitu nonnunquam curatur if they be duely confected of idoneous Medicaments which will abject the poyson of that distemper by frequent salivation and be exhibited after the body hath been vacuated by universal remedies And they are most frequently used in form of a pretty crass Powder as thus to roborate and siccate the brain ℞ Storax Benioin anaʒ j. ss Gum of Juniper Frankincense anaʒ j. Cloves Cinnamon ana ℈ iij. the leaves of Bayes Sage Rosemary anaʒ ss make of all these a gross Powder and then put a part thereof upon burning coals that the diseased may expire the suffigated fume This Perfume will stop the humour that delabes from the brain to the lungs ℞ Cypress nuts Balaustians Ladanum anaʒ j. Rosesʒ ij Mirtle berries and Mastich anaʒ j. ss make gross Powder for Fumigation This Fumigation made after this manner doth wonderfully roborate the heart and resartiate the spirits ℞ A Cordial Fume Calamus Aromaticus Xyloaloes Squinant Cinnamon anaʒ j. Storax Benioin anaʒ j. ss Mace Cloves anaʒ ss Roses Marjoran ana ℈ ij Aliptae Moschataeʒ ij pulverize them for a fume A mass may be confected of these Powders with some dust of small coals and a fit liquor which may be formed into Pastills or Birds or Cloves which we commonly call Cyprian Birds which take fire without flame and exhale a suaveolent fume and they are thus confected ℞ Benioin ℥ j. Storax ℥ ij Ladanum ℥ ss Aliptae Moschataeʒ iij. small Coal ℥ ij beat all these into a fine Powder and with Gum Traganth dissolved in Rose water make them up into a paste of which form little Birds Cloves or what you please Hippocrates lib. de nat mulicb advises women whose flowers stay twice every day to receive the fume of a Suffiment through a tunnel pipe into their privities and it will move flowers To which end such must first be elected as calefy in the first or at most in the second degree afterwards more vehement may be used yet with this caveat that too sharp ones be not exhibited lest the head be burthened or the neck of the uterus ulcerated Hip. lib. de superfoetatione Perfumes are destined to deduce the vessels and to draw the uterus towards the orifice that the blood may easily profluate But seeing the cunctation of flowers proceeds from the durity and siccity of the uterus the matter of Perfumes must be received in some idoneous liquor whereby the uterus may be humectated as in Wax simple or odorate Oil Turpentine Ladanum or Gum of Tragacanthum that Pastills may be formed thereof which when use requires may be injected upon burning coals or rather ashes as Aristotle in his Problems thinks more convenient as thus ℞ The roots of Sow-bread Asarum Orris Myrrhe Bdellium anaʒ j. Storaxʒ iij. * Nigella Romana A Fumigation to move a womans flowers by sitting over the Fume and receiving it into her Privities Roman Gith ʒ ij Cinnamon Cloves anaʒ j. Savin Marjoran Calamint Dictamus ana ℈ ij
Arist c. 2. l. 1. de anima who called Water the Soul of the World and Hippocrates also Aqua ignis vita principia who constituted Water and Fire the principle of life But Hippon meant by Water sperm Hippocrates the radical moysture Now the Water whereof we now treat that is necessary to Mankinde either to quench his thirst or to coct and confect Aliments and Medicaments is elementary often designed with the name of the frigid Element And it is either fontane fluvial puteal or pluvial and cysternial It is called fontane water à fundendo because it is poured out of the earth which is preferred as most wholsome Yet some fountains are impaired for passing through the bowels of the earth they require aliene faculties for they mutuate their odour or sapour from the places through which they permeate Thus some which are trajected through sulphureous passages are so hot that they may not be used others because of those veins of Alume and involutions of Vitriol are so acid and ingratefull that a thirsty man would not taste them In Germany beyond Rhene there is a fountain of sweet water whereof if one drink his teeth will fall out within two years In many parts of France there are Medicinal Waters of aliene insuave and strange sapours as the Pucensian Wells whereunto people flock in multitudes yearly and return successfully But I purpose not here to treat of these it shall suffice me to shew at present what qualities water that is potable and requisitely necessary to an Apothecary in confecting Medicaments should be endued withall Now such water according to Aristotle lib. de sensu sensib should in it self be the mixture matter and seminary of all spours or as Galen c. 15. l. 1. c. 2. l. 2. de alim writes should be insipid voyd of all qualities and most light but not in weight as some would hence inferr for then Snow-water would be best because lightest which we know to be unwholsome but it should be of tenuious parts quickly calefied and quickly refrigerated such as fontane and fluvial water is if it be pure in defect whereof rain water by Galen's advice lib. de Ptis may be assumed especially to the confection of Hydromel Yet our Colledge at Paris judge Cisternine waters unwholsome as being dead and having contracted some vice from the air from the spout through which and from the trough into which they delabe for the shower that proceeds from air of an inquinated pestilentious and putrified quality must needs participate thereof the shower that washes the sides of houses must needs be infected with corruption or other filth especially if it wan◠motion which is the foul of water The shower that is contained in a Cistern though well grounded with sand must needs be corrupted especially when abundance of impure water delabes for then the sand will putrify and inquinate it Hence the water afterwards running out of that Cistern is endued with a very bad odour and sapour and is useless The very condition of rain accelerates its corruption which being partaker of the airs lenity is quickly corrupted Yea many Authors of credit have writ that many Fishes have received detriment by rain as the Muller or Cestreus whose eyes are white and they at that time very macilent The best water therefore is fontane fluvial and puteal water so it be not muddy nor ferid but insipid that is endued with no manifest quality nor mixed with any aliene sapour as of Salt Nitre Sulphur Bitumen Alome or others of that kinde Gal. comment ad part 10. lib. 4. epid CHAP. II. Of Wine THE antient Romanes sacrificing to their Gods continually offered Wine whence the Poet Redduntur merito debita vina Jovi For saith Plato they dedicated Wine to the Gods that they might expell all cares from Men and fill their hearts with gladness for Bacchus is the rest bringing God to afflicted Mortals Natures Storehouse contains nothing better than Wine which is the best Balsame to cure wounds the most excellent Cordial to refresh the spirits and the most eximious Aliment to nourish the body which its name seems to denote for it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is from helping according to that of Homer If thou drinkest thou wilt finde help for it letificates marts heart exhilarates his minde makes his age florid takes away sadness cherishes native calour calefies his bowels helps concoction roborates the stomack takes away obstructions prepares the passages for the exclusion of the excrements moves urine resarciates the spirits discusses flatuosity obtunds frigid poysons attenuates cocts and discusses crass humours And that I may comprehend its immense dignity in a few words Wine is the blood of the earth old mens milk life issuing from the Vine that conserves life in others yea and suppeditates them Aqua vitae whence Alchymists call it the Elixar of life All which when the Greek Poer had experienced and acknowledged as most true he did with such alacrity adore Wine for Laudibus arguitur vine vinosus Homerus that he thereby attained not onely the knowledge of abstruse Sciences but alsomost eximious eloquence for Faecundi calices quem non fecere disertum For as it is vulgarly received Wine acuates the ingenuity and rouses the spirits Eunium Aeschylum non scripsisse carniina nisi vino fuerint madidi for which cause the Poet Ennius would never betake himself to the description of Verses unless he were first well madefied with Wine Aeschylus also never accinged himself to write Tragedies unless he had first imbibed himself with Wine It is also storied of Lampris that being then most apt to speak and answer to the purpose and discreetly when he had ingurgitated much wine He was wont to say of himself that he was like Frank incense which never emits its suaveolence till it be well calefied In wine there is eloquence in wine verity in wine alacrity for this as the Proverb hath it will make an old Wife dance It was a Piacle among the Hebrews to abstain from wine and a custome among the Persians never to treat and decrae of any serious matters till they had been well drunk Alex. ab Alex. yet Galen saith of Plato that he never permitted Souldiers nor Servants nor Princes nor such as were to consult about any matter to drink wine liberally because it would tyrannize over the faculties of the soul and taken in excess enervate the strength and destroy sanity Whence Hippocrates saith that in wine is sickness and sanity moderation and ferity peace and war according to that of the Poet Vinum alit lites lites dissolvit easdem Wine therefore is adiaphorous and indifferent good or evil Vinum sanis robur as its use is good or evil And as it is sanity and strength to the sane so it is infirmity to the infirm and especially to such as are distempered from a hot cause There are many sorts
or Butter and applyed to the region of the reins it eases the dolour of the gravel there and accelerates its exclusion by reserating the passages and therefore it is duely instituted by Fernelius an Ingredient in the confection of the syrup of Althea CHAP. XV. Of Bete and Arach BEte is either red Beta Atriplex which they commonly call the black Bete or white or yellow for so many sorts are found by their colours Now the red Bete is twofold one is our common red Bete which is not distinct from others in root or leaves but onely in colour the other is the Romane Bete which is somewhat blacker having a very crass root like Rape whence it is called Bete-rape and by many very properly Erythrorise by Fuchius the red Rape but very improperly The white is received most in meats yet its juice may well be used in Errhins for its nitrous faculty will deduce flegm out of the brain And hence we may gather that Bete is not so fatuous and insipid as Martial thought for it troubles and loads the stomack and nourishes little and therefore few but Rusticks and poor people eat it unless it be to move the belly and especially the white which moves and exonerates the belly as the red doth the bladder and therefore it is most accommodate to the confection of Diacassia Atriplex commonly called Arrochy by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not without reason reckoned amongst the mollitive Herbs for amongst Pot-herbs none subduces the belly more efficaciously and easily than it For it refrigerates in the first degree humectates in the second and is voyd of all sapour it is of a watry and uliginous nature and therefore quickly permeates the inferiour parts and opens the belly CHAP. XVI Of the five Capillaries and first of the true Maidens-hair THere are five Herbs which have much affinity one with another to wit the true Capillus Veneris or true Maidens-hair Capill Vener the common Maidens hair Asplenium or Wall-fern Citrarch Herbae capillares unde habeant nomen commonly called Polytrick or Spleen-wort and Salvia Vita or Wall-rue Some would have Epithymus and Bind-weed or Dodder to be true Capillaries because they resemble hairs and Capillaments whereas these five Herbs are not called Capillaries so much from their external form as that faculty wherewith they colour hairs and resartiate their defect The true Maiden-hair is most frequently found in the Narbonian Tract sometimes but seldome in other colder parts of France that which in one year flourished at Lutetia in the Garden of Joannes Gomerius the expert Apothecary the rigour of the Winter killed ere another year circulated It is a small Herb without stalk flower and seed growing in mountainous rocky shady moyst places and in the brinks of fountains in stead of a stalk it hath many hairs whereon small slender leaves not unlike the leaves of Coriander do adhere whence Mesue calls it the Coriander of the sountain But the name Adiantum was given it as Theophrastus attests because being long infused in water as all the other sorts of Capillaries also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. it will not be madefied But this assertion fails in long maceration for being long immerged in water it will be madid as other Herbs Galen lib. 6. de simplic med saith that Adiantum Vires as to calidity and frigidity is symmetral it deficcates extenuates digests repairs the loss of fallen hairs discusses swellings and impostumes being drunk it breaks stones and admirably helps all the affections of the breast liver reins and spleen Its virtues are profusely described by Mesue c. 20. de simpl CHAP. XVII Of Common Maiden-hair BEsides the true Adiantum De Adianto vulgari which is the proper Maidens-hair Theophrastus cap. 13. lib. 7. makes mention of two other small Plants of the same name to wit white and black Adiantum both whose branches are of a nitent black colour their leaves alike to wit rugged thick and one side consperged with little red spots their faculties similar but the one putting forth little stalks or nerves blacker than the other is called black Adiantum Their mistake is damnable to the sick who instead of each desume Dryopteris of Oak-fern Some credulous persons think it a miracle that Adiantum infused in water should not be madefied but should so withstand its humidity as alwayes to appear dry from which event it desumed this denomination but its longer demersion in water shews the contrary Some think it so called rather because it is not madefied with the descent of rain like as we see in Fern or because it thrives in the margins of fountains and walls that encompass waters and yet cannot endure to be touched by water as we see Swallows which delight to build their nests in mens houses but will not suffer themselves to be handled by men Adiantum emits out of its slender root compacted of small filaments certain exile sprigs strait half a hand high and sometimes longer sometimes of a whiter sometimes of a blacker green circumvested with little soft leaves after the manner positure and rite of a fern but much more small more green on one side less on another and maculated with some spots It grows best in opake places it is alwayes green never scatters its leaves but is destitute of all flowers and seed Its faculties are commended for many purposes for it prohibites the falling of hairs and repairs their loss it helps such as are pursy and short breath'd it moves flowers discusses swelling in the neek and produces the same effect with true Maidens-hair or Capilus Veneris CHAP. XVIII De Polytricho or of Polytriche AS three Plants are comprehended under this one name Adiantum so three names design one Plant. Polytrichus For perite Herbalists take Trichomanes Polytrichum and Callitrichum are all the same Herb for Trichomanes is by the Romanes called a Capillary because it compleats the place voyd of hairs Polytrichum is so called because it makes the hair come thicker and Callitrichum because it makes the hair more comly Ruel c. 133. l. 3. Some call this Herb Pinula others Filicula and some Adiantum It grows upon walls and in opake and shady places and about the margins of fountains or in dens as Adiantum doth It s root is small and black out of which there issues little nitid rigid dusky sprigs like Capillaments It hath leaves on both sides very orderly disposed and adversly pediculated like to Lentils in magnitude and form but more tenuious and maculated underneath with ferrugineous spots It neither bears seed nor flowers like Adiantum wherewith also it agrees in reference to its faculties CHAP. XIX Of Ceterach or Spleen-wort ALL the society of Pharmacopolists stood long in this errour Ceterach that Scolopendrium and Heminionis commonly called Harts-tongue were one and the same Plant till better informed either by the bare words or writings of Physicians they were
Of some eximious Flowers from which most efficacious Waters and Oils are extracted and first of Roses ROse is so common spontaneously growing in every hedge that it cannot but be known There are two sorts hereof one wild which is called Cynorrhodon or Dog-rose the other Garden-rose which we call Rose absolutely whereof there are many sorts to wit red white pale incarnate luteous ceruleous which grows in many places in Italy and the mosellate Rose which flourishes in Autumn Other varieties may be educed out of these by art and mangony but three onely are used in Medicine to wit white red and damask waters are distilled out of the white Honey of Roses Conserve Oil and Unguent of the red and Syrup laxative are made of the damask There are many parts in Roses to wit the flower the stalk capillaments granules little flowers the calix the seed the daun Some call those little flowers that adhere to the capillaments Anthera but Anthera properly is a compound Medicament used to the affections of the mouth as it appears by Actuarius c 7. l. 6. meth med by Celsus c. 11. l. 6. by Oribasius and Marcellus All Roses have not the same faculty for the pale relax the red astringe both roborate as also the common white and sweet Roses for all sweet odours recreate and refresh the spirits as also those vital and animal parts that hold the principality CHAP. XXXIX Of Nymphea or Water-Lilly THis Nymphea which the Poets feign to have sprung from a dead Nymph that was jealous of Hercules is the most used of all water-plants in Medicine whereof Pharmacopolists make two sorts one greater which bea rt white flowers the other less which bears luteous flowers Both grow in standing waters and fens The greater hath ample round and green leaves gracile long smooth and round stalks white flowers in candour and magnitude resembling Lillyes and yellow in the middle a black nodous and long root some call it Water Lilly some Neâ—â—â—â—ar and others Heraclea The lesser grows in a slimy watty soyl on slender stalks about three cubits long whereon a yellow shining flower grows like a Rose its root is white nodous sharp and sweet Nymphea refrigerates exceedingly asswages salacity Vires retains the immoderate flux of the seed and being drunk and exhibited by way of liniment it quite extinguishes the seed it conciliates sleep and wholly takes away Venery if its decoction or conserve or syrup made of its flowers be long used CHAP. XL. Of Lilly Lilly is by some of the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by others who believe that it was produced by Juno her milk it is called Juno's Rose in Garlands it is placed next to the Rose for its eximious candour suaveolence and elegant form illustrate its dignity This Plant is very fecund for one root will produce and nourish fifty heads It consists commonly of one stalk two cubits high and sometimes higher comous with leaves like Ragwort but something longer twined and green with a flower in form of a basket whole labra constitute a circle out of which bottom issue shining tufts like yellow yearn and whose extremity is tuberous This broad and elegant flower adhering to a small slender and languid peduncle and another to a crass and rigid branch encompassed with leaves which withers about the end of Summer and buds again at the beginning of Autumn There are many sorts of Lillyes for besides the white and common which is so called absolutely there is another they call the white Byzantian Lilly which hath got its distinction from the place where it grows another there is of a cruent colour another yellow another light red There is also a small Lilly they call the Lilly of the Valley and there is a great one they call the Persian Lilly or more commonly the Imperial Crown which the Barbarians of Tusat whereunto we may adde the Day-Lilly Chalcedony Byrantine and such like whereof now to treat were beyond our institution The root of white Lilly is malactical and anodynous and of much use in decocting glysters and confecting emollitive and matter moving Cataplasms An Oil also may be extracted out of the flowers infused for the same purposes Their water also distilled will take wrinkles out of ones face and make it of a very white colour CHAP. XLI Of Crocus or Saffron WE referr to the order of these eximious flowers Saffron the golden coloured red flower of a bulbous Plant which the Physicians call Crocus the French men following the idiome of the Mauritanians Saffron But it is a bulbous Plant lively and carnous whose leaf is narrow and gramineous whose flower is like meadow Hermodactyle with filaments of a purple and golden colour and whose odour is intense with some sharpness It grows best about fountains and high-wayes rejoycing to be torn and trod upon which as they say comes better on by being killed But the best of all grows in Corycus a Mountain of Cilicia for its odour is more fragrant and its colour more aureous It is green in the Spring it dilates it self all Summer in Autumn are its flowers gathered which are not usurped for medicinary and culinary uses solely but many more when any aureous colour is desired Now Crocus is either domestick whereof Dioscorides enumerates many sorts or sylvestrian whereof Dodonaeus describes more all which for brevities sake I omit It is hot in the second degree dry in the first Vires if moderately used it helps the brain refocillates the senses excites sleep and torpour by recreating the heart it begets joyfulness draws the humours to concoction and much profits him that knows how to use it with prudence Mesue makes an Oil thereof which ingredes the confection of the Emplaster made of Frogs It goes also to other compositions as to the Syrup of King Sabor and to the Oxycrocean Emplaster whereunto it gives not onely colour but also eximious faculties SECTION II. Of Purgative Simples The Preface OUR former Section being finished wherein we have clearly unfolded and explained such common Simples as are as it were Preparatives and occur every where to the composition of Medicaments we will proceed therefore in the next place to describe such Catharticks as purge humours by subdacing the belly and they are such as are given sometimes by themselves alone or mingled with such Compositions as are prescribed in our Shop And these are for the most part exetical and forreign conveyed to us dry from savage and barbarous Regions Yet some we have growing with us especially in hot Regions net they do not retain the same virtues and qualities that the other have but come far short and therefore it is that they are rejected and the forreign which are brought from India and Arabia used Notwithstanding our Soyl is not altogether so ungratefull but the it affords many excellent purging Simples as we shall here demonstrait in this Section CHAP. I. Of Rhabarb MAny of the Antients put no difference
crass and frigid humours CHAP. IX Of Polypody POlypody is so tearmed because many knots and tubercles like the Fishes called Polypi grow on its roots It is also called Dentropteris or tree fern because it grows on trees and sometimes on umbrous stones mossy walls and such humid places It is an herb without stalk flower and seed consisting onely of a root and leaves like masculine fern but lesser and maculated on the under side with yellow spots It s root is hirsute and long about the crassitude of a little finger extending it self obliquely and exasperated with many lumps within it is porraceous and virid like a Pastick nut its sapour is very sweet subamare austere and somewhat aromatical but it doth not much affect the tongue It doth not calefy in the third degree as Mesue thought but it 's probable that it exsiccates in the second it deterges digests and ficcates crass and viscid humours educes melancholick and viscid flegm and that even from the articles if it be copiously assumed It sustains much coction and is seldome given alone but mixed with other purgatives which may adauge its imbecil purgative faculty The broth of an old Cock the decoction of Bete or Mallows much augment its purgative faculty It helps also some affections when it is externally applyed Diosc c. 188. l. 4. CHAP. X. Of Carthamus Bastard or Spanish Saffron AS the nomenclature of Cartham denotes this herb to be purgative so doth Enicus shew it spinous For Cartham is a Plant which as to its faculty is subductive and to its cognation of the sorts of Carduus It assurges on a stalk two cubits high and more which is strait hard ligneous and towards the top ramous Its leaves are long broad from the middle to the stalk acuminated towards the top and aculeated in their ambient The extremities of the branches produce some round heads about the magnitude of Olives obduced with many spinous skins which emit Saffron-colour'd flowers so like them of Crocus that most perspicacious eyes may be deceived in them hence the Vulgar call it the wild Crocus To these succeed long smooth white angulous and splendent seeds effigiated like them of Heliotrope whose cortex is hard and medulla or pith white fat and sweet Cartham is by the Seplasiaries called wild Crocus by the Medicks Cnicum whereof there are two sorts the one sative or vulgar the other wild whereof Theophrastus makes two sorts also the one with a strait caul which women use for distaffs which according to Ruellius c. 155. l. 3. is a kinde of thistle and wild Cartham the other lower grosser and more hirsute which they call Carduus Benedictus of which elsewhere Carthamus seed is purgative Vires for its very pith solely assumed is flegmagogous and mixed with other Medicaments expurges lent and frigid humours but that it calefies not in the third degree sense demonstrates contrary to Galen's opinion CHAP. XI Of Wallwort or Dwarf-Elder WAllwort and Elder are so similar Ebulus that they seem to differ solely in magnitude whence Dioscorides calls them both Elders the one the Arboreous Elder the other the Dwarf-Elder Elder grows into a tall tree sometimes whose boughs and bole are hollow medullous and round like reeds first green then cineritious ligneous and hard Sambucus its leaves are like them of a Wallnut tree but graveolent and in their ambient frequently incided Its flowers are many small white and elegantly composed into heads whose consequents are turgent berries of a sanguineous colour The Elder germinates first of wild trees and is last denudated of its leaves But Wall-wort or Dwarf-Elder is more herbaceous and low whose stalk is neither ligneous nor perpetual but annually tabefying and dying It grows best in moyst and fat soyls especially if they be incultivated Its leaves are ample and incided about Its flowers composed into heads are numerous white odorate not fetid Its fruits like Elders are small round black and pregnant with juice and seed Its roots are crass long and carnous out of its fruits in Autumn they get small seeds which they keep in their Pharmacopolies Both its roots and seeds are hydragogous and very apertive and therefore usefull in hydroptical and watry diseases CHAP. XII Of Esula or Devils milk THere are seven sorts of Tithymals enumerated amongst the lacteous Plants whereunto Esulae are congenerate Esula for they are all lacteous and purge flegm with griping and molestation yet Esula is by the Rusticks taken for Rhabarb and so frequently used to the valitude of many and the death of more It is called Esula or Caula by the Arabians Alsebran by Diascorides Peplus by the Shopmen Esula rotunda because its small leaves are orbiculated It grows in vineyards hedge sides and many incultivated places Another Plant which Dioscorides calls Peplion and Peplis and some water Plantain hath much cognation and the same virtues with this Esula The round and lesser Esula is better than the greater which hath leaves like Tithymal Esula is hot Vires sharp and ulcerative violently educing flegm its substance being tenuious is igneous sharp incisive tenuative fusive apertive and siccative Besides flegm it draws also choler from the junctures It s ferity is castigated by infusion in vinegar as we have shewed in Officina c. 8. l. 2. or by admistion of some cordials or roberatives CHAP. XIII Of Hermodactyls HErmodactyls Hermodactylus and Colchian Ephemora are bulbous Plants similar in form in faculties dissimilar for * Quick-fading flower Ephemerum is strangulative in one day suffocating the assumer and no way subducing the belly in purging whereas Hermodactyls are no way perilous and yet expurge orderly flegm from the junctures There is also indigenous Ephemerum which some call wild Leeks or meadow Cracus whose leaves are but three or four long broad smooth The difference between Hermodactyls and Ephemerum and fat ones whose flowers are in colour and form like them of Crocus issuing out at the same time to wit in Autumn It s root is like an Onion it grows in meadows and moyst places it is by some erroneously usurped for Hermodactyle for this being exsiccated is flaccid feeble and not at all purgative nor yet pernicious as the Colchian Ephemerum which is strangulative whereas Hermodactyle is exotical and not flaccid as this but hard compact and easily pulverable which educes humours from the remote parts and junctures of the assumer Now one sort of Ephemerum is lethal and strangulative to wit the Colchian another not strangulative to wit our indigenous one a third purgative and safe to wit the Syrian which in Pharmacopolies is called Hermodactyla Hermodactyle calefies and siccates in the beginning of the second degree Vires yet with such excrementitious flatulent and nauseative humidity that it makes the ventricle aversant to it especially then when the commoved humours with one conflux come upon it It draws flegm and other viscid humours even from the
and the Death of Plants by the Persians Fel terrae as that which superates all other Plants in amaritude and according to Mesue infects its neighbours poysonously It creeps out of the earth like sative Cucurbite its leaves are also like thereunto ample and lanuginous its branches long and serpentine its flowers of a dusky pale colour like them of Cucumbers whereof some dye presently producing no fruit others suppeditate round apples in the form of an indifferent ball very bitter fungous pithy and gravidated with seeds like them of Cucumbers which at first are green but when they have attained to Autumn and their perfect magnitude they are pale They are alwayes very bitter and kill not onely the vicine Plants but with adustion affect the earth about them as Mesue relates at large who writes much of Colocynthis which I thinking to be of small moment will not rescribe It calefies and siccates in the third degree Vires attracting pituitous and other crass humours from all parts as the brain nerves muscles and articles though very remote It purges Choler also and often prosperously cures the colical colour Apoplexy Vertigo Epilepsy difficulty of breathing and many other affections which more clement Medicaments cannot help Let him that would know more read Mesue c. 4. l. 2. de simpl med purg There is a kinde of sylvestrian and erratical Cucumber Cucumber asinius which the Shopmen call sometimes asinine sometimes anguine Cucumber whose leaves branches and flowers differ not much from the former But in Fruits they are alien for this produces not round spongious and white apples as the former but long acorns somewhat green which having acquired their perfect magnitude will presently leap away at the light contrectation of ones finger The juice drawn out of this and coacted makes the Elatery we spoke of before CHAP. XVIII Of Mezereon and Chamelaea or Widow-wail and Spurge-olive MAny through too much oscitancy confound Mezereon Widow-wail Spurge-olive Dwarf-bay Thymelaea Chamelaea and Chameleo niger Thymelaea indeed and Chamelaea are affine both in form and nature But black Chameleon differs from them both for they are shrubby Plants emitting tenuious rigid and ligneous branches with small leaves like Pomegranate leaves but black Chameleon is of the family of Thistles bearing leaves like Artichoke but lesser more tenuious and spinous whose root according to Galen is of a poysonous nature This Plant is called Mezereon by the Arabians because it is venenate for Mezereon is as much as viduifical or widow-making Plant otherwise called the Lion of the earth whose stalk is elevated about two cubits above the earth its leaves are like them of an Olive but greater its grain is like Myrrhe The Commentators upon Mesue are altogether ignorant which is this Plant but it seems to be some kinde of Chamelaea especially that which bearing three grains coherent is called Tricoccos And as in many kinds of Plants some are familiar to us and natural others pernicious so in the society of Chamelaeas one is efferous participating of some malign quality which we call Mezereon or Almezerion another better and less formidable which may be safely exhibited in Medicine And it is called Chamelaea or Spurge-Olive for it is much like an Olive a shrubby surculous Herb with slender boughs about a cubit long with leaves like an Olive tree but lesser bitter sharp and mordacious affecting and ulcerating the tongue It s fruit is small round in the beginning green afterwards red The whole Plant is acrimonious and of an adustive faculty Vires it leaves saith Dioscorides detract flegm and bile especially when assumed in Pills for so are they most successfully usurped CHAP. XIX Of Thymelaea or Spurge-flax THymelaea which some without reason call Cneorum or Cnestrum is a shrub whereon Coccum Gnidium grows emitting specious slender boughs of two cubits length with leaves like Chamelaea but more narrow and very glutinous and fat with white and sometimes red small frequent flowers on the summities of its rods whose consequents are certain small grains they call Pepper of the Mount which at first are green then Orange colour round like berries whose husks are black without white within The whole Plant Vires especially its leaves and fruits are acrimonious calefactive and adustive wherefore they should be prepared with vinegar its leaves should be gathered in the dog-dayes dryed in a shade and preserved its leaves and fruits purge flegm watry and serous humours CHAP. XX. Of Laurel THere grows in many woods a wild Plant spontaneously that hath more cognation with the three former in faculty than in form which is also nourished in many Gardour and hath from the pulchritude of its leaves got the name Eupetalon from their similitude with Bay Laurel and Chamedaphne It grows in groves incultivated mountainous and rough places as also in many opake and umbrous places in France It s root emits many crass obsequious branches circumvested with a crass bark with long broad carnous smooth splendent sad green leaves like Bay-leaves but lesser and softer and many long cave and candid flowers about the tops of the branches its fruits or black berries pregnant with stones grows immediately to the root of the leaves Laurel depurges flegm Vires and serous humours conduces to the head-ach dropsy and such affections as proceed from these humours But it must not be rashly exhibited but as it is duely prepared and prescribed by a perite Physician for it hath an efferous quality whereby it offends the bowels and intrals CHAP. XXI Of Ricinus or Palma Christi RIcinus is so called Palma Christi from the similitude of its seed to a little filthy Animal most offensive to Cattle It is also called Cici Croton Lupa Myrasola Kerva Palma Christi and in Arabick Albemesuch This Herb in form and figure represents a tree for its leaves emulate Fig leaves its caul and boughs are concave like reeds its flowers mossy and pallid its fruits are triangular coherent in clusters and maculous whose exteriour core is sharp and spinous but within they are full of a candid fat pith or sap out of which the torcular will express Oil not onely for Lucerns but other uses for Dioscorides asserts that it will purge the belly and kill worms It is also good to cure the scab ulcers in the head and suffocation in the uterus It is certain that Ricinus is calefactive and siccative in the second degree and that it will purge the belly twenty grains hereof or a little more or less according to the strength and age of the Assumer cleansed brayed and drunk will deject bile and water by stool CHAP. XXII Of Sea-Colewort or Soldanella SOldanella comprehends two different Plants under it Sea Bind weed the one is very like the vulgar in form but its leaves are perdifolious it germinates every year and produces new leaves it is called Brassica multiflora Monospermos The other is very dissimilar and thought to
