it from the Orientall Indias By this you shall vnderstande that Syr Frauncis de Mendosa a worâ—hy Knight when hee came from the newe Spayne and Peru shewed to mee a greate Roote and other little rootes who asked mee what rootes they were I aunswer â—o that they were rootes of the China but that they seemed to mee to bee very freshe Hee sayde to mee that so they were and that it was not longe since that they had beene gathered and brought from the new Spaine I maruelled that they had it there for I did beleeue that in the China only it had growen he said vnto mee that not only there was in the newe Spaine the China but that also wee shoulde see brought greate quantitie of Spicerie from the place which that China came from And I beleued it when I saw the contract that he made with his maiestie to bring into Spaine great quantitie of spicerie that hee had begon to set and to plante and I saw greene Ginger brought from thence as also the China This China is a roote lyke to the roote of a cane with certaine knottes within it whyte and some with the whytenesse hath an alborne colour it is red without the best is the freshest that which hath no holes if it bee weightie and not worme eaten and that it haue a fatnes as if it were congeled and it hath an vnsauery cast This Roote doeth growe in the China which is the Orientall Indias neere to Siria and Sirciana It groweth neere to the Sea onely with the roote they helpe themselues with the which the Indians bee healed of grieuous diseases And therfore they haue it in great estimation they do heale al maner of large diseases therewith and also the sharpe diseases especially Agues with the Water of it prouoking Sweats and by this way they heale many It prouoketh sweat maruellously It is wel neere xxx yeeres since that the Portingales brought it to these parts with great estimatioÌ„ for to heale al manner of diseases and especially the disease of the Poxe in the which it hath wrought greate effectes and the Water is giuen in this forme The sicke person beeing purged as is most conuenient must take one of the Rootes and cut them small vnto the thicknesse and greatnes of a three penny peece and so being cut shall way one ounce and cast it into a newe Pot and thereupon shall poure three Pottels of Water and so shall lye a sleeping there xxiiii houres and the Pot beeing stopt let it seeth at a soft fire of kindled Coales vntill half be sodden away one Pottel half remaine and this is to be knowen by the order of the Measure as aforesaid in the water of the Wood. And after that it is colde let it bee strained and kept in a glassed vessel There must be care taken that it stande in some hotte or warme place neere to the fire for that therwith it doeth preserue the vertue the better and dureth longer tyme before it be corrupted The sicke man being lodged in a close conuenient Chamber must take in the morning fasting tenne ounces of the sayde water as hotte as he can suffer it and he shall procure sweat keepe it two houres at the least After the sweat hee shal bee made cleane and shall take a Shirte and cleane clothes warme them and shall lye downe againe twoo or three houres in the bed quietly after hee hath swet And afterwarde let him apparell himselfe and beeing well warmed remayne in his Chamber in the which he shal be kept from cold the open ayâ—e with all the pleasure of good company and conuersation he shal eate at xi of the clocke halfe a Chicken sodden or a quarter of a Henne with a little Salt At the beginning of dinner he shal drinke a dishfull of Broth and foorthwith eate of the Pullet eating at the beginning a little and hee shal ende with Marmelade His drinke shal bee of the water hee tooke in the morning for that heere is no more then one water hee may at the beginning after the Broth is taken begin too eate Reasinges without theyr little Graynes or Prunes without theyr stones theyr bread must bee Crustie well baked or Bisket If hee will drinke in the day tyme hee may doe so with taking of a little Conserua and drinke of the same water and beeing â—ight houres past his Dinner let him lye downe in his Bedde and take other tenne ounces of the same water the which being hotte hee may drinke and procure sweate two houres after he hath sweat let him be made cleane and take a cleane shirte and cleane clothes warme and after one houre let him sup with CoÌ„serua Reasinges and Almondes with some Bisket and drinke of the selfe same water and last of all eate Marmelade vpon the which he may not drinke Thus he may continue xxx dayes continually without neede of any more Purgation then the first and hee may sit vp so that he go wel cloathed vsing in this tyme all content and mirth and keeping him selfe from al that may offend him After that he hath taken this water in this sort hee must keepe good order and good gouernement for fortie dayes continually And hee must drinke no Wine but water made of the China that was before sodden the which hee shall keepe after it is sodden setting it to dry in a shadowie place and that China being dry must be kept to make water for other 40. dayes to drinke after the taking of the first water seething one ounce thereof in three Pottels of water vnâ—il one halfe be sodden away and this water let him drinke continually And aboue all thinges let him keepe himselfe from women and he must alwayes haue care that as well in the water of xxx dayes as in the water of the fourty daies that the China be steeped in the water xxiiii houres before it be sodden There be many diseases healed with this water al kinds of euill of the Poxe all olde Sores it resolueth all swellinges and knobbes it taketh away the paynes of the ioyntes which they call the Arthetica Goute and any other kinde of Goute that is in any particular member or place and especially the Sciatica it taketh away olde paynes of the head and of the stomake It healeth all manner of runninges of Rewmes it dissolueth Opilations and healeth the Dropsie It maketh a good colour in the face it taketh awaie the Iaundies and all euill complexion of the Liuer rectifieth it and in this it hath a greate prerogatiue And by this meanes these infirmities are healed It healeth the Palsey all infirmities of the Sinewes it healeth all diseases of Urine it taketh away Melancholy and all infirmities comming of colde diseases It doth comfort the stomake it doth dissolue windes meruellously and also Agues long and sharp as quotidians the taking of this water as it is conuenient so doth
with lesse quantity of wood The like shall be done in the hot or cold times in the age of the person or the most causes making to this respect and proportion And for the more light I will here set downe the maner how this water ought to be vsed the which shall serue to shew how that they may rise or fal therein coÌ„formably to the opinion which shall seeme good to euery one For in these infirmities that be very cold they must set vp the water in quillates both in seething and also in quantity of the wood And in the diseases that are not so colde or that doe participate of any heate they must set the water lower in Quillats seething it lesse putting in lesse wood the maner and order of the preparing it is this You shall choose the freshest wood that may be had and that which hath a rynde For that wood which hath not the rinde is not good nor taketh effect you must procure that it be of the roote for that is the best of the tree for these effects and cures and for the diseases which we haue spoken of And if in case there be no roote then the bowes are the best that growe in the higher part of the Trees and in case the boweâ— lacke then is the tree good if so be that the one and the other haue the rinde of the roote let there be taken lesse in quantity therof more of the bowes much more of the tree which must be double to the quantitie of the roote Nowe let vs speake of the bowes as of a thing in the middest betweene the roote and the tree beeyng that which continually they doe bring of the which you shall take halfe an Ounce and cut it as small as may be And it must be put into three Pottelles of water in a newe Earthen pot and there lie a steeping two howres and after it must bee sodden at a fire of Coales vntill the two partes bee consumed and tâ—e one remâ—yne And after it is colde let it be strayned and kepte in a glassed vessell and vpon those small cuttinges of wood that haue beene already sodden let there be poured other three Pottels of water and let it seeth vntil halfe a Pottell bee consumed and no more after that it is colde let it be strayned and kept in a glassed vessell Let the first water be taken in the morning fasting halfe a Pint hot and then keepe your selfe warme and procure sweate then change your selfe into hot clothing and wipe your selfe from the sweate And eate of a Hen rosted dry fruite and Conserua and drinke of the second water at Dinner and Supper and in the day time And then rise and goe well clothed and flie from all things which may offend you And at night make a light Supper and eate drie fruite and Conserua but eate no flesh at night and drinke of the second water And this you may doe for as many dayes as you finde your selfe greeued and if you finde your selfe well with the vse of this water taken in this maner proceed forward vntill you be whole if not then coÌ„tinue in taking of the strong water euery third day drink of the simple water coÌ„tinually After this order it may be geuen in all diseases that we haue treated of and it will profite But many will not submit themselues to this labour which truely is the best of all others that which is most conuenient They may make â—he simple water in this forme Let there be taken halfe an ounce of the wood little more or lesse with the conditions aforesaide and let it be made into small peeces and seeth it in three Pottels of water vntill halfe be sodden away rather more then lesse And of this water you may drinke continually at Dinner and at Supper and in the day time and surely taken in this order it doeth and hath done mauellous woorkes and moste greaâ—e Cures in long diseases and importunate taking it and â—eeping a good gouernemâ—nt in yâ—ur Meate and other thinges prohibited And howsoeuer it bee beyng drunke so simple it procureth great profite They that cannot forbeare tâ—e drinking of wine may water their wine therewiâ—h for it will rather make it of a better tast and sweetnesse for this water hath a most sweete smell and tast and aboue all it worketh maruellous effectes as we haue seene and do see in diuers and sundrie diseases in the which ordinary remedies of Phisicke doe not profit with the greate examples which we haue hereof And it is to be considered that principally it doeth profite in longe and colde diseases and where there is wyndines other euils that run this course which shal be knowne foorthwith by him that shall haue need of it vse it And one thing is to be vnderstoode that vsing it in the order as is aforesaid although that he which taketh it haue no neede thereof it can doe him no hurte but rather if it be well considered it wil manifestly profite him in the time that he shall take it yea although he leaue the taking of it when he seeth that he findeth not the profite which hee desireth nor that it hath done him any hurt or harme during the time that hee hath taken it CARLO SANCTO ¶ Of the Carlo Sancto a roote brought from the new Spaine THey bring from the newe Spayne within this three yeeres a mauellous roote of great vertues which is called Carlo Sancto the which a father of S. Francis order discouâ—red and published in the prouince of Mechoacan beyng taught by an Indian of that countrie that was verie wise in such thinges and a man of greate â—xperience in the vertues of them In the firâ—te parte wee haue declaâ—ed that there bee many Medicinadle Hâ—arâ—es which haue greate secretes and vertues This â—ur Carlo Sancto groweth in that Prouince in places which are vâ—rie tâ—mperate which â—e not drie nor verâ— moyst The forme and figure thereoâ— is like to our wilde Hopâ— of Spaine for it câ—rrieth a Lease as they doe and it râ—nnâ—th vp by any otâ—er tâ—ing that is neere vnto it and if it haue nothing to leaâ—e vâ—to then it câ—eepeth all along vppon the grounde the coloâ—r is a sadde grâ—ene it carâ—ieth neither flowâ—e nor fruâ—t the smell that it hath is little and acceptable to some Out of the Roote sâ—riâ—geth a grosse tree and it casteth foorth other Rootes of the greatnesse of a finger it is white in colour and hath a Rinde which falleth from the inner parte the hearte of it is meruellously wrought for it is compounded of certayne small boordes very thinne and they may be deuided by one and one the roote hath a pleasant smell and beeyng chewed it hath a notable bitternesse wiâ—h some sharpnesse of tast this roote hath his vertue in the Rinde In the ships that he
