the Palsie and Vertigo of the Head Chap. 28. A Precious Water for the Head Brain and Memory c. THis following Water was found out by a learned German it is an excellent and noble Water of Life having many egregious operations to comfort and preserve the whole body from Diseases especially the Head Brain and all the inward parts of the Head to expel and dissolve all infirmities proceeding from coldness and moisture to exhilerate the Instruments of the Soul and quicken the five Senses for it marvellously comforts the four pincipal Members with the Reins and Intestines It procures also the best digestion in the Stomach gives great comfort to the outward Members by its onely odour by taking one part of this Water and two parts of the Water of of Sage Lavander and Rosemary mixed together and wet a spunge therein and foment the Members therewith morning and evening and let it dry in of it self Or if you drink three or four drops thereof in a glass of Wine a little before dinner or supper it comforts the Stomach It is good also to comfort the Head take of this Water one dram with half an ounce of betony-Betony-Water and drink it morning and evening or dip a Crust of Bread in that Water and eat it every morning fasting For the Brain and Memory take of this Water one dram Waters of Rosemary and Marjoram of each half an ounce and use it in like manner as he last For the Breast take of this Water one dram Water of Hysop and Maiden-hair each two drams use it in like manner For the Heart take of this Water one dram of Borage and Bugloss Water each two drams take it as the former For the Stomach take of this Water one dram of Mint and Wormwood-water each two drams use it in manner aforesaid For the Lungs take of this Water one dram adde to it Cycory-Water one ounce and use it as the former For the Spleen take of this Water one dram Waters of Tamarisk and Scolopendrie of each one ounce use it in like manner To comfort all the Members of the Body use one part of this Water in four parts of Wine The way to make this Water is thus Take pul Diamargarit frigid Diarrhodon Abbatis species Diambrae Dianthos laetificans Galleni an two drams Cassiae fistulae noviter extract Zacchari candidi an half an ounce Syrup de Liqueritiâ one ounce Syrup Stechados half an ounce florum R rismarini one dram Moschi Alexandrini one scruple Upon these Species pour two pound of simple Aqua vitae well rectified by a treble distillation in Balneg Mariae distil them in Balneo Mariae with a gentle fire so that you may tell six or seven between every drop the Musk ought to be tied in a piece of Silk and put into the vial with the distilled water and is not to be distilled with the rest Some putrifie with the aforesaid Species Bugloss-water one pound Balm-water half a pound rosemary-Rosemary-water two ounces and afterwards distil it in Balneo Mariae Chap. 29. To make a Celestial Precious Water called the Secret of Secrets WE come now to declare unto you the Secret of Secrets a most precious Water called Celestial by the Philosophers because of its heavenly operation the way to make it is thus Take Salviae cum floribus suis Rorismarini Darseni Zinzib albi Garioph Nucis Muscatae gran Paradisi Galangae Calami Aromatici Macro-pip Zedoar an half an ounce Macis Cardamoni Cubeb fol. Rutae fol. Majoranae flor Lavendulae Ros Rub. an two drams Theriac Andromachi Mithridat an a dram and a half Ol. Laurini cort Citri florum Buglossae Borraginis Rorismarini Angelicae Rapentici gran Juniperi Mentastri Menthae Matricariae an a dram and a half Castorei verbeciae cum flor suis Betonicae Ligni Aloes Spicae Indicae gran Peoniae seminis Feniculi Ceori an half a dram Ambrae Moschi an half a scruple Let all these things following be put to digest with Aqua vitae in Balneo Maria four dayes and as many nights viz. Sage Rosemary Rue Marjoram Lavander Roses Mithridate Treacle Oyl of Bayes Bugloss Borrage Angelica Rapontick Juniper-berries Mint Calamint Mother-wort Vervain Betony Castoreum And when they are putrified distil them in a Limbeck in ashes with a gentle fire so that you may number one two three between every drop when these are distilled take the other things viz. Cinamon Mace Nutmegs Grains of paradise Galangal Calamus Aromat Pepper Zedory Cubebs Cardamomi Lignum Aloes Citron Pills Spikenard Piony-roots and seeds Coriander prepared pulverize all these grosly and put them into the distilled water and let them digest together fourten dayes then distil them again by an Alimbeck in Balneo Mariae afterwards adde the Camphire Rhubarb Saffron Amber and Musk. If you would have the water yet better and more costly adde Pul. Diamargarit