be of the family of Wood-binds from its effigies its seed is mucagineous black hard and angulous its faculty is hydragogous and it much conduces to the hydroptical assument And though it be an enemy to the stomack yet duely administred and mixed with other Medicaments it roborates the intrals educes watry humours without violence and is a good ingredient for that eximious Hydragogal Medicament we have heretofore described Our Land is nobilitated with many more purgative Simples as the Aller tree Rhamnus which we call Buck-thorn which I will not here congest because they are either seldome used or that they do not ingrede our compositions SECTION III. Of Exotical Calefactives The Preface THE all-seeing providence of God hath thought good to bless the remotest part of the East India with better Medicaments than Physicians Plants of such rare worth and admirable virtue that Medicks of a more polish life and conversation of greater learning and experience than those rude Barbarians have to their perpetual renown demonstrated their virtues and operations and by long use and observation have found them fortunately successfull in many desperate distempers What shall we say do we not daily receive multifarious and innumerable Plants from divers parts of the East and West Sweet-swelling-Aromaticks heart-reviving-Cardiacks and body-warming-Calefactives to which our Microcosm is perpetually obliged of which we are about now to treat And we intend to fix our discourse first upon those that are calefactive in the highest degree afterwards handle such as are less and lastly speak to those that have a middle quality or moderation between both CHAP. I. Of Ginger GINGER is a Plant so called Ginger which we borrow of the Barbarians like our water Flower-de-luce but its leaves are blacker its root extends it self with internodian genicles which emits arundinaceous leaves From whence the best Ginger comes twice or thrice repeated each year It grows in many parts of India whether sown or planted That we count best that comes from Malavar where it is most frequent and diligently cultivated else it is not good When it is effoded they leave an internodium thereof in the hole for the perennity of the Plant for the piece occluded will germinate the next year producing new roots and leaves This root while tender cut into small pieces will eat pleasantly with vinegar oil and salt but it comes not to us till it be dry or condited for it is too efferous for our soyl We shall hereafter declare what difference there is among Ginger Zerumbet and Zedoaria Ginger calefies in the third degree it helps concoction and roborates the weak ventricle but its use is now more rare than it hath been formerly for it is scarce admixed to any Condiments onely used in the castigation of some Medicaments CHAP. II. Of Zerumbet ZErumbet or Zumbert Zedoaria and Ginger are peregrine Plants of near cognation but not all known to all men For the Arabian Serapio c. 172. l. de simpl from the assertion of Isaac saith that Zerumbet and Zedoaria are one Afterwards he asserts that Zerumbet are round roots like Aristolochy of the colour and sapour of Ginger And in another place c. 271. ejusd libri he writes that it is a great tree in the Mountains of the East-Indies Avicenna l. 2. tract 2. c. 247. saith that Zerumbet is a wood like Cypress Some think it is Arnabo Arnabo quid whereof Paulus Aeginus makes mention c. 3. l. 6. but they mistake for it is the opinion of many that Arnabo is a tall tree that is suaveolent or as others think that Arnabo is the name of a Plant that is now known by some other name But Zerumbet is a graminaceous Plant either sative How it differs from Ginger that grows in the Province of Malavar or spontaneous which grows in some woody places of that Countrey and is there called wild Ginger Garcias Because its form and root hath much affinity with Ginger But all in Zerumbet are larger for its leaves are longer and broader its roots more crass which after their effossion are cut and dryed and so conveyed to Arabia afterwards into Europe Round Zedoaria may justly be substituted in stead of Zerumbet for it is probable that both Plants are of the same name nature and genus and differ no more than long and round Cyperus Zerumbet is much commended against Poysons Vires it exhilarates the heart roborates and conserves the intrals CHAP. III. Of Zedoaria or Set-wall BY the names Zador Set wall Zeduar Geiduar and Zadura we are to understand the vulgar Zedoaria which Mesue saith is a round root resembling Ginger but more odorate and withall bitter and not so sharp and hot as Ginger It is brought from the Countrey of Sina and the extreams of India it is related to Zerumbet but more vulgar and notorious but neither Plant have been seen whole by any almost in Europe Avicenna saith Zedoaria is like Cyperus others say it is like Costus of which hereafter but all Aromatical Simples are more similar in virtue and power than in form and effigies Zedoaria is hot and dry in the second degree Vires it discusses flatuosity cures the bitings of poysonous Animals helps the colical dolour kills maw-worms and is a good ingredient in Actidotes CHAP. IV. Of Galangal THere are two sorts of Galangal the greater and the lesser both growing in the same soyl but the lesser which is more odoriferous fruticates more plenteously in the Region of Sina Major the greater in Javar and Malabar and it is two cubits high and higher if sown in fat ground Its leaves are almost two cubits long more green above than below its caul is circumvested with the convolution of the leaves its flower is white and inodorate its seed small its root about the head crass bulbous and nodous like that of reeds in other parts it is very like Ginger and it is propagated in like manner to wit by root and not by seed though it thrives very well that is sown it seems to be very like * Orris Flower-de-luce in root leaves and form The lesser Galangal is about two hands high Minor with leaves like Myrtle its root nodous for the most part spontaneous Some simply confound it with sweet Cane and Acorus The Chyneans and Malabareans use it oftner in Condiments than Medicaments It is hot and dry in the third degree it roborates the ventricle cures the colical dolour discusses flatuosity and helps all frigid distempers The lesser must be taken for the better CHAP. V. Of Acorus or Water-flag ACorus is an odorate Plant geniculated like our Orris but its leaves are longer and narrower its caul more tenuious and longer and its roots also more slender which obliquely prostrate themselves along the superficies of the earth which are whitish within and without and of an acroamare sapour They erre shamefully who say that Acorus The errour of many both the
excerped for the expugnation of many diseases to wit its wood liquor and seed called in the proper idiome of the Medicks Xylobalsame Opobalsame and Carpobalsame which being very rare and not growing in every region are possessed onely by Kings and Noblemen for the vulgar Carpobalsame is not legitimate its faculties being ignave almost inodorate faint rancid exolet and not suaveolent And the same may be pronounced of the wood they call Xylobalsame for it is the caul of Lentisks often so corrupted or inveterate that it is insipid inodorous and inefficacious Medicks have invented three succidaneous Vicegerents for the want of these three for Carpobalsame Cubebs for Xylobalsame new and fresh Lentisk and for Opobalsame the Oil of Cloves and Nutmeg as also the limpid water of Turpentine tree thin as Oil for Turpentine is the very Mother of artificial Balms the parts of whose Plants respond well to the parts of natural Balm There are now two other sorts of Balm circumvected Bal. de Poru the one called Peruvian Balm which is educed out of a certain fruit growing in Peru whereof Clusius makes mention De Tolu Another they call Balm of Tolu from a certain region of India which distills out of a sauciated tree like little Pines both of them are endued with eximious faculties and may be very well substituted instead of Syriack CHAP. XVII Of Kermes MAny Plants will onely grow in the Meridional others in the Septentrional and some in both regions as that same grain which the Mauritanians call Kermes which very denomination according to Dioscorides demonstrates the Plant to be exotical and to grow in Asia Armenia or Arabia for in two usurpations it reserves its Arabian nomenclature to wit in the confection of Alkermes and in dying cloaths of a Bermesian colour Now Kermes or Karmas is the name of a suffruticeous Plant Kermes seu Karmas quid and its grain which is vulgarly called Scarlet dye or infectory grain It grows both in the aforesaid places and in Orleans in France and many places in Italy which are hot and tend towards the Meditenancan Sea and it is reposed amongst the aculeous Ilices for their variety is manifold whereof some are glandiserous which grow into tall trees others coccigerous which are lower some bacciferous which are of a middle consistency as * Holly Aquifoyl which is frequent and vivacious in the Septentrional soyl Yet some exclude this Plant from the number of Ilices although the two former have not so much affinity each with other as the later with this The Plant then whereon Kermes grows is a certain small Illex putting forth many cauls which are harder towards the root obtenebrated with leaves continually green long jagged about dense sinuous angulous spinous aculeated and horrid which at the beginning of the Spring conceives as it were a little egge towards its root which it obvallates with pricks supernally devolved which in its growth changes its colour from white to cineritious then to purple and at last acquires a most elegant colour for the whole grain is full of sanguineous liquor which after perfect maturity and too long coaction in its membrane produces worms whereof some are winged Succus Kermes and fly away yet before the procreating of them the liquor may be studiously extracted to the confection of Alkermet and scarlet tincture The generation of these little Animals or may be hindred or their death procured by the aspersion of a little vinegar whereby their exanimated carcasses are collected and coacted into a mass like Vermilion which they call * Sceachul Scaletium and Pliny Cusculium for the tincture of purple or skarlet colour This grain is not the fruit but excrement of this Illex or a red and lucid gum contained in a husk which grows about the root of the leaves This Illex is not onely coccigerous but glandiferous also for the more inveterate surcles bring forth Acorns somewhat longer and blacker than those of the Oaks but then it ceases to produce grains Coccum Baph or * Coccum And therefore these surcles are prescinded that a new spring of surcles may follow and be cocciferous Kermes exceedingly roborates the heart Vires and all its faculties it also astringes precided nerves and wounds by its glutinous faculty when extrinsecally adhibited CHAP. XVIII Of Schoenanthum or Squinant S'Choenanthum is an odorate bullrush growing in India from whence it is brought to us in bundles being incicurable by all Art It is a junceous and gramineous Plant whose small dry hard and nodous root emits hard straggling round full not concave and clear reeds gracile towards the top whose rigid mucronated and pale leaves of half a palms length amplect its gramineous surcles Two sorts of flowers palely red and pappous adorn its summity some call is the reed of Mecha others Camels food because Aphricane Camels feed on its summities Its flowers are seldome brought to us with it though it be denominated from them Schoenanthum is moderately calefactive and astrictive Vires and because its parts are tenuious it moderately digests and repells the root is more astrictive than the other parts of the Plant the flower is hotter which potently moves urine and flowers CHAP. XIX Of Folium or Malabather the Indian leaf so called A Certain eximious Leaf is brought to us from India which the Arabians call Cadegi Indi that is Indian Leaf which the Inhabitants call Tamalapatra and the Apothecaries with reference to its native soyl Malabathre It is a leaf like the leaf of the Medicks Apple-tree of a palid green colour with three strokes percurring its longitude it is odorate smelling like Cloves It doth not swim upon water nor grow in the Indian fens nor yet without root as Dioscorides thought but it is desumed from a tall tree far from waters fruticating in dry places Malabathrum is hot in the second degree odorate moves urine Vires emends ones breath keeps cloaths from moths and in other qualities concords with Spicknard which may be well substituted Succidanium when it cannot be had CHAP. XX. Of Spicknard DIoscorides c. 6. l. 1. Species makes mention of two sorts of Spicknard one Indian the other Syrian both growing in one Mountain but the one on that side that looks towards India the other on that that looks towards Syria He afterwards adjoyns the Celtian that grows on the mountains of Liguria which is called Saliunca from its native Countrey name and the mountainous which grows in Cilicia and Syria sometimes called Thylacrtis and Niris Lobelius makes two sorts of Celtian Spicknard or Celtick-Nard Species Nard Celliae the one with leaves like skrewed Gentian and a root like the greater Valerian the other called hirculus whereof Clusius records that he gathered Fascicles among the Celtian Spicknard Besides the peregrine Spicknard and its related species we have some Plants celebrated with this denomination Lavendula major Pseudonardus Aspica
be cultivated and fat its furcles are short rigid and spinous coronated with leafes like Rue leafes disposed Garland-wise its heads are circinnared its leafs hirsure and suadveolent its flower like Pease blooms but lesser unicolorate and purpureous It s root calefies and extenuates moving Urine breaking and expelling the stone removing obstructions expelling flours and blood and curing the Jaundice CHAP. XVII Of Eryngium or Sea Holly ERyngium is either marine Species which germinating plenteously in maritimous places puts forth broad and angulous leafs circumsepted with hard pricks or campestrian and vulgar whereof there are many varieties some being called the Spanish Pannonian and Alpine Eryngium besides many spurious names The leafs of the vulgar is sected into many acuminated spinous particles its caul is cubital and ramous in whose summity certain globular heads circumcincted with pricks radiate like Stars out of the middles of which heads so horrid with spines issue caeruleous and sometimes flave flowers its root is crasse and long black extrinsecally white intrinsecally succulent sweet and odorate From the indefinite number of its heads many call it centum-caput the rusticks hare thistle and flying thistle for the whole plant withering is evelled by the force of the winds which rolling up and down the fields eminously represents a running hare they mistake that think this is Secacul for Serapio treats of these two in several Chapters and gives them distinct descriptions The Arabians call Eryngium Astaraticon not Scacul or Scekakul yet their faculties being alike as the learned Writers do assert vulgar Eryngium may well be substituted for ignote secacul Eryngiums root is calefactive it deduces the passages Vires moves Urine and flours expels sand out of the reins and bladder and excites venery CHAP. XVIII Of Common grasse SEeing grasse comprehends all plants which bear leafes Species graminis quot or a segetive Idea it is no wonder if perite Herbalists enumerate fourty six differences thereof Yet of all these the dogge-grasse is onely medicative the rest rather affording aliments for beasts then medicaments for man And as dogge-grasse is unknown to none so is it infensive to all Agricolists who with their hands and rakes purge their corn of it which being very feracious would otherwise surrept all aliment from their wheat or vicine plants for it creeps along with numerous genicusated and vivacious radicls which attract to themselves all the fatnesse of the earth Its leafes are hard as broad as them of a small reed tenuious and acuminated whence women call it needle-grasse and dogs-tooth This grasse liberates the reins and other intrals from obstructions Vires and kills the intestines worms the root is more excellent then any other part of the plant CHAP. XIX Of Liqucrice THe whole plant is denominated from the sweetnesse of the root for Glycyrrhiza which Pharmacopolists call Liquorice denotes a sweet root some call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because retained in the mouth it quenches thirst It s root is long numerous spread along the ground which emits a caul of three Cubits high with leaves like Lentisks dense fatt gluminous and gummeous to the touch with purpureous and somtimes white flowers In the Moneth of July or sooner it beares Cods about the bignesse of Vetches or Cicers Theophrastus C. 3. L. 9. calls it Scythica because the Scythians useing a little Liquorice would tolerate thirst eleaven or twelve dayes Children delight herein for which end they demerge small peices of Liquorice in water in a glasse bottle which when it is flave with Liquorice-juice they drink off and put more water thereunto Spanish-Juice which they agitate for more potions The Cappadocians and Spaniards bring us every yeare Liquorice-Juice condensed into Pastills They say it is temperate as to all qualities but accedes nearer to calour Vires it leniates the asperities of the Artery and Ulcers of the Bladder it helpes the Cough moves expectoration and is very good against all diseases in the Lungs and Breast CHAP. XX. Of Cyclamen or Sowe-Bread VArious and many are the nomenclatures of this Sowe-bread for the Barbarians call it Arthanita the Shopmen Hogs-Bread some the Earth-Corke others the Earth-Aple and some Cissophyllon It growes in shady places under Trees in bryars and thick Woods it flourishes in Autumne it bears Leafes like Ivy which are angular crisped about of a greenly purpureous colour maculated with white spots on both sides There is another sort of Cyclamen which hath broad Leaves but scarcely any whit angular but rather round and obscurely maculated And a third sort also which hath lesser roots more purpureous flowers and more suaveolent which some think is that which Pliny calls Chamaecisson Cyclamen is indued with many eximious qualities for it incides potently opens moves floures expells conception though dead cures the Jaundice expells stones it is efficacious against impostumes emends all spots is averse to Poisons either by potion or application drawes menstruous blood and young ones They say if a woman with Child go over the root of Cyclamen she will become abortive Vires but light conjectures oft beguile the credulous The later writers mention two more different from the former in form and magnitude of leaves as also in colour and inversion of their flowers and besides some flourish in the Spring others in Autumn others in the midle time CHAP. XXI Of Scilla or Sea Onyon THat Scilla is caepacious and delights in hot sandy and maritimous places and growes spontaneously is unknown to few for it is of late called the Sea Onjon And he that hath anatomized an Onyon and a Scilla hath found no difference in their internals nor yet in their cores yet in leafe flowers and seed they are much dissident When the leaves of Scilla are marcid its Caule assurges to the height of a Cubit with white flowers issuing out of its midle like strawberry-flowers which from thence pullulate to its very summity short triangular and compressed huskes follow these gravidated with black and full seed The stalk is very long and florid because of the threefold emersion of flowers the first wherof which are like them of Bulbus expand themselves for a long season then the second Garland of flowers performes its course and then the last And it is most remarkeable that the Caule and the Leaves never flourish at once for not till the Caule withers will the leaves erupt nor till the leaves become marcid will the Caule assurge contrary to the nature of other Plants which first emit leaves then prolong their Caules in Scilla the Caule first erupts then the Leafes Scilla calefies in the second degree and is very incisive Galen saith it is best to take it boiled or rosted for so its vehement quality will be castigated duely praepared it helpes against the frigid affections of the braine and Nerves Galen repurged one cut it small demerged it in a melitery insolated it forty dayes and gave it to a
so much called medicall Apples from Medus as from their medicall qualityes for their odour pill flesh pulpe succe grains and all are eximiously medicinall here of there are three differences the first is called a Limmon which is turbinated with an oblong effigies is colorated herbaceously and turgid with a more acid acerb and frigid succe corticated with a thinner pill and not so amare as an Orenge the second is the more vulgar Citron very like the former but its colour is more luteous its pill more crasse rugous and caperated and it selfe more crasse odorate medicative and convenient for antidotes the third is greatest called Pom-Citron orbiculated like a melon with a thick carnous pill somtimes aequalling a mans nayle in crassitude with a concolorated superficies which we call Poncerium Citroniatum Assyrian Apple and Adams Apple all which names seem to be deflected from the Tree and as they are alike in Idea so also in facultyes As them of the third sort which we call Ponoeria superate the rest in magnitude so doth the first which we call Lina in parvity for it scarce aequalises an egge in magnitude yea most of that sort when they have attained their perfect growth are no whit crasser then Apricocks some whereof are oblong others short and rotund all suaveolent vestited with a thin cortex salurated with much succe of a dulco-acid and gratefull sapour they are very copious and eximious in Italy especially in the fields near Luca. The Trees from which they are collected are perpetually virid Laurifolious and alwayes pomiferous for some are just erupting others more adult others almost mature and other deciduous at all times on the same Tree All Limmons and Citrons refrigerate arceate putretude recreate the heart and resist Poysons which Athenaeus proves by an admirable History of two sentenced offenders who by the command of the Aegyptian King according to their Lawes were to be exposed a prey to Asps each of them in their journey received a Citron of an huckster which condoled their condition they are it who thereupon felt no pain when they were bitt by those cruell Serpents which the judge admired and seeking the cause found that each of them had eaten a Citron the next day he commanded a Citron to be given to one of them and not to the other they were againe lead to their punnishment he that had eaten the Citron felt no molestation the other being all over livid with biteings dyed CHAP. IIII. Of Orenges AUrenges or aureous Apples so called from their colour grow upon a Tree very like the Limmon-Tree in effigies for their colours odours flowers and leafes are the same only they differ a little in that part next the peduncle which in the Orenge is as it were pinnated and double they are dilutely green odorate and concolorate with the Limmon-Trees fruits the Tree whereon they grow is tall ramous perpetually virid and daily pomiferous some growing other falling and others ripening it beares flowers al the year which are white elegant suaveolent and more fragrant in Summer then other times some whereof adhaere to a nodose pedicle and are faecund others are enodous and sterile Aqua Naphae so much celebrated for its suavity and fragrance is distilled from these which Matrons and delicate Courtiers wash their faces hair and hands with Great plenty of Orenges are carried from Spain Italy and France into other regions some whereof are sweet and ingratefull or at least not pleasant to the gust others acid jucund cordiall and gratefull to the palate all round nitent of a Golden colour or very flave whence they are often called Golden Apples The sweet ones are temperate the acid ones refrigerate arceate putretude resist Poysons and corroborate Vires their pills are acrimonious amare and hot which for their gracious odour are used in sawces condited in Sugar it emends the breath of ones mouth CHAP. V. Of Pomegranates THis Tree commonly called Granate and its fruit Pomegranate derives its denomination either from the multitude of graines wherewith it is referted or else from the region of Granata where it fruticates copiously it delights in hot aire and dry ground its leafes are like myrtle leafes which fall off annually its flower is red oblong jucund of aspect and resembles a cup in effigies the vulgar call it Balaustium though that name in Dioscorides his opinion may rather be deduced to the wild ones There are two sorts of Pomegranate-Trees the one wild which is florigerous but withall infrugiferous the other domesticall whereof there are three differences one beares acid Pomegranates another sweet ones and the third dulco-acid ones all of them are angulous and crasse referted with many graines demerged in much juice It s cortex is called Malicore and by some Sedion it is viridly flave like vitriol whereof according to Alcumists it participates its flower is oblong purpureous and fait which Pliny calls Balaustians The whole Pomegranate is astrictive and refrigerative but its succe is indued with the best facultyes which recreates the heart allayes the heat of the stomack and cures the Cholerick passion sweet Pomegranates molest the stomack CHAP. VI. Of Quinces QUinces grow upon a Tree which they call Cotonea or Catonea from M. Cato but the Graecians long agoe called it Cydonea from Cydon a Town in Crete where it was first found but I should rather believe that its name Colonea was given to it because of its tomentitious cortex resembling Cotten for these Apples are vested with a certain dawen like Cotten dawen The Tree from which they are excerped is commonly low assurgeing like a shrub vested with a sharp and gapeing Barke produceing things like scales its boughs are many short tortuous and cineritious its leafes subrotund mucronated green above white beneath soft and lanuginous its flowers albid somwhat purpureous and quinquefolious its fruits crasse very flave tomentitious and odorate emitting an odour jucund to some ingratefull to others its sapour is alike to all flesh luteous succe austere its seed as in other Apples is included in membranes and reconded as it were in Caskets The Quince-Tree is fruitfull in every place but most in hot regions cultivated places and Garden sides for then its fruits will be more and aureous some whereof are rounder shorter lesser and nearer the figure of vulgar Apples which are called Quinces absolutely others greater crasser longer turbinated and more like Peares vulgarly called Coignacea which are not so good as the former Some also are more candid others strutheous all more luteous and almost aureous whence they are called Chrysomels or Golden Apples such as are more lanuginous and by their fragrancy affect the heads of some men make very many eustomachicall medicaments as conserves waters and syrups of Quinces whereof there is much use both in health and sicknesse Quinces can searce be eaten crude when cocted they are more gratefull to the palate Vires they roborate the ventricle allay vomiting
lachrimously whence it is often called Tears Liquor if this Liquor be oleaginous and liquid we call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Rosine if more terrene aqueous and concrete in the Trunks of Trees Resina Gummi we call it Gum if it be partly terrene and aqueous partly oleaginous and fatt participating both of the nature of Gum and Rosine then we call it Gummy Rosine Now Gum that I may use the exoticall Idiome Commi Gummi quid is a coagulated Lachryma or tear concreted in the Trunks of those Trees that produce it Gal. C. 40. L. de simp whose substance is more aqueous as that of Rosine is more oleaginous Gums therefore should be admixed most to aqueous seldome to oleaginous medicaments Rosine in the contrary easily takes flame but Gumme cracks in the fire for though it come hott from stillation yet is it presently coagulated in the air and becomes aqueous and hence Arostotle makes it to crack upon burning coles But since it is of many kinds according to the different nature of the Trees that produce it for some Gums are coagulated hard like a stone others softer some more pellucid or flave others more obscure or pallid some flowing from peregrine others from indigenous Trees I shall first treat of that which comes out of the spine Acacia and is nominated Gumme simply CHAP. III. Of Gum-Arabick GUmme is an Arabick word and when it is put absolutely it must be understood of Gum-Arabick which Galen calls Thebane some Babylonian and others Acanthine Gumme Nomina Acacia Gummi flua It flowes from a certain arbuscle which Dioscorides calls Acacia whereof he constitutes two sorts the first assurging with a direct and lignous caule armed on every side with hard spines vested with long leafes which look as if they were constituted of many small leafes cohaereing together white flowers short codds Species like Lupines a glabre and splendent seed which Matthiolus depinges ill The other Acacia growes in Cappadocia and Pontus which is lesser slenderer and lower then the other whose leafes are like Rue and virgults aculeated out of which a succe is educed which retaines the name of its Arbuscle Acacia because of whose rarity we substitute the succe of the wild Plum-Tree out of which laudable Gum flowes forth at first pellucid as glasse sincere and contracted into the species of a vermicle afterwards white sordid resinous and uselesse It is efficacious in spissating and refrigerating Vires it is commodiously mixed with ocular and arteriall medicaments it obstructs the pores of the skin is represses prociduous eyes that it may be more easily pulverated it must be verberated in a hot mortar with a hot Pestell CHAP. IIII. Of Gumme Tragacanth GUm-Tragacanth is pellucid white sweet light and sincere which flowes from the vulnerated root of a certain Plant of the same name this root adhaeres to the surface of the Earth and emitts low and rigid surcles whereon are many and slender leafes which cover white straight and firm spines this arbuscle which the Greeks call Tragacantha and the Latines Spina herci growes in Crete and many places in Asia which emitts its succe spontaneously and without incisure as Theophrastus asserts contrary to Dioscorides who saith that this Plant hath no need of vulneration which though it be exoticall and seldome seen by our herbalists yet I saw it cicurated and florid in the Garden of Jo. Gonnerius that perite Physitian yet it s coagulated succe which the Gentiles call Tragacanthum and the Apothecaryes Dragaganthum is sufficiently known to all it cannot be easily laevigated unlesse the Morter and pestle be hot It s use is commended to ocular medicaments in a liniment with Honey or Sugar Vires it emends the roughnesse of the artery coughs retusenesse of voice and other defluxions CHAP. V. Of Gum Ammoniacum THis Gum is called Ammoniack because it distills upon the Sands neare Jupiter Ammons Oracle but from what Plant is uncertain Pliny saith it flowes from a Tree they call Metopion Dioscorides sayes it emanates both from a shrub they call Agasyllis and from a ferulaceous Plant but the ferulaceous Plants can scarce be called fruticall Galen asserts that it is the Tears of Ferula from which is collected both a sincere dense Gumme conspurcated with no sordidity and coacted into small glebes as also an impure and inquinated one which Dioscorides call Phyrama who calls the other Thrausma That is good which is inquinated with no sandy terrene nor extraneous matter effigiated like masculine frankincense graveolent and amare the Apothecaryes call it corruptly Gum Armoniack it may be dissolved in Water Vinegar or White-Wine It is so efficacious a mollitive that it dissolves the stoney disease of the Junctures and discusses other tubercles it cures indurated Milts Vires and in drink liberates from obstructions it moves urine and flowers and extrudes stones CHAP. VI. Of Lacca and Cancamum WHat Lacca and what Cancamum are whether they be both one or distinct and what each of them is doeth not appeare by the writings of Authours Serapio Paulus and Matthiolus believe that Lacca is that which Dioscorides calls Cancamum Brasavolus Garcias ab horto and Clusius think it is a distinct thing who being desirous to find out the truth have lustrated various tracts of the world and think that Lacca is not only distinct from Cancamum but also unknown for seeing it is only used for perfumes and we have many more fragrant and suaveolent Thymiamata it hath not been so diligently sought after moreover being exoticall the Tree from which it delabes growing as it is thought in Arabia our Merchants have not deigned it worth the search and portage however it is a kind of Gum of a virous sapour sweet odour and rare use Now Lacca is destitute of both these qualityes frequently invented neither the Arabian Chermes nor the succe of Sorbe-Tree nor Medlar-Tree nor yet like Myrrhe as Avicenna writes who it may be knew it not but if Garcias de horto may be credited it is a kind of Favago and concreted liquor on the boughs of a vast Tree coacted by the sucking and help of winged Ants. And this Tree growes not in Arabia but in India especially in the province of Pegu where Lacca is called Trec as also in Bengala and Malavar where it is called Loc and Lac. Garcias indeavours to establish and confirme this opinion by reason and much History striving also to prove out of Amatus Lusitanus that Cancamum is an Aroma otherwise called Anyme whereof he constitutes two varietyes the one white which also according to Brissotus a Physician of Paris is Dioscorides his Cancamum and the other somwhat black which myrrhe or rather Mynea or Amynea Thus the obscurity of the thing Vires drives us to the affinity of names there to investigate the truth but if I may speak freely I think that Anyme or Amynea as some will have it