now come there câ—me the satin pâ—e of it and now there is more knowledge of the vertues tâ—erof then before there was Many of them that came in this fleeâ—e from the newe Spayne doe speake much good of this roote But he that speaketh most of it is a Gentleman that came from Mechoacan brought a good quantity of it with him That as he reporteth also what we haue experimented of it we wil speake of and also of the complection and temperaâ—ure thereof which is hot drie in the first part of the second degree The principall effect that this Roote doth profite in is in â—â—â—mes and runninges of the head for it causeth them to floâ—e out of the mouth and â—ringeth them from the head â—y 〈◊〉 a little of the Rind of the Roote a good time but it 〈◊〉 be tâ—ken in tâ—e morâ—ing fasting it boydeth out much 〈◊〉 â— hâ—mors from the head that would go to the stomaâ—e 〈◊〉 otheâ— partes but before this be done it is conuenient that 〈…〉 be purged 〈◊〉 â—hat chew it wâ—ich can easâ—ly vomite doe vomite with chewing of it it causeth them to cast out much Choler and fleume and much more it maketh them vomite if they take the decoction of it for it maketh the humour to come vp which is in the stomake with much easinesse The rooâ—e comforteth the stomake and also the gummes by chewing of it and it fortifieth the teeth and doeth preserue them from woormes and that they rotte not nor corrupt It maketh a good smell in the mouth and because it is bitter it is conuenient after that you haue chewed it that you wash your mouth with wine that the bitternesse may be taken away In the infirmities of women chiefly where opilations are and lacke of purgation the pouder of the rynde of the Roote doeth dissolue them and taketh them away and maketh their purgation to come downe well with the vse thereof It must be taken with wine or with water sodden with Coriander and Cinamon which they must drinke whiles they doe take it it dissolueth windes and comforteth the stomake whiles they vse it they must annoynt their Bellie with the oyle of Liquide Amber and Dialtea of equall partes and first they must bee purged and take heede that they keepe all good order and good gouernment In the euils of the hearte chiefly beeyng ioyned with the Mother the saide pouders and the water sodden with the rynde of the Roote doe woorke very greate effectes They must take the pouder in the order as is aforesaide and the weight of twelue pence of the roote cut small and sodden in one Pottell and a halfe of water vntill halfe bee sodden away and then they must cast into it the waight of two shillinges of the ryndes of Cidrous beeyng â—rie and the weight of twelue pence of Cinamom made in pouder and geue it certayne seethinges with them and then strayne it and they must take euery morning a small vessâ—l of sixe Ounces of this seething with Sugar because it is somewhat what bitter or without it as you please and it is to be noted that before you begin to vse it you must make the vniuersall euacuations which shall be conuenient This Gentleman sayeth which brought this Roote tâ—at it profiteth muche in the disease of the Poxe taking it in Pouder or the seething of it which I haue not experimented for that wee haue so many remedies for this euill that wee haue made no experience thereof he saith that it is to be taken without keeping more then when they be taking the water or pouder and that then they keepe good order and good gouernment in their meates and in all other thinges In the falling sicknesse a strong disease and well neere incurable they say that it hath a great propertie and worketh greate effectes taking the pouder of the rinde of the roote with wine or with water as is most conuenient for him that shall take it I counselled one heere who was more then fourtie yeeres of age and had had it of long time to take it and hitherto he hath not felte more then to vomite with the pouder when he taketh it and he casteth vp much Choler and his faintnesse is not so great as it was wont to be It seemeth to me that it cannot take it away For it shoulde worke that effect in them that doe not passe twenty and fiue yeeres who vnto that time haue remedy I will proue it vppon such it woulde be no little good that it might worke the effect that is spoken of it In griefes of the Head they vse this roote in those partes as a great and sure remedy I will tell what hath passed The first time that I sawe this roote was in the power of one which was sicke who came from Mexico and he brought it for a greate thing saying that he healed there with and tooke away the paynes of the head which he had certayne dayes and he asked me if that he shoulde vse it I tasted of the roote and it seemed to me as I haue sayde and I counselled him that he shoulâ— vse it as they had willed him to doe in Mexico and so he did chewe it in the morning and it tooke away the paines of the head which a long tyme had molested him After this a passenger tolde mee which came in the Shippe where the Gentleman was that brought a quantitie of this roote and he chewed it wel did disfleume therewith and immediatly it tooke away the payne he shewed me a little that remained therof which was the same that I sawe and since that some haue vsed it and it hath done very wel with them In the toothache they that haue brought it into Spaine do much esteeme of it And being in the lodging where this man was which brought the roote the host of the house certified me that hauing the toothache very grieuous it tooke it away from him with chewing the rinde of the roote on the same side where the tooth was which grieued him disfleming therewith as much as he could And I being one day in the Custome house curing a Genoues which was there an other of the same Nation complained vnto mee of the toothache and wee caused to be brought some of the said Roote and in the presence of as many as were there hee chewed the rinde of this roote hauing very greate paynes and he auoyded much Fleume and in disfleming it began to take away the paynes and before he went from thence hee was throughly cured Certaine dayes past I had a grief in one tooth so that it pained me all one Night and parte of one day and I gathered in a garden which I haue in my house câ—rtaine leaues of Tabaco and also the aforesaid roote and I chewed both together and disfleumed and the paines went from me and returned no more to me being more then sixe
euery yeere it bringeth foorth yellow flowers out of the which is ingendered a round fruite with litle kernelles within it of the greatnesse of a Medler of these Trees there is greate aboundance in Sancto Domingo And after this they haue founde an other Tree of the kind of this Guaiacan in Saint Iohn de Puerto Rico which is an other Ilande neere to that of Sancto Domingo such an other tree as that is sauing that it is lesse the body of the tree and the bowes are smaller it hath scarsely any harte or if it haue any it is very little and that is in the body of the tree for that the bowes haue none at all It is of more sweete smel and more bitter then the Guaiacan that is nowe vsed in our tyme I meane that of Sancto Domingo and for his maruellous effectes they call it the holy Woode surely with reason for that it is of a better working then that of Sancto Domingo which is seene by experience but euen aswell the one the other is a maruellous remedy to cure the disease of the Poxe of the which and of euery one of them a water is made and is taken for this infirmitie and for many others in this forme They take twelue ounces of the wood made small and twoo ounces of the Rinde of the same woodde broken and they cast it to steepe in three Pottels of Water in a newe pot that will holde somwhat more for the space of xxiiii houres and the pot being well stept they seeth it ouer a soft fire of kindled Coales vntill the twoo Pottels bee sodde away and one remayning And this is to be noted at the time the water is put to it putting therein one Pottle they dip in a little Rodde and doe marke howe high the water of one Pottle reacheth and by that measure and marke they shall see when the twoo are sodde away and the one Pottell remayneth After the water is sodden they set it to coole straine it and keepe it in a glassed vessell and forthwith vppon the said sodden woodde they poure foure Pottels of water and seeth it till one bee sodden away and this water must bee strayned and kept apart and it must bee taken in this forme After that the sicke man is purged by the counsell of a Phisition let him be put into a warme Chamber and kept from the colde and from ayre and beeing laied in his bedde let him take early in the morning tenne ounces of Water of that which was first made wel warmed and let him bee couered so that he may sweate wel let him kepe his sweat at the least two houres after he hath swet let him be made cleane from his sweat take a warme Shirt and the rest of his Linen clothes foure houres after he hath swette let him eate Reasings Almonds and Bisket and that in reasonable quantitie Then let him drinke of the water that was made at the second tyme the quantity that he hath need of and of the selfe same let him drinke in the day time eight houres after hee hath eaten let him returne to take the first water and let him take other tenne ounces well warmed and then sweate other two◠houres and after his sweate let him bee made cleane and then bee couered againe with warme cloathes and one houre after hee hath swet let him make his supper of the same Reasings Almonds and Bisket and drinke of the second Water This order he must obserue the first fiftiene daies except hee haue some notable weaknesse and in such case her must bee succoured with geuing him to eate of a young Chicken iointly with the rest of the Diet and in them that be leane that cannot beare so precise Diet it is sufficient that they take it for nine dayes and at the end of them they may eate a little Chicken rosted if in case the sicke person be debilited and that he cannot suffer the Diet let him haue from the beginning a very small Chicken going forwarde increasing in the proces of tyme and beeing past the 15. dayes let him returne to purge himselfe at the sixtiene dayes end let him take the waight of fiue shillinges of the substaunce of Canafistola taken out by Strayner or other thing respondent thereunto and that day let him drinke no strong Water but of the simple and the next day after the Purgation let him returne to the aforesayde order taking in the morning and euening the strong water with his sweatinges and eating and drinking the same Sauing that in place of a Chicken hee may eate halfe a rosted Pullet or somwhat more and this seconde tyme let him take it for other xx daies in the which tyme hee may ryse and walke about his chamber being apparelled and kept warme And at the end of them hee shall returne to purge him selfe an other tyme and must haue a speciall care to keepe good order and after hee hath takē the water for other fortie dayes must keepe himselfe from women and from wyne especially and in place of wyne hee must drinke the simple water of the woodde which if he wil not doe then let him drinke of water sodden with Anise seede or Fenell seede supping little at night and eating no flesh This is the best way that the water of the wood ought to be taken which doeth heale many infirmities incurable where other Medicines could not worke the same effect this water is the best remedy that is in the worlde to heale the disease of the Poxe whatsoeuer or of what kinde soeuer it bee for that it rooteth it out for euer without any more comming againe and in this it hath his principal prerogatiue and excellencie This water is also good for the Dropsy for the shortnes of breath for the Falling sicknes for the diseases of the Bladder and of the Raynes for the paynes of the Ioynts for all euils caused of cold humors for ventositie and other dangerous and importunate diseases where the ordinary benefites of Phisicions haue not profited Chiefly it excelleth where the euil dispositions be that haue proceeded at any tyme from the disease of the Poxe There be many that with this wood haue made sundry mixtures making Syropes therof and surely with good effect But my iudgement and opinion is that he which shall take the water of the wood ought to take it in the maner as is aboue saide without any mingling thereof for that by expeperience it hath beene seene so to make the better woorke This water is good for the teeth making them white and fastning them by continual washing of them therewith it is hot and dry in the second degree Of the China THe Second Medicine that commeth from our Indias is a roote called the China It seemeth that I should slaunder it to say that the China groweth in our Occidental Indias since commonly the Portingales doe bring