Nicholai Diapliris cum moscho Nicholai Diarrhodon Abbatis Diamoschi Mesnae Spec. Diambrae Letificans Galeni pul Dialigni Aloes an half a dram adde twenty leaves of Gold white Sugar half a pound let them stand three dayes in Balneo Mariae keeping the water of the Bath warm afterwards distil it by filter in glass Retorts let one glass stand somewhat higher then the other cut small forms of a filter and hang therein and by them the matter will be distilled let the glass be well luted that no Air may evapâ—rate and this is the most excellent way of distillation of all others There are some Physicians who to comfort the Stomach have invented a green water which they use with the Aqua viae above prescribed or with the Claret following The green water is made on this manner Take Aqua vitae four times distilled by an Alimbeck in Balneo Mariae four pound Balm dryed three ounces Balsamint two ounces infuse the Herbs in the Aqua vitae eight dayes and then use thereof Note that the Herbs are not to be dryed in the Sun for then the water will be obscure but in the shade and the water will be of a fair green colour and pleasant to the drinker The Claret is made in this manner Take of the best white Wine four pound fine hard Sugar four ounces Cinamon one ounce Coryander prepared three drams Cloves two drams Grains of Paradise and white Ginger of each one dram and a half black Pepper two scruples Zedory half a dram Make them all into powder and afterwards use it as you make Hypocras This some use to take with the Water before prescribed The Vertues of this Water are these IT is good for the memory taking every day half an ounce mixed with rosemary-Rosemary-water half an ounce water of Marjoram and Balm of each two drams For madness or grief in the brain proceeding from cold take of this water half an ounce betony-Betony-water two drams dip a Linnen cloth therein and apply it to the head For the Vertigo of the head take hereof half an ounce water of
afterwards circulate it in a pellican forty dayes and reserve it for your use others distil it oftner and it is the better Chap. 21. To make an Aqua vitae Composita for men of a cold Complexion or Region HAving already discoursed at large of Aqua vitae Simplex we now proceed to give you the way of preparing several compound waters and first of such as ought to be administred unto men of a cold complexion or unto such as labour under any disease proceeding from a cold cause which is this Take Zuiziberis albi Cinamomi Cubeb Recent Gariâ—ph Nucis Muscati Macis electi Cardamomi Zedoari Galangae Piperis longi of each equal parts bruise them grosly and to one part of these Species adde six parts of simple Aqua vitae put them in a long Cucurbite placing thereon a blinde Alimbeck and let it stand to digest fourteen dayes afterwards distil in Balneo Mariae with a gentle fire then put the feces again upon the distilled matter and let it digest eight dayes more It may also be distilled without an Alimbeck but that way is not so good And when it hath been distilled three times the first water is called Aqua benedicta the second Aqua vitae composita and the third Aqua balsami Some also adde to the composition hereof Fol. salviae Rutae Castorei recentis Corticis Citri Baccarum lauri Florum Lavendulae Florum Rorismarini ana two drams these are all to be distilled with the aforesaid species alwayes adding to one part of species six parts of simple Aqua vitae This water is good for all diseases of the head proceeding from phlegmatick humors to be taken in the morning the quantity of two drams in one ounce of the best Wine Some use to dip a crust of bread in this water and others to anoint the head with this water adding to half an ounce hereof Betony water one ounce But beware that you do not give this water in any disease or grief of the head proceeding from a hot cause unless some cold Medicine be mixed therewith which may temperate the heat of this water This water doth strengthen the memory being drunk fasting the quantity of half an ounce mixed with Rosemary water and the hinder part of the head being anointed or washed therewith and let dry of it self it is good also against madness if you cut off the hair of the head and apply to the head clothes wet in this water mixed with water of Marjoram and Rosemary you shall perceive a wonderful operation It is also good for the Palsie being mixed with Sage-water and the members often bathed therewith and it being drunk upon an empty stomach with water of Lavander-flowers It is good to take away all spots of the face and all infirmities of the eyes It hath a marvellous operation to take away all pains in the