that name is now almost abrogated for the Barbarians out of some hatred conceived against the Cyrenians eradicated and extirpated all their Laserpitium as Strabo denotes The Syrian Laser is best after the Cyrenian and the Median after the Syrian There are two sorts of Asa the one pure sincere and transparent the other turbid and impure wherewith bran or Sagapene is mixed whole halite and stinking odour it well resembles Hence the Germans call it the Devills dung both of them are very odorate but graveolent so that I cannot easily assent to their opinion who think that one sort of Asa is sweet for neither the odour of the one nor of the other can be tolerated without loathsomnesse whence I admite that Garcias should say that no simple medicament in all India should be more in use then Asa foetida both in medicines and also in meats The Indians are wont to mix it with their Pot-hearbs in their pottage having first rubbed their kettles therewith useing no other condiment to any meat but take it to recall their appetite when they nauseate any thing If this be not a fable Asa must either not stink in India or the Indians must have brasen throats as the Proverb goes this Asa is so ingratefull to us both in odour and sapour that we can easily pardon Matthaeus Sylvaticus who reposed it amongst Poysons yet Dioscorides commends it for meat Who enumerated so many and so great faculties Vires wherewith it is indued that he was able to move loathsomnesse The more recent hold it very efficacious but only to a few affections who never use it save against the ascent and aberration of the uterus and some other diseases appertaining to women CHAP. IX Of Sagapene or Serapine SAgapene by Apothecaryes Serapinum is a concrete liquour flowing out of the sauciated root of a ferulaceous Plant in Media whose description Dioscorides omitted because perhaps he had not so much knowledge of the Plant as of the succe which Plant I neither yet saw nor read designed by any authour for being exoticall it is either not cicurable or if cicurated sterile without sucee and marcid It s concrete succe therefore is only brought us the best whereof is translucid yellow white within acrimonious graveolent and crasse in substance Sagapene calefyes in the third degree siccates in the second purges crasse Phlegme and other viscid humours as Mesue attests yet its purgative faculty is in some very ignave in others potent for either drunk or used by way of suppository it evokes flowers kills the young cures the dolour and praefocation of the uterus resolves attenuates dissipates moves and solves CHAP. X. Of Galbanum GAlbanum is also the concrete succe of a Syrian Ferula copiously growing in the Mountain Amanus which succe some call Metopium Dioscorides knowing this Gummeous succe better then the Plant left nothing in writing of its dignotion but as the ferulae are well known so also are their liquors and succes and that not only by their consistency but colour odour sapour and facultyes for Galbanum in aspect repraesents Asa in odour Opopanax The best is cartilaginous syncere like Gumme Ammoniack not lignous in which there is some ferula seed graveolent not very humid nor squalid this as all other Gummes may be easily dissolved in water Vinegar or Wine It is excalefactive extractive discussive it accelerates flowers deliverance in Child-bearing either by admotion or suffumigatiō dissolved with Vinegar and mixed with a little nitre it deleats pimples it discusses boyles and lumps on the junctures Vires it is adverse to Poysons and drives away Serpents CHAP. XI Of Opopanax THat Opopanax is the succe of Panax both its name demonstrates and Dioscorides affirmes but seeing there are many sorts of Panax it is not apparent out of which of them it emerges Mesue saies it flowes from the ferulaceous Panax Dioscorides from th◠Heraclean and some say from the Chironian Panax Dodoneus tells us that it distills from a peregrine Panax to wit the Syrian Panax which hath ample sharpe hirsute long and broad leafes a geniculated and ferulaceous Caule of three or four cubits heighth supernally disterminated into many boughs with luteous flowers erupting out of ample umbells after which broad plain and subflave seeds do emerge its root is whitish long succulent and odorate a Gummeous succe flowes out of its Caule vulnerated especially towards the root in summer which Pliny and many more call Opopanax which is laudable for many uses as the nomenclature of the Plant from which it flowes demonstrates for Panax or Panaces denotes the abigation of all dolours and the remedy of all diseases hence many Pseudomedicks call some medicaments which are more perilous then the diseases Panaceous remedyes thus did a lying drunken vain salacious Pseudomedick deceive many Country and credulous persons while he lived Opopanax is a kind of Gumme easily dissolvable by water it excalefyes in the third degree siccates in the second mollifyes digests Vires attenuates dissipates flatuosity leniates and expurges that which is very amate white within or somwhat yellow fatt tender friable easily liquestible and graveolent is good the black and soft is not good CHAP. XII Of Sarcocolla SArcocolla is both the name of a peregrine Plant and a Gumme flowing out of it it growes in Persia it is fruticous and spinose with nodose boughs appressed to the Tree which sauciated and somtimes spontaneously lacrymates a kind of Frankincense like Powder of a yellowish colour and amare sapour It calefyes in the second degree siccates not so much it cocts deterges carnifyes and glutinates whence it is called Sarcocolla Vires for it heales wounds wonderfully for it doth by a proper faculty expurge them from filth repleate them with flesh and obduce them to a skarre The Arabians say that Sarcocolla doth not only subduce the belly but educe crasse and viscid humours from places much dissited as from the cavityes of the Articles but reason and their effects seem to refragate this it doth indeed with much efficacy conglutinate wounds inhibite the fluxions of the eyes and digest but not so much as Galbanum if it be five dayes macerated in Asses milke in a glasse-vessell and the milk daily changed it will exceedingly help such as have pearls or dimme and clowdy eyes CHAP. XIII Of Gumme of Jvy THe trunk of the greater Ivy vulnerated and somtimes spontaneously elacrymates a certain Gummeous succe of an aureous colour graveolent and sharpe to the gust which they call Ivy-Gumme Now Ivy is a Scansory Tree which circumvests walls and vicine Plants which it kills with its multifarious convolutions and virour Wherof there are two prime kinds the one greater which erects it selfe on high the other lesser which creeps along the ground with slender and obsequious branches neither beareing flower nor fruit There are three varietyes of the greater Ivy one is called white Ivy because it beares
there are two sorts the one Camphyre de burneo which is best and is seldome or never brought to us the other Species Camphyre of China whence Pharmacopolists have it frequently it is of much use in those Regions where it grows so that they sometimes use it amongst their meats Some assert That it califies in the third degree others affirm That it is frigid Many reasons might be brought for both which for brevity sake I omit and attest That it is good both in hot and cold diseases for it is of a mist quality and seems by its odour and tenuity of its spirit to be calid though its other qualities demonstrate its frigidity Many think that Camphyre arceates the stimulations to venery and hinders conception Whereupon Scaliger being not too credulous made tryal thereof and found all to be false Camphyre may be easily pulverated with the addition of a little water it is eafrly dissolved in aqueous oleaginous and fat liquors CHAP. 3. Of Storax STorax is the gummeous and rosinous concrete and dry succe of a certa in Syrian tree none whereof is liquid humid and fluxile as some have judged who constituted two sorts of Storax to wit the humid and the sicce both flowing from one tree But the storacifluous tree distils onely a coagulable lacryma which presently concretes to a dense fat and rosinous lump no portion turning into fluxile liquor as the old and false opinion of the Arabians avers whose defendants were deceived by the affinity of the word Storax and Stacte which in consistency odour sapour quality original and nature Stacte Quid are farre dissident For Stacte is the pinguetude of new Myrrhe tunded and expressed with a little water and reducted to the liquid form of an unguent or rather the fat creamy Gumme of Myrrhe or the fat Oyl of Myrrhe tunded and expressed or its succe educed by some tortive instrument The Stacte which is oleous is best it participates not onely of the calefactive quality but many other faculties of Myrrhe As soon as Storax erupts out of the tree it concretes into a hard dense solid and rosinous lump with some white spots in it and very fragrant That which comes from Pamphilia in reeds and is fat viscid white with spots and of a persevering odour is best the furfurous hoary and inodorate is naught There comes also very good to us from Cyprus Sidon and Pisidia It eructates out of a tree like a Quince-tree but its leaves are lesser less rigid and hoary on the averse part its flower is white of the magnitude of an Orange-tree's flower but not so in odour small berries included in three ungles and adhering to long pedicles grow on its surcles The concreted liquor of this tree is much celebrated which besides the aforesaid qualities permanes very long suaveolent Storax califies Vires mollifies concocts cures the Cough heaviness hoarsness and whether introsumed or applied opens the Matrix and moves flowers it is a good ingredient for cordial and laetificative Antidotes it is adverse to such poisons as hurt or kill by refrigeration By way of liniment it discusses swellings in the neck and knots of sinews AN APPENDIX Of gummeous Rosines improperly so called There are certain concrete liquors which fall within the verge of our Institutions which do possess a medium between the nature of Gumme and Rosines neither are they so easily nor speedily dissolved with water as some are nor with oyl as others but either they subside or burn to the bottom or else grow harder and so thereby are more averse from commixion Of which sort are Bdellium and Myrrhe CHAP. 4. Of Myrrhe MYrrhe which the Greeks call Smyrna is the concreted gummeous succe of a certain tree growing in many Regions in Arabia as Sabe Adramyta Citibaena and Mamali This myrrhifluous tree is of a moderate magnitude with a hard caul contorted towards the earth smooth back like Purslain and aculeated leaves like an Elm. Dioscorides makes it like the Aegyptian Spine others like the Turpentine-tree Diodorus assimilates it to the Lentisk yet so as it is more spinous and lower for it is seldome above five Cubits light It grows most frequently in saboulous dry and incultivated places but most floridly in cultivated soyls They incide it from the root to its boughs out of which wounds it emits Myrrhe but it spontaneously distils a kinde of stillatitious dew before its back be opened which they call Stacte and many imperite Pharmacopolists Liquid Storax falsly asserting That it distils from the same Tree But we have before declared that they flow from different trees and that there is no liquid Storax unless that we call Stacte whic his no Storax But I return to Myrrhe and the arbuscle from which it flows which is exotical and prergrine rough spinous with sharp and reuleated leaves and in sapour like Juniper It delights and fruticates copiously in the same soyl and region with Frankincensetrees its wound elacrymates a coagulated Gumme of the same name with the tree That which is fragile smooth concolorate in small lumps amare acrimonious odorate and hath veins candid and smooth like nails is best That which is collected of the sative tree is better then that of the sylvestrian but that is preferred before all which bears the name of the place where it is had and is called Troglodytical Myrrhe which is somewhat green of colour splendent and mordacious There is one sort they call Pediasimos another Gaby both which are good and emit plenty of Stacte There are two bad sorts one they call Caucalis which is black and torched the other Ergasima which is the worst it is macilent and hoary there is also another called Mynaea as ill as can be There is so much affinity betwixt Myrrhe and Bdellium that many think they do not differ but the contrary shall be proved by and by both of them may be dissolved in watery and oleous liquors but neither accurately nor easily Myrrhe califies and siccates in the second degree Vires opens the occluded Matrix moves flowers and accelerates the deliverance of young Commanducated it emends the graveolence of the mouth Stracte which is much celebrated for its suavity and efficacy may be substituted for Opobalsamum but Stracte is more rare it roborates the stomack and principal parts arceates putretude recreates the spirit and cures many diseases from the Uterus and brain CHAP. 5. Of Bdellium THere is a tree in Bactria which is black of the magnitude of an Olive with leaves like an Oak and fruit like a Fig-tree not insuave whose lacryma some call Brochon some Malathram others Maldacon and the Pharmacopolists Bdellium That which is amare to the gust translucid when broken fat when rubbed and incended odorate liquestible like Wax or Bulls-glue soft and void of sordidity is approved Galen commends the Scythian Pliny the Bactrian Dioscorides the Saracenian Bdellium The Indian sordid black Bdellium
convolved into gobbets is the worst some call it Adrobolon that which grows in Media called by Physicians Parthian Bdellium Furthermore out of what tree Bdellium exudes is not concluded of amongst grave and learned men some say it flows from one like that which emits Myrrhe other affirm the contrary Neither can I at present determine this doubtful cause Perhaps they both come from plants much alike one from a sative tree the other from a wilde one as we see many Apples Pears and Plums much different in odour colour and sapour which grow on trees very much agreeing However Bdellium is no whit rare and we have it as good as ever the Ancients designed it It califies Vires mollifies resolves it discusses hardness and gurtural tumours and humid burstings it relaxates the spiracles of the Matrix either by admotion or suffumigation it extracts floors young and all humours Being drank it breaks the stone and expels urine it is excellent for mixture with a Pultess against the hardness and knots of sinews SECT X. Of other humours and juyces arising from Plants THe humour of Plants saith Theophrastus by an usual Nomenclature called Juyce is the proper blood of the Plant which if the Plant wants it withers and perishes but if it abounds it waxes young and flourisheth but this succe or humour is various according to the variety of the Plant. For in some it is crass liquid viscid glutinous fryable gummeous In others fat oleous odorate rosinous In some melleous lacteous salsuginous as we have declared before Of gummeoue rosinous and oleaginous Juyces we have spoken sufficiently before It remains nor that we treat of other Juyces more gross and terrestrial CHAP. 1. Of Opium POppy is either sative or wilde of both which there are many species the succe expressed and concreted from the satives is called Meconium Meconium onely the lacryma or succe of the black Poppy whether spontaneously or by vulneration eructing from its heads is for its dignity by the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Latines Opium Whereof there are many varieties respondent to the varieties of the Regions where it is collected The Theban Opium and that which is brought from Cairus are whitish and the best those that come out of Syria Alexandria and other Regions are black and not so good the latter Writers also assert That the best Opium flows from white Poppy That which comes from Cambaia flows from the great Poppy there called Carcax each of whose heads equalizes in magnitude an Estriches Egge so that it is no wonder that such plenty of succe should erupt from them when vulnerated All agree not about the qualities of Opium for Dioscorides and many more say it is cold in the fourth degree Its qualities Matthiolus opposes them from its odour and acrimony I think it is of a mist quality participating of a light and fugacious calidity but a more valid and contumacious frigidity Besides its elementary qualities it hath others also which much commend it if exhibited opportunely and in a just dosis and much discommend it if unduly used for it doth not onely induce tremour and palsey but leads to a perpetual sleep Rightly prepared and rightly administred it helps much for it cures perpetual watchings by conciliating sleep it allayes and deceives the fierceness of any dolour by making the sense more stupid It is much used in Mauritania and Asia where they call it Amfium and Osium as though Opium were the most admirable exhilarator of the minde and erecter of the body whereunto they have so accustomed themselves that if they should totally abstain from it they would periclitate their lives The Turkish Souldiers used to eat it that they might be more chearful for battel and like drunken or mad-men precipitate themselves carelesly into danger Some think it stimulates to venery but reason and experience refragate its use rather arceating its heat by making the motion of the flesh more ignave CHAP. 2. Of Elaterium ELaterium is numerated among mochlical Medicaments which agitate the body by a turbulent motion which though it be violent yet Hippocrates used it Sect. 2. Lib. de loc in hom Now it is seldome usurped except in a few Regions in Italy where some take it for the curation of such diseases as milder remedies will not profit Elaterium according to Theophrastus is the inspissated succe of a wilde Cucumer which by a special propriety will keep two hundred years it is saith he the most diuturnal of all Medicaments and that is best which is oldest which to experience a certain Medick having received some for a gift very old kept it till its two hundred years were expired The cause why it endures so long I think is its copious humour whereby it extinguishes a Candle if it be set near it till fifty years be perfected The manner of its extraction and inspissation is notorious which he that knows not may learn of Dioscorides Wilde Cucumer which we call anguine or asses Cucumer is very like the sative onely its leaves are not so angulous and more hoary its fruits are lesser palely green and full of seeds and succe which leap out at the first touch like siliquous Arsmart which they thence call Nolime tangere The wilde Cucumer Vires and succe of its fruit which they call Elaterium saith Galen are accommodated to Medicine The succe is very amare hot in the second degree it moves flowers kills young and by moving the belly educes waters CHAP. 3. Of Ladanum LAdanum is a kinde of liquor exuding out of the leaves of Cistus growing in Cyprus where it is called Ledon which if Dioscorides say true is collected by the she-goats for the Kids and Goats feeding upon the leaves of Cistus whose innate pinguetude in the spring-time they deterge and receive with their beards and carry it on their hairy legs whereunto it adheres which afterwards the Incolists kemb off and percolate making it into lumps and so keep it calling it Ladanum Some reject this manner of accepting Ladanum as fabulous and yet substitute not an easier way It is indeed so tenacious and viscid that it will easily follow contact and may be excerped otherwise The Cyprian odorate greenish soft Ladanum that hath not gathered sand and filth is the best The Arabian is more vile and worse It is calefactive and mollifies opens the orifices of the veins Vires mixed with black Wine Myrrhe and Oyl of Myrtle it keeps on deciduous hair It flows not from Cissus that is Ivy as Pliny thought but Cistus a small surculous lignous shrub emitting long and blackish leaves glutinous to the tact which in the Spring exude a certain fat odorate and rosinous matter which collected by any Art is called Ladanum It bears small whitish flowers like little Roses CHAP. 4. Of Hypocistis BEsides Ledon or the Ladanigerous Cistus there are two other varieties the one Masculine Cistus masc out
of whose roots springs Hypocistis whose spurious branch is like to a Quince-tree some call it Ludonorum others Robethron Fuschius fungus its succe is extracted as that of Acacia concreted and kept The other Cistus is Foeminine which bears long Cistus foem and not angust leaves white and small flowers and small seed in a triangular hull it is very like the Ladanigerous Cistus The Masculine Cistus is a small shrub greater then Thyme with leaves like Basil but rounder rosaceous flowers like them of the Foeminine but lesser with a lignous and hard root out of whose middle Hypocistis pullulates as viscum out of an Oak and other trees Hypocistis is very rare in whose stead we use Acacia Vires whose saculties are analogous though more imbecil it is chiefly astrictive it helps the Dysenterian collical and all fluxes of blood It siccates also and roborates and is a very efficacious remedy in all fluxions CHAP. 5. Of Tartar AS the substance of Milk part whereof is butyrous and ligher part caseous and crasser and part serous and moderate is not homogeneous so neither is the substance of Wine part whereof is tenuious and is called the flower of Wine part somewhat heavier occupying the middle of the Hogshead and part more crass which settles to the bottom which some call Lees and the more recent Tartar perhaps because this is the Empyricks Idol as Tartac was the Hevaeans But I rather think it so nominated because it possesses the lowest place And though Tartarum be but Lees of Wine yet is it indued with many faculties for as some excrements in an humane body are benigne and useful as Sperm Milk and other humours included in other parts for certain uses so are these dregs useful for as the Proverb goes No Wine without Lees for this excrement conserves it longer from corruption as ashes do fire from extinction Tartarum included in a Cloth-bag and suspended in a Wine-cellar or other moist place will exude an oleous humour which they call Oyl of Tartar which delabes from the Canvas bag into the vessel subjected as we have shewed in our Officinary It may be educed also by ascent but the work will be more and to less purpose The ashes of burned Tartar is frequent at Paris and very expetible to dealbate sayls which the vulgar call Gravellata It is celebrated for many other uses Vires for Tartar according to Cardanus hath no equal in detersion which purges sordid and hard lumps and excrescencies of flesh and shews the sound and living flesh CHAP. 6. Of Liquorice Juyce THe succe of Liquorice is expetible for many uses for it is eximiously bechical being successfully assumed solarly for the affections of the lungs and breasts and frequently with no less benefit mixed with other Medicaments Galen extols that which comes from Crete The Greeks call it Glycyrrhiza the shop-men Liquorice Celsus Sweet-root the Batavians Sweet-wood for its succe exhibits a sweet and grateful sapour which is thus educed The roots of Liquorice collected in July while new and humid are purged and brayed then cocted in water percolated and expressed the succe expressed is siccated by evaporation by the fire The way to juyce of Liquorice or Sun and kept That is best which is sweetest soft new pure tenacious blackest and which is totally liquescible upon the tongue That which comes from Spain is much commended where it is made both copiously and well Liquorice is without of the colour of Box within croceous its wood is viscid and not easily frangible its sapour sweet quenching thirst whence it is called adipsas That which is white or black within exucce old fragile and which makes dust by its fracture is not good We have spoken hereof in the fourth Section of our first Book CHAP. 7. Of Wax BEes are wonderful sagacious industrious and sedulous in collecting and confecting Wax which without their help no part of the world can perform for these little animals can solely act that which man cannot these Infects solely do suppeditate both Aliments and Medicaments to man by their own opifice And yet the commodities of Wax are so many and so great that they cannot be easily recenseated The flave odorate moderately fat pure coacted Wax which is void of all aliene matter eadnearest representing Honey is best In the second place we take that which is candid whether it be so naturally as the Pontian Wax or artificially by lotion as the Tyrrhenian Other colours are acquisititious as green by Verdegrease red by Vermillion black by Ink or burned paper From which mixture it changes its qualities New subflave Virgin-wax is best It is in a mean betwixt heat and cold humidity and siccity yet it is somewhat crass and emplastical Wherefore it is the matter both of calefactive and refrigerative Medicaments All Wax mollifies califies according to Dioscorides Cerae lotio dealbatio and moderately expletes the body It is good in broth for such as have the bloody flux That it may be dealbated it must be melted at the fire then demerged in pure Fountain-water where it must be stirred and expurged Dioscorides describes another way to make it most candid which see in his second Book Chap. 105. CHAP. 8. Of certain other succes more aptly described in another place SUcces are kept either in a liquid consistency as Vinegar Wine and Omphacium or in a solid one as Aloes and Scammony or else in a middle consistency as Rob and Sapa of each whereof we have treated in order partly in our Shop partly in our first Book of Medicinal Matter And since I am so farre from approving of things ten times repeated that the second time offends me I will not now return to the examination of what I have before delivered for I could willingly wish this short Work had been contracted into a lesser bulk As for Aloes and Scammony they being Purgatives we have treated sufficiently of them in the second Section of this Book wherein we have accurately described the nature and faculties of all purgative Simples As for the succes of fruits inspissated to the consistency of Rob and Honey we have handled them in the fifth Section and the first Section of the first Book speaks copiously of liquid succes Opopanax hath its name from Panax whose succe or rather gummeous liquor it is which when concrete and dry is subflave without candid within graveolent smooth fat fryable and easily liquescible in water Galen makes mention of other succes as Glacium and Licium but because they grow obsolete they are seldome or never kept in Pharmacopolies Finis Libri Primi THE SECOND BOOK OF Medicinal Matter SECT I. Of Minerals THE PREFACE THe matter of Medicaments is multifarious not onely because it arises from Plants Minerals and Animals of which we have treated before but also desumed from the Universal Tribe of Plants It remains now that we treat of Minerals which indeed do daily
All Bitumen is not solid and hard but some there is perpetually liquid and fluid called Naphta which is the colature of Babylonian Bitumen white of colour and most capacious of fire for there is so much cognation betwixt this and fire that it will presently leap into it when near it There is also black Bitumen As the true and native Bitumen of Judaea and Sodome come not to us in whose stead we use Pissaphaltus or factitious Bitumen made of Petreol Pitch and other things so neither the true Naphta in whose stead we assume a certain liquor that falls from the fields near Modena which they call Petreol as if it were Oyl educed out of a Rock for both have the same cansistency colour and vertue But Pissaphaltus is the commixion of Pitch and Bitumen as its name designs which some use for Mumy of which hereafter All Bitumen discusses mollifies glutinates defends from inflammation by obfaction suffumigation or imposition emends the Proptosis and strangulation of the Uterus but our Bitumen is seldome right Naphta extenuates incides digests penetrates absumes frigid and crasse humours in all parts of the body and cures the resolution of the Nerves Palsey and diseases in the arteries from a cold cause Some yet recenseate more bitumens as that furfurous pinguetude which some call Whales-sperm Sperma Caeti quid others White-Amber and many The flower of the Sea for it is collected on the Sea whose fat spume or innatant flower it is Many think it is Dioscorides his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CHAP. 9. Of Sulphur SUlphur is either native and fossile called Brimstone and Quick-sulphur or factitious the native is naturally generated of a certain fat portion of earth much whereof is in Lipara Melos and such places where the factitious is made the splendent pellucid and not saxous is best whose colour without is subcincritious within subluteous Many Mountains are very sulphureous as Aetna which eructates perpetual flames The factitious is made of some fat Glebes which are effoded out of sulphureous Mynes The manner of its confection I leave to such Rusticks as are exercised therein the green and fat is best Sulphur hath much cognation with fire for if it be cast upon coals it will burn and not be extinguished till all its oleous and fat substance be absumed All Sulphur is not alike in colour for some is green some more luteous some cineritious and some pallid or lucid Whence we may gather That it is of more sorts then two Pliny also enumerates four some whereof are harder others fatter and others more inflammal That Sulphur whereof Alchymists tell many vain and ridiculous stories is not common Sulphur yet it is mixed though they assert that it is a principle of mixture But no more of that in this place There is a certain fat liquor very efficacious Oleum Sulphuris educed out of Sulphur yet such as may not be used imperitely lest it do more harm then good There is a powder also made of Sulphur against the vices of the Lungs whose event demonstrates its excellency That Medicament which Mesue calls Diasulphur is hence denominated Sulphur califies cocts resolves cures Coughs Vires and difficulty of breathing taken in an Egge or burned and its smoke catched moves spittle mixed with butter or swines-grease it mitigates and kills the itch erupting on the whole body and mixed with Turpentine it cures Tetters rough nails and scabs CHAP. 10. Of Amber-grise AMber-grise which was unknown to the Ancients is neither the seed of Balena nor excrement of any other Whale nor yet the dung of any Birds educated in the Isle Maldina with odoriferous herbs which dung is by the sea wash'd of those Rocks as some somniate nor yet any kinde of maritimous Mushrome eradicated by the Sea as many have asserted nor yet any thing made of Ladanum Aloes wood Storax and Civer as Fuschius credited but a certain kinde of Bitumen by storms driven from the Fountains and Chanels of the Sea to the shore where exposed to the air it speedily condenses as many things do which while they are in the water are soft and tender but eructed become dry and hard as Amber Perhaps as it is storied a great quantity of Amber-grise hath been found in a Whales belly but whilest she was alive she had got it and ingested it in the Sea for it is absurd to think that Amber should be the Whales excrement when the best Amber devoured by a Whale loses its bonity and suavity Which Simeon Sethi smelled well enough who asserting that Amber is a kinde of Bitumen flowing out of some Fountains saith That that which is devoured by fishes is the worst that can be Garcias ab Horto seems to assert That it is a kinde of odorate earth seeing there was not onely a fragment of three thousand pounds weight of Amber found in the earth but whole Islands of pure Amber and he proves the probability hereof from the infinite varieties of earth in colour and qualities and seeing in this general acception Bitumen may be called a kinde of Earth I do nor impugn the verisimilitude of his assertion especially finding it called Precious Earth Thus have I briefly related the whole history of Amber for I will neither undertake neither will my short annotations bear the discussion of such opinions as have been published about Amber That Amber which is most odorate devoid of filth perforated with a needle emits much fat succe that which is cineritious and not black is good that which is black or very candid is not good It calefies Vires resolves recreates the heart brain and principal parts refreshes the spirits cureth swoundings erects the strength exhilarates the mind and cures palpitation CHAP. 11. Of yellow Amber or Electrum ORange-coloured Amber is variously denominated the Greeks call it Electrum the Persians and Mauritanians Charabe that is catch-straw the Germans Glesum that is Glasse because it is splendent the Romans Succinum because it is the product of succe or Sea-bitumen concreted but not the succe of Pine or black Poplar as many have asserted for it is found in the deeps and upon Sea-shores concreted of the fat juyce of the Sea and Earth This matter whilest lent viscid and fat before it be obdurated and dryed catches and detains many Flies Gnats Ants and such like Insects which dye dry and odorate together with the Amber This Amber is either white or flave the white which is more odorate and lighter is good so also is the flave if pellucid and such as may be made by attrition to smell like Rosemary and attract chaff or straw It s Powder given in convenient liquor cohibits the flux of blood roborates the bowels and is good against the white fluor of the womb one dragm thereof taken in a soft Egge will stay the flux of Sperm and will help such as are tabid infested with hardness of intestines difficulty of breathing and long Coughs