it roote them out and take them away The which thing it doeth by prouoking of sweat in this it doth exceede all other Medicines and some will say that in Pestilent Agues by prouoking sweat it healeth them It is dry in the second degree with very litle heate the which is seene by the other waters of the wood And as Sarcaparillia which doth heate and drie so this doth not nor leaueth any impression of heate Surely it is a notable Medicine in the which I haue founde greate effectes for the Diseases which I haue spâ—ken of Of the Sarcaparillia THE Sarcaparillia is a thing brought into our partes since the China It is xx yeeres since that the vse thereof came to this city It first came froÌ„ the new Spaine the Indians did vse it for great medicine with the which they did heale many and diuers diseases It is a plant which doth cast many rootes vnder the ground being of a yeard long of the colour of a cleere Tawny sometimes the rootes shoote so deepe that to take them out all it is needfull to dig a Mans length It casteth foorth certaine bowes full of knottes that quickly do drie and we know not that they haue carried flowers or fruite at all After that the Sarcaparillia of the newe Spayne was founde there was also found in the Hunduras an other sort that was better and of better effectes it is knowne to be of the Hunduras because that it is of colour Tawnie and grosser than that of the newe Spayne the which is white and somewhat like to yellowe and more small and so the Sarcaparillia that is most like to blacke is best It ought to be freshe and in this is all the goodnes therof it is knowne to be fresh by not beyng Worme eaten For that at the freshe breaking of it long wise in the middest it maketh a running out to the end and casteth out no dust and the heauier it is the better it is The Spaniardes did call it Sarcaparillia when they saw it for the great likenes that it hath with the Sarcaparillia of these partes I haue it for certayne that the Sarcaparillia of these partes and of the Indias is all one and the verie same that ours is The which I haue experimented manie times ours worketh the effect that the Sarcaparillia of the new Spaine doth it is like vnto that of the Hunduras but it is of a bitter tast and not very sharpe and the water that it yeeldeth hath no more sauour then barley water hath The vse of this hearbe at the first did differ muche from that which is now in experiment for that they gaue it as the Indians did in the healing of their sicke folkes and surely it did worke very great effects But the delicatenesse of our time doth require that it should be vsed and geuen as the water of the wood is At the beginning they took of the Sarcaparilla much quantitie more then halfe a pounde did cut it small and breake it and cast it into a quantitie of water and being well wet they beate it in a Morter a good while in suche sorte that it was made like a Iellie and then did straine it pressing it very well for there came out of it the likenesse of a thicke drinke And of that they tooke in the morning hot one good Cup full and then the Pacient clothed him selfe well And sweete two houres and if in the day time they woulde drinke any thing it should bee of the selfe same thicke drinke so made by expression hot and then they swete as much in the morning This order they obserued for three dayes continually without eating or drinking of other meate sauing onely that thicke drinke taken out by pressing or straining of the Sarcaparillia after this sort I gaue it at the beginning many times and surely it wrought great effects and many sicke people did better recouer then they doe nowe with this other fashion After there was inuented an other forme and manner to geue it and is that which is now vsed in this sort They take two ounces of Sarcaparillia and wash it and cut it small and then they put it into a newe earthen pot and there vppon they poure three Pottâ—ls of water and sette it in the water to steepe twentie and foure houres and afâ—er the Pot being well stopte it must seeth on a soft fire of kindled coales vntill the two Pottels bee sodden away and the one remaine the which may be knowne by the order of the measure that we spake of and when it is colde let it be strained into a glassed vessel and vpon the selfesame Sarcaparillia that is soddeÌ„ let there be so much water powred in agayne that the pot be filled let it boyle a reasonable time and kept in a vessel glassed Nowe the sicke Man beeyng purged as it seemeth most conuenient and placed in a warme Chamber he must take in the morning ten ounces of the first water of the Sarcaparillia and must sweate at the least twoo houres and after sweate he must be made cleane from his sweate and take a warme shirt and warme clothes and the like hee must doe at night eight houres after he hath eaten his Dinner changing his shirt and hot apparrell He must dine at eleuen of the clocke and suppe one houre after he hath sweat at night eating nothing but Reasinges Almondes and Bisket and drinking of the second water Let him keepe this order fifteene daies and if he be weake geue him a little rosted chicken increasing it in processe of time at the least hee must keepe his bed niene dayes at the first beginning and the rest of the time in his chamber kept from colde and from ayre and on the fifteene day he must be purged with a soft and an easie medicine and likewise on the thirty day in such sorte that all the order that we haue prescribed be kept as in the manner of the taking of the water of the wood is already declared And likewise after the 30. daâ—es he must haue good gouernment for other fourty dayes not drinking any wine but simple water made of the said Sarcaparillia and keeping himselfe from women This is the ordinarie manner in taking of the water of Sarcaparillia which at this day is vsed And because I haue experience of other wayes that bee of great secret and of great effectes I will write them heere to the end that all the vertues which are in the Sarcaparillia may be set downe and declared seeyng it is the Medicine that is moste vsed and that wee doe see in it so greate and rare effectes I doe make a Sirupe that many yeeres hath been celebrated and had in estimation in this citie and in all Spaine for that it is xxvi yeres since I vsed it first for the disease of the Poxe for other infirmities
which Syrupe doth not heate nor inflame but with great temperature according to the graduation woorketh his good effects The first for whom this thing was ordayned and deuised was for Pantelion de Negro Ienoues who was had in cure by many Phisitions and hauing taken the water of the Wood and other Medicines was well neere consumed and with a grieuous swelling sore vppon his shinne bone and great paynes in it hee tooke it and was healed very well This sirupe I haue vsed in many people for the infirmitie that the Sarcaparilla doth profite for and the wood and for many other and it hath a good effect in woorking by degrees for that the drinesse of the wood is taken away and the heate of the Sarcaparilla and it is made in this forme There must bee taken two ounces of Sarcaparilla and foure ounces of Paulo Sancto which is the holie Wood prepared as it is saide and three Doozen of Acoseifas a fruite of Spayne without their stones and two Doozen of Prunes without their stones and halfe an ounce of the flowres of Borage and an other halfe ounce of Uiolettes and some graynes of Barley made cleane that is too say the huskes taken away All these thinges let them bee cast into three Pottles of water and lette them bee sodden on a soft fire vntill it come to one Pottell and then let it be strayned and vnto tenne ounces of this decoction let there be put one ounce of the Sirupe of Uiolettes Let it be taken hotte in the morning and at night in the order aboue sayde In the rest of the water keeping sweet if ther bee any and although there come little yet they bee healed They may eate a little Chicken from the first day with the rest of the diet drinke the simple water of the Sarcaparilla which is to be made with halfe an ounce of Sarcaparillia sodden in foure Pottâ—ls of water vntill one or somewhat more be sodden away This order doeth heale all kinde of euill of the Poxe and all the infirmities that we haue spoken of that the water of the Wood doeth heale and the China and the Sarcaparillia Which to repeate it shall be too long and too prolixious because it it is sufficieÌ„tly declared before For surely in this simple water and in the foresaide decoction I haue found great effectes aâ— well in the infirmities wherein is suspected the euill of the Poxe as in large and importunate diseases in the which the common remedies of Phisicâ—e haue not profited which although they proceeded not of the French Poxe yet doeth it cure and heale them as it is seene by the woorke of him that vseth it There is an other Sirupe to bee made of the Sarcaparillia which is taking eight ounces of Sarcaparillia being broken or cutte and seething it in foure pottelles of water vntill three be sodden away and the one remaine and into the water that shall remayne to put to foure pounde of Sugar and make a perfect Sirupe And of this Sirupe too take three ounces in the morning and three at night eating good meates and to suppe litle and drinke onely the simple water of the Sarcaparillia and goyng abrâ—ade out of the house and doyng his buisinesse There are healed therwith many diseases without geuing any molestation in the healing of them And this must be taken till the Sirupe bee all consumed Also this Sarcaparillia is taken in pouder in this maner They take the Sarcaparillia and plucke awaie from it the heare within it and dry it and grynde it and then sifte it through a syue of silke and make it in Pouder Of this Pouder is taken in the infirmity of the Poxe or spice of them the weight of sixe pence drinking it with the simple Water of the Sarcaparillia taking it in the Morning and as night as much when he goeth to bedde Hee must eate good meates and drinke no Wine but the simple water thereof It shall doe well he be purged that shall begin to vse it And although that this pouder doth heale many diseases large and temporall one cure it doth meruellously which is the salte Fleume of the handes and feete in this forme The sicke man being purged and also without purging if he cannot otherwise doe hee shall take the Pouder as it is sayde and vpon the salt Fleume he shall lay with a Feather a little of the water of Sublimatum delayed with Rosewater that it be very simple and after it is layed on all partes where the salt Fleume is then let there be put vpon it a plaister that is called of William Serâ—eâ—tis or Dia Palma spread abroade thin vpon Sattin or Taffeta too bee applied in all parts where the simple water of Sublimatum was put This must be done euery day for that in fifteene daies he shall be perfectly whole This doth mundifie and incarnate and skin without hauing need of any other medicine ioyntly with the Pouder and the simple water of Sarcaparillia which wee haue spoken of This is of so great effect and experimented as they shall see by the worke that shall vse it for surely they shall be whole thereby The vse of the water of the Sarcaparillia is so greate at this day in this forme as is sayd that it is applied in anie disease it is come into so much credit that in anie maner of Reumes or runnings or windinesse the euill of Women of the Mother or any other cause or occasion whatsoeuer so that it bee not in Feuers or other sharpe diseases men take the vse of the simple Water of the Sarcaparillia and this is at this day so put in vse that in like sort you shall finde the simple sodden Water of Sarcaparillia in manie houses as ordinary water in yearthen vessels and surely it woorketh greate effectes and doeth remedie large and importunate diseases Trueth it is that the persons that bee hotte of complexion it doeth beate them more then is conuenient and so they cannot drinke it and moste of all if that their Liuer be very hotte for that it heateth too much In womens diseases as well of the Mother as of colde humours it woorketh good effectes and doeth mâ—ruellously dissolue windes And in persons that bee subiect to manie euilles and especially of Reumes and olde greeffes and diseases caused of the euill humours if they runne this course with the continuance thereof they shall receiue manifest profite and benefite and it doeth heale all deseases whiche they neuer thought to be healed of The complexion thereof iâ— hotte and drie well neere in the seconde degree All these waters must be giuen in Sommer or in the ende thereof it is better that the season exceede in heate then in colde ¶ Of the blood Stone and of the Stone for the diseases of the Stone of the Kidneies and Reines THEY doe bring from the new Spaine twoo stones of greate vertue the one is called the
Stone of the Bloode and the other is a Stone for the desease of the Stone in the Kidneis and Raines The Blood Stone is a kinde of Iasper of diuers colours somewhat darke full of sprincles like to blood being of colour redde of the which stones the Indians doe make certaine Hartes both greate and small The vse thereof bothe here and there is for all fluxes of blood in what partes soeuer it bee of the Nose or of the Menstrues or of the Piles and of Woundes or of that which is cast out at the mouth The stone must bee wette in colde water and the sicke Man must take it in his right hande and from time to time wette it in colde water In this sort the Indians doe vse them And as touching the Indians they haue it for certayne that touching the same stone in some parte where the blood runneth it doeth restrayne it and in this they haue greate trust for that the effect hath beene seene It doeth profite also hauing it holden hanged or tyed in the same parte where the blood runneth so that it touch the fleshe Of this stone wee haue seene great effectes in staunching of blood And some that doe suffer the Hemeroidall fluxe haue remedied themselues with making Ringes of this stone and wearing them continually vpon theyr fingers And likewyse in the Menstruall fluxe of women The other Stone which is for the disease of the stone in the Kidneies or Reines the finest of them are like vntoo Plasma of Esmeraldes which are lykened to greene with a Milkishe colour the greatest are the best they bring them made in diuers formes and fashions for so the Indians had them in old tyme some lyke to fishes other like to the heads of byrds other like to billes of Popingaies other lyke to round Beadstones but all pearsed through for that the Indians did vse to weare them hanging for the effect to take away the grief of the stone or stomaâ—ke for in those twoo sicknesses it sheweth maruellous effects The chief vertue that it hath is in the paine of the stone in the Kidneis and Reines and in expelling of Sande and stone In so much that a Gentleman which had one of them heere the best of them that I haue seene hauing laid it to his arme it made him to expell and cast out much sande insomuch that many tymes hee doeth take it away for that hee thinketh that it doeth hurte him for to voide so much and in taking it away hee ceaseth to voyde any from him and when hee feeleth the paine of the stone laying it too againe it doeth take it away incontinent with expelling of much Sande and small stones I haue seene it carried to persons that haue beene afflicted with greate griefe and paines of the saide disease who putting it to them doe forthwith expell the sande and the little stones â—â—d remain cleare thereof This stone hath a property hidden by the which meanes it woorketh great effectes to preserue men that they fall not into the paine of the sayd disease and after it is come to take it away or diminish it It doeth make the sande to bee expelled in great abundance and likewyse stones It taketh away the heate from the reines of the backe it profiteth in griefs of the stomake layde vnto it and aboue all it preserueth from the sayde grief My Ladie the Duchesse for that shee had in short space three tymes exceeding paynes of the stone shee made a bracelet of them and vsed to weare it on her arme and sithence she put them to her arme she neuer had more paynes of the Stone and so it hath happened to many other that founde the lyke benefite for the which these stones are much esteemed and now they be not so soone had as at the beginning for that the gentlemen and rich men haue them onely and with reason because they do worke such maruellous effects An other stone there is that doth heale the salt fleume the which I knowe by hearesay only but I haue seene none of them Of the VVoodde for the euils of the Reines and of the Vrine ALso they bring from the newe Spaine a certayne woodde that is lyke vnto the woodde of a Peare tree grosse and without knottes the which they haue vsed many yeeres in these partes for the paynes of the Reynes and of the Stone and for the infirmities of the Urine The first tyme that I sawe it vsed may bee about xxxv yeeres past There was a Pilot that was sicke of the Urine and of the Reines and after that hee had vsed it hee was whole and very well And sithence that tyme I haue seene that many haue brought it from the new Spaine and they doe vse it for these diseases following For them that cannot pisse liberally and for the paines of the Reines and of the stone and for them that do pisse wiâ—h paine and for them that doe pisse little And nowe the thing hath extended vnto opilations for that the water therof doth cure and heale them both of the Lunges and the Liuer and this hath beene founde within these fewe yeres and they doe finde in it notable profite The water is made in this forme They take the wood and make it into smal peeces very shinne and small as it is possible and then put theÌ„ into faire water of the FouÌ„taine leaue it so vntil the water be sokened into it and by putting the wood into the water within halfe an houre the water doeth beginne to change it selfe into a blewe colour very cleare and the longer that it lyeth in the water so much the blewer it turneth although that the wood bee of a white colour Of this water they doe drinke continually and therewith they vse to water their wyne and it worketh maruellous and manifest effectes without any alteration so that it needeth but onely good gouernement and regiment The water hath no more sauour then if there were nothing cast into it for that the wood doeth chaunge nothing The complexion thereof is hotte and drye in the first degree Of the Peper of the Jndias I Will not let to speake of the Peper that they bring from the Indias which serueth not onely for Medicine but it is otherwise most excellent the which is knowen in all Spayne for there is no Gardeyne nor Orcharde but that it hath plentie thereof in it for the fairenesse of the fruite that it bringeth foorth It is a greate Plante insomuch that I haue seene in this Citie some that was equall with many Trees It doeth cast foorth the leaues greene after the fashion of Basill of the biggest sort And it casteth foorth certain white flowers out of the which commeth the fruite the which is of diuerse formes some Peper is long other rounde others of the making of Mellons others of Cherries but all is at the beginning when it is not type very greene and beeing rype very redde
gaue mee courage to experiment it as I haue done and as wee shall see in the maruelles which wee shall write of it And nowe we come to shewe the description and forme of this Tree The Tree from whence they cut this Wood which they newly brought from the Florida called Sassafras is a Tree that groweth to bee very greate there be of a middle sort and lesser sorte The greater sorte is of the bignesse of a Pine Tree of a meane height and well neere to the making of it for it is straight casteth out no more but one branche of Bowes after the manner of a Palme Tree onely in the highest part or sendeth out bowes after the maner of a Pine Tree made cleane making of the Bowes which it casteth forth a forme of roundnes It hath a grosse rinde of a Tawny colour vpon that an other thin rinde of the colour of ashes and vpon the inner parte thereof the Trees and bowes bâ—e white and neere like to Tawny The tree and bowes are verâ— light the rinde beeing tasted hath an excellent sweete smell and it is somewhat like to the smell of Fenell with much sweetenesse of taste and of pleasaunt smell insomuche that a little quantity of this Wood being in a chamber filleth the ayre conteined in it and the rinde hath some sharpnâ—sse of tâ—st the inner part hath little smell the higher part that coâ—tâ—yneth the bowes hath leaues the which be green after the â—uâ—mer of a Figge tree with three poyntes anâ— when they are little they be like to the leaues of a Peare tree in onely shewing theyr poyntes They be of collour a sadâ—e Greene and of a sweete smell and muche more when they be drie The Indians vse to lay them beaten or stampeâ— vpon brâ—ises or when any man is beaten with drie blowes and being dried they are vsed in Medicinable thinges They lâ—se noâ— their leanes they are alwayes greene if any doe dry and fall there springeth other it is not knowen that it hath any flowre or fruite The rootes of this Tree be grosse or slender conformably to the greatenesse of the Tree they bee light but not so much as the body of the Tree and the bowes but for the greatnesse it is notable light The roote of this Tree is very superficiall spreading in the vpper face of the soyle or grounde 〈◊〉 so they dygge them vp easily and this is a common thing in the Treeâ— of the Indias thaâ— moste of them haue their rootes of small depth and if they carry any plantâ—s from Spayne to plante elsewhere if they do not set them of smal depth in the ground they beare no fruite The best of all the Tree is the roote and that woorketh the best effect the which hath the rinde cleauing very fast to the inner part and it is of colour Tawnie and muche more of sweete smell then all the tree and his Braunches the rinde tasteth of a more sweete smell then the tree and the water being sodden with the roote is of greater and better effects then of any other parte of the tree and it is of a more sweete smell and therefore the Spaniardes vse it for that it woorketh better and greater effectes It is a tree that groweth neere vnto the Sea and in temperate places that haue not much drouth nor moysture There be Mountaynes growing full of them and