white and perspicuous whereof Images are carved and vessels made to receive and keep unguents CHAP. 12. Of Chrystal CHrystal is not congealed water Chrystal quid as many think but a Mineral stone white pellucid and nitent like clear water consisting of an aqueous and pure humour not concreted by cold but as many say by the vertue of some divine calour neither is it made of ice though it be thence denominated and often sound in deep Snows but of an humour of its own for ice warmed by the fire melts easily but Christal hardly though encompassed round with fire and alwayes agitated with flames and wind Chrystal is also found under the earth amongst stones in very hot Regions where this Chrystalline humour both from the universal cause and a certain terrestrial potency lapidifies no other then Amber and Coral which at first are humours also and afterwards concrete into a lapideous solidity not by cold but from the aptitude of the matter The most pure Usus pellucid and nitent Chrystal is best it is not onely fit for the making of Cups Vessels Bracelets and other elegant matters but its powder ingredes the Citrian unguent and is commended in dentifrices and other Medicaments inservient to Ornament CHAP. 13. Of Gypsum a kinde of Talkum or Lime GYpsum is known to all especially to the Lutetians whose Walls Houses and Palaces are generally cemented therewith whose suburbane Mynes are wholly of this Lime-stone whose cunicles contain not any flint or other stone Now this Gypsum is a white and nitent stone easily divisible into plates and fit for Structures Edifices and Walls Crude Gypsum is not usurped to the fabrick of houses but it is first burned till it become tabid white and easily pulverable then diluted with water which afterwards concretes to a stony hardness before it be hardened it is agitated with a Spade subacted and wrought so as it may be soft and sequacious more fit to agglutinate stones or compact other works It is best when newly cocted for if it be long kept it will be more humid and will not concrete so solidly There are two sorts hereof the one more common which is obscurely nitent the other more rare which is cloven into plates and splendent like specular stone whence many call it Talkum but improperly for Talkum is more slender squamous white and lucid Some call it Selenite some juglers by their deceptive art make an oyl of Talkum to wash erugate and dealbate old Wives faces withall and so daily deceive silly women that will not indure deformity with their vain promises whilest warily yet not illicitely they put their hands into the womens Purses for it is no injury or deceit to beguile those that consent and are willing It hath an astringent faculty and is good against Ruptures Vires CHAP. 14. Of Chalk CHalk Lime and Gypsum are agglutinative stones used in compacting rich mens houses for poor mens cottages are emented onely with a little clay subacted Now Lime after it hath once drank water bears it not again but Chalk is nourished by water and longer and better preserved therewith When I name Chalk I mean that which is very white pulverable friable and by infusion in water inflammeable For crude Chalk is a hard ponderous stone that will neither dissolve nor wax white in water and is more properly called Chalk-stone In what parts Chalk is found there is no Lime and where Lime is found there is no Chalk that Chalk is best which touched with water makes a noise ignifies and is cineritious for age makes it whiter but more infirm for the air is got into it and its fire is abared Dioscorides sayes That Chalk may be made of the shells of Cockles Mussles or Oysters so long burnt till they be perfectly white An eximious Psylother may be made of quick Chalk and Auripigment which will easily depilate rough places This also with someother things will make good Pyroticks which will burn the part they are applied to Chalk often washed with pluvial or fountain-water may usefully be mixed to such unguents as cure cadaverous Ulcers Chalk extinguished with water and twice or thrice washed if it be again cast into water makes that water very convenient for the Ulcers in the Privities and other running cadaverous and dangerous sores in other parts for by much washing it deposes its mordacity and ceases to be sharp but yet it callfies and siccates manifestly and ceases to be sharp but yet it califies and siccates manifestly and is therefore good to exsiccate Ulcers and induce scars CHAP. 15. Of stones found in Spunges SPunges by nature accede nearer to Plants then Animals for they have accrescion and augmentation but no fensation as many have credited Dioscorides makes some of them male which are full of smaller holes the hardness whereof they call He-goats and others female which have larger holes Aristotle makes four sons of Spunges some spisse which are softest others tenuious which are hardeft others most spisse and others most valid which they call Achilleous Spunges Those that grow on stones are harder those that grow on the tranquil marine tracts are softer But we know onely three sorts of Spunges the first with rare and patent holes which is softest and most vulgar in magnitude and form resembling a mans Liver the second perviated with lesser holes which is denser lesser and harder the third like Sea-spume which is most dense valid and cineritious they commonly call them all Sea-Mushromes Pliny saith Vires That stones either grow in Spunges or coming from other places fall in and are stabled there both sorts are well known for they are found in every Spunge but those that grow in the Spunge must be selected as being more apt to break the stone yet Galen is of opinion that this stone is not so valid as to break the stone in the bladder CHAP. 6. Of Bricks MEdicks do not onely from Gemmes and Stones but from broken and inveterate Bricks worn Shoe-soles and Clay seek remedies for the sick for nothing is void of all qualities and nothing but used opportunely by a perite and approved Medick will profit There are many things which are efficacious while new but by age lose their qualities and vertue as common Medicaments others which are scarce Medicinal till they be old as Bricks which at first serve onely for structures but when old are very Medicinal and expetible as will appear from the Oyl extracted out of them for the cure of many diseases as we have shewed in our Shop SECT III. Of Metals THat is properly called a Metal which is of a Fossile body hard ductile with a hammer and liqueable with fire but as soon as it is melted it doth return into its pristine form The word is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say to search because the Metallists are wont to search the Veins of the Earth for every Vein doth afford
very hard onely Tinne is a little more sonore and hard then Lead Tinne is either simple pure and defaecated or impure and compounded of other Metals so made either by Nature or Art whereof there are many differences according to the nature of the ingredients and proportion of the same whose faculties respond to the mixion of those things whereof it consists Tinne is of much use to man Usus which though it be seldome used in Medicine yet it affords vessels for their repose and preservation The Alchymists make an Oyl out of Tinne for the cure of Wounds and Ulcers but I think such Medicaments as are easilier made cheaper and more efficacious are better CHAP. 4. Of Lead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lead is according to Alchymists both dedicated to Saturn and called Saturn and in their opinion it is generated of impure and crass Quicksilver and a little impure Sulphur and it is thought that not onely under the earth but in the open air also it augments and therefore Cardanus thinks it labefactates houses by its weight who make four differences thereof the vulgar white which many call Tinne Bisemutum yet unknown and that which is made of Stibium Pliny acknowledges onely two sorts the vulgar or black and the white who gives a twofold original to the black for saith he it is either generated in its own vein which produces nought else or it is conflated in many veins mixt with Silver The first liquor which flows in furnaces is called White-Lead or Tinne the second Silver and that which remains the Latines call Plumbago out of which Lead is elicited It is extracted also out of a certain Plumbary effoded out of Mynes which stone they call Molybdoides and the Lead thus secerned and melted is poured into water while hot till it leave its dross Morters and Pestels for Medicinal uses are made of Lead as also round Pipes or Canes for deep and internal Ulcers which are as good as golden Pipes There is also a Powder made of Lead for the exsiccation of Ulcers whereof we have elswhere made mention Galen saith Vires that Lead is refrigerative and is either solarly or mixed with other Medicament conducible to malignant cankerous and putrid Ulcers but its faculties are bettered by lotion or ustion Dioscorides teaches the manner qualities and effects of its ablution and ustion Ceruse is made of plates of Lead of which hereafter CHAP. 5. Of Brass BRass is dedicated to Venus from her Island Cyprus where it is copiously effoded and it is either of a golden colour and thence called Aurichalcum or redder and then it is called Brass absolutely This was of more use amongst the Ancients then either Gold Silver or Iron for the first money was of Brass And hence we have these occurrents Aerarium Publicum aes alienum questor erarius Their bellatory arms also were not of steel but brass as also their Statues and Temple-doors In Pharmacopolies we often meet with these terms Aes ustum fles aeris squama aeris aerugo but what every of these denotes all our Pharmaceutical lections will scarcely teach us Aes ustum or burnt Brass saith Dioscorides is made of the nails of broken ships imposed upon a crude earthen vessel a little Sulphur and as much Salt strewed under them all of them being besprinkled herewith and the vessels spirament daubed with a singular cement it is set on a furnace till they be cocted This aes ustum astringes exsiccates represses extenuates attracts purges Ulcers and brings them to a scar and emends the vices of the eyes Flos aeris or the flower of Brass is made when the Brass melted in the furnace delabes into certain receptacles through the necks of such fistuls as appertain thereunto and when cold water is infunded upon the burning Brass before it concrete into a hard mass for then this flos aeris in this sudden concretion and densation will erupt in a vapour which concreting also will fall down in small red grains like Millet which we take for flos aeris Squama aeris or the scales of Brass are made when Brass is smitten with hammers and those are the best which are excussed out of the same Brass that nails are made of those the worst which are made of vile and promiscuous or white Brass This squama eris astringes extenuates represses erodes stays arrels and brings Ulcers to scars CHAP. 6. Of Verdegrease VErdegrease is not onely of use to Painters but to Physicians also who mix it with many Medicaments for the cure of Ulcers as that Medicament which Galen calls Lite and more he describes This Verdegrease is not the flower of Brass as some think but a certain green rasure which exudes out of its plates wet with vinegar Dioscorides make two sorts hereof one the vulgar or simple Verdegrease the other worm-rust and that twofold the one fossile and the other factitious both whereof are rare for the one is either not sought or not found and the other not now made But the vulgar is copious and every-where venale which may be made many wayes but most usually thus Some sharp Vinegar must be infused into a Hogshead or other ample vessel whereon a brazen vessel must be inversly superimposed if it may be a concamerated one or if it be plain it must be so obstructed that there may not be any spiracle left after ten dayes let the cover be removed and the Verdegrease thereon eraded This way is also most usual one or more plates of brass are so suspended in a Hoshead containing Vinegar that they may not touch the Vinegar and the due dayes being expired the Verdegrease is deraded Moreover the same plates macerated in Vinegar will afford Verdegrease It is sharp Vires digestive and attractive it discusses not onely tender but hard flesh and it is not onely mordacious to the gust but to the very Ulcers If you adde a little of it to a large Searcloth the mixture will exterge without mordacity Many erre in ascribing a Sarcotical or Epulotical faculty to many Medicaments when they of themselves are not but become such by composition Galen CHAP. 7. Of Iron NOthing is more common nothing more useful and nothing more nocent then Iron for neither houses stables nor ships nor yet such things as respect mans vesture and aliment can be had or made without Iron seeing no labour is suscepted no work absolved without the adjument hereof for all Artificers need some Iron Instrument to their work All which I will not in special prosecute seeing it is notorious to every Rustick For not onely Plough-shares Saws Hatches Sickles Tongs and Needles but also Swords Spears Darts Arrows and Canon-bullets which beat down whole Cities and Fortresses killing men and perpetrating a thousand slaughters are made of Iron which Pliny not induring cries out we do not only use Iron at hand but send it to do our mischief at distance one while ejecting it
and that they can both beget conceive and bear And the blood is not onely so efficacious but the whole Hare usted in an earthen pot well covered and taken with some White-wine water or fit decoction breaks and expels stones and therefore rightly accedes to Lithontripticons confection There is also the Sea-hare so called because generated in the Sea it resembles our Land-hares which is very much an enemy to the Lungs and Women with Childe of which see Rondeletius CHAP. 5. Of Fat 's and first of Harts Marrow Marrow is in every Animal the aliment of its bones it califies allayes dolour resolves mollifies hard tumours in any part but especially Harts Marrow next to that is Calves Marrow the Marrow of other Animals is sharper and more intemperate A Hart is a well-known Animal which superates all other cornigerous beasts both in pulchritude of form amplitude of horns and variety of branches But nature denied horns to Deer and those that first erupt out of the Male are erect without branches whence the Bucks are called Subulones afterwards their horns are bifidous afterwards trifidous they are at first vested with a skin and soft Down but after they are expofed a while to the Sun they become rough hard and glabre All cornigerous Animals except the Hart bear hollow horns but his are all over solid which fall off yearly and then being disarmed he hides himself daily till new ones erupt and these cornicles are as roborative and as much resist venenate affections as Monoceros his horn Experience hath also proved That a Harts genitals are very efficacious in curing the Pleurisie Collick and Dysentery There is a certain concreted liquor Gumme-like which we call Harts-tears in the greater angle of an old Harts eye which by an admirable propriety moves sudour copiously and oppugnes the venenate quality of the Pestilence and other malign affections Eutyceros and Platyceros are a kinde of Harts But I leave the nature of them to be described by such as undertake the absolute History of Animals CHAP. 6. Of Goats Suet. MArrow Suet Fat and Grease have much cognation each with other which are onely found in Animals indued with blood but not all in all for some are onely proper to some beasts as Suet to cornigerous Animals Fat to some cloven-footed Animals all Birds and many four-footed Beasts which is that same which the French when salted call Vicil oing when fresh Saing doulx Now Suet differs from Fat or Grease in that it is fragile and concretes by cold whereas Grease is liquid and may not be hardned they differ also in place for Fat is found betwixt the skin and flesh Suet alwayes in the panicle about the Reins and in the end is flesh Those Animals whose blood is more corpulent have more of Suet for Suet according to the Philosopher is terrene and hence it is coagulated like fibrous blood wherefore such cornigerous Animals as are not toothed on both sides being by nature dry and terrene are pregnant with Suet but such as are not cornigerous and yet toothed on both sides have Fat in its stead which being not terrene is not coagulated Therefore Suet being made more terrene then Fat is therefore taken for the Confection of Unguenti Citrinum if it be not the Fat of a Goat or a Ram or a Kid for those are proper Concerning which to speak more words is in vain CHAP. 7. Of Swines Grease AXungia or Grease is so denominated ab axibus unguendis from greasing Axle-trees that the wheels may run more easily and smoothly yet it is of much use in Medicine especially Swines grease to the confection of certain unguents and salves which is most liquid flowing like Oyl yea it mollifies concocts and resolves more then Oyl it is indued with a lenitive and anodynous quality and thence it may be usefully adhibited to mitigate the acrimony of humours allay dolours temper inflammations and resolve humours or aptly mixed with Cataplasms instituted to the same effects The grease of hotter Animals as of Lyons is more efficacious in resolving for a Swine is not intemperate in the first qualities and therefore it waxes so soon fat and is so multiparous being stimulated to venery and exercising congress before the year end It s Snout is repanded its neck short and crafs hispid with rigid bristles the Males resticles which are not long hang behinde as in other four-footed Animals its teeth are long and bended but the Female want such fangs or at least they are not so perspicuous both of them have intorted tails as also a Boar which is a wilde Swine CHAP. 8. Of Bears Grease BEars Grease is hotter and dryer then Swines but colder and moister then Lyons Grease it is not onely commended solely to Moulds in the heels and falling of hair but mixed with other resolvent unguents to make them more efficacious A Bear is an Animal of a horrid aspect and vociferation for its voice is iracund minacious and full of terror its mouth is very patulous its teeth serrated its nostrils wide its ears decurtated its whole body rough with prolix hairs and its tail so short as it can scarce be perceived The She-Bear is very venereous often sollicitating the Male to congress lying on her back and amplecting him her young is not without form till she lick them as it is commonly credited which error Scaliger disproves Exer. 15. contra Cardan CHAP. 9. Of Goose Grease ALl Greases are somewhat ingrateful subverting the ventricle except Goose grease which participating of some suavity is more expetible in culinary matters and it is much celebrated in Pharmacopolies also being adhibited alone to the ear against that noise that precedes hardness of hearing and is also mixed with many other resolvent Medicaments A Goose is both carnivorous and frugivorous conversant both in watery and plain places both domestick and wilde changing its seat and soly at certain times they fly by companies like Cranes Some superstitiously believe That Geese are as good keepers as Dogs because one by chance saved the Capitol awaking the Souldiers with its profound clamour who seeing a few French-men ascending the walls with Ladders fell upon them with violence and routed them For which benefit the Romans held Geese sacred a long time But after a while deposing this Superstition they used Geese in their Banquets they yielding very laudable alimony and odour when they are rosted and grateful sapour when eaten Some refer Swans and the like to this kinde but Cooks have more to do therewith then Apothecaries CHAP. 10. Of Ducks Grease Ducks Grease is also of use in Medicine which we adhibit by it self to the dolour of the joynts and mixed with other Medicaments and Salves to the cold distemper of the nerves for it is mollitive calefactive resolvent and anodynous A Duck is of the kinde of whole-footed Birds which whether domestick or wilde equally delights in dry and in moist places Some of the domestick Ducks are all
learned men to judge them less efficacious then they are thought A Fox is a crafty Animal with a bushy tail and an osseous genital apt to break and expel the stone he layes wait for Hens and other young birds and Hares also he makes himself a deep cave with many turnings and holes much distant from each other that he may better delude the hunters His flesh is dry and digestive the oyle wherein he is elixated Vires is called Foxes Oyl it evokes humours to the external superficies of the body and discusses them whence it is convenient to the Gout His fat melted and poured into the ear diseased allayes its dolour CHAP. 14. Of the Beaver's stones called Castor-Cuds CAstor Castorium is apt and expetible for many Medicinal uses Now a Castor is an amphibious Animal whitely cineritious and black on the back living partly on the water and partly on the earth sucking meat from both places like an Otter to which it is very like except in its tail which is glabre broad and squamous Fish-like but the Otters is long round hispid and yellow as its whole body is also There are many Castors about the rivers in Pontus and also in the sens in Spain but their stones have not the same faculty with them of Galatia The Castor will bite horridly for if it catch hold of a man it will not let the part go till it feel and hear the broken bones crack and rub one against another its testicles are chiefly Medicinal which it doth not bite off with its own teeth when pursued by hunters as it is sabulously storyed of it The convex testicles must be chused for Medicaments which depend upon one string pregnant with a watery humour graveolent and bitter to the gust This Medicament is both famous and useful according to Galen insomuch as Archigenes wrote a whole book of the use of Beavers-stones They califie manifestly Vires cure Serpents poyson move fluors and delivery help Lethargy and sluggishness and the affections of the Nerves CHAP. 15. Of Animals Excrements and first of Musk. SOme Animals are hunted and taken for meat as Harts Hares and Boars others for Medicine as Vipers others for pleasure and odorament as the Musk and Civet-Cat the Beaver also and Badger for Medicaments and vesture Musk is the name of an excrement and of the Animal whose excrement it is the Animal is exotical being in India in the Kingdom of Pegu not much unlike a she-goat with a praegrand body they call it the Musk-Buck the Musk-Roe and the Musk-Goat out of whose inferiour jaw there erupts as many teeth and as great as them of Hogs When this beast is moved with venery her umbilical region swells through the vehemency of her fury and there much crass blood being congested makes up an imposthume and then the fierce Animal refuses all meat and drinks convolving it self along the ground and rubbing the part swelled against trees and stones with pleasure till it breaks and opens its bladder out of which corrupt matter runs which is true Musk of all things the most odorate and suaveolent in bonity much superating all the varieties of Musk we see This corruption left upon stones and trunks of trees is by the heat of the Sun and influence of the heavens cocted and elaborated and it s foetid odour if it had any dissipated and so it becomes most excellent Musk which none but Kings and Noble-Men obtain But that which is ordinarily sold is far inferiour being drawn from Animals catched by hunting For when the hunters catch this beast they abscind its hide with some flesh express collect exsiccate its blood with its utricles and skin whose dryed blood mixed with a small portion of its recrements they sell for pure Musk. There is a kinde of greater Weasel which being Martial and pugnaceous they call Martes for it kills great Hens sometimes whose excrements as I have oft observed smell like Musk. There are also some plants and fruits which affect the nostrils and palate with this Musky suavity as sweet-Storks bill Musk-rose and Pears that savour of Musk. The faculties of Musk are eximious for it roborates and exhilarates a cold and fearful heart and conduces to all its affections it also recreates the brain and refreshes the spirits it is hot in the secand and dry in the third degree CHAP. 16. Of Civet THree Animals are suaveolent the Panther which many say smells gratefully onely to beasts and not to men the Muskgoat and the Civet-Cat which the Greeks call Zapetion about whose nature the Ancients do not well agree It is a wilde Animal with horrid teeth not so like a Cat as many write for it is greater exceeding in magnitude sometimes a Wolf its head neck feet and other parts are very unlike a Cat 's its mouth is long like a Badgers mouth its body long its inferior jaw white as also its beard its feet black the lateral parts of its belly white it s back obscurely cineritious and somewhat maculated its excrement is called Civet which for its fragrancy rich men desire and for its efficacy Medicks celebrate Civet then is an odorament different from Musk most sweet fat trasse and blackish desumed from an Animal thence called Civet-Cat for it is the sudour of this beast concreting about its testicles and privities which men erade with a Spoon It is an Indian Animal now cicurated and frequent in Europe daily seen and kept in many mens houses in Lutetia Now that it may suggest more abundance of this recrement it must be irritated wearied and provoked to anger for then its genitals will emit much sudour which they afterwards erade At first when deraded it is graveolent to some men but when it is concreted and exposed to the air it deposes its virulency and acquires a most grateful suavity As its odour challenges affinity with Musk so also doth its quality Vires but it most conduces to the strangulation of the Uterus if a few of its grains be imposed into the cavity of the Navel Both Patients and Physicians eschew the dung of Animals because of its foetour and ingrateful sapour and ingenuous men had rather seek handle and exhibit Medicaments then putrid excrements Yet Mouse-dung with white-wine is good to break and exclude the stone Dogs-dung cures the Quinsie Mans dung is much commended in swellings Nothing is so good a cure for the Epilepsie which comes from the consent of the inferior parts and ascent of the more tenuious matter to the head as Peacocks-dung But seeing such excrements ingrede not the composition of our Medicaments we will not trouble our selves with them CHAP. 17. Of Isinglass THere are many kindes of glewish substances in Apothecaries shops one whereof is a Minefal which is apt to conjoyn Gold and thence called Chrysocolla another which glutinates wounds and flesh and stayes the fluxes of the eyes which is a Gumme of a certain Tree in Persia this they call
easily known by name some call it Amentum others Amiantus for it is yet doubted whether Amentum be that stone Amiantus which is of a whitish green and by many called Scissile-Alome from which it differs much For Scissile-Alome is manifestly astrictive and being injected upon coals burns but plumeous Alome is acrimonious safe from flame and well termed Amiantus or Amentum or Amiantum which the Citrian Unguent admits of but I dare not assert this for certain seeing Amentum is a barbarous word well understood by none as it appears by the opinions of such Authors as have written of it for Theophrastus will have it the name of a tree Matthaeus Sylvaticus burnt glass Manlius burnt lime some Suet or the fat of glass others Talkum or the specular glass which is indeed very convenient for this Unguent as also plumbeous Alome which Apothecaries by good reason use for Amentum or Amiantus There is also much mention in shops of Bizantian Blatta which is a cover very like that wherewith the Purple-fish is tected yet this similitude is onely as to their substance and faculties and not as to their forms for the tegument of the Purple-worm is round according to Rondeletius and this Blatta long and strict found in nardiferous lakes and thence suaveolent for these worms eat Spikenard and this Blatta is called the odorate Nayl for it smells somewhat like a Beaver But I will not longer insist upon its description because it ingredes no Medicament in our Shop CHAP. 27. Of Tortoises TOrtoises are either aquatical living in the Sea or sweet-watel or amphibious living partly on the land and partly on the water whence Pliny comprehending them all in a quaternal number calls them either Marine or Fluvial Terrestrial or Palustrian A Tortoise is a candated Animal with four feet squamous ingrateful to the sight whose shell is of an oval form long broad hollow within and without extuberant like a Buckler under which it sometimes hides its head tail feet and all and sometimes it puts them out even at pleasure This alone of squamous Animals according to Aristotle hath Reins and a Bladder it layes Egges with hard shells of two colours which it reconds in a Ditch excavated like a hogshead and covers them with the earth which it makes even and so sits upon it till its young ones be excluded Solinus saith That in the Indian Sea there are Tortoises of so great a magnitude that their shells open at the bottom and joyned at the top make so large houses for the vulgar Indians that a numerous family may dwell therein Yea some use them in stead of Boats wherein they sayl from one Isle to another in the Red-Sea With the Troglodites they are cornigerous but less then the Indian Tortoises are of much use Vires both in Cibaries and Medicine for their decoction helps such as are consumed and attenuated and therefore they usefully ingrede the confecture of the resumptive Syrupe Many delight in their flesh but it is such a deformed Animal in head tail feet form colour and spots resembling the Serpentine kinde that nature seems to note it as offensive and unwholesome which they also confess who love it but that its dressing and condiments make it less noxious for else it were horrid CHAP. 28. Of Frogs MYropolists use whole Frogs in the composition of Vigonius his salve which the Author described for the cure of a disease proper to his own Nation Sylvius also saith Their decoction will ease the Tooth-ache if the mouth be washed therewith their ashes with Pitch according to Dioscorides or rather with Honey according to Pliny will bring again fallen hairs The Emplaisters wherewith they are mixed are thence siccative and discussive especially in the dolours of the junctures They are Antidotal against Serpentine poysons according to Dioscorides if they be decocted eaten with Salt and Oyl and their broth supped But all Frogs are not edible whereof there are many varieties for some delight solely in water and live there ordinarily others on the dry soyl others also are amphibious living equally on the water and earth Some of the watery Frogs live in Fenny and muddy places and are pernicious acceding near the nature of Toads others live in limpid and fountain water and are wholesome and reposed among Cibaries Some of those that feed on dry soyls live amongst reeds others amongst bryars and thorns the former which are least of all are called Calamitae and the latter Rubetae by the Latines by the Greeks Phrynoi which are as pernicious as the Palustrian Frogs those they call Dryophites which climb up Oaks and live in or about them and the Diopetes which fall with storms and warm showers out of the air are no better then the rest All of them are mute in winter except the watery Frogs which at the end of Winter and beginning of the Spring begin to croak to wit when Tadpoles are procreated in putrid waters which some falsly call Frogs-sperm or Frogs-egges Arist Hence many have derided the Medicament of a certain Alchymist who prescribes the water of Frogs-sperm to the Pimples and swellings of the face eyes and the whole body whereas he might hunt exenterate dissect exhaust and search the seminals of all the Frogs in France and never get so much sperm as would wet the bottome of his Metal-pan Experience also shews and learned Rondeletius hath averred That Tadpoles come of Mud and turn not into Frogs All Frogs besides the watery ones are pernicious and malign as also those of them also that are maculated with black spots like Toads of whose nature they participate and those that use them for meat are infected with a plumbeous colour Wherefore they should not be taken save for Physick for they putrifie the body Yet some put Palustrian Frogs others Rubetae to the confection of Jo. de Vigo his salve but I think amphibious Frogs are better For the Rubetae which live among bryars thorns and dry soyls being venenate and acrimonious impart a certain quality to the Medicament whereby it vellicates the skin and raises lumps and the water are not so efficacious therefore those that live partly in water and partly on the land must be elected as best CHAP. 29. Of Crab-fishes THere are innumerable varieties of shelled fishes some whereof have long bodies as Locusts and Lobsters others round as all the troop of Sea-Crabs and fresh-water Crabs whereof there are fewer varieties As some of Sea-Crabs are greater as those we call Maeae and Paguri and others lesser which we call Pinnophylaces so some of the fresh-water Crab-fishes are great broad-footed like the Sea-Crabs but greater others little ones which we use in Meats and Medicaments as by Avicenna's counsel to refresh such as labour in the Hectick Feaver and such as are bitten by mad Dogs as also to ingrede some mundificative Unguents Rondeletius hath largely described the whole kinde of Crabs Lib. 18. de Piscibus Lib. particulari de
with thus many Furnaces seeing it is made for Medicaments rather then Instruments CHAP. 10. Of Alembicks and Cucurbites AN Alembick in its larger acception complects Cucurbites Retorts Glass-pots and a certain Instrument of Copper with three feet and three partitions in the lowest wherof ashes have their place in the middle burning coals and in the highest a vessel covered with a rostrated capitel in form of a Cone and sometimes round with a refrigeratory formed like a small cup that it may hold more water which when it is hot may be effunded through a cock posited in its decline and other cold water affunded into it again But it s more angust signification denotes onely a certain beaked distillatory vessel joyned to another vessel contained in the superiour part of the furnace and such are our Alembicks of Lead Glass or Potters-clay whether uniform or acuminated above broad below like a bell whence they are so called yet some are capitated and round and often obvallated with a certain refrigerative vessel which they sometimes call a Capitel sometimes a Hat because as the Head is covered with a Hat so is that receptacle or vessel which contains the stillatitious matter whose various form alters its denomination covered with an Alembick It is sometimes call'd a Cucurbite sometimes a Bladder sometimes Boccia Matratium a Pot and other names But the Bell whether it be alone or set on the receptacle is called an Alembick whereof there are two main differences the one is beaked which emits a long channel propendent like the snout of an Elephant through which condensed vapours delabe into the supposited vessel the other wants this tube and is called a blind Alembick this is proper to the Chymists who use it in sublimation as the beaked one in distillation some of these have such a long tube that they can traject it through the middle of a hogs-head full of cold water which concretes and contemperates the delabing water better Many have a beak deflected like a Serpent or Worm which name it holds and is most accommodate to distil Aqua vitae which the Chymists call Elixir vitae The magnitude also and figure of the receptacles are various for some are very ample and bellied others so small that they exceed not the magnitude of a Walnut and these are destinated to Chymical operations others are moderate in capacity some whereof are straight as Vials Urinals Pots Cucurbites whether greater or less and Separatories others inflicted as Retorts a crooked Boccia called Cornumuse Those things are distilled in straight Cucurbites which are easily sublevated on high as Roots Seeds Leaves Flowers and Atomata's those in oblique ones which are not so easily elevated as Rosins Lachrymae Fat 's and Gums CHAP. 11. Of Tables and Counters necessary in Pharmacopolies NO Housholdstuff so small no cottage so mean but it contains a Table or some thing to eat at and use for the Table doth not alwayes serve for meat but many more works as in a Pharmacopoly to receive simples while they be selected separated prepared measured orderly disposed and put into composition Therefore when some solemn and great composition is to be made as the Treacle Mithridate Aurea Alexandria or the like the Apothecary must make use of a long Table not in the shop but in some more retired cubicle where he may more liberally select accurately ponderate safely keep and exactly mix and compound his Medicaments And a Money-Counter or two must needs be had in every Pharmacopoly for all that are bought or sold almost are laid thereupon this receives all that are measured trutinated brayed in small Morters divided with Knives or integrally exhibited It s form should be quadrilateral and it should have many exemptile boxes in its antick part which might hold many seeds and keep other necessaries in the other side next the seat where the Apothecary sits should be some larger boxes locked up wherein some precious Medicaments may be contained On the top there should be a chink or scissure whereinto the Money received and gained must be dimitted Over the counter there should hang a certain Instrument fastened to the beams with nails not unlike a I inverted in the inseriour part whereof wooden or iron nails should be fastened whereon Scales of diverse magnitudes Tongs Spatula's and other instruments should be suspended which being at hand might not be to seek Besides the wooden ones they should have some Tables of Marble or Purple-stone with a Brayer of the same matter wherewith Precious-stones may be levigated They must have also a straight Log which for ornament may be engraven with soeveral images to under-set their greatest Morter CHAP. 12. Of little Chests Boxes and other officinary Vessels ALl the vessels in a Pharmacopoly serve either for preparation of Medicaments whereof I have already treated or for their reposition of which now and they are Bottles Pots for Oyntments Pots Capruncles Pitchers Chests and Boxes Bottles are well known and they are either of Glass or Clay serving for the repositure of distilled waters which should occupy the lowest part of the Pharmacopoly these waters being heavier and in greater quantity then other Medicaments and when frost comes these Bottles should be reposed in a cellar that their waters may not be concreted till the rigour of the cold be over Oyl-pots which serve for keeping Oyls are sometimes of Potters clay but more frequently of Tinne and obduced with a cover that they may be operculated or opened with speed Oyls educed by infusion should be reposed herein There are great store of Pots in a Pharmacopoly the greatest part whereof are of Tinne some of Earth and a few of Lead Unguents are kept and reposed herein Capruncles are all of Potters-clay white and smooth within with a handle on one side a tube on the other through which the liquor may be effunded and a very patulous orifice above that the liquor may more easily be affunded they are adorned with various colours and shapes Syrupes are reposed herein Besides these vessels there should be small ones like little Pitchers of Glass or Clay wherein cordial Powders may be kept and they have a peculiar place adorned with more artifice to stand in There should be also other small vessels of Tinne wherein several Masses for Pills are reconded each one in a peculiar skin wrapped There must be also certain ligneous vessels for the reposition of Medicaments as Baskets Chests and Boxes Baskets are contexed of vimineous boughs or rushes wherein many fruits are reposed and they are ordinarily set in the posterior tabern or other angle of the shop but if they be small ones they may be suspended in the shop Chests are quadrilateral consisting of five short boards artificially conjoyned besides a lid wherein Barks Wood Mushromes Flowers Tables Bones Horns Cleyes and the dry parts of Animals are reposed Boxes are round and profund either made with a throwe or composed of a thin broad chip brought to a round form
and who usurpe them onely in expugning diseases for as they doe not conduce in all diseases so it is certain that they profit in some cases for Minerals afford us every kinde of Medicament to wit Alterative Roborative Cathartical Chalk Litharge and Vitriol alterate the Hyacinth Terra-Lemnia and Emerald roborate Lapis-Cyaneus Stibium and Mercury purge The effect also besides the Testimony of perite men shews that there are eximious faculties in Metals for Gold beaten into thin leaves and taken with other idoneous Medicaments cures many affections Avicenna prescribes it chiefly to such as are Melancholical and to such as should have their faculties roborated or spirits exhilarated and hence its dust is exhibited by the richer either in cordial confections which receive of its leaves as Aurea Alexandrina the confection of Alkermes and Electuarium de Gemmis Gold is Chieftain amongst Metals next Silver then Brass Tinne Lead and Iron some adde a seventh to wit Mercury which is a Metal rather potentially then actually but there are almost innumerable Minerals as all the sorts of earths amongst which Lemnia holds the chief seat then Bole-Oriental then Erethrian Setenusian Samian and Synopical earth with Ocre and such Minerals as are effoded out of the bowels of the Earth as fossile Salts Lime Talkum Misy Sory Red-Lead Chalk Vitriol Chrysocolla Auripigmentum Alom Sulphur Chrystal Stibium and such as cleave to Metals or are collected out of Furnaces wherein Metals are melted as the flower of Brass Cadmia Ceruse Brass-Scales Lead-Ocre Pompholix Spodium Litharge and the dross of Brass Many stones also are much celebrated amongst Minerals which for their eximious vertues and pulchritude are called precious stones as the Saphyr Ruby Carbuncle Emerald Hyacinth Granatus Topaz Beril Achates Sarda Carchedony Haematites Jasper Selenite Magner Pumic and Alome whereunto we may adde those those that are elicited out of the Sea and waters as odorate Amber Sea-Salt Whales-spume Bitumen Coral Amber Jeat Antal Dental Coralin Spunges and some others which being indued with a more imbecile faculty in Medicine are omitted CHAP. 15. Of Animals or parts thereof which are to be kept in Pharmacopolies ANimals both nourish us while well ture us while sick and vest us always or by some other means whether they be living or intemperate tend to our emolument as when we use them wholly or some part or excrement of them to the curation of our diseases nutrication of our bodies or instauration of our strength for Musk and Givet though excrements wonderfully roborate the heart and spirits Insects are integrally usurped such as be Spanish-Flyes Asels Worms Lizards Ants Vipers Scorpions Frogs Crabs Swallows and some littles Birds The Medicinal parts of Animals are many as a mans scull unburied a Harts heart-bone Sparrows and Hares brains Boars and Elephants teeth Frogs hearts Foxes Lungs Goats Livers Wolves intestines Beavers and Cocks testicles Hogs bladders Harts genitals Serpents skins Mans Hogs Gooses Sheeps Ducks Badgers Conies Goats Snakes and Land-Snakes fat Harts Calves and Goats marrow Mans Stock-Doves and Goats blood all Milk and all that comes of it as Whey Cheese and Butter Hens Partridges and Ants eggs Honey Wax Propolis Harts Does and Unicorns horns Elkes Oxes and Goats Cleyes Oysters Margarites and many fishes shells And seeing excrements have their Medicinal vertues Pharmacopolists must also have them in keeping as Goats Dogs Storks Peacocks and Stock-Doves dung Sheeps grease Silk Musk Civet and the hairs of some Animals And that I may briefly complect all all the simple Medicaments we have described in our three Books of Medicinal matter are necessary for a Pharmacopolist CHAP. 35. Of Compound Medicaments to be kept in Pharmacopolies VVHen the Pharmaceutrical Art was not yet reducted to an Art nor any Medicaments save a few described or digested into order then what compounds should be retained and what rejected was not determinable Nicolaus Praepositus indeed described many Medicaments some whereof he himself disapproves of others he transcribed not faithfully and others he depraved by changing something in them so that from his writings we cannot conjecture what to keep or what not Nic. Alexandrinus heaps up such a mole of Medicaments that they would rather puzzle then help an Apothecary Actuarius also Aetius and Oribasius describe many which consisting of unknown and rare Simples are found either inept or neglected as indued with no eximious qualities Amongst the latter Writers Ferneleus Sylvius and Rondeletius have diligently examined the Medicaments invented by the Ancients and have rejected some as inconcinnate others they have proved illustrated and commended as invented by riper Judgements and indued with Nobler faculties I have diligently selected the most excellent from learned men and the most approved from old and expert men and of them extracted my Pharmaceutrical shop or Antidotary orderly composed into six books wherein all the approved troop of Alterative Purgative and Roborative Medicaments are described which being used either by intrinsecal assumption or extrinsecal adhibition I have exhibited those to be introsumed if Alteratives in form either of syrupes or sapes or conserves or eclegms if Purgatives either in the form of a liquid Electuary or a solid one or Trochisks or Pills if Roboratives either in form of a powder or an opiate confection or of Pastils those to be extraneously adhibited either in form of an Oyl or an Unguent or a salve All which receipts and forms of Medicaments we have exhibited in distinct Books and Chapters described in a good method wherein all the Medicaments are contained wherewith Pharmacopolies should be furnished and guarded He shall require no more neither can he be well furnished with fewer who desires well to cure the several affections of mans body The Apothecaries Shop OR ANTIDOTARY THE FIRST BOOK Of Alterative and Preparative Medicaments Distinguished into eight SECTIONS The first whereof describes onely Syrupes selected and approved by long use THE PREFACE HOw necessary a Method is in delivering of Disciplines I think is well known to any moderately-learned man For without a method there is no certain rule neither for Learner or Teacher to walk by but with this Arts are more firmly established their Theorems more optably read and easily learned Yet you shall scarce finde two who in writing Antidotaries have kept in one rode or disposed their Compounds in one order Some preposterously propose Nic. Praepositus for their example who himself imitating one Nic. Alexandrinus out of whose Works he excerpted those his Works he calls Joan. Agricol Ammonius and M. Tatius Alpin went on Alphabetically treating first of those Medicaments which begun with the letter A then with the letter B and so he spoke promiscuously of the Antidotes Acetum Scylliticum and Amylum Sylvius Fernelius and Joubertus of the later Writers have assayed by certain Laws and Rules to establish an orderly and duly-disposed method yet they much dissent among themselves and what one of them approves another disapproves yet all think that order is best which
curation prescribes for a series of words onely demonstrate We have observed this method in our Shop wherein are contained all Medicaments for the expugnation of all diseases not confusedly described but such as must be introsumed are digested in the former part of the Antidotary such as must be extrinsecally adhibited in the latter part thereof The first part is distributed into three Books the first whereof treats of Alterative and Preparative Medicaments the second of Purgatives and the third of Cordials or Roboratives Each Book is disterminated into many Sections and they subdivided into many Chapters the first whereof treats of Syrupes and first of such as are made of the first and Spring-flowers as Syrupe of Violets Syrupe of Coltsfoot and of the flowers of Peach-trees CHAP. 1. Syrupus Violarum or Syrupe of Violets â„ž of Violet flowers fresh and picked 2 lb. Infuse them eight houres in 5 pints of hot scalding water in a close * An Insusionpot The Author appoints an equal quantity of sugar to the infusion pot well glazed afterwards press them out and the same Infusion made hot again adde to it the same quantity as before of fresh Violets Infusing them 8 hours more and so sive times repeated adde to the Colature 10 lb. â„¥ x. of Loaf-sugar and so make it into a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Nature alone confects no Syrups but they acquire their mixtion coction and consistence by Art yet that which is made of Violets Water and Sugar onely is called a simple Syrupe in reference to the more compound which besides these admit of the seeds of Quinces Mallowes Jujubs Sebesten and the water of Gourds whose Authour they make Mesue but that I know of I never found it thus confected in him That which we call the Simple Syrupe is made in every Pharmacopoly but not alike simply confected for it is sometimes made of the succe of Violets and Sugar sometimes of the same infused and expressed twice thrice or oftener for many infuse and macerate new Violets seven times others eight and some nine But Fernelius thinks that so oft iterated infusion is needless They in vain saith he reiterate the maceration of Violets nine times for Syrupe of Violets seeing after the third or fourth infusion the Syrupe will be as efficacious as after more But I 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 seeing the Plant whereof it was made coming from the Turenian fields sought and found great plenty of it in fields near Paris and of them he made his syrupe annually not borrowing elswhere It is variously called to wit Hispudula Guaphilium Coronario Aelurope or Cats-foot and improperly Harts-foot This syrupe is multifariously made and yet none hath hitherto published its confections some onely take the summities of the Plant or its Down and macerate them in water others take its flowers and leaves to whom I easily assent for thus it becomes more astrictive and more convenient to stay fluxes others adde to its decoction Liquorice Jujubs Raisins Barley and other bechical matters But this description we have exhibited is most usual whereunto if we adde half a pound of rosaceous sugar its quality will be more bechical and cordial and its sapour more gracious The manner of its preparation is so easie that it needs no further dilucidation then that which is in its perspicuous description if no Plant but the dry one can be got then its quantity must be less and the waters greater This syrupe is eximious against many affections of the Lungs for Vires Aelurope or Hispudula being a vulnerary Plant and astrictive it doth not onely cure wounds and hinder Ulcers but heal many other vices It is most convenient for such as have fluxes descending into their breast or have their Lungs infarciated with much pituitous humours for it cohibits the violence of the falling humour cocts the flux roborates the part affected and moves expectoration CHAP. 7. Syrupus Papaveris simp or The Simple Syrupe of Poppy Mes â„ž of the heads of white and black Poppy of each â„¥ xij ss macerate them a whole day in lb iiij of Rain-water and to lb j. of the Colature adde Sugar and Penidees of each â„¥ vj. or lb ss and so boyl them into the consistency of a Syrupe The COMMENTARY Mesue calls this syrupe Simple in reference to the more compound whose confection hath many lenitives as the seeds of Lettice Mallows Quinces Jujubs Maidens-hair also and Liquorice ingrede whereunto if need be Fernelius would have syrupe of Violets or Jujubs to make up this simple syrupe he advises also to adde less of black Poppy because its use is not safe and augment the quantity of the white To which assertion Joubertus assents against Rondeletius and prescribes forty dragms of the black to eighty of the white Vulgar Apothecaries call this Syrupe Diacodium but imperitely for Diacodium is reposed among the Opiates yet one may supply the defect of the other when sleep should be conciliated Poppies heads by Galens advice must be so long cocted after maceration till they be flaccid and marcid and not till the third or fourth part of the water be left for we cannot express their succe but when they are marcid and therefore it is in vain to coct them longer Rain-water is the best in defect whereof we may use fountain-water if it be limpid insipid and void of qualities and therefore the water conducted in leaden pipes must not be accepted because there is mud in them and hence he that drinks the dregs of such water will be overtaken with the Dysentery though in other cases they be wholesome The Ancients Diacodium was made in form of an Opiate and very ungrateful for it admitted of no sugar but many insuave and it is probable useless things it is not now made but in its stead this syrupe made of the decoction of Poppies heads and sugar which many call improperly Diacodium Syrupe of Poppy conciliates sleep Vires mitigates the temper of the cholerick humour and allayes the Cough it becomes more bechical by the access of Penidia which the Arabians call Alphenicum because of its whiteness for it is a most white confection of sugar so long cocted in the decoction of Barley till it acquires a ductile consistence and may be handled ducted and formed with ones hands into Pastils and Rowls intorted like ropes CHAP. 8. Syrupus Papaveris Erratici or Syrupe of Red-Poppy â„ž of the infusion of Red-Poppies twice or thrice reiterated lb ij Sugar lb j. ss Sugar of Roses â„¥ iiij boyl it into a Syrupe according to Art The COMMENTARY Some contend that this syrupe should be made of more infusions but two or three are sufficient for in so poriferous Medicaments no intenseness of faculties are requisite moreover so many infusions will make the colour and sapour of the syrupe more ingrateful The proportion of water to the sugar is the same in this with that in syrupe of Roses None of the Ancients spoke of this syrupe of Poppy but
syrupe to whose confection Senny must first be a little brayed then macerated a whole natural day with Anise in the succes described afterwards once or twice fervefied and strained the expression strained and clarified must be cocted into a syrupe Saffron bound in a linen cloth may be cocted in it it took its name from Sabor King of the Medes for the conservation of whose sanity it was invented and instituted It recreates the vital spirits Vires exhilarates the mind contemperates and purges melancholick humours attenuates crass and viscid humours discusses flatuosity gently subduces the belly and purifies the blood CHAP. 29. Syrupus Myrtinus comp or the compound Syrupe of Myrtle â„ž of the berries of the Myrtle-tree â„¥ ij ss white Sanders * Rhois Culinariae red Sumach Pomgranate flowers Berberies red Roses of each â„¥ j. ss Medlars lb ss let these be bruised and boyled in lb viij of water till it come to lb iiij adde thereunto of the Juyce of Quinces and Pomgranates of each lb ij Sugar lb v. boyl it to a syrupe The COMMENTARY This syrupe holds its old composition wherein many astrictives are mixed together to supply the defect of Myrtle-berries which are very rare whereof if there were any plenty it were better to make the syrupe onely of their succe and Sugar Valerius Cordus mixes it with the succe of wild Apples Fernelius of acid Pomegranates which I like not It roborates the ventricle and bowels Vires abates the antiquate belly-flux prohibits the eruption of blood and the deflux of all humours from the head to the inferiour parts CHAP. 30. Syrupus Menthae simp comp or the simple and compound Syrupe of Mint D. Mes â„ž of the Juyces of Mint clarified sweet Pomegranates and sowre of each lb j. Sugar and Honey as much as will make it into a syrupe The Compound is thus made â„ž of the Juyces of sweet and dulcoacid Quinces of acid and dulcoacid Pomegranates of each lb j. ss Muzorum Acido-dulcium macerate in these for 24 hours dried Mint lb j. ss red Roses â„¥ ij boyl them till half be consumed to the Colature adde lb ij of sugar and in the boyling hang in a ragÊ’ ij of Gallia Moschata The COMMENTARY These syrupes by the consent of the Author may 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 â„ž 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 â„ž of Damask rose-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 â„ž of dryed Roman Wormwood lb ss Roses â„¥ ij SpikenardÊ’ 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
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 ℞ of the roots of Rest-harrow Madder Grass Butchers-Broom of eachʒ vj. the seeds of Carret and Roman-Gith of eachʒ 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 ℞ of the flesh of Snails ℥ iiij Barley whole ℥ ij the pulp of Dates ℥ j. Raisins Kiquorce of eachʒ vj. Sebestens Jujubees of each n. xij Cotton-seed Melon Cucumer and Gourd-seeds of each ℥ ss The seeds of Lettice and * White Uagula Calalinae Poppy of each ʒ ij Coltsfoot Lungwort of each m.j. the flowers of Violets and white Lillies of each ℥ 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-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 â„ž 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 Fennel 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 Oribasius 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-spring-water lb lx boyl them together till a third part be consumed Metheaglen casting away the spume as it rises and when it begins to grow cold put it into a convenient vessel in which hang a nodule of Leaven â„¥ iij. adding Cinamon Grains Pepper Ginger Cloves bruised of eachÊ’ j. set it in a place where the sun may * For 40 days come then preserve it in a Wine-Cellar for future use This kind of potion is most pleasent it will often keep two years in sapour and faculties it responds to Malmsey SECT IV. Of Succes dulcorated with Honey PHarmacopolies preserve some Honeys made of the infusions of Plants or of their succes compounded with Honey which from their confistence and Honey some call Syrupes of Honey but we rather from their succes which ingrede their confecture and Honey call them Melleous succes for whether the extracted succes of Plants be adjoyned to Honey or the Plants themselves be macerated in Honey their succes are alwayes mixed with Honey whence the whole mixture is rightly called A Melleous succe CHAP. 1. Mel Rosatum Lat. Rhodomeli Graec. Geleniabin Arab. or Honey of Roses â„ž Red Roses a little dryed in the shade lb ij Honey neither too old nor too new lb vj. mingle them and boyl them upon a gentle fire in a Pipkin to a good consistence and so preserve it for future use The COMMENTARY All do not prepare honey of Roses alike but many despising the descriptions of Mesue and Nic. Praepositus one while make it with fire onely another while by insolation another while by both and sometimes by none of them but onely by maceration some inject the whole Roses into the honey others bray them first some use onely the succe others both the succe and other Roses the most usual preparation is after the manner we have tradited wherein the Roses a little dryed must be macerated in honey then elixated a little afterwards exposed to the Sun and moved every third day that they may be hot on every side Whilest they are thus made and not strained they are called Honey of Rose-leaves if they be calified and strained as they are usually before they be used they are then called Honey of strained Roses and especially that that results from brayed Roses and Honey That which is made of two parts of the succe of exungated Roses and one of Honey cocted together to the absumption of the fourth part whose spume must be diligently extracted in boyling is called The liquid distrained Honey of Roses Honey of Roses cohibits hot fluxes Vires whether assumed or applied it helps deterges and roborates the stomack CHAP. 2. Mel Violatum or Honey of Violets â„ž of the fresh flowers of Violets lb j. the best Honey lb iij. mingle them in a convenient vessel with a narrow orifice insolate it and keep it for use The COMMENTARY Some to the confection of this honey bray the Violets others mix them whole being small flowers with hot honey in an carthen glazened pot then they expose the pot to the Sun for fifteen dayes each other day agitating the mixture with a rudicle then they repose it and when use calls for it mix it with a little water elixate it a little strain it and thus they get special honey of Violets others do otherwise and in Mesue's opinion it may be made like honey of Roses well but the Violets should be a little dryed or at least deprived of all acquisititious humidity and the honey should be used neither too new nor too old Honey of Violets is commended to pectoral affections it mitigates absterges refrigerates and roborates and therefore it is usefully mixed with many Glysters and Gargarisms and adhibited to deterge Ulcers CHAP. 3. Mel Anthosatum or Honey of Rosemary â„ž of the flowers of Rosemary lb j. Honey well despumed lb iij. mingle them in a Jarre-glass and set it in the Sun which after a convenient insolation preserve for future use The COMMENTARY This of Rosemary is made like them of Violets and Roses Some commend the oldest honey but I like the honey of a middle age because it is neither too dilute nor too crass This is called Mel Anthosatum because the flowers of Rosemary are for their dignity and praecellence called Anthos or flowers And seeing Rosemary flourishes twice in a year once in the Spring and once in Autumn honey of Rosemary-flowers may also be confected twice annually at the aforesaid times when its flower is fresh and fragrant for when it is dry it is almost inodorate and useless It is cephalical and nerval Vires it is a special ingredient in Glysters prescribed to the Lethargie Apoplexy and affections of the head it corrects the parts distempered
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 parts but they will be much diminished and yet the cleansed flower should be onely assumed for this confection both that its faculties may be better and its colour more violaceous The Violets should be brayed very small that no asperity may be found therein then twice their quantity of Sugar must be added to them then they must be again contunded together till the mass be soft and fit to be conserved in an idoneous vessel Mesue addes thrice their quantity of Sugar and then the Conserve is sweeter but not so valid Conserve of Violets allayes the heat of Choler Vires extinguishes the ardour of other humours quenches thirst subduces the Belly dilates and levifies the jaws and asper artery and cures all pectoral affections CHAP. 2. Conserva Rosarum or Conserve of Roses â„ž of red Rose-buds purged from their whites lb j. beat them with a wooden Pestel in a stone Morter till they become a paste then adde of the best Sugar lb iij. which beat with the Roses till they are perfectly mingled and after a little insolation put it up for future use The COMMENTARY Mesue calls that the Sugar which we call the Conserve of Roses and he takes red white and all Roses dryed in a shade without difference with thrice as much Sugar whereof he makes his Sugar of Roses which after three moneths space he exposes to the Sun we take only red Roses not dryed but brayed and mixed with thrice as much Sugar some put onely twice as much Sugar to it and so make the Conserve less suave but more efficacious We call that Sugar of rose-Rose-water which some call Sugar of Roses solved in equal measure and cocted to the consistence of a solid Electuary of which in its place But our Conserves of Roses are not alwayes alike but some are more liquid and soft which are made as we before described them of new flowers brayed and mixed with Sugar others more solid which are made of the powder of dry Roses with eight or ten times as much Sugar diluted in Rose-water and cocted to the consistence of a solid Electuary wherewithall a little succe of Sorrel or Lemmons is mixed which is made into red paste out of which oblong morsels small at each end and crasser in the middle are formed The Conserves thus confected at Agendicum a City in the Province of Brya are much commended Conserve of Roses is cephalical and cordial for Vires it roborates the head and intrails allayes their heat and cohibits fluxions CHAP. 3. Conserva Buglossi or Conserve of Bugloss â„ž of the picked flowers of Bugloss lb j. beat them in a Marble Morter very well to which adde of the finest Sugar lb ij beat them well together which after a convenient insolation repose in a fit vessel The COMMENTARY I can scarce assent to their opinion who would have Buglosses flowers whose vertue is superficial and easily dissipable dryed before triture and mixtion for they are better by how much they are newer and more humid but if they lose their native humidity they lose their efficacy for they are no whit more humid then exigence requires Moreover the more aqueous and excrementitious part of newly confected Conserve is dissipated by insolation but if they be wet with dew or rain they should be dryed in a shade rather then in the Sun before their confecture Conserve of Bugloss exhilarates the vital parts Vires recreates the heart helps the Melancholical conduces to such as labour in the Palsey and Cough CHAP. 4. Conserva Borraginis or Conserve of Borrage â„ž of the fresh flowers of Borrage well picked lb ss of the whitest Sugar lb j. ss beat them in a stone-Morter with a Box-Pestel till it comes to a perfect Conserve The COMMENTARY First the flowers must be brayed by themselves till they be levigated then the Sugar then must they be mixed in triture and made into a soft mass which reconded in an idoneous vessel must be insolated and preserved The Arabians call it Zuccarum alchibil that is Sugar of Borrages the later age calls it Conserve of Borrage-flowers It is given to the same affections with Conserve of Bugloss Vires for both recreate the heart and vital spirits conduce to melancholical passions and this by a peculiar faculty moves womens fluors according to Holerius CHAP. 5. Conserva Nenupharis or Conserve of Water-Lillies â„ž of the flowers of Water-Lillies purged from their herbaceous parts and dryed a whole day in the shade lb ss beat them very well with lb j. ss of white Sugar till they come to a perfect Conserve The COMMENTARY The flowers of Water-Lillies being more crass and humid may be a little aerified then contunded
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
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-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 auxiliary for the Hypochondriacal who as yet have been either overlooked or taken for desperate This Medicament is concinnated for the affections of the Hypochondriacal Histerical Melancholical and such as venery hath proclaimed French-men It is named Dialalzemer from Senny its Basis which the Arabians call Albazemer then which no Medicament is more melanagogous nor purge more tolerable This we mix partly in Powder partly in infusion with such things as discuss flatulency attenuate humours remove infarctures roborate the spleen liver and bowels recreate the faculties respect the Uterus obtund some malign quality and securely propel humours long since congested not onely melancholical and contumacious ones but viscid and pituitous also which sometimes put on the habit of Melancholly and some adust bilious humours and therefore we adde Rhabarb and Turbith that we may with the Melancholical Captain-humour educe the Pituitous his companion inseparable and also the Bilious which is pedissequous And because this Medicament most respects melancholy we have selected black Hellebore for this black humour rejecting the white as more convenient for Phlegm The manner of its preparation is easie and sufficiently demonstrated in the description But before all be congested into the composition the Azure-stone calls for some preparation as thus A sufficient quantity thereof must be taken brayed in a Metalline Morter washed with common water dryed in the Sun or hot ashes then again washed and dryed and so again and again till the water remain limpid then must it be dryed and that not ten but if need be twenty times then let it be washed four five or more times in cordial waters then let it be dryed and kept for use For thus its malign quality perishes and its purgative evades conqueror In the confection of Alkermes it is burnt and its purgative faculty exhaled its cordial onely then remaining whereof there is use Diabalzemer doth miraculoussy help the Splenical Vires Melancholical Hypochondriacal Maniacal Epileptical Histerical and Elephantical This frees Widows from their foetid colours for want of concourse and venereous Indians from their scarlet Noses contracted by contract CHAP. 12. Hydragogum Eximium â„ž of the roots of Orris Reed Grass the barks of the roots of Capers Asarabacca Caraway of eachÊ’ vj. Pimpinel * Polytricus Maiden-hair Egrimony Ceterach Mugwort of each m.j. of the flowers of the Peach-tree m. ss Boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water In the Colature infuse and boyl a little of the leaves of Senny â„¥ ij of the seeds of Carret â„¥ ij boyl the decoction till it comes to a pinte to which adde Juyce of Damask-Roses lb ss Sugar lb ss Honey despumed in the decoction â„¥ x. boyl them to a Syrupe to which adde these following powders Manna â„¥ ij Turbith * Esula Milkwort prepared of each â„¥ j. ss GingerÊ’ j. Water-flag Calamus Aromaticus of eachÊ’ j. Mechoacan â„¥ ij the seeds of Dwarf-eldern â„¥ ss and of Sea-ColewortsÊ’ iij. CinamonÊ’ ij make it up into an Electuary The COMMENTARY Many descriptions we have which smell more of confusion then composition whose effects shew their brangling Authors and therefore we reject many liquid Electuaries as either unaccommodated for cure by their ill composure or obsolete for want of custome picking out such as are better described and more approved by their sanative effects As besides the two former which we have added this also which for its excellence is called The eximious Hydragogal Electuary which we desire may be alwayes in Pharmacopolies that it may be ready to open the sluce when the river is stopped and the banks almost over-run lest the hydroptical be without praesidy and drown his vitals in his watty Belly And because we would have this Medicament perfect we have added such things as will emend the distemper remove the obstructions and roborate the whole of the Spleen and Liver from which the hydroptical get much of his evil We have also added some to discuss flatuosity and awaken the native calour Besides many more which duly prepared become hydragogous The form demonstrates the manner of their preparation This may be safely given to such as labour under the Dropsie Vires for it educes watry humours without violence and is a most accommodate Purgative for all diseases arising from thence The Parisian common people used to flock to a woman-Pharmacopolist who gave them a certain Powder to purge the hydroptical of their watry and serous humours but few or none recovered SECT II. Of Hierae SOme Purgative Compounds were for their excellent effects by the Greeks called Hierae that is Holy and Great for they are indued with great vertues and cure great diseases but they are most vulgarly denominated from some famous