they caste foorth a most sweet smel so that at the beginning when they saw thâ—m first they thought that they had beene trees of Cinamon and in parte they were not deceiued for that the rinde of thiâ— tree â—ath as sweete a smell as the Cinamon hath and doth imitate it in colour and sharpnesse of tast and pleasantnesse of smell and so the water that is made of it is of most sweete smell and taste as the Cinamon is and procureth the same workes and effects as Cinamon doeth The tree groweth in some partes of the Florida and not in others for that it is in the porte of Saint Elen and in the Port of Saint Mathew and not in any other partes but when the Souldiers did waxe sicke in places where this tree grew not either they carried them to bee healed to the sayde places or they sent them the trees or their Rootes chiefly and therewith did heale them The best of the treâ— is the roote â—fter them the bowes and nexte the tree and the best of all is the rindes The complection and temperature of the tree and of his bowes is hot drie in the seconde degree the rinde is somewhat more hot then the rest for that it entreth into the thirde degree of heate and drieth and this is manifestly seene in the water and so they thaâ— shall neede of it must procure to haue the rootes or bowes which haue the rinde for that which is without it doth noâ— woorke so good effectes The name of this Tree as the Indians terme it iâ— called Pauanâ—e and the Frenche Men call it Sassafras I knowe not wherefore our Spaniardes call it after the same manner beeyng taughte by the Frenche Men although that some doe corrupte it and call it Sassafragia by the name that we haue from thence they of these partes doe call it Sassafras The vse of the Roote or of the Wood of this Tree the which wâ—e haue treated of heere is by the way of seething in this forme the Indians did shew it to the French men and they vnto vs and as the Indians haue neither weight nor measure they haue not kept in those partes any order in the making of the water of this wood for that they doe no more there than put a peece of the wood or of the root at their discretion made in peeces into the water as they doe thinke best And they seeth it after their maner without consuming more quantitie then when they see that the seething is sufficient so that all they which haue come from those partes are very variable in their manner of seething which is no small confusion to them that shall vse it and likewise to the Phisition that shall minister it That which I do herein I will write I looke vpon the complection and temperature of the sicke person that shall take and vse this water as also the manner and qualitie of the disease and conformably I make the water and geue it to the sicke person geuing to the Cholerike lesse seething and lesse quantity of Wood and to the Flegmatike more seething and more quantitie of Wood and to the Sanguine meanably and so after this sorte too their infirmities according too the qualities of them for that if it bee not done according to this order they cannot choose but make many errours in the vse of this water and also it is conuenient that for the moâ—â—e parte they keepe the vse of the diet gouernment which is necessary for the disease
a wood which maketh the water yellowe and this is not it which doeth profite but that which maketh the water blewe and this hath the couetousnesse of them caused that bring it because they haue seene that it is wel solde in this citie for the manifest profites that it doeth in these griefes of the Urine by tempering the Reines and the Liuer and procuring many other benefits they bring of all the wood that they finde and sell it for wood of the stone The same hath happened in the Mechoacan which when it came to be worth twentie Ducates the pounde they laded so much from thence of it some not being rype other not being right that when it is come hither it woorketh not the effect that thâ— good and wel seasoned wâ—s wont to doe Wherefore it is needfull to see to that which is taken that it bee the same and that it bee well seasoned That which is very whyte is not such as the yellowe is in myne opinion for that which is yellowe wee see that it mâ—keth the better woorke it may bee that the very whyte is not of it or hath not the perfection that the good hath And comming to our water of Sassafras it prouoketh Urine it maketh them to Uryne well which haue the impediment of it chiefly if it come by humors of colâ—e causes I did knowe a Priest which came in this flâ—ete from the Florida who being in those parts did make water very euil and cast from him stones some tymes with very much griefe and some of them did put him in hazard of his life when hee was in the Florida as hee dranke of the water of Sassafras ordinarily as many other did in the place of wyne hee auoided many great smal stones without any paines and after that hither vnto hee hath founde himselfe whole and very well of this euill by drinking the simple wâ—ter of this wood ordinarily and watering his wyâ—e therewith Many doe drinke of this water for the same purpose and they cast out much Sande and doe finde themselues cured therewiâ—h In them that bee lame or creeples and in them that are not able to goe nor to moue themselues as for the most part that infirmitie commeth of colde humours by taking this water hot in the morning and procuring sweate all that hee can eating things of diet and drinking the simple water continually and vsing it many dayes wee haue seene many healed And it is to bee noted that in taking of this water there is nothing to bee obserued as in other waters but when they shal take it hotte if any sweate come to keepe it and after this they may ryse and goe well clothed it is not needefull of any thing els but of this and good order and to eate good meates and if they sweate not it maketh no greate matter but if they sweate not they shal be healed I knowe a Captaine one of them which came from the Florida and hee certified mee that hee was so weake in all his body that his Soldiours carried him vppon their shoulders for that in any other manner he coulde not stirre and hee was in a place where the tree of Sassafras was not and he sent for it and toke the water and therewith sweate for certaine dayes and afterward he tooke it simply and hee was restored to his perfect health and I did see him whole and well In the toothache this wood beeing broken and chewed with the tooth that is grieued and leauing that which is chewed in the hole of the tooth which is grieued if it haue any hollownesse and although that it haue none yet it taketh away the paines meruellously with experience done vpon many In the euil of the Poxe it worketh the same effectes that the rest of the waters of the holy wood the China and the Sarcaparillia doeth taking it as these waters bee taken with sweates putting vp more or lesse the decoction of the water and the quantitie of the wood as the complexion is and the disease of him that shall take it For that in colde humours Flegmatike it maketh a better woorke then in them that bee Cholerike and so in the Poxe that bee of a long tyme it maketh a better and greater woorke than in them that be of smal continuance and more where there bee knobbes and moisture of matter old griefes of the head with the order as is aforesayd And in these euils the simple water is continually taken for a great tyme and it worketh greate effectes chiefly in them that bee leane which be altogether weakened debilited with the vse of many Medicines Many which haue the Gout haue vsed and doe vse to drinke of the Water of this tree some of them taking it hotte as wee haue sayde and others simple continually by it self and watering their wyne therewith That which I haue seene is that which in the olde kinde of Goutes doeth neither good nor euil and if it doe any good it is to comfort the stomacke and to dissolue winâ—inesse to giue them some lust to their meate the rest of the benefite that it bringeth is to them that hâ—ue bin sicke but short time if the cause proceede of cold vnto whome it procureth notable profite but if the humour and cause be hot it doth them no good but hurteâ—h them inflâ—ming and causiâ—g them to haue greater paynes In one thing I haue seene it in many people to bring notable profit with the continual vse of this water and it is in them which haue foule diseased handes which cannot exercise them as they were wont to doe I healed a Gentleman which could not write that when he went to write his hande fell downe by little and little and the penne also after hee had begon to write not past fiue or sixe letters And hee toke a Cuppe full of that which was last sodden in the morning and after he dranke it hee continued twoo houres in his bedde and after he rose and went about his businesse And he did eate at his dinner good meates and at his Supper vsed diet and dranke the simple water of the self same Sassafras and he was healed very wel hauing spent a great somme of money on Phisitions and Medicines which did not profite him any thing vntil he came to be remedied in the order as is aforesaide Many did certifie mee that which nowe I finde by experience and learned of them that were sicke in the Hauana and could not goe to the stoole that the Phisition which is there did cause them to take in the morning fasting a good Cuppe full hotte of the water of the Sassafras and it did soften the belly and they went to the stoole very well which we haue seene heere to bee true by experience And there was a Soldiour which certifâ—ed mee and prooued it with others of his companie that hauing stooles by
in the cleare water that shall remayne vppon it some small clothes or in place of the smal clothes lint of fine Linen cloth weate in the water it cleanseth the sore eating the euil fleshe in such sorte for howe euill olde and filthy soeuer that the sore bee it leaueth it cleane and being laide to the flesh it doeth soder and heale them and after this is done you must vse the Medicines which haue vertue to ingender flesh And the effect of this seede is no more then to mundifie make cleane and to take away the superfluitie of the wounde The self same effect that this seede worketh in vs it worketh in beastes also which for the most part haue very euill sores that bee cankered and full of Wormes the seede being laide vnto them if the cause bee so great that it doth requyre it or the water of it as it is sayde maketh the lyke woorke as wee haue spoken of and better vsing alwayes the defensiues as is conuenient where such Medicines bee applyed for that it is a Medicine most strong and it hath neede of them all I wil shewe you what happened to me with it An Indian brought me this seede with many other hearbes and going about to discouer them and being come to this seede I tooke a graine and put it into my mouth to proue it He that brought it as one which knew it wel kept back my hand would not suffer me to proue it for all that I parted with my teeth one graine which is no greater then one grayne of hempe seede but some deale lesser and beareth some likenes of it at the tyme that it came to the point of the tongue the seede being parted made me a blister vpon it which dured with me certaine dayes I commended it to the Deuil and then I beleeued what they had certified me of it I began to make experience of it and it wrought more effectually then was spoken of it It is hot in the fourth degree and more if there be any more degrees Also I haue an Hearbe which being sodde and the water of it taken hot healeth the euils of the brest I know not the name of it but in the remembrance of them which came it was written And an other which enforceth to cast out the dead childe of the belly of thi◠the Indians haue great experience for this effect and once in these countries it hath profited They brought me two drie hearbes which I would haue been glad to haue seene greene the one of these being in the field in all his force if a man or woman doe put their handes vpon him forthwith he falleth downe dead vpon the ground And the other lying abroade vpon the ground in touching it to gather it it shutteth it self together as a Cabadge of the Countrie of Murcia Thinges meruellous and of much consideration I haue blacke Eleboro brought from the Prouince of Mechoacan like to that of Spayne and woorking the like effect Certaine dayes past a young man which tooke counsell of me that came from the Prouice of Quito and beeyng with me there came vnto me a neighbour of mine saying that his daughter was verie sicke of the Flixe and I had her in cure and her disease increased with blood requesting me that I shoulde goe to visite her The Indian which was with me asked me if they were stooles of blood I said yea and he sayd vnto me that he woulde geue her a thing that beyng made into pouder and taken woulde take them away forthwith that in the Prouince of Quito it had been experimented many times The Father of the sicke maiden went with him to his house and he gaue him certayne peeces of a fruite which seemed to be of a greate tree of the one parte they were very smooth and of colour yeallowe and of the other they were very sharpe and very redde insomuch that they seemed of a purple colour They were ground smal and he gaue the pouder to the sicke womā with the water of the hed of Roses once that Euening an other time in the Morning and immediatly the Flixe did cease from tha◠time waxed better whereby she came to be whole And as for the man I neuer saw him after he gaue it to her ¶ To the right Worshipfull Maister Doctor Monardus Phisition in Seuill RIght worshipfull famous Doctor it will seeme a newe thing to your worship that I being not learned not of your profession doe write to you in things of your faculty being a Souldier that haue followed the warres in these Countries al my life I haue done this because I am affectioned to your worship by reason of a book which you haue cōpiled of the medicines which are in these partes of the vertues benefits that by thē haue byn receyued which are so great that I cannot declare thē as they deserue And by means of your book we haue order how we should vse the remedies which we haue here for before we did vse thē without rule or measure so that neyther they did work effect nor with them the people were wel remedied which now is to the cōtrary by meanes of your books there hath been people remedied that neuer thought to haue had remedy nor health It is more then 28. yeeres vnto this day that I haue gone wādring by al these Indias where are many things of those which your worship doth write of in your book other things also which haue not byn brought thither for bicause the Phisitions that come to these parts are nothing curious They apply not their eye to the vniuersal wealth but to their owne particular for they come onely to enrich thēselues for the most part they be ignorāt people which passe to those Indias they doe not esteeme of the good which they might doe And though that I haue no learning I am affectioned to men of learning so I am to your worship for that I vnderstood of your bookes and for the same that you haue in these partes which is great although I knowe you not yet I was willing to take these paines which is a contentment to m◠You write in your book geuing knowledge of the Bezaar stone set down the signes of the beasts which haue thē which being cōsidered we haue happened vpon a kind of beasts that liue in the moūtaines of this country which are much like to sheep or kiddes which your woorship speaketh of which are in the Indias of Portugal which breede haue these stones of the which there are many in this country in the mountaines colde countries They are for the moste of a darke red colour they are fed with healthful herbes wherof is greate plentie in the mountaines where these beasts do feed they be very swift insomuch that they cannot bee hunted but with the hande Gun they haue no hornes and in that onely
they doe differ from them of the East India for in all the rest they are the same The 15. day of Iune in this yeere of 1568. I certain geÌ„tlemen my freends went to the mountaines to huÌ„t we were a hunting fiue dayes and we killed some of those beasts which I haue spoken of And as we went for this purpose thinking that they were of the kind of theÌ„ of the East India we carried your booke with vs we opened one of them the greatest that we hunted and oldest we colde finde we found no stones in his belly nor in any other part of him nor any other thing wherby we belâ—eued that they were not the same kind of beasts with those of the East India And we asked of certaine Indians that went to serue vs where these beasts had their stones as they are our enimies would not that we should knowe their secrets they answered vs that they knew nothing of these stones vntil one boy which was amongst them being an Indian of the age of 12. yeres seeing that we were so desirous to know the same shewed vs the secrete of the haue byn vsed since that hunting that I haue spoken of which were the first that haue bin discouered in the world for the vse to heale diseases we do trust that with them wil be done maruellous woorkes according as they haue begun to do theÌ„ all this is owing to your worship seing that by your book we had knowledge to seek them to discouer them to take them out of these beastes which had them so hidden within them that surely ther is much owing to your worship for discouering vnto vs so great a treasure as this is which is the greatest that hath bin fouÌ„d in these parts wherby our nation is much bound to you likewise al the world because al men shal profit by theÌ„ the rest of the secrets which you haue set down in your book which bringeth vnto vs great profit And in recompence of the benefit which I haue receiued I send here to your woorship a dosen of stones by the returne of Iohn Anthony Corso the rich Merchant which if they come thither your worship may make experience of them in many infirmities for you shal find great effectes in them By the same returne also your worship may aduise me of them any thing that shal please you to commaund me I wil do it as one that is most affectioned to you because you are curious and learned for doing so much good to the world in those thinges which you haue written published Heerewithall I send you a small Chest in the which come certaine Frisoles which you may command to be sowen in the beginning of Marche that the colde doe not hurte them which send foorth a plant like vnto beanes but somewhat lesse which haue certaine vaines where the seed is Halfe a dozen of them eaten with salt being of the tast of green beanes they purge valiantly euacuate the water of him which hath the dropsie without paynes The selfe same effect it worketh if that they be dry making theÌ„ into pouder taking theÌ„ with wine it is needful that meat be made in a redines for if they work to much by taking more then they should be with eating any thing incontinent the worke wil cease Also I sende you an hearbe which groweth in these plaine countries clounge to the ground like vnto grasse which is of great vertues for many infirmities chiefly for them which are grieued with Reumes and Fleumes in the throate taking them away easily with great benefite and in this griefes of the head Reumes chewing it they do dissleume very much they call this hearbe after my name because I vse it for the like euils for that an Indian did teach it me which knew much of the vertue of hearbes Also I send your worship a fruite of a tree which is of great profit these trees be not founde in any countrie but in this they are of the greatnesse of an Oke of those in Spain it hath many vertues for the rinde being made in pouder and cast into any sore which is needful to bee made cleane it maketh it cleane afterward causeth the flesh to grow healeth it And rubbing the teeth with this pouder it maketh theÌ„ cleane very wel being laid vpon the gummes if the flesh be taken away it doeth incarnate them if the teeth be loose it maketh theÌ„ fast Seething the leaues of this tree well in water washing with the water thereof any manner of swelling which hath any sore or that is therof cankered it taketh away the swelling and impostume And making some small linen clothes weate in this seething laying them warme vpon the medicine which is laide vpon the sore or vpon the pouder that is made of the rinde it maketh the sores to heale more quickly causing that there come no humour to them Out of the saide tree commeth a Rosine which is of sweete smel and serueth to perfume in many diseases of the head to make plaisters for many eâ—ils and heere I send it to your worship Of the fruite the Indians make a certaine drinke which is for them very healthâ—ul Your worshippe may commande them to bâ—e sowen for I would be glad that they should grow for it will bee a thing of much delight for the profite that it bringeth in Phisicke and for the noueltie of the tree for at al tymes it hath a very good smel I brought into this country a blacke woman which I bought in Xerez de la Frontera and there did appeare vpon her when we came hither certain olde sores in her legs which were of long continuance and comming to the Ilande of the Margareta and beeing very sorowefull for the sores which my blacke woman had an Indian tolde me that hee woulde heale her and seeing that she had no other remedy I deliuered her to the custodie of the Indian that he might heale her for me and immediatly he toke a fruite which is common in that country and al people ingeneral doe eate it which is of the greatnes of an Orenge it hath a stone like vnto a Peach This stone the IndiaÌ„ did burne and made it into pouder for the stone is hard can not be grounde without burning of it and he cast the pouder of it into the sores which she had ful of much rotten flesh and very filthy which with the pouder were made cleane and very well and it tooke out al the rotten flesh to the bone and after it was cleane with lint and a litle pouder laid too it they began to be filled with newe flesh vntil they were ful of flesh and she was healed very wel And it is to be considered that the little kernel of the stone hath so much venom malice in it that if any person
though he had not had any euil therein at all The cake was made of certaine Wormes which the Indians take out of the grounde and they make them fatte giuing them to eate leaues of a certaine kinde of corne that they haue there called Maiz and after they are fatte they put them into a frying panne of earth and seeth them therein and as they take of the skumme they strayne it and seeth it stil vntil it be thicker then an oyntment after the fashion and manner as he had it there They bring also from the Charcas certaine Rootes that bee like to the Rootes of flower de Luce sauing that they are smaller and they smell much lyke the leaues of Figge tree they call these Rootes in the Indias a remedy against the venemous hearbe for beeing made into pouder and taken with whyte wyne it is a thing of great strength and of the greatest vertue that is there against venome of what manner or qualitie soeuer it be so that it be not corsiue as Sublimatum or the lyke and as for that kinde of poyson with only drinking of much Milke they bee remedied This Roote beeing taken causeth the venome to bee cast out which is eaten or drunken or any manner venemous humour comming of any euill degree or cause whatsoeuer which is as wel done by vomit as by sweate If thâ—re bee any small Wormes or long Wormes in the body it killeth and expelleth them and if you haue any suspicion that there haue beene giuen you any venomous morsel whether it bee venome or witchecraft it expelleth it in which there is so much trust in those partes that they take it for a meruellous remedy for the thinges aforesayde The roote being tasted it hath a sweete relishe with some sharpnes It seemeth to be hot in the second degree From the coast of Nicaraga and of Nata they which come in these last ships from the firme land bring a certaine kind of purge