his acquaintance and kinswomen were compressed by the French souldiers who left these Hieroglyphical characters as eternal signs of their new and quaint marriages But to my purpose There are various preparations of the pills of Quicksilver for each Confectioner and Chirurgeon almost have their peculiar descriptions which they keep for hidden Secrets some whereof will onely by reiteration move salivation others frequently usurped will a little subduce the Belly but all of them often iterated move sputation hurt the nerves and sometimes cause strangulation Their use therefore is not safe unless the Quicksilver be well prepared and castigated by the admistion of other Medicaments as Turpentine-Oyl or such things as we have in this prescript described The manner of whose preparation is apparent enough by the form but there are other compounds that admit of Quicksilver of which hereafter These Pills are Catholical Vires and Alexiterial seeing they expurge all humours at once and evince the malign quality of the French-Pox and radically evel its Vestigia impressed on the parts affected CHAP. 21. What Pills a Pharmacopoly may be without AS in Civil Law many old Laws are obsolete and of no use and vigour to a Magistrate so in Medicine many ancient Medicaments are either neglected or quite disapproved of as noxious or at least useless Some are omitted because there are others of the same or like efficacy and vertue whereof the best is selected for it were a sign of folly in a man if he should prepare and keep all the Medicaments Myrepsus hath designed who absolving his Work in 1100 Chapters hath conjoyned two or three descriptions in one Chapter Yea neither Medicks desire nor Diseases require that any Apothecary should make and keep all the Medicaments that Aetius Actuarius or Praepositus and others describe but onely the more secure selected and approved Thus in our Antidotary we give onely eximious ones which if Authors suppeditate not as they do not for all diseases we compensate by our own labour and industry suggesting the most approved We expunge those out of the number of Pills which they call the greater and lesser Pills of Light because they consist of much and unapt matter And because Pills sine quibus are of efficacy enough for the affections of the eyes we have omitted the ancient description of the Imperials of the five kinds of Myrobalambs of the eight Ingredients and the Arabians Pills because the agregative are better and usefull for all such things as the aforesaid are prescribed for We have neglected the Indian Pills and them of the stone Armentum because them of the Azure-stone are affine to them and more efficacious We weigh not the Pills of Rhabarb because ignave but give them of Egrimony as more efficacious with whom they have affinity Pills of Hermodactyls exclude the arthretical Pills and the foetid Pills exclude those that are denominated from Sagapene Euphorbium and Sarcocolla Pills of Mechoacan make them void which consists of Esula and Mezereon Benedict Pills and Hiera may be made at any time seeing powders are or should be alwayes in readiness in shops whereof either Electuaries or Pills may be confected at pleasure Pills of Bdellium are quite neglected because they are scarce purgative in stead other better and more roborative Medicaments easier to be made may be confected for present use I pretermit many more as unworthy to be named or used for many men describe many Medicaments not so much that they consult others sanity as the augmenting of their Dispensatories grand bulk Cathartical Powders being ingrateful are usually coagmented into liquid or solid Electuaries or else Pills yet Empiricks give the powder of Stibium onely in a little Wine or other liquor as also the powder of Mercury wherewith a veneficous Circulator at Lutetia promised the cure of all diseases openly professing himself a Prophet but the wretch went about many Cities to see whom he might devour he is not worthy to be named At last he ran away All prepare not Quicksilver or Mercury alike for some include it with Aqua fortis in a Matracy and exhale the water by sublimation calling that which remains in the bottom Powder of Mercury It is of a yellowish red colour and rather caustical then cathartical Others prepare it otherwise but better thus They immerge Quicksilver in Aqua fortis whereinto they inject Brine then they let the Quicksilver reside and the water is ejected by inclination and the crassament that remains which is whitish is called Powder of Mercury But in what proportion it should be mixed how it may be perfectly dealbated and with what vertue it is indued I need not recenseate lest Empiricks and Pseudopharmacopoeans abuse it but if it be made as P. Pijardus a learned Parisian Medick taught its vertues are eximious and efficacious in curing some Diseases which will not yield to vulgar Medicaments An APPENDIX Of some Pills not Solutive EAch Medicament is by singular dexterity and ingenuity effinged into a form proper for the diseased Thus some Purgatives are liquid others solid and others in a mean some Medicaments onely purge others onely roborate and others alter and some perform all but Pills are for the most part purgative for all of them except a few subduce the Belly and are exhibited especially when supervacaneous succes are to be educed from remote parts for in such a form and consistence they abide longer in the ventricle and their vertue is more easily carried to the parts diseased and oppressed with excrementitious humours When therefore we would have a Medicament stay longer in the ventricle we give it in a solid form and such are not onely the prescribed purgative Pills but the Hypnotical and Arterial ones that follow CHAP. 22. Pilulae de Cynoglosso or Pills of Dogs-tongue â„ž of MyrrheÊ’ vj. OlibanumÊ’ v. the root of Hounds-tongue Henbane-seed Opium of eachÊ’ iij. Saffron Castoreum of eachÊ’ j. ss and with Syrupe of Stoechados make it up into a mass which let be conveniently reposed for use The COMMENTARY The Neotericks have retained the old description but not the name of these Pills for Mesue their Author calls them from their effect Pills for all diseases but these call them Pills of Cynogloss which is neither for quantity nor quality prepollent therein perhaps they mistake Cynogloss for Arnogloss which might more properly give them denomination for seeing Mesue described them for astriction Arnogloss being of an astrictive quality was more convenient but we with Fernelius admit of the new name and adde Castorium for the castigation of Opium But we think that Rhodostagm or Rose-water is altogether inconvenient for the receipt of the powders if we would have the mass of a legitimate consistence or fit to be kept and we substitute in its stead Syrupe of Stcechados by whose quality the head will be roborated and armed against the nocuments of Opium and by its lentour the powders will be coacted into a more idoneous mass as for
humours helps the distribution of the aliment to the Liver roborates the ventricle augments appetite it may be given in form of a soft Electuary if it be mixed with Honey a solid one if with Sugar CHAP. 14. Pulvis contra Pestem seu Bezoardicus or A Powder against the Plague or Bezoar-Powder ℞ of the roots of Tormentil Angelico Enula-campane Gentian Pyony Aloes-wood yellow Sanders Harts-horn Ivory the bone in the heart of a Hart Juniper-berries Cardamomes the seeds of Sorrel and Carduus Cloves Mace Cinamon of eachʒ j. ss the rinds of Citron and Orange Diptamus Scordeum Squinant the aromatick Reed Rose-leaves Saffron of eachʒ j. Bole-armeniack washed in Rose-water and Lemnian-Earth of eachʒ ij Camphyr gr viij Amber-grise Leaf-gold of each ℈ j. make of these a very fine and small Powder and repose it in a glass which sign Pulvis Bezoardicus The COMMENTARY Medicaments which oppugn the Plague expugn Poysons evert their harm and defend life are by the Greeks called Antidota by the Arabians Bezaardica of which sort there are some simples as the Bezar-stone Zerumbet and Precious-stones some compounds as Cordials and Theriacals which consist of many things that roborate the heart spirits and vital parts extinguishing poysons and venenate qualities therefore they are said to be in a mean participating both of our nature and poysonous qualities as Mithridate whose frequent use is not safe where there is no suspicion of a venenate quality for if it finde no object on which it may act it leaves the vestigia of its inimick quality impressed on the parts accending the humours and preying upon the native calour But such compound Medicaments as consist onely of cordial and roborative ingredients and by some special faculty oppugning poyson are at all seasons convenient for all temperatures and diseases as this Powder we have described whose faculties are eximious in expugning malign affections and defending the noble parts And it is given in water or some cordial decoction or idoneous conserve or else it is excepted in the Syrupe of Kermes or Lemmons or concinnated into the form of an Opiate it may also with Honey despumed in some cordial water be coagmentated into the form of a liquid Electuary and kept in shops like other confections Its faculties will be more eximious if Precious-stones Unicorns-horn and Bezar-stone be added to it The Powder is easie to be made and the ingredients may be had It is miraculously efficacious in expugning venenate contagious Vires and pestilent diseases and in recreating and defending the principal parts CHAP. 15. Pulvis Antilyssos seu contra Rabiem or A Powder against the biting of a mad Dog D. J. Pal. ℞ of the leaves of Rue Vervine Sage Plantain Polypody common Wormwood Mint Mugwort Balm Betony S. Johns-wort the lesser Centaury of each m.j. let them be dryed and at last reducated into a fine Powder The COMMENTARY This alexiterial Powder I desumed from the famous Jul. Palmarius who wrote seven Books of contagious Diseases the eximious faculties and admirable effects of this Medicament not onely he but Dominus de Pyrou hath frequently and successfully experienced upon many from whom he confesses he had its first description for as many as were bitten with mad Dogs and used this were presently freed from imminent and incipient Hydrophoby if no part of the head above the teeth or cold member were abluted for then there were small hopes of remedy We call this Powder ANtilyssum because in arceating madness it is inferiour to none it cures wounds inflicted by mad Dogs and impedes that terrible symptome whereby those wretches are fearful of water The preparation of this famous Antidote is easie wherein these three things are chiefly observable First that the Simples be then collected when they are most vertuous to wit in the beginning or end of the Spring That they be not dryed either by the scorching Sun or in a moist place That when they are dry they be kept with this reserve that they be renovated annually There is no need that any great quantity of this eximious Powder be kept in Pharmacopolies for it is enough if half a pound thereof be reconded in a fit vessel for present use But its materials or simples should be kept in abundance artificially dryed inclosed in chartaceous bags and securely reposed that Flyes may not consparcate them nor Mice erode them and when exigence calls for them an equal weight of each should be pulverated and a whole or half dragm thereof given in the morning before meat in a spoon with twice as much Sugar or else in pottage or other convenient liquor as Wine Sider or else in Honey like an Opiate And although one or two dragms be a dosis sufficient for a very robust man yet three or four may sometimes be exhibited by such especially who have been bitten long before or are already begun to fear water This Powder is indeed very eximious but it would be more efficacious if the Powder of Pimpinel and burnt River-Crabfishes were mixed with it Its name Alyssum shews that it is justly preferred before all other of that sort for Galen and Dioscorides call it so because it cures madness and extinguishes its poyson But this plant is rare and known onely to few it is in aspect like Horehound but each genicle emits onely two crisped hoary and almost inodorate leaves spinous cups do verticularly circumvest its Caulicles I have often seen it in the Colledge-Garden in Paris There is another kinde in Germany called Echioides like Tizil in form but it is inferiour to that of Galens yet he that wants the one may substitute the other CHAP. 16. Crocus Martis or Mars his Saffron THis Medicament is so denominated partly from its matter as it is the filings of Steel or Iron dedicated to Mars and partly from its colour which resembles Saffron Its preparation is multifarious for every one prepares it after his own Model in which every one dissents from another whence some have neglected or disapproved of its preparation as useless and Rivierius exhibits the bare limature of Iron for true Saffron of Mars without ustion or ablution professing it to be safer and more efficacious in curing the foetid colours of Virgins but he that will follow the method of so rash a Periclitator shall be more formidable then the very diseases I finde two preparations of this Saffron more usual then the rest the first is vulgar and well known to Pharmacopolists who burn the filings of Steel twice or more in a crucible and wash it as oft partly in Vinegar partly in Rose-water or other fit liquor then dry it and make a subruse ponderous Powder which they call prepared Steel The second is used by the Chymists who make this ponderous Powder volarile whose preparation they thus effect sometimes they assume the limature of Steel sometimes of Iron or of both for the qualities are similar they burn it a day or two in their fire then
manner it calefies and digests frigid humours roborates the ventricle helps concoction moves appetite and much more benefits the user The Oyl of Cinamome is educed with more labour and cost for one pound thereof extils not above Ê’ j. of Oyl but its excellency equalizes it with natural Opobalsamum almost The Oyl of Nutmeg is extilled as that of Mace and exhibited to and for the same uses as also the Oyl of Nutmegs by expression CHAP. 14. Oleum Anisi or Oyl of Anise-seed LEt a pound or more or less of Anise-seed be contunded and macerated some hours in eight or ten times as much water then let it be put in a Copper Alembick with a vicine Refrigeratory then let it be distilled first with a moderate afterwards a more valid fire then segregate the Oyl from the water When the Water and Oyl thus ascend and descend together into the Receptacle they must be sejoyned which may be done by a certain instrument like a Tunnel whereinto the whole liquor must be injected which must be so collocated that the acuminated and angust part thereof which should be obturated with wax may hang downwards and so the water will occupy the lowest and the Oyl the highest place the wax then being rubbed off and the hole opened the water will run out and the Oyl stay It cures the cholical dolour arising from flatulency and cold Vires it conduces also to the Tympany inflation of the belly crudities acid belching and rumbling of the Guts Oyls may by this Art be educed out of the seeds of Petroseline Fennel Dauces and Cumin which coming from affine Plants have affine qualities CHAP. 15. Oleum de Spica or Oyl of Spike LEt the greater Spike or latifolious Lavender be macerated in white odorate wine distilled through an Alembick and then its oleous liquor segregated from its watry and kept This Oyl is seldome used alone but often mixed with other especially Topical Medicaments as the Vigonian salve and is adhibited to many more uses besides Medicinal ones The Oyl of Thyme is educed by the same artifice whether it be intrinsecally or extrinsecally adhibited it conduces to cold effects There may be a certain Liquor extracted from Pearls brayed macerated in Lemmon-juyce or distilled vinegar solved pulverated madefied with Rain-water and artificially distilled But the work and cost exceeding its worth we judge it not necessary for Shops CHAP. 16. Olea Metallorum or Oyls of Metals ALchymists do not onely out of Plants and Minerals but of Metals also exhibit certain Oyls by much art labour and mixtion yet they are not so eximious as they would make them for no Metals almost except Gold and Silver are affine to our nature and the Oyls of these do little good But grant we that the tincture or else some Liquor educed or acquired from Salnitre distilled Vinegar Spirit of Wine Aqua-fortis or any or all of these as also from the succe of Lemmons should bring any help to other Medicaments yet in themselves they are not eximious But whatever they be they may not be introsumed without damage neither are their effects more then aâ—cipitous when extrinsecally adhibited which Hieronymus Rubeus seems to confess who was a most perite Alchymist They may saith he being extrinsecally applyed by a perite Medick profit but I dare not prove their vertue by introsumption because they are drawn from acute waters and the force of the fire hath invested them with a quality very pernicious to the bowels upon which account I much suspect many Remedies that Paracelsus extols and many write That all those that introsumed his Metalline Remedies though they found some help at first thereby dyed within a years space A prudent Apothecary then should not spend his time nor waste his substance in reducing Metals to Powder macerating them in vinegar solving them elaborating them with the Salt of Tartar Nitre or other artificial mixture seeing those Medicaments they usually keep in their shops are sufficient for Pharmacy Here I will not disprove the use of certain Oyls educed by distillation for the abigations of such diseases as yield not to ordinary Medicaments For seeing an ill knot must have a hard wedge if the accustomed remedy will not end the fault we may without a Piacle betake out selves to more artificial extractions we have therefore here given the description of certain useful and moderate Oyls which the prudent Medick may sometimes use And as we have neglected many more educed by distillation so we have also omitted many elicited by expression and impression as superfluous and seldom used as the Oyl of Costus the Indian Nut of Frogs Pepper and the like which were rather invented for ostentation then necessity An Appendix to the Oyls Of Balsams BAlsam in a general signification denotes the Wood Succe and Fruit of a certain peregrine Tree in it s more special signification onely the Succe thereof which the Greeks call Opobalsamum The Alchymists do wrongfully wrest the name of Balsams to their Tinctures Oyls Liquors Quintessences and Extractions Medicks also too licentiously though not improperly name some crass and red Liquors confected with much art and mixture and indued with eximious faculties Balsams but they should be rather called Antibalsams or Balsameols which name they mutuate for Turpentine which is as it were the Basis from which all Aromatical and Rosinous Mixtures which are analogous to Balsams have their odours colours and faculties They are most commonly made by inclinative Distillation in a Retort wherein the aqueous liquor is at first extolled and then it delabes laterally through the neck of the Retort into the Receptacle the oleous comes next the third is crass like Honey Some Balsams are made without distillation they including some Medicaments a month or two in a fit Ampulla in horse-dung which they call the Belly or other place till they be macerated diluted and purified Thus the water that is collectedof Elm-leaves when the worms within are abjected Turpentine Oyl of S. Johns-wort and a little Gumme-Elemni included in an Ampulla concorporated and insolated or otherwise somented become a Balsam most efficacious and accommodate for many uses for it cures Ulcers though Dysepulotical and Malign and all Wounds quickly Balsamum primum D. Mes or The first Balsam of D. Mes falsly attributed to Guidon â„ž choyce Myrrhe Hepatick Aloes Spikenard Dragons blood Frankincense Mumy Opoponax Bdellium Carpobalsamum Ammoniacum Sarcocolla Saffron Mastick Gumme-Arabick liquid Storax of eachÊ’ ij Ladanum Castoreum of eachÊ’ ij ss MoschÊ’ ss Turpentine the weight of them all Let the dry ingredients be brayed macerated in wine and percolated then let all be mixed together with Turpentine the whole mixture put in an Alembick out of which the fire will at first force a tenuious liquor and then a crass and flave one which is the best Balsam The description of this Balsam is desumed from its Author Mesue who recenseates its faculties to admiration It is good saith he for
The Pharmacopolist that wants Sugar is not so derisible as he that wants this Ceratum whose continual and happy use sufficiently nobilitate it It is from Wax called Ceratum from Santals Santalinum You may make it thus First pulverate all the Santals together the Roses Bole-armeniack Ivory and Camphyr apart then mix the Wax with the Oyl that they may be liquefied on a slow fire when they are confusedly melted and a little cold wash them thrice or more in Rose-water whereunto adject the said powders yet in such method that the Camphyr be last put in then agitate subact and unite all into the consistence of a Ceratum We have put crude not burnt Ivory for Spodium and why we have so done hath been frequently shewed It allayes the inflammations exustions and hot distempers of the Ventricle Liver and other parts with much efficacy CHAP. 3. Ceratum Stomachicum or A Cerate for the Stomach taken out of Mes â„ž Roses Mastick of eachÊ’ x. dryed WormwoodÊ’ vij ss SpikenardÊ’ v. Wax â„¥ ij Oyl of Roses â„¥ ix make it according to Art into a Cerate The COMMENTARY This Ceratum of Mesue's being more efficacious then those two which Galen describes it is more usual and frequent in shops For its preparation melt the Wax and Oyl when cold wash them oft in Rose-water melt them again and wash them in equal portions of the succe of Quinces and of black austere wine with a little Vinegar which may be well omitted In the mean-while pulverate the Roses and VVormwood together Mastick and Spikenard apart then confusedly mix all the powders with the wax and Oyl duly washed and subact them into a legitimate spissitude Galen to whom Mesue attributes its description gives it otherwise therefore the invention of the description or at least of the better description is due to Mesue It it called Stomachical because it conduces to that part for it foments the heat of the stomack and of the whole Ventricle helps concoction dissipates flatulency cocts crude humours moves appetite and stayes vomiting but it should and must be extended all over the region of the stomack and sometimes the whole Ventricle for it roborates that also and makes it more prompt and apt to perform its office CHAP. 4. Ceratum Oesypatum Gal. tributum D. Mes â„ž Oesypi â„¥ x. Oyl of Camomile Orris of each lb ss Wax â„¥ iiij Mastick Turpentine of each â„¥ j. Rosine â„¥ ss SpikenardÊ’ ij ss SaffronÊ’ j. ss Ammoniacum â„¥ j. Storax â„¥ ss make it into a Cerate according to Art The COMMENTARY Mesue describes three Cerata's whereof we select this one attributed to Galen as most efficacious and usual which yet Rondeletius by the addition of Ammoniack and Storax hath made more effectual for thus confected it performs those effects which the descriptions of Pilagrius and Paulus pollicitate Wherefore he that hath this may be without the others It is called Oesypatum from its Basis Oesypum which you may thus extract Take a fit quantity of wooll evelled from the necks bellies and privities of sheep macerate it eight hours in hot water agitate it all the while with a stick then servefie it on the fire till it depose its fatness into the water extract and violently express the wooll and then transfuse the water from one vessel to another with much force that it may eructate much spume which collect and repose in a vessel apart iterate the transfusion in the hot Sun till all the fat spume be collected which wash and agitate in pure water till its filth be segregated and the last water remain limpid and the fatness leave no acrimony on the tongue then put it in a dense earthen pot and keep it in a cold place It is emollitive resolvative calefactive and anodynous The Ceratum you may thus confect first pulverate the Saffron Mastick Spikenard and Storax apart then mix their powders together macerate Ammoniack in Vinegar melt it and coct it to the consistence of Honey then liquefie the wax in Oyl take them from the fire and put therein Oesypum dissolved Ammoniack and Turpentine together then agitate and subact all the powders together that they may acquire due spissitude It mollifies resolves digests and allayes dolours and thence conduces to the hard tumours of the Liver Spleen Uterus Nerves Articles and other parts Authors describe other external Medicaments under the name of Cerata which being of a harder consistence we shall prosecute in our next Book of Salves Mesue describes some softer then these which are seldome or never made Finis Libri Quinti The Apothecaries Shop OR ANTIDOTARY Of EXTERNAL MEDICAMENTS THE SIXTH BOOK Of Emplaisters THE PREFACE BOth the Matter and Vertue of Unguents and Salves are one their consistence different which in the one is soft and liquid in the other crass and solid which are therefore made into Rolls and Bacils of a fingers length and crassitude and sometimes much more and not reposed in vessels like Unguents but involved in papers and so kept in Pharmacopolies That they may acquire that crassitude they admit of more Wax and less Oyl then Unguents as twice thrice and sometimes four times as much Wax as Oyl which quantity of Wax must be augmented or lessened according to the quantity of Rosines and concrete succes as also the quantity of Oyl as the dosis of Fat 's Grease and Marrow may ingrede the confection Now Salves are confected of the parts of Plants and Animals of Minerals and Metals some whereof give onely the body and consistence without any great vertue as Wax common Oyl Quicksilver and some Rosines others with matter give also vertue and efficacy as Minerals Plants and the other Ingredients All Salves do not admit of Wax and Rosines but receive Ladanum Frankincense and other things for their matter Some also are made without Wax and fire whose materials are Honey viscid Succes Cream and the like concreted to a due spissitude as the Salve of Bread-Crusts and Bayberries and the like This order must be observed in confecting Salves first the Wax must be melted in Oyl then the liquors succes and Mucagines mixed therewith and cocted on a slow fire till the aqueous humidity be exhaled then must the Fat 's and Rosines be added as also all kindes of Gummes Some whereof are mixed sincere others diluted colated and cocted in Wine Vinegar or other liquor if Turpentine be required it may be added when the Salve is percocted and abstracted from the fire then must the hard Powders be cast and sprinkled agitated subacted and concreted into a mass neither soft nor hard but moderate and viscid which will not inquinate the contractants hands If liquid succes as Wine Vinegar Medicinal Waters or Decoctions ingrede a Salves confection they must be cocted till their aqueous humidity be dissipated New and spiss Succes must be dissolved in some liquor which must also be dissipated by coction dry and friable ones must be pulverated and mixed therewith
much as will suffice to make it into a Plaister The COMMENTARY Seeing there are many capital Diseases which besides the help of Chirurgeons require Topical Medicaments and few of them onely can be helped by the Emplaister de Janua Andernacus did well to describe this of Betony which is more efficacious perfectly curing more preternatural affections of the head You may thus prepare it Contund the herbs well in a Morter macerate them a whole week in white-wine agitate and coct them express and strain the wine and coct it till the third part be absumed then put Oyl of Firre to it then melted wax afterwards Gummes and Rosines and last of all Turpentine when these are pretty cold adde to them the rest that are pulverated or concreted alwayes agitating them till the whole humour be exorbed last of all put Goats-milk or Cows-milk to them and make Rolls It unites fractures Vires covers bones with flesh detracts the splinters of bones and evokes such as are deeply sunk it restores lost and hard flesh it absterges digests and ficcates notably CHAP. 8. Emplastrum de Baccis Lauri or The Plaister of Bayberries D. Mes â„ž of Bayberries â„¥ ij Olibanum Mastich Myrrhe of each â„¥ j. Cypress Costus of each â„¥ ss Honey despumed as much as will suffice to make it into an Emplaister The COMMENTARY Mesue neither addes Oyl nor Wax nor Fat to this confection onely an indefinite quantity of Honey to receive the rest whose dosis he leaves to the Artificers judgement who think that one and a half or two ounces are sufficient for the comprehension of the powders which give a legitimate consistence to this Emplaister which Mesue describes as most efficacious in curing the Dropsie if the quantity of Cypress be triplicitated and as much Goats or Cows-dung as the weight of the whole amounts to added But it is better to confect it more simple or else onely to triplicitate the Cypress or when use calls for it to adde the dungs of both or one For its confection pulverate all apart but Honey and adde Cypress and Costus to the Honey while hot despumed but not cocted when it is cold put Frankincense Myrrhe and Mastick to it and make Rolls of it but because they will soon dry some repose them close in earthen pots and so they keep longer without damage It allayes the dolours of the Ventricle Intestines Liver Reins Vires Uterus and Bladder sprung from flatulency or a cold cause it conduces to the dry Hydroptical person by discussing the more tenuious and flatulent matter CHAP. 9. Emplastrum Tonsoris or The Barbers Plaister D. Aetii â„ž of dry Pitch lb ij Wax lb j. Rosine of the Pine-tree lb ss the flower of Foenugreek the flower of the root of the black Chamaeleon-Thistle of each â„¥ iiij Cumin-seed powdered â„¥ ij make it into a Plaister The COMMENTARY Medicks do daily prescribe Medicaments for present use better then the vulgar Dispensatories suppeditate which Pharmacopolists have described and kept after they have noted their effects and thus women keep some Receipts in their Closets from which they once found ease And thus a Bythinian Barber had a Salve from some of his coaetaneous Medicks which being often successfully used is since always called The Barbers Salve Thus also a Weaver of Paris got a black Unguent like the vulgar Basilicon which he exhibited to all Sores and when he was dead his Son made and gave the like Insomuch that one could scarce live half a week in Paris but he would see and try the Weavers Unguent And although Medicks often disapprove of such as the ignorant approve of yet Aetius much commends this Barbers Salve for the cure of the Spleen Dropsie and Sciatica for saith he it hath freed many from the dolour of the Hips for it attracts digests and resolves watry humours which it effects more facilely if it be confected with Oyl of Orris or some Fat nay it can scarce be made without Fat 's therefore I think half a pound of Oyl should be adjected If Chamaeleons-root cannot be had an equal weight of the root of vulgar Bryony commonly called White-vine may be added in its stead especially when it is required for the cure of the Spleen and Dropsie But the root of the other Bryony which they call The blessed Virgins Seal is a more convenient substitute for the cure of the Sciatica or any arthritical dolour Which wilde Bryony is a kinde of soft Ivy so delighting in arundincous and watry places that it alwayes seeks water-banks insomuch that where-ever Botanicks finde this Plant they conclude there is water underneath Arnoldus Villonavanus calls it The Celestial Sigil and saith that it cures the Gowry dolours in these words The heavenly Sigil will cure Podagry for ever CHAP. 10. Emplastrum Palmeum seu Diachalciteos â„ž of old Oyl If water be not added you may stirre till Doomsday before it will be white Lithargie of Gold of each lb iij. Hogs-suet lb ij white Vitriol â„¥ iiij boyl it upon a gentle fire continually stirring it with a Spatula till it comes to a white Plaister The COMMENTARY Myropolists and Chirurgeons do rather from Custom then Reason retain this Name of Diapalma which was given to this Salve because it is in cocting agitated moved and subacted with a rudicle of Palm-wood some mutuating its name from its Basis call it more rightly The Emplaister of Diachalcitis but such as put a difference betwixt Vitriol and Chalcitis say that this is made of Chalcitis Diapalma of Vitriol and in all things the they are alike However many make them not alike for in the confection of this of Diachalcitis they put onely three ounces of burnt Chalcitis injecting into its coction by Galen's advice some branches of the Palm minutely incided but they make the palmeous Emplaister after the form prescribed agitating it alwayes with a palmeous spatle and first of all they coct the Lithargie minutely pulverated on a slow fire with Oyl and Fat alwayes agitating it with a rudicle of the Palm or some other astrictive Tree as the Oak or Medlar newly cut from the Tree And that the Salve may communicate more of its Medicamental faculty they prescind its extremities and abrade it to the very radical moisture When the mixture is cocted and incrassated they substract it from the fire and put Roman or white Vitriol in it and in defect of the true Chalcitis inject the pulverated one and subact it and so they have a mass of a just consistence whereof they make Rolls Many would have the Vitriol cocted with the other Ingredients that it might depose part of its acrimony in which there is reason It cures green wounds pestilent tumours and exitures as also Ulcers Bruises and divelled parts CHAP. 11. Emplastrum gratia Dei or A Plaister by the grace of God â„ž of Rosine lb j. Turpentine lb ss white Wax â„¥ iiij Mastick â„¥ j. Vervain Betony Pimpinel of each m. j.