with them that surely by the tast is easie to be taken and it worketh well and without any payne principally it purgeth Choler It is the fruite of a tree very great after the maner of Thornish Chestnuts which haue within them Chestnuts sauing that they pricke not but be playne within those prickles there be some like to Chestnuts made cleane without shale well neere square which deuide themsâ—lues asunder by meanes of a little skin euery one into two partes and so they are couered with it and when they be taken occupied that little skin is plucked away they are made cleane froÌ„ it for that beyng taken with it it procureth most dangerous accidentes and vomites much faintnesse and infinite stooles and without it the Chestnut is a purgation very gentle and they purge easily and without paines if they be tosted then they will purge lesse if they be greene they eate them or being beaten in a Morter they take them with wine or with the broth of a henne if â—hey bee drie they make pouder of them any manner of fashion They doe their worke well and with much assurance keeping the order that ought to be kept by them which be purged and the humors beyng prepared as is conuenient They are hot in the first degree ¶ Of the Sarcaparillia of Guaiaquill IN the first part wee declared howe that they brought Sarcaparillia from Peru which wee vse in some persons and it worketh greate effectes And because there was but little of it and soone done we returned to that of the Hâ—nduras which is that we haue spenâ— hiâ—herto And ning as much as they can drinke at once or at diuers times and after they cast themselues into a sweate and they sweate so much that it runneth by the Bedde in great quantitie After that they take cleane cloathes and eate of a Henne but they drinke of no other thing but of that iuyce which they tooke out of the rynde of the Sarcaparillia as well at Dinner as at Supper and they must eate very little at Supper likewise at Dinner And they must procure to keepe themselues from the Ayre and from the colde all that they can although in that Uillage of Guaiaquill wherein bee about fiftie houses or few more the most of them are Cotages of little safegarde and the Walles be made of Canes and there be no Chambers on high but onely belowe they dwel all in places of little defence Being in this order and small comforte for lacke of Conserua and drie fruite which were necessary yet in eight or nine dayes they are made whole of all the diseases that are healed with the Sarcaparillia and of many others which shoulde be very large to speake of It is sufficient that there goe no Man from thence which returneth not whole although he had neuer so greeuous a disease so that they bee not sharpe Agewes For in that case the cure hath no place or in any other sharpe disease All other diseases it healeth with maruellous successe as it is seene by the great number of people which come thither and goe away whole of the diseases which they bring thither But it is needfull that he which doth enter into this cure bee strong and not weake for if he be weake he cannot suffer so great sweate without great perill of his person For these euilles they haue another manner of Water that is taking foure ounces of Sarcaparillia rather more then lesse for that there they vse neyther wayghte nor measure but doe put all at discretion and they take away the rynde from the Sarcaparillia and breake it without putting it in Water if it bee greene and if if it be drie then they breake it put it in water vntill it bee made soft this rynd beyng without the heart they seeth in 4. Pottels of water little more or lesse and they seeth it vntill halfe the water be diminished rather more then lesse and of that Water they drinke as muche as they can in many times or at one time and forthwith they betake themselues to sweat and although they sweat not so much as they sweat with the first water yet they will heale they moue their clothes they eate of a Pullet they keep themselues from the colde and ayre and at Dinner and Supper they vse the self same water for that in one day they consume one seething this people take it in this manner fifteene or twentie dayes in this sort also they are healed of all their euils diseases to the great admiration of the people And for the vse of this Sarcaparillia they do not except any disease vnles it be feuers or sharpe diseases these people purge not at the beginning as we doe heere nor in the middest nor in the ende of the cure for there is no other Phisition nor medicine but certayne women which be there that giue the water they are women Phisitions and therefore they take away and put
the meanes thereof they assure themselues to be out of peril for that matter the which surely is allowable and a good custome and necessary for the safegard and health of any Prince or Lorde for if there be any hurte in the meate or in the drinke it shal light first vppoâ— theÌ„ that doe eate or drinke thereof and not vpon the Prince or other high estate in whose life and health greate matters doe depende Trueth it is that in these dayes it is done more for a ceremony and estate then for health safety of life this order is vsed amongst great estates more for custome then for any thing else for this purpose the common people haue it in estimation so that at this present it is vsed contrary to that end and purpose it was ment for they vse nowe taking of a little bred and bringing it with the meate and so taste it that done they cast it away and lykewyse they drinke a drop of wyne or water if it should be vsed as it ought to bee they should eate and drinke thereof throughly for otherwyse the poyson if there be any caÌ„not be discerned before it come in to the Princes mouth Also the lord ought to command that there be prepared for him diuers meates for that if hee mislyke of one he may tast of another for being of diuers sorts he may tast of eache a little and eating little at once of any that were infected it would doe lesse hurte then if he shoulde eate of one dish being infected filling himself therwithal for being either of them infected and eating much therof it shal doe the more hurte And note this wel that many times a maÌ„ is not giuen alwaies to eate of one meate nor to see it alwayes tasted before he eate it and afterwarde there appeareth in it notable hurte therefore it is good to take your meate with a forke or a spoone and that they be made as Ierome Montuo a learned man in Phisike had appoynted for king Henry of Fraunce which was made to knowe if that he had eateÌ„ any venom there must be made a little forke and a spoone of one mixture of gold and siluer that the olde wryters called Eletrum and it must bee 4. partes golde and one of siluer they must bee smooth cleane well burnished with the forke or holder let him eate his meate and with the spoone his broth for putting them in the meate or in the broth if that there bee any venom therein foorthwith the golde will haue an euil colour appearing tawnie blewe or blacke and loosing the beautie that before it had the which wil cause them to looke better to the meate and this is done for trial therof and to make further experieÌ„ce by some beast that may eate thereof and so to see the effect thereof for that is the greatest experience the lyke may bee done with the drinke to make a cuppe therof or a broade vessel well burnished For if the wine or water that is put into it haue any venom the vessel wil take some colour therof as aforesaide and if it haue no poyson therein it will remaine in his owne colour And surely it is a gallant and a delicate secrete when you begin to eate any manner of meate the first morsell that you take let it be wel chewed and marke wel if it do byte or haue any euil taste or if it burne your mouth or your toÌ„gue or that your stomacke abhorre it for in perceiuing or feeling any thing of these signes cast it forth and wash your mouth with wyne or water and leaue that meate and fal to other it woulde doe very wel to giue it to some beast to see the effeâ—t therof it is good to haue in the house some beast to whome it might giuen for to make experience thereof And the effect so appearing they haue to iudge therof And this is to be vnderstoode when the venomes come of corsiue thinges you shal feele a notable sharpenes and they byte and burne forthwith the best is for them that haue suspicion to eate meate that is rosted or sod that they eate neither brothes nor pottages for in them there may be greater hurte and if any bee made let them not bee made with things of smell as Amber muske and sweete spyces and let them not haue ouermuch sharpenes for in broth or pottage the poyson wil sooner lurke then in rosted or sodden and vse no meates which haue much sweetnesse therein all poyson will lurke the more Hee that hath any suspition when hee goeth to his meate let him not bee to greedie to eate foorthwith very hastily but let him refraine himselfe and let him eate with leasure by litle and litle The lyke he must do in his drinking being very thirsty hee feeleth not what he drinketh and so many people beeing very dry haue dronke in lie lye and also water of arsenike not feeling the same vntil they haue hurt their body and therefore it is conuenient to drinke leysurely by litle and litle tasting his drinke as he drinketh surely if men woulde be ruled by this order they should easily finde if there were any euil thing in that they eate and drinke You haue to consider the colour of your meate for thereby will somewhat appeare For it wil looke otherwyse then it ought to doâ— see that your vessels wherein you eate or drinke bee cleane newe and glistering and if your abilitie be such let them bee of siluer being cleane burnished for if you haue venom in the drinke it is easily espied and the siluer doth turne blacke or tawney Not many dayes past a Gentleman of great riches by drinking in a plaine cuppe of siluer perceiued the cup stayned of a sad tawney colour and did maruel thereat hee only tasted the wyne and it made his tongue rough his mouth also hee looked wel on the wyne that was put into the cup it had not that quicknes in drinking that it ought to haue had and hee looked on the water and in the bottome of the ewre there were many graines of arsenyke with as yet were not dissolued I was called I gathered out of the ewre more then xx smal graines of arsenike within certain dayes after the Gentleman fell sicke wherby I did conâ—ectâ—re that it was not the first tyme that they pretended to poyson him since that he hath bin sicke a long time And thus much I affirme that if the cup had not bin altered of his colour â— bin infected it had not bin perceiued Therefore it is necessary that the vessels and tinages where wyne water are kept be stopt for feare least any venomous thing fall therein as spyders Sallamanquesas and other lyke venomous beâ—sts and therefore it is nought to drinke with vessels or cuppes that haue narrow mouths for it is best to see what one drinketh in a cleere vessel and broade for it is good for