others Palustrian-frogs I alwayes prefer the Water-frogs before the other which are often venenate but any in defect thereof may well enough supply the place and any one may at liberty chuse these or the other seeing they all agree equally almost to this external Medicament The faculties of this Medicament which some make in form of a Ceratum or an Unguent are well known not onely to Medicks and Chirurgeons but all such as have been harmed by Venery CHAP. 20. Tela Galteri commonly called Saradrap ℞ Oyl of Roses lb ss Rams fat ℥ iiij Wax ℥ x. Lithargie Rosine of the Pine-tree Frankincense Mastick of each ℥ ij Bole-armeniack Volatile flower of each ℥ j. make it into an Emplaister according to Art and while it is hot immerge a cloth that it may be salved The COMMENTARY To the number of Emplaisters they referre a certain cloth Emplastical on both sides which Neotericks call Sparadrappa whereof there are as many sorts as a Cloth may be infected with Salves for some are vulnerary others catagmatical the one used in agglutinating wounds the other bones but no diseases call for Sparadraps so frequently as inveterate Ulcers and holes left by Pyroticks whereunto this we have described is most useful For whose confection first melt the fat and wax with Oyl mix the brayed Lithargie with the liquament wherein agitate stir and coct it afterwards adde the other Powders alwayes stirring mixing and uniting them into a legitimate Emplaister wherein a cloth somewhat worn must be demerged and incalcated while it is hot till it be all over infected inquinated and incrustated which then extract 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 expectoration 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 â„ž of the best Aqua-vitae lb ss of red Rose-water â„¥ iiij Sugar â„¥ iij. Cinamon â„¥ 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 â„ž of the roots of Smallage Restharrow Sea-holly Radish cut in slices of each â„¥ ij Bean-cods â„¥ 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 â„¥ 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 â„ž of Bears-breech Garden-dock cut small tops of Marshmallows of each m.ij. the flowers of Water-Lillies m.i j. Linseed Hawthornseed of each â„¥ j. ss the four greater cool seeds of each â„¥ j. macerated a whole day in Asses or Heifers Milk afterwards distilled in a Bath It leniates takes away acrimony purges the Reins Ureters and Seminaries from filth and emends their distempers Of Topical Waters or such as are externally adhibited Aqua Ophthalmica or A Water for the Eyes â„ž of the Juyces of Salendine Fennel Rue Smallage and Clary of of each lb ss Honey â„¥ iij. Goats-Gall â„¥ j. the Galls of Cocks and Capons of each â„¥ ss AleesÊ’ vj. Cloves Nutmegs Sarcocolla of eachÊ’ ij put them into an Alembick and distil of the Water according to Art This cures many ocular affections as hebetude dulness and debility of fight Aqua Communitatis or The Water of Community â„ž Eyebright m.ij. Salendine Vervine Betony Groundpine Dill tops of Clary Redflowered Pimpinel Bishopsweed Avens of each m.j. Rosemary m. ss Long-Pepper Ê’ ij Macerate them in white-wine for a whole day and then distil of the Water It is called the Water of Community because it is common and should not be wanting in any house It cures imbecility of sight deterges the eyes from filth takes away spots or Pearls cures Ulcers hinders suffusion of blood augments the clarity of the eye and roborates it Aqua ad Epiphoram oculorum ruborem or A Water for the dropping and redness of the Eyes â„ž White-wine Rose-water of each lb ss Tutty prepared â„¥ j. Powder of Mace â„¥ ss Let these be mingled in a Vial well stopped and insolated for three weeks It deleates the redness of the eyes exsiccates tears roborates the Tunicles and cures its Ulcers Aqua Calcis or Water of Lime THe Water wherein Chalk or Lime hath been often extinguished is thence called Aqua Calcis it is very eximious in curing many Cankerous and Dysepulotical Ulcers which seeing it may easily be made at any time needs no farther description Aqua Fortis AQua Fortis appertains rather to Goldsmiths then Apothecaries which they use in separating Silver from Gold and thence called The Separatory Water in French Eau de depart for it melts the Silver and moves not the Gold Now that same which they have once used and that hath admitted of a portion of water or is become ignave and of an azure colour is commonly called Aqua secunda which all Chirurgeons keep for the Praesidy of such as have got the Plague of Venery It is made of Vitriol and Saltpeter included and closely shut in a Morter or other fit vessel well bedawbed into which Spirits are forced by the fire Another sort is made of Auripigment Salnitre the flour of Brass and Rock-Alome which I leave to such as use it De Aquis Comptoriis seu Fucatoriis or Of Comptory or Ornatory Waters I Cannot think that pulchritude or deformity of Body conduce any thing to the probity or improbity of manners for many more deformed then Thersites have been famous and many more beautiful then Adonis infamous I have also known many deformed women impious to purpose But I purpose not to exhibit Paints to these nor Comptory Waters to toothless old Hags to erugate or emend their Faces herein following the prudence of Galen though a Pagan who disallows of not onely the Painting of Faces but the Tinctures of Hair professing that he never exhibited any thing of that nature to such as took more delight in Ornaments then Health Our Antidotary then shall want these nefarious Medicaments wherewith Harlots incite and deceive Youngsters for this Fucatory Art we see is exercised by none but some Juglers and vafrous Knaves who seeking secretly to pick a Whores Purse promise her Oyl of Talkum which they never saw wherewith she may not onely erugate her Face but restore her self to Youth again and then exhibit two Unguents the one Red and the other White both Spanish and participating of a malign quality For that which they call album Hispanum admits Sublimatum in its confecture which though it consists of equal parts of Quicksilver Vitriol and common Salt rather then of Amoniack which are not lethal apart in themselves but are duly mixed in a Glass sublimatory vessel whereunto fire is added gradually for the space of twelve hours They make a Powder so caustical and deletery as can scarce be cicurated by any art And hence it is that women who use these Sublimata's have black Teeth wormeaten corrugated Faces and praevious old Age. The Colour therefore which Nature's Pencil draws is best whose Works whilest we admire let us give Eternal Glory and Praise to the Creator FINIS A Table of the Matters and Words of principal note in this Work contained A. ACacia pag. 77 The kindes thereof Ibid. Its vertues Ibid. Achates what pag. 419 Acetabulum pag. 137 Acetum Mulsum pag. 325 Acopa pag. 123 Acorus pag. 273 How it differs from Calamus Aromaticus Ibid. Acutella pag. 302 Adrobolon pag. 388 Aeluropus pag. 363 Aetites pag. 420 Its vertues Ibid. Aethiopidis Herba its force and vertue pag. 7 Aeschylus would never per Verses till toxicated with Wine pag. 219 Agallochum what it is pag. 286 Why so rare Ibid. Its vertues Ibid. Ageratum pag. 357 Agat pag. 419 Agnus Castus its description pag. 340 Its vertues Ibid. Agarick pag. 258 Which is best Ibid. Where it grows pag. 259 Its vertues Ibid. Agrimony pag. 356 Its vertues
sleep pag. 167 Julepus Ziziphorum pag. 166 Juniper Berries pag. 391 Ivory pag. 454 Gum of Ivy. pag. 403 K. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 31 Kathareiticon Ibid. Keiri pag. 309 Kermes Berries what pag. 283 Their vertues Ibid. Their Juice pag. 284 Kings ancient care of the health of their Armies pag. 2 Kings in time past did prepare Med. Ibid. Knotgrass pag. 349 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 31 L. LAcca what it is pag. 393 Lacryma of the Ethiopian Olive pag. 383 Laddanum what it is pag. 391 Ladies Rose pag. 247 Lake of Sodom pag. 403 Lapis Bezoardicus whence it hath its name where it is generated how to know it pag. 457 Lapis Caliminaris pag. 433 Lapis Heraclius pag. 417 Lapis Judaicus pag. 420 Lapis Lazuli pag. 417 The difference between it and Lapis Armenij Ibid. Lapis Nephriticus pag. 420 Lapis Etites Ibid. Lapis Selenites Ibid. Laranna pag. 383 Larix pag. 258 Laserpitium pag. 399 400 Laudanum pag. 595 Lavender greater pag. 286 Lead its sorts and vertues pag. 428 How to wash it pag. 54 How to powder it pag. 62 How to burn it pag. 69 Leeks pag. 307 Leopards bane pag. 330 Lemond pag. 370 How to candy their peels pag. 543 Lentisk pag. 384 Lettice pag. 241 Why so called its differences and vertues Ibid. It may be both aliment and poyson pag. 5 How to preserve their stalks pag. 545 Libisticum pag. 299 Liccorish pag. 392 Its Juice pag. 393 Lice the principle of it is fire and water pag. 217 Ligula pag. 136 Lillies pag. 250 Lilly Convalli Ibid. Limation pag. 63 Lime how washed pag. 54 Lime water pag. 737 Line pag. 364 Liniment what it is pag. 193 A Liniment for the Pleurisie Ibid. To allay pain Ibid. For a cold distemper Ibid. Liquation pag. 74 Liquid Amber what it is pag. 673 Liquor what pag. 394 Litharidge pag. 437 Lithontripticon pag. 606 Liverwort pag. 356 Loadstone pag. 417 Lohocs their use pag. 165 Lohoc of Cassia pag. 110 Lohoc e Pulmone Vulpis or Lohoc of Foxes Lungs pag. 550 A Lohoc for Glysters Ibid. A Lohoc inciding Flegme pag. 165 A Lohoc concocting Flegm Ibid. To stay a Catarrh Ibid. Lohoc sanum pag. 551 Lotion what it is pag. 191 To kill Lice Ibid. To pull off Hair Ibid. To cause sleep Ibid. Lotion of Medicament what it is pag. 52 53 Licopertium pag. 346 M. MAce what it is pag. 278 Macedonian Parsly pag. 337 Macer pag. 278 Maceration pag. 59 Mackrooms pag. 170 Macropiper pag. 279 Madder its description and vertues pag. 302 Magnete pag. 417 Who it was that first found out its vertue Ibid. How it attracts Iron Ibid. Maiden-hair true and common with other differences pag. 233 234 How its Leaves may be condited pag. 544 Malabathrum pag. 285 Malacticon pag. 30 Mallows why so called Man is obnoxious to many Diseases pag. 5 Mans Skull its faculty pag. 9 Mans blood pag. 440 Mans flesh pag. 441 Mandrake pag. 344 Manipulus what it is pag. 135 Manna what it is cleerly demonstrated pag. 226 Its qualities Ibid. Calabriensis Ibid. Briansonensis Ibid. Larigna Ibid. Mastichina pag. 227 Manna Thuris pag. 226 Manna de folio Ibid. How it may be adulterated pag. 158 Its vertues pag. 227 Manus Christi with pearl pag. 174 Murble the kindes thereof pag. 421 Alabastrites Ibid. Ophites Ibid. Parium Ibid. Pleugiticum Ibid. Porphrites Ibid. Zebblicum Ibid. Marchpanes of what they consist pag. 170 Marchpanes to dicuss wind pag. 171 Margarites and Unions how they differ pag. 458 459 Marjoram pag. 311 Marks of several Weights used in Physick pag. 135 136 Marmaled pag. 171 Marrow in general its vertues pag. 443 How it is to be wasced pag. 54 Marsh-mallows pag. 229 Mastick what it is pag. 384 Its vertues pag. 385 How to powder it pag. 57 Masticatories pag. 166 Matter of Medicine is large and ample pag. 1 Maturation pag. 92 Mazapane pag. 106 Measures used in Physick pag. 136 Mechoachan how it differs from Bryony pag. 258 Meconium pag. 389 Mede how to make it pag. 528 Medicinal matter whence it is taken pag. 9 Medicament what it is pag. 5 It is a medium between Aliment and Poyson Ibid. Medicament as to its faculty is threefold pag. 10 Alterative Med. what it is Ibid. Purgative and roborative what Ibid. Gentle Med. what it is pag. 142 A strong Med. what it is Ibid. An ingrateful Med. Ibid. In what quantity a Med. is to be administred pag. 143 Compound Medicaments why called simple pag. 7 What the Essence of a Med. is pag. 33 Its faculties and subject Ibid. It s temperament Ibid. Med. taken from Plants Minerals and Animals pag. 8 9 What election or choice of Med. may be made from the place c. pag. 43 Med. that may be selected from an extrinsecal disposition pag. 34 How long Med. will retain their vertue pag. 41 The force of a Medicament is at sometimes more valid then at another pag. 42 The fresher sometimes the better Ibid. When they may be said to be good though old Ibid. And when in a mean between both Ibid. Why the smell of a Cathartick Med. subduces the belly pag. 10 One Med. sometimes hath many basis pag. 730 The forms or Receits of Med. require a due order pag. 131 The Rules that are to be observed in the penning of Receits demonstrated Ibid. Why Med. are compounded pag. 94 Who it was that laid the Foundation-Stone of the Medicinal Art Ibid. The use of compound Med. pag. 4 Why so necessary Ibid. The reasons why they should be compounded pag. 97 129 Why they are to be prescribed in a plat-form pag. 132 Who requires strong and who weak Med. pag. 141 What the election of a Med. is pag. 33 What a benigne pag. 32 What a maligne Ibid. What election may be made from the odor c. pag. 34 The Dose of Med. is varions pag. 139 Med. sometimes are to be changed pag. 128 What Med. require a cautulous prescription pag. 140 142 What they are that must be exhibited in a small Dose pag. 142 143 The too costly composition of a Med. is vain and frivolous pag. 133 The end of their compounding pag. 134 Why Med. are aromatized and how many general Preparations of Med. there be pag. 50 The first quality of a Med. pag. 11 The second Ibid. The extent of the third pag. 12 Why Med. are dried pag. 66 67 Why dried in the Sun Ibid. Some Med. are hard to be powdered some not c. pag. 61 What order must be observed in the powdering of Med. pag. 62 What Med. require Humectations pag. 57 Med. taken from poysonous Animals pag. 26 The reason why Med. are to be prepared pag. 49 The general preparations of Med. pag. 50 Somniferous Med. must be taken in small quantity pag. 114 The basis of a Med. ought chiefly to be regarded pag. 130 The quantities of those Med. that are to be exhibited pag. 138 One and the same Med. taken in the same quantity
de Fusilagine or the syrup of Coltsfoot pag. 499 Syr. Violatus or the syrup of Violets pag. 498 The difference between Violatus and Violaceus Ibid. T. TAblets how much Sugar they require to their consistencie pag. 173 Purging Tablets how much they require Ibid. Tablets to roborate pag. 174 Tables of Marble pag. 489 Taccamahacca pag. 383 How it may be adulterated pag. 158 Talkum what it is pag. 422 Tamarinds pag. 254 Tamaris pag. 369 Taraxacum pag. 243 Tartar what it is pag. 392 Its Oyl Ibid. How to be burnt pag. 68 Tastes their several differences pag. 36 Sharp taste what it is Ibid. Sowre bitter austere sweet c. pag. 37 38 Sweet tastes are grateful Ibid. Tears of a Hart. pag. 454 Tela Galterii pag. 127 Temperaments how many there be pag. 33 Teathrio pag. 312 Terra Lemnia pag. 396 How to know it to be good Ibid. Ter. Mellitaea pag. 397 398 Ter. Samia pag. 397 398 Ter. Chia pag. 397 398 Ter. Selinusia pag. 397 398 Ter. Cimolia pag. 397 398 Ter. Eretria pag. 397 398 Ter. Rubrica pag. 397 398 Ter. Ochra pag. 397 398 Ter. Alana pag. 397 398 Ter. Tripolis pag. 397 398 Theamides pag. 418 Therion signifies all poysonous animals pag. 464 Thymelaea pag. 268 Thyme its description and vertues pag. 310 Tincture of Roses pag. 72 Tincture what it is pag. 59 Tin how made pag. 427 Topaz stone pag. 416 Tormentil pag. 301 Tortoises what they are pag. 462 Transmarina pag. 230 Treacle-Mustard pag. 293 Treacle why so called pag. 464 treacle-Treacle-water of what it is compounded pag. 733 Triapharmacum what it is pag. 58 Triasantalum pag. 602 Triture what it is pag. 60 What things require much triture Ibid. What moderate what little pag. 62 Troches what they are under a general notion pag. 116 Their matter Ibid. Such as are Roborative Purgative and Alterative pag. 117 Trochisci de Agarico or the troches of Agarick pag. 575 Troch albi Rhasis or Rhasis his white troches pag. 643 Troch Alexiterii or troches against infection pag. 641 Troch Alhandal or troches of Coloquintida pag. 575 Troch de Antispodio or troches of burnt Ivory pag. 637 Troch de Berberis or troches of Berberries pag. 638 Troch de Caphura or the troches of Camphor pag. 635 Troch de Caparibus or the troches of Capers pag. 639 Troch de Carabe or the troches of Amber pag. 637 Troch Cypheos or Aromatical troches pag. 633 Troch Galliae Moschatae or troches compounded of Aloes wood pag. 634 Troch Aliptae Moschatae or the odoriferous troches of Musk. Ibid. Troch Diarrhodon or the Aromatical troches of Roses pag. 636 Troch Gordonii or Dr. Gordonius his troches pag. 639 Troch ad Gonorrhaeam or troches for the flux of Sperm pag. 642 Troch Hedicroi or sweet smelling troches pag. 631 Troch Hysterici or Hysterical troches pag. 641 Troch Myrrhae or troches of Myrrhe pag. 640 Troch Narcotici Fernel or the stupefying troches of Fernelius pag. 643 Troch de Rhabarbero or the troches of Rhabarb pag. 574 Troch Scillitici Androm or the troch of Squills prescribed by Andromachus pag. 632 Troch de Spodio cum semine or the troches of Spodium with Sorrel-seed pag. 638 Troch de Viperis or the troches of Vipers pag. 630 Tryphera solutiva pag. 563 Turchesa pag. 419 Turbith its description pag. 263 Various opinions about it Ibid. How to know the best Ibid. How to prepare it pag. 56 Turpentine pag. 379 Masculine pag. 380 Feminine pag. 380 Tutty what it is pag. 436 How to prepare it Ibid. Its vertues Ibid. How to wash it pag. 53 V. VAlerian pag. 333 Vaporary its constitution and use pag. 187 A Vaporary to bring down the Tearms and move the Hemorrhoids pag. 187 To stay them both pag. 188 To allay the pain thereof Ibid. Vegetables which by a certain Antinomasia are to be preferred before others pag. 149 Venice-Treacle pag. 626 Verdigrease what it is pag. 429 Its species and qualities pag. 430 How to burn it pag. 69 Vermilago pag. 332 Vermilion pag. 408 Vesicatory how it differs from a Sinapism pag. 205 Its utility Ibid. The Country-mans Vesicatory Ibid. Vineger pag. 221 Its qualities pag. 101 221 Which is best Ibid. Vineger of Roses how to be made pag. 72 Vineger of Squills Ibid. Vine pag. 219 Vinous Hydromel how made pag. 71 Vinum Hippocraticum what it is pag. 56 Vinum ex Herbis pag. 77 Vipers what they are pag. 764 Why so called Ibid. Their differences Ibid. Why their heads and tails in their preparation must be cut off pag. 465 How to burn them pag. 67 The manner of preparing their Axungia pag. 466 When they are to be taken for the composition of Treacle Ibid. The powder of their skins will cause hair to grow pag. 16 Virgins milk why so called pag. 197 How it is made Ibid. Its vertues Ibid. Vitriol pag. 399 Which may be called the best Ibid. How to burn it pag. 68 How to burn Red Vitriol pag. 69 Ulcers in the eyes are cured by washed Cadmia pag. 53 Unguent what it is pag. 121 The difference of an Unguent and Cerate Ibid. Their varieties pag. 122 What quantity of Oyl Unguents require pag. 121 In what vessels they must be kept Ibid. The four hot and cold Unguents what they are pag. 151 A sweet smelling Ung. pag. 213 Unguentum ad Achorus vulgo Tineam or an Unguent for Moths c. pag. 702 Unguentum Adjutorium or the Adjutory Unguent pag. 706 Ung. Egyptiacum or the Egyptian Oyntment pag. 704 Ung. Crudum or the Crude Oyntment pag. 87 122 Ung. Agrippae or the Oyntment of the juyce of wild simples pag. 704 Ung. Apostolorum or the Oyntment of the Apostles pag. 703 Ung. album Rhasis or Rhasis white Oyntment pag. 705 Ung. Altheae or the Oyntment of Marshmallows pag. 698 Ung. Aregon or the helping Oyntment pag. 705 Ung. Aureum or the Golden Oyntment pag. 700 Ung. Basilicum or the Princely Oyntment pag. 699 Ung. de Bolo or the Oyntment of Bole. pag. 693 Ung. Caphuratum or an Oyntment with Camphor pag. 697 Ung. Citrinum or the Oyntment of Citrons pag. 707 Ung. de Siccativum rubrum or the red drying Oyntment pag. 694 Ung. Diapompholigos or the Oyntment of Pompholix pag. 695 Ung. Enulatum cum Merc. or the Oyntment of Enulacampane with Mercury pag. 701 Ung. Fuscum or the Agglutiating Oyntment Ibid. Ung. de Lythargyro or the Oyntment of Litharidge pag. 692 Ung. magnum or the eximious Oyntment pag. 704 Ung. Martiatum or Martiatons Unguent pag. 706 Ung. Melleum or the honey Oyntment pag. 704 Ung. de Minio or the Oyntment of Red-lead pag. 697 Ung. Mundificativum expert or the Experienced cleansing Oyntment pag. 699 Ung. Neapolitanum or an Oyntment for the Venerean disease pag. 709 Ung. nutritum or the nourished Oyntment pag. 692 Ung. Ophthalmicum or an Oyntment for the eyes pag. 696 Ung. Populeon or the Oyntment of Poplar pag. 691 Ung. ad Pruritem scabiosem or an Oyntment for the Itch. pag. 696 Ung. Resumptivum or the Resumptive Oyntment pag. 697 Ung. Rosatum or the Oyntment of Roses pag. 690 Ung. Sanctum or a Sacred Oyntment pag. 3 Ung. Spleniticum or an Oyntment for the Spleen pag. 708 Ung. Stipticum or the Astringent Oyntment pag. 694 Ung. Tetrapharmacum or an Oyntment of four things pag. 699 Ung. Triapharmacum or an Oyntment of three similar things pag. 692 Ung. ad Vermis or an Oyntment for the Worms pag. 702 Unicorn and his horn pag. 456 Its description and vertues Ibid. Unions how they differ from Margarites pag. 459 Whence they have their name pag. 458 Vomits which should especially be made choice of pag. 45 46 Ureticks what they are pag. 29 Urna what it is pag. 137 Ustion what it is pag. 67 The various modes thereof Ibid. When it may be said to be finished pag. 68 Why by Ustion sharp Medicaments lose their acrimony pag. 67 It is cousin german to Assation pag. 69 Utensils for an Apothecaries shop what they are pag. 472 A catalogue thereof pag. 473 c. Vulnerary powder pag. 107 W. WAll-flower pag. 309 Wall-nuts pag. 387 Wall-wort pag. 261 Water and fire the principles of life pag. 217 What the soul of Water is pag. 218 How the goodness of Water may be known Ibid. The differences thereof Ibid. Which may be called the best Ibid. What the levity of Water is pag. 218 The quantity of Water to be put in a Decoction pag. 162 The quantity of Water to be used for a dose Ibid. Why Cistern-waters are unwholesome pag. 218 Why running-Water is the best pag. 99 Waters after Distillation are to be insolated pag. 90 A Water of the extinction of Gold pag. 70 A Water for a Gonorrhaea pag. 735 A Water of Community pag. 736 A Water for the redness of the eyes Ibid. A Water against the Stone pag. 735 Alome-Water pag. 77 198 Cinamon-Water pag. 734 Cephalical Waters how many they are pag. 151 Cordial Waters what they be pag. 150 Claret-Water pag. 734 Treacle-Water pag. 733 Water-flag pag. 273 Water-lilies pag. 249 The juyce thereof what vertue it hath pag. 7 Wax which is best pag. 393 Virgins Wax Ibid. It s washing and making white Ibid. Weights their several denominations pag. 134 Their Arabian names pag. 135 What things are diligently to be weighed pag. 142 143 Widow-wail pag. 267 Willow white pag. 340 Windeflower pag. 309 Wine who first mixed water with it pag. 220 Wine its utility with the differences thereof pag. 219 220 It excites the spirits Ibid. Wine of Herbs pag. 77 Hippocrates Wine pag. 56 Winter-Cherries pag. 349 An extreme cold Winter pag. 145 Woodbind pag. 338 Wolfs liver how it is to be prepared pag. 54 How to be washed Ibid. Wolfs intestines their preparation Ibid. Wolfs grease how made pag. 453 Words their force according to the Hebrews pag. 21 Worms generated of salt and snow pag. 469 Silk-worms what kinde of animals they are pag. 471 Earth-worms their vertue pag. 469 Wormwood its species and vertues pag. 316 Roman Wormwood Ibid. X. XAntonian pag. 316 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 377 Xylobalsamum pag. 282 Xylocolla pag. 452 Xylon pag. 362 Y. YArrow pag. 368 Z. ZAdar pag. 272 Zadura Ibid. Zamarat pag. 412 Zapeticon pag. 451 Zea. pag. 366 Zedoaria pag. 271 Zeduar pag. 272 Zeopyrum pag. 366 Zerumbet pag. 271 How it differs from Ginger Ibid. Its vertues Ibid. Zinzipha pag. 381 Zizipha Ibid. Zopissa pag. 378 FINIS
after a little refrigeration the severall species must be by little and little added confounded and mixed with a Spatula till it have got its whose solidity and equability then it must be laid on a marble before it be cold and with the Spatula dilated and planed when it is cold it may be cut into Lozenges square or round of one two or three dramms weight which after they be brought to the hardness of sugar must be laid in boxes or Chests Of what consistency soever the Electuary be whether solid or soft it preserves the strength of the simples well and long Yet doth the soft preserve it longer than the solid because its humidity being greater it more constraines the faculty of the Medicaments and hinders them from being dissipated by the air By how much an Electuary is more gratefull to the Palate by so much the sooner doth its energy and faculty decay for its efficacie will scarce endure a year bitter and ingratefull will endure two or three years and the Antidote against wild beasts bitings or poysons sometimes ten years without damage CHAP. XII Of Hiera HIerae differ little from the Opiate Hiera pierae unde habeant nomen Opiates from liquid Electuaries for they have all the same consistency and often the same purging faculty yet Electuaries and Opiates do sometimes purge neither molesting the belly nor displeasing the palate with their sapour but Hierae besides their purging faculty which they alwayes have are very bitter and unacceptable which their name shewes for they are called Picrae for their exceeding bitterness as Hiera i. e. holy for their excellent effects They are compounded of loosening and bitter yet Medicaments good for the stomack which incide and gently purge grosse and flegmatick humours out of the first region of the body Hiera picra Galeni dicitur quod cam emendarit and especially those that are called Galens Hierae because changed and mended by him Cap. 11. lib. 8. comp med local which saith he are the best remedy for the Melanchollicke affections of the belly for many stomachicall Maladyes have been cured by him in one day therewith for since Aloes is mixed hereunto which is very good for the stomack and Cynamon which is effectuall in opening exterging and attenuating for it is of very thin parts they may be exhibited usefully for all grosse and viscous humours Quib us conveniat quibus non and all affections about the belly and stomach proceeding from vicious juice but not if they proceed from a sharp fever Hiera whose faculty is to calefy and exiccate may not be securely used in those fevers whereby humours are accended in the vessells and whereby the whole body is inflamed though by Galens advice they may safely be used in fevers that are not vehement there are besides Galens Picrae Hierae varia descriptae Hierae variously described various compositions which from their effects are called Hierae and from their sapours Picrae as from that matter which in composition quantitie or qualitie is preheminent one Hiera is called the Colloquintidan Hiera others are confected under the names of Logadius Pacchus or Myrepfius either because they first invented their compositions or else altered augmented and corrected them The descriptious composition and powers of every one shall be largely treated of taught and explained in our book tearmed the shop some Hierae have their purgative power onely from Aloes and that not potent and Galen cap. 2. lib. 4. de loc affect saith that they scarce condescend to the places about the Liver unlesse they be taken in a more ample weight they may be commodiously given for the suffusion or web in the eye because they rather educe noxious humours from the brain than from the stomack but such as admit of Coloquintida or Agarick or both or scammony do potently move the belly and draw hurtfull humours from all the parts of the body and purge them out CHAP. XIII Of Opiates in general OPiates are reckoned amongst liquid Electuaries and so called because they have Opium in their mixture or from their similitude to Hypnoticall Medicaments or from their consistency presently after their inspissation or peradventure from their Colour which in Opium or the juice of black poppy and in liquid Antidotes whether Cordiall or opening is the same And although the Ancients call those Medicaments onely Opiates too strictly which admit of Opium in their mixture of what consistency soever whether solid as the Alcumists Ladanum and Pills of Cynoglosson or soft as the Roman Philonium yet are they in a larger sense taken for any soft Confections Cordiall altering Opiatarum appellatio amplissima purging or narcoticall whether they admit Opium as Antidotes against venemous beasts or they consist only in cordial and altering ingredients as Alkermes and the confection of violets or of purging ingredients as Triphera Diaprunum and such like which are oftner called by the names of Electuaries and Confections than Opiates Now Opiates were invented by Physicians of ancient note Gal. Opiatae cur inventae cap. 2. lib. 2. de loc affect Aet c. 12. lib. 2. de sign caus diut morb to leniate the rigour of griefes for griefe being a sad passion Dolor quid grievous to nature and hard to be indured it doth variously exagitate humours corrupt the blood accend a fever and deject the spirits Ejus affectus so that the Physician is sometimes compelled to relinquish the former disease that he may cure this great symptome with these presidies which though they take not away the cause of the disease yet they so refresh the senses and spirits by conciliating ease and sleepe that the strength of the symptomes being debated they may afterwards extrude the causes of the disease more easily The vehemencie therefore of grief is to be deceived Doloris vehementia desperationis interdum parens sometimes with Narcoticall Medicaments which is sometimes so prevalent that it drives men to that Madnesse that they had rather dye than live and therefore lay violent hands upon themselves Galen hath observed Cap. 5. lib. 7. comp med loc such vehehement vexations and torments in Colicall dolours Confectiones Colicae which might be leniated by severall Medicaments that he described certain Narcoticall Opiates and left them to posterity which he called Colical confections which may mitigate the vehemency of the symptome stay the motion of humours and stupify the senses hence they are called Narcoticall opiates because they bring to the parts a certain necrosy or mortification and they are called Annodyna i. e. grief-absolving Medicines because for present they mitigate and absolve from paine and griefe For Anodynes are not all of one sort Paregorica quae for some are Paregoricall or leniating which are temperate and most agreeing without heat as Hydreole the root of Lillies boyled in milk and oil of Almonds Others are called Alliotical which leniate the