the Piles doeth remedie the soares of them It healeth sort cheekes casting the pouders vpon them it is a great remedy worthy of estimation He that doeth cause it to be made doth put it vpon a Playster called Higre the which doeth profite to take away and make cleane the soares and to take away the Fistula and too eate away the Braunches and too cause that the sores bee filled with fleshe all this is of Plinie in the Chapter of yron Galen in the Booke of Triacle to Piso declareth much the necessitie of yron for the life of mankinde and for the seruice of man and doeth account it for a most excellent remedy for to dry vp the moystures teares of the eyes In that of continuall dissolution he sayeth that peeces of burning IroÌ„ cast into milke by taking away that waterishnes which the milke hath is good for ouer much stoles and especially for the bloody flix Anâ— in the tenth of the simple medicines he commaundeth that milke be giuen where in peeces of Iron haue beene quenched and sayth that such kinde of milke doth good vnto them which haue the bloodye flix And in the like case it is better to vse of Iron then of stones or pebble stones by reason the Iron doeth leaue more drithe in the milke Alexander Traliano adding to this treatetâ— how milke shoulde be vsed in stooles He commauÌ„deth to seeth milke with a quarter part of water vntill the one halfe be consumed and in this sort it may be giuen to them which haue the ague with stooles and it is better in the place of small pebble stones wherewith they do commaund it to be soddeâ— that there be cast into it small peeces of burning Iron Paulo well neare sayeth that which Galen hath sayed and that the powder of Iron mingled with vinegre profiteth mâ—ch to such as haue matter comming forth of their eares although that it hath beene of a long continuance And also it is a great remedy for such as haue taken â—enom that is called Aconito And forthwith he treateth of the vertues of the water that haue cooled hot Iron and sayth that it doeth good to such as do suffer the payne of the belly and such as haue any cholerike disease and such as haue hot stomakes and such as haue the stopping of the lunges Dioscorides in the chapter where hee treateth of the rust of yron saieth that the water or the wyne that hath quenched a peece of burning yron is good for them that haue the fluxe of the stomake and the bloody fluxe it desolueth the hardenesse of the lungs and serueth in cholerike stooles and in the loosenesse of the stomake Accio treating of certaine rowles which are very excellent for the opilations of the inner partes saieth that it is a moste conuenient remedie for the Lunges and inner partes of the Bodie that the water that hath quenched whotte yron bee taken for a long time but suche as haue a whotte disease must vse of the water and such as are colde if they be weake of wine that hath quenched yron Oribacio sayeth that the water which hath quenched whot stile is an excellent remedie for suche as are sicke of the lunges Scribonio an auncient Phisition sayth that the water which hath quenched whot steele is a greate remedy for such as are swollen and for suche as haue sores and griefes of the bladder chiefly if they vse it continually Rasis in his Continent treating of yron saieth the same as Galen doth And Paule adding this the yron doth take away the fluxe beyng ouermuche of the menstruous and conceauing with child it healeth the little soares that are betweene the finger and the nayle it taketh away the Pearle in the eye and the hardnesse of the eye lid it healeth the piles outwardly it remedieth rotten gummes it taketh away the Goute from the feete and from the handes it maketh heare growe where it lacketh although there haue none growne a long time The water that hath quenched yron is good for the fluxe of the bellie although that it hath beene of a long continuance and for stooles of blood which doth auoyd from the bodie and the meate which is eaten and not consumed and for stooles of blood it also dissolueth the hardnesse of the lunges it remedieth the runninges and weakenesse of the stomake And Macerico an auncient Phisition saith if the pouder of yron be taken with sodden Wine called Cute it comforteth the weakenesse of the stomake he taketh for his Authour Mese a Phisition And Rasis concludeth the same saying I say and certifie by great experience that the yron doeth profite in the disease of the Piles and for the fluxe of Urine and for ouermuche fluxe of the menstrues this sayeth Rasis Scrapio reciteth all that Rasis saith word for worde and because I woulde not say it twice together I let it alone Auicen followeth Rasis in all that he hath sayd adding this thaâ— followeth to it The water wherin yron is quenched maketh strong the inner members by his owne propertie and manifest qualitie it comforteth the stomake for the water which doeth quench whot yron strengtheneth the vertue and consumeth the superfluities of the stomake and the superfluous moysture thereof for those are the things that take away appetite by the loosenesse of the mouth of the stomake and they are those which extinguish and kill the natural heat and the yron by reason of the coldnesse and drithe helpeth the knitting which is made in the mouth of the stomake wher the appetite is ingendred it comforteth the Liuer and the rest of the interiour members it strengtheneth naturall heat the sinewes and powers of the bodie and in such sorte it doth geue them strength and they take such vertue thereby that they caste from them the opilations by reason of which causes the Lunges are consumed It comforteth the vertue of generation and this it doeth by consuming the moysture which is that which letteth troubleth naturall heate which is necessary therefore and if it be not done by his qualitie yet it is done by his accidents All this is spoken by Auicen in the second of his first as also he sayeth in the seconde Canon where hee prayseth the yron greately for Ring wormes and for swellings and for the Goute and mingled with Uineger and put into the eares that of long time haue cast out matter it healeth them for the sharpnes of the eye liddes and to take away a webbe or the whitenesse of the eyes and hee saieth moreouer that the Wyne which doeth quenche â—he Iron dooth profite for the Apostumations in the Lunges and for the loosenesse of the stomake and for the weakenesse thereof it taketh away the superfluous Flute of the Mother it drieth the piles it taketh away olde stooles and the blooddie Flixe it doeth good to such as theyr fundament commeth forth and
monethes after I was payned therewith This is the effect that I haue obtayned of this Carlo Sancto which being so little tyme knowen is sufficient The tyme will discouer the rest and as wee shal vnderstande more of it so so wee wil giue notice thereof Of Beades which bee called the Beades of Sainct Elen. FRom the Florida they bring certayne rounde Rootes which are called the Beades of Sainct Elen. And they take this name by reason that they grow in a place of that Country that is so called they are greate large Rootes deuided into seueral peeces and cuttinges euery peece by it selfe they remaine rounde as Beades which being bored in the midst they make of them Beads for to pray vpon which the Souldiers do hang about their necks for a thing of great estimation They dry them and they are as haâ—de as a bone on the outwarde part they are blacke and within white and the Rinde is ioyned in such sorte that the harte and it is made alone they are wrought after they bee dry and this Roote beeing tasted hath a sweete smel with a good taste And it seemeth by the taste that it is a kinde of Spyce for it iâ— lyke to Galanga they are of the thickenesse of a mans thombe somwhat lesse the Plant hath a great stalke the Bowes doe spread by the grounde and cast out the leaues broade and greate and very greene It groweth commonly in moyst places the complexion thereof is hot in the ende of the second degree and more drie theâ— in thâ—â—irâ—t thâ— verâ—ues thereof are these The Indians vse tâ—e hearbe beaten betweene tâ—â—o stâ—nes â—hen they pretend to wash themselues â—ubbing â—â—l their body with it for they say that iâ— knitâ—eth their flâ—â—h tâ—gâ—tâ—er and comforteth them with his good smell And this they doe for the most part euery day for the great profit that they fâ—nde in it In griefes of the Stomacke the Indians doe vse it by taking the Pouder of it and our Spaniaâ—ds also take it for the same purpose receiuing it in wine being grounde smal of the which I haue seene notable experience in some In the griefe of the Stone of the Ridneis or Reines the Pouder of this Roote woorketh a knowen effect For that some haue taken this roote made into Pouder in wyne hauing the grief and it hath taken it away And I maruell not at al that his manifest quaÌ„titie is sufficient to worke the like effectes In griefes of the Uryne of them that cannot pisse wel by taking the Pouder it doth profite and expel it A thing vsed of many that haue come from those partes for that they haue proued it in the lyke euilles and here hath bin seene the same experience And one that had a stone which hâ—e coulde not auoyde from him vsed certaine dayes the pouder of this roote and did easily auoyde the same A â—â—uldier brought Beades at his Necke made of these rootes and mâ—t with meâ— one day and asked mee if I knew thoâ—e Beades and of what they were made he saide it was told him that they wâ—re â—ooteâ— of Gentiana But I declared vâ—to him that the â—â—â—des â—ere made of certayne rootes that 〈…〉 of â—aint Elen that they were not made of Gentiana aâ—d then he tolde me great vertues of them â— tâ—e 〈◊〉 vâ—râ— rare that the vse of theÌ„ had wrougâ—t â—hiâ—h I did beleeue for it seemâ—th well in the roote that they haâ—e greate Medicinal vertues according to their fashion and sweete smell and by that which I had experimented of them ¶ Of the Guacatane THey haue brought in these Shippes â—n hearbe from the newe Spayne that the Indians cal Guacatane and it is lyke to our wilde tyme sauing that it hath no smel it is a litle hearbe whitish I know not whether it carry Flower or fruyte the hearbe I haue without the roote the name that it hath amongst the Indians is as aforesaid and the same name the Spaniardes also haue geuen it The Indians doe vse it for their infirmities whereof we wil speake and for the same the Spaniards doe vse it likewise there in the Indias and they also which haue brought it hither with notable profite In griefe of the Pyles they vse it in this manner they grinde or stampe the hearbe very small and wash the Piles with wine in the which there is sodden this hearbe and if there bee heate in them they seeth it in water with that hot seething they wash them and then they dry them softly and cast the Pouder of this hearbe vpon them surely the effect that it worketh is maruellous Thus after I saw the good efects therof I much esteemed the hearbe Whensoeuer you haue any griefe of colde or of windines in any parte of the body wheresoeuer it bee apply Turpentine vnto all partes wheresoeuer the griefe is and cast the pouder of this hearbe being smal ground vppon it and lay a Linnen cloth vpon that that it may cleaue fast as a Plaister in such sorte that it be not taken away vntil the griefe bee gone And of this there is manifest experience by them of the Indias and also by vs of Spayne The pouder of this hearbe cast vpon little sores and especially in the secret places doeth mundifie and heale them Of a certaine kinde of Barley THey bring lykewyse from the newe Spaine a kinde of Barley which they cal smal Barley they giue it this name for the likenesse which it hath vnto our Barley for it casteth out an eare like vnto it and in the vaynes the seede is shut but it is different from it in qualities vertues for that this smal Barley is the strongest poyson which at this day in hearbe or plant hath beene seene insomuch that it woorketh the same effect which Sublimatum doeth And wheresoeuer it is needful to burne or eate away dead or rotten flesh putting the pouder of this seed thertoo it wil doe the like worke that any burning Iron shal doe It extinguisheth and killeth any canker howe strong soeuer it bee it killeth and expelleth Wormes wheresoeuer they bee it eateth fleshe which is naught and rotten taking it from the sores and making them cleane from such euill fleshe The Indians for that they had no Sublimatum nor other remedies which wee haue when they shoulde vse the lyke they had and haue this seede most strong and surely so it is and they doe vse it as a remedy most strong and of great efficacie This pouder must bee layde too by little and little more or lesse conformably to the greatnesse of the euil applying things defensiue which is vsed to be laid too when as the lyke remedies are vsed In olde sores and filthy where it is needfull that naughty rotten fleshe bee eaten away with taking of this Seede and grinding it and dissoluing it well with water of Planten or of Roses weating