griefe Alliotica to which they are averse by some opposite quality as oil of roses of violets to a grief moderately oil of water lillies to a grief impensely hot oil of Laurall or Anisseseeds to a cold dolour others are also called Narcoticall Opiates Narcotica which by stupifying the senses take away the dolour which must not be used rashly for lying too long to a place they extinguish the heat thereof resolve the nerves and take away at once both motion and sense and as Galen observeth Cap. 18. lib. 5. simplic med taken in too great quantity kills Which is evidenced by the most perillous experiences of jugglars and deceivers who with their shining Stibium stir up torments and other grievous symptomes wherewith they may cover their errour with a worse do indeed take away dolours by their narcoticall Opiates neither rightly made nor applyed For they easily conciliate sleep but such a one as intrudes the diseased into Charons boate Somniserum Empericorum not in this world again to awake whence it is true that Empiricks Hypnoticall medicines is often the cure of all evills I will not here relate storyes well known to me of these impious periclitatours least I should digresse too far from my purpose and because the work would be immense if I should here insert what I have received from men of credit Now Narcoticks are improperly and onely as to their nomination called Anodynes for besides their Elementary quality whereby they refrigerate they are indued with another that is hostile and deletary to our native heat unlesse they be taken in a smaall quantity and also then and so prepared as is meet as Opium Mandrake Henbane and Hemlock Anodynes proper so called Anod yna quae are paregoricall hot in the first degree or temperate or little exceeding a simmetry which may be safely either assumed or applyed Medicaments therefore that admit Opium or other Narcoticks must be taken in a small weight and are truly called Opiates of what Consistency soever they be Yet other soft altering purging and roborating Cofections are now also tearmed Opiates CHAP. XIV Of Pills PIlls have their name from the forme of a little ball or bullet Pilulae cur ita dictae Unde dicantur catapotia which because they are not chewed but swallowed whole are called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for because of the ingratefull sapour and odour of those simples whereof they are confected as Aloes Coloquintida Agarick Opoponax Sagapenes and other sharp stinking and bitter simples they are formed in a sphericall effigie in a solid consistency and exhibited in a small quantity that they may be assumed with more ease and lesse trouble for the exiguity of the Medicament makes it easier to be swallowed and the solidity lesse to be dissolved the round forme sooner to slide down to stay longer in the ventricle to draw more efficaciously from parts remote and not so soon to passe into the intestines or to be excluded by vomiting for liquid Medicaments are often assumed and disgorged in the same instant Pills are frequently because of their insuavity covered with leafs of Gold and many odoriferous spices are often mixed artificially with them whereby they are made more pleasant and gratefull to the palate and bowells yet if they be a little holden in the mouth or compressed with the tongue or teeth before deglution they will not onely affect the sense with an ill tast but also as it were incite the horrour and subversion of the ventricle all Pills are bitter save a few Pilularum sapor ingratus as those that are prescribed to Coughs which are not presently devoured but kept long in the mouth that they may melt and be swallowed by little and little and these are not so properly called Catapotia or pills as pastills or trochiskes The bitternesse of Pills is attributed especially to Aloes which is their very basis and which can scarce be assumed otherwise because of its egregious amaritude and because of its viscidity whereby it conjoynes powders and compels them into pils Now this bitterness is increased by the commixtion of other ingratefull things as of Coloquintida Agarik Senny and other purgative Medicaments which will be so much the more unacceptable to the Palate by how much more bitter ingredients are admixed as are pills made of Coloquintida Aloes Agarick Scammony and Gum Arabick which Galen prescribes to purge many kinds of Excrements Cap. 14. lib. 5. Method Now there are many kinds of Pills Pilularum magna varietas partly drawn from the diversity of the members to which they are destinated and partly from the diversity of humours which they draw from the parts some are called Capitall pils which purge flegme out of the head as Cochiae and such as are made of Agarick others Opticall because they consist of many things that are thought good for the eyes as Pil. Lucis majoris minoris others stomachicall as pils before meat and made of Rhubarbe others Artheticall which educe humours from the Articles from the diversity whereof some are called Phlegmagogall which purge Phlegme others Cholagogall which purge Choller other Melanagogall which purge and move Melancholicall succe from their operation they are said to loose the belly by astringing as Pils of Rhabarb and Myrobolanes or by moderate drawing as Pils of Agarick or by drawing and expurging together as pils of Euphorbium The greatest part of simples to be mixed in the Confection of the lumpe for Pils should be beaten into small powder Pilularum compositio ut rectò fiat then put into honey despumed or into the slimy matter of Tragaganthum dissolved in some convenient succe or rather into some convenient syrup which hath some viscidity fit to make the confused seeds stick in the mixture and not gape for siccity that also the simples may be fermented being included in such a mixture and that their faculty may not so soon exhale for this cause saith Sylvius all kinds of Pils should be comprehended in cocted honey for being comprehended in water or succe they do not cohere but like bread made of bran they are presently exficcated made friable and decay But if Pills admit gumms and inspissated juices those juices should be mollifid before in some thine Liquor be moved with a hot Pestell and then be put to the mixture of the powders and last of all be confusedly mixed with as much honey or other viscid humour as the mixture requires that it may be made into dough or a soft lumpe for it will daily harden which after two or three dayes must be liniated with a little oil of Almonds and then obvolved in fine leather or some thin bladder it must at last be reposed in a tinne or leaden box When a part of that masse is to be used Crassities pilularum qualis esse debeat it must answer a definite Dosis and if need be be beaten with a fit
first white which are frequent at the beginning of Summer not unlike Shepherds-purse which convolving themselves into two valvuls produce a blackish hot and sharp seed in sapour like Mustard or Nasturtium The second hath a ramous caul of a foot high its leaves are lesser angust acuminated and subverted its flowers white seed small sharp and hot like Nasturtium The third and less Thlaspi is an Herb with angust leaves of a fingers length converting themselves downwards and a little incided in their extremities its flowers are whitish caul slender and ramous of a foot high whereon many small plain husks like little Lentils on small pedicles do depend in an excellent series wherein a small seed affecting the mouth and tongue with a sharp sapour like Mustard is enclosed It grows in incultivated stony mountainous hot and dry places as on many walls and houses whence some Herbalists call it Tectorium Nasturtium and sometimes Countrey-Mustard It s seed is used in Antidotes yet he shall not much erre that in defect thereof usurps other seeds Many referr many more Plants bearing sharp and servent seed to the Thlaspi but feeing they dissent much in effigies others referr them rather to Plants more affine in form for the Thlaspi of Crateva which seems to be a latifolious Violet called Bolbonac as also Draba by some called Thlaspi have little or no affinity with the rest of that name Vires It s seed is not and dry in the fourth degree it breaks impostumes moves flowers kills the young in the uterus helps the sciatical infunded at the fundament it evacuates blood and pollicitates many more commodities if rightly and opportunely usurped It is mixed with some Antidotes CHAP. IV. Of Rockett ROcket which the Greeks call Euxomon is sown in Gardens for Condiments sake for it is both good and usefull in Sallets and Pottage for such whose internal calour languishes and whose lust to venery is dull for Rotlet revokes venery and accelerates the husband slow to congress whence Poets call it Herba salas the Salacious Herb. It rises a cubit high with angust long leaves lacinated on both sides with deep but rare incisures with palid and sometimes hueous and quadrifolious flowers seed like Turnep seed and a white and dure root it grows sometimes spomaneously among branches and other rough and incultivated places There is also erratical and wild Rocket which grows in squalid places near high wayes and town walls with leaves like Sow-thistles but more slender and small with flowers of a luteous colour like them of Brassica which erupt in the middle of Summer Bank-creffes which some call Irio others Tortela do so much resemble Rocket both in gust and form that they call it Rocket yet seeing Galen reposes Erysimum amongst alimental Plants I will scarce enumerate it among wild Rockets Eruca is also the name of a certain Insect as well as an Heth whereof there are many differences desumed from their dissidency in colour and magnitude whereof we neither will nor ought now to treat it being our purpose to speak onely of such Simples as are Ingredients necessary to Compositions in Pharmacopolies Rocket calefies and siccates in the third degree Vires extenuates the spleen cures the bitings of Mice and Spiders excites venery moves urine deleates black skars if illited with Oxe-gail and emaculates freckles CHAP. V. Of Nettle THere are two general differences of Nettles Species one whose leaves are improbously mordacious and surcle hurting the contrectants hands with its pungent down the other innoxious which may be handled without molestation The former is by the Greeks called sometimes Acalyphe because it is injucund to the tact sometimes Cnide because it punges mordaciously commonly called Quick-Nettle the other is called Lamium and Anonium as also white or dead Nettle There be also three sorts of quick Nettles the two greater and one lesser all wild and spontaneous Some call these wild ones masculine and seminine Nettles as superating one another in procerity The Romanes call that Masculine in the first place which emits round surcles of half a cubits height and sometimes longer cave and hollow with broad mucronated simbrious crisped leaves rough and mordaceous on both sides which by their contact excite lumps and ustion and rubefy the skin The seed is included in small pills round and hispid which proceed out of the root of the leaves That Feminine in the second which produces seed not globularly but racemously like Grape clusters after the manner of the feminine Mercury its caul is higher and more ramous its leaves broader and all its parts mordacious The third sort is the least and yet most ramous mordacious and graveolent producing its seed racemously but not after the manner of the former for many grains erupt out of the surcie at the foot of the leaves together but each one hath a pedicle like the masculine Nettle This third sort is called Dog-Nettle and is most of all mordaeious They all grow in incultivated places about hedges dams and old walls and sometimes in Gardens and in fat soyls All Nettles siccate exceedingly but calefie not so much for though Urtica be ab urendo Nettle from burning yet they are not ustive from their heat but by cansing such a pain from their pungent down for Macer c. 2. l. 2. Nettles decocted are very ignavely hot they help the orthopnoical moves urine and flowers their feed stimulates to venery and is a present Antidote against the poyson of Hemlock It helps also against the malignant quality of Henbane Mushromes and Quick-filver as also the bitings of Serpents and poysonous Beasts The seed of the mascussine Nettle is thought best Here we may not omit To help those that are slung with Nettles that Oil conduces much to the ease of those pustuls and dolours excitated by Nettles as also Elder leaves bruised and adhibited which by a special propriety respect this affection Many other Plants are reposed amongst Nettles which are sometimes called Lamia sometimes dead Nettles whereunto another Plant is referred which the Romanes call Labio which some think is Agripalma or Cardiack others Galeopsis and Galeobdolon The first sort of these dead Nettles are those that assurge to a cubital procerity with Nettle leaves soft and crisped sometimes of a whitish sometimes reddish colour The second very like the former but not so ramous with flowers like Spurge but purpureous issuing out of the genicles of its surcles The third is lesser more imbecil and fetid with rounder leaves which is seldome if at all used in Medicinal Confections Some now of late make a syrup of the flowers of other Nettles for the affections of the lungs and breast which they call Syrupus de Lamis but its effect doth not celebrate it CHAP. VI. Of Flower de luce or Orris ACertain Lilly whose flower in its variegated colour emulates the Rain-bow painted in an opake cloud opposite to the Sun is thence called Iris whereof I have
often noted twenty two sorts and varieties which to recenseate were superfluous But two especially are most frequently used in Medicine the one our indigenous flower which is of a ceruleous colour and sweet odour whose root potently educes waters and the Tuscan or Flerentine Iris whose root is white but flower much whiter and both very fragrant which pre-excells the other save in educing serous humours out of the belly All Flower-de-luce hath long leaves like swords and nodous roots except a sew whose roots are bulbous and flowers patulous like Lillyes but with small leaves more reflected three of which lesser sort are interposed amongst the three greater after which two or three husks that are triangular come forth whereon angular seeds are contained The ceruleous Flower-de-luce which some call the Celestial Lilly is most expetible in Pharmacopolies for its root is hydragogous and usefull to the hydroptical and an Oil may be made of its flowers good for many things The Florentinian is best for it is cephalical aromatical cordial incisive and apertive All Flowers-de-luce calefy extenuate cure gripings and expell flowers being according to Dioscorides c. 1. l. 1. universally usefull CHAP. VII Of Helecampane ENulacampane puts forth leaves from its very root which are long late mucronated hispid and numerous its caul is hard of three cubits length or more its flowers are aureous and stellated like Oxe-eye or Flea-bane which turn into knaps the seed which is like Thistle-seed remaining It s root is great crass flave odorate and suaveolent it grows in fat and humid places the best is brought from Helena where the Poets feign that it sprung up from Helena's tears whence it had its name Some say Helena sowed it there to kill Serpents for it is very efficacious against poysons not onely such as infect men but also and chiefly such as harm beasts for given to Sheep in wine and vinegar it keeps them from and cures them in the pestilence whereunto they are obnoxious which the Vulgar call Clavelate Some think that the root of Hellecampane should be desumed instead of the unknown root of Behen to whom I easily assent Succidanium for if Helecampane be not Behen it 's a good substitute Helecampane's ropt is manifestly hot Vires it moves urine and flowers mandicated it confirmates teeth and condited cures the cough Diosc c. 27. l. 1. the decoction of the root epoted cures convulsions orthopnoity pestilence and bitings of Serpents CHAP. VIII Of Cyperus CYperus is a triangular rush growing in moyst and marish places of a cubits or higher procerity whose lower part is white and top black it produces long gracile arundinaceous hard cultellated leaves with panicles depending on its summity amongst which the seed lurk Its roots are round nodous long implicated one amongst another and reptant like grass roots blackish without and subluteously white within which are odorate pleasant and amare The roots are onely usefull the other parts good for little The root excellsses without mordacity Vires potently exsiccating ulcen and perducing them to a skar which for its astrictive faculty is very conducible to the ulcers of the mouth it moves flowers and urine and being drunk helps the stone and dropsy There is another kinde of Cyperus very like this in effigy but its root is more nodous and rotund whence it is called round Cyperus Dioscorides makes mention of a Cyperus in India like Ginger which masticated in the mouth makes the juice of Saffron colour which is amare and acrimonious to the gust and erasive if illited on a place CHAP. IX Of Angelica IT 'S a wonder that the Antients either knew not or spoke not of this noble Plant for whose rare faculties the more recent denominated it Angelica than which Europe produces not a more fragrant and pleasant Plant. It is more than two cubits high with a geniculated skrewed palid cave and ferulaceous caul its leaves are ample soft green and crisped like Alexanders leaves its root is very crass and long sometimes disterminated into many roots most odorate and aromatical out of which an oleous liquor exudes of the same odour with the leaves and branches its seeds are yellowish plain broad and membranous There are three sorts of Angelica Species two domestick and one wild one of the domestick which is above described seems to be a kinde of Laserpitium the other which is lesser is like it in odour form and faculties differing onely in magnitude The wild one is like these in root caul leafs heads odour flower and gust onely its odour and sapour is not so sweet it delights in cold moyst and meadowish places it seems to be that Herb which Dodonaeus and Clusius call Archangelica yet if that name be meet for any Herb it is more proper to the true Angelica It is hot and dry in the second degree Vires it opens attenuates and digests it incides and discusses crass humours it is averse to poysons conduces in pestilentious diseafes moves flowers and recreates the heart and its faculties CHAP. X. Of Libistichum or Ligusticum or Lovage THe affinity in form among Simples causes much ambiguity in discerning their distinct Species for what Laserpitium is how it is differenced from Libisticum how both from Angelica Imperatoria Smyrnium can scarce be collected from the writings of the learned but as much as I can attain by conjecture and reason Ligusticum which in the shops they call Levisticum is a plant in altitude equalising some arboreous shrubs with a geniculated cause hollow within leafes like paludapium but bigger lacinious and as it were disterminated and incided into many parts of a pale green shining colour capitulated with Umbells coronated with small and subluteous flowers shining on every side to which a long round strewed seed succeeds like fennel seed acrimonious to the gust and suaveolent Diosc C. 51. L. 3. It s root is white and odorate like the Hungarian Alheal whence some call it Panacea They erre who think it is Smyrnium or Hiposelinum and they more who contend that it is not onely Silvium or Laserpitium but a succe educed out of that plant and is called Belzoni for this Gumme comes out of a tall tree the Syreniack juice out of Laserpitium which is a ferulaceous plant and out of Libisticum or Lumbrady either no juice is educed or none of it preserved after eduction whether the Syreniack juice be sweet Asa or Belzoin shall be declared in its place Ligusticum growes plenteously in Liguria and in the Mountain Apenninus where it is called Panacea Species because it resembles the Heraclea panax in its root caul and faculties Panacea is fourfold the Syrian the Heraclean the Chironian and the Centaurean which some call the Pharnacean but I leave these to the exact discussers of Simples who write the History of all Herbs and return to my purpose The Roots and Seeds of Ligusticum are calefactive Vires and therefore help
I shall comprehend and Epitomize a great many The first that occurs is Eranus which the French call Turchesa Turchesa the Arabians Peruzaa Pliny Callais and Augites whose colour seems to be confusedly but elegantly mixed of an azure and green it is had in India especially about the Mountain Cokas The Jasper stone is either totally or in a great part green and elegant whose species to enumerate would tyre a man Jaspis for Macer saith they are seventeen it is very efficacious in staying blood The Blood-stone took its Greek name Haematites from blood also Haematites for whether it be carried or assumed it cohibits the issue of blood it is thought to be a kinde of Jasper for it is green variegated and as it were bespotted with drops of blood Achates is so called from the River Achate where it is found Achates there are many varieties thereof but the most vulgar are obscurely white disterminated with veins either red or black It is storied of King Pyrrhus that he had a special one wherein Nature had ingraven the Nine Muses Some Achates are red like Coral The Amethyst is a stone brought from India Amethystus of a purpureous mixed with a violaceous colour emitting some small flames whereof there are five sorts the more vulgar is violaceous resembling the colour of red Wine much diluted with water it is said to hinder ebriety but to excite dreams As the whitely corruscant Adamant the green Emerald the flainmeous and red Carbuncle the caeruleous Saphyre and the golden Chrysolite are the best of those kindes so is the variegated Opalus Opalus in whose mixture is the micant fire of the Carbuncle the purpureous fulgour of the Amethyst the caeruleous viridity of the Emerald and all nitent colours most elegantly contentned then which no aspect is more beautiful Pliny calls this stone Paederos it is got in the Island Zeilan and in many parts of India where it is called Argenon it is also found in Aegypt where it is called Senites There is another kinde of Opalus less elegant and nitent which they call Pseudopalus and Cats-eye which as it is not so fair so not so expetible as the true Opalus This is in probability the stone that Isidore calls Ophthalmius There is another stone appertaining to the kinde of Opalus Panthera which from its variegated colour resembling the Panther is called Panther and it is thought to be indued with as many vertues as colours The Selenite Selenites so called from the Moon which it represents â—is a stone of a shining candid and yellow colour which increases and decreases as the Moon doth some of this kinde are greener others paler The Girasol Girasola which some call the Sun's stone others Loucopetalos is reposed among those Gemmes which are candidly nitent and emit an aureous fulgor There is a noble Gemme called Dionysia Dionysia which brayed and assumed though it resemble the sapour of Wine yet it resists ebriety The Poet thus describes it Nigramicat rubris Dionysia consita guttis Beryl is a Gemme comprehending many under it of the same name Beryllus some whereof are caeruleous others paler others flave and aureously fulgent which are often called Chrysoprasi others in colour resemble oyl and others other things so as its species are nine Beryl shines obscurely unless it be brought to a Sexangular form There hath been of late a stone mixed with a green and lacteous colour Nephriticus lapis brought from New-Spain which they call the Reins-stone which bound to ones arm doth by a special propriety break and propel the stone Aetites is as it were a pregnant stone Aetites sounding when shaken which derives its name from Eagles by whom as it is storied it is got and posited in their Nests to allay the heat of their Eggs lest they califie too much during incubation others think otherwise and speak much falsly concerning it However it is a stone that will accelerate birth if applied to the things but retard it if bound above the stomack or carried betwixt the Paps there are four sortsof it which may be learned from Pliny The Jewish stone Lapis Judaicus which is named from its native soyl is white of an elegant form of the magnitude of an Acorn disterminated with lines so equally distant as if they had been artificially fabricated Brayed levigated and assumed it breaks the stones in the Reins and Bladder The Chrysolampe is pale on the day Chrysolapis but on the night splendent as fire it is had in Aethiopia but seldom brought to us Pliny and such as write of stones recenfeate innumerably more but they write of such as they never either knew or saw and they usurp many stones conjoyned by some affinity for one and the same and often constitute the same stone denoted by many names as multifarious for Pliny avers That the names of stones are almost innumerable There rest yet many stones of eximious vertue and high estimate but because they are desumed from Animals as Unions or Margarites the Bezaar-stone and the like we shall treat of them in our Book of Medicaments desumed from Animals or their parts CHAP. 11. Of certain Medicinal but not Precious-stones and first of Marble MArble is a most notorious hard kind of stone of which there are as many differences as places whence they are elicited the noblest are these the Pheugitical Parian Zeblical Porphyritical and Ophytical Marble all are approved or disapproved from their colour nitre perspicuity and durity That which is green or variegated and hard withal is fairest and best that also which is very candid and solid is commendable and such must be selected to the confection of the Citrian unguent The Pheugitical Marble shines most and represents Images Nero bunt a Temple of this stone to Fortune which shined so within that though the doors and windows were shut yet was it clearly perceptible The Parian is not all alike for some is very white which is very very frequent in Italy others cincritious some green others ferreous which last sort is so hard that some make Anvils of it The Zeblical is found in Misena This is the softest and is thought goed against Poyson which if so is the best of Marbles The Porphyritical Marble is most-what variegated with red spots it is brought out of Aegypt that which is beset with white spots is called Leucasticon whereof they make good and excellent Pestels and Modules The Ophytical or Serpentine-Marble is partly green partly variegated with many other colours like a Serpents skin whence it hath its name the most spots in the vulgar are pale with others very dissimilar Some Marbles are also nobilitated from some Men and some Regions as Luculus his Black Marble Augustus Tiberius his Marble also Aegyptian Theban Ephesian and Lacedemonian Marble Alabaster is a kinde of Marble so called from Alabastrum an Aegyptian City it is ordinarily