Teeth A Comb being dipped herein and the head combed therewith it adorns the hair and preserves them from becoming hairy it cures all scabs in the head recovers lost hearing Bombast being dipped therein and applied to the Ear. Wounds being washed therewith it heals them wonderfully and suffers no putrified flesh in a Wound Being taken fasting it is powerful against all Poyson against all Cankers Fistula's and the Dropsie and the Stone in the Bladder it helps Conception in a Woman being taken fasting if the obstruction thereof proceed from a cold cause Being drunk with Galangal and Gentiana and Bombaste wet therein and applied to the Matrix provokes the Tearms If this Water be put upon Fish Flesh or any other Meats they will not corrupt nor putrifie neither will flies blow thereon If the body be fomented therewith it is good against the Jaundies and all trembling of the Members and against all filthiness of the mouth and nose A Cloath being dipt herein and applied to the Stomach wonderfully helps digestion A Cloath wet therein and applied to the Stomach helps Convulsion fits Let those who labor under the Iliack passion drink often thereof it is good also against the Falling-sickness and the Hemerhodes It is much praised by Albertus Magnus for its wonderful operations in the Palsie Chap. 22. An excellent Compound Water used by the Emperour Frederick the Third TAke Aq. Vita simp rectificat four pound vini opt four pound Cinamomi three ounces Garioph nucis moscatae ana one ounce Zuizib albi one ounce and half Macis half an ounce Zedoariae half an ounce Galangae 2. drams Cubeb Hys an half an ounce Radicis benedictae 1. ounce Salviae florum Lavendulae an half an ounce Melissae iris Balsamithae an one ounce Rosarum albarum one ounce and half Bruise all these and put them in a great Cucurbite which will hold fifteen or sixteen pound adding Zachari albi three ounces Passular ficuum pinguium an six ounces Camphorae half an ounce Aquar Rosarum Endiviae florum Sambuci an two pound put them altogether into the Cucurbite luting it well and set it in the â—un twenty dayes viz. ten dayes before Midsummer day and ten dayes after Then strain out the water and distil it by an Alembick and keep it in a dry place it is a soveraign Cordial for a cold stomach and wonderfully preserves the whose body in health The Dose is the quantity of half a spoonful but let it not be given to a Woman when she hath her Menstrue Chap. 23. An excellent Compound Water against all Vlcers and Poyson c. TAke Salviae twelve ounces Nucis Muscat Gariop Zuizib albi Gran. Paradisi Cinamomi an four drams Ol. Laurini one ounce Castorei recentis one dram Spinae Indicae Rorismarini an half a dram florum Rorismar one dram Folior Rutae one ounce Fol. Majoranae one dram Corticis Citri two drams Let all these be new if you can get them but if you have them not new then take the old dried flowers and pulverize them and put to them the best white Wine you can get then set them in a digestive to putrifie a moneth This digestion may be made in Balneo Mariae in the first degree of heat afterwards distil it by an Alimbeck in Balneo Mariae then adde the water again to the Feces and distil it in Balneo again twice over afterwards distil it in ashes and reserve the water carefully in a glass close stopt The Vertues of this Water ANy Meat wet in this Water retains an excellent sapour and odour It is good against pestilentious airs and expels the venom thereof out of the body it cures all infirmities of the Eyes and defects of the Sight It marvellously cures Wounds they being washed therewith it dryeth up all hidropical humors It is good against all diseases of the Lungs Spleen and Milt of the intestines and of the head it takes away all spots out of the face filth of the Mouth and Nose mitigates the pain of the Teeth procures good digestion purifies the blood and consumes corrupt blood and
Lavender and Sage an three drams and take every morning fasting Diapliris cum moscho Nicholai For deafness drop of this water every morning and evening into the ear and rest upon that ear that it may go out again For Worms in the ears take of this water half an ounce Juyce of Rue two drams or if you cannot get the Juyce take the distilled water thereof adding a little Aloes Epatick subtilly powdred And of this distil a little into the ear morning and evening lying upon the other side and after a little time turn and lie upon that side where the Wormes are and they will come forth and dye For the eyes take of the aforesaid water half an ounce fennel-Fennel-water and water of Valerian of each one dram drop thereof into the eyes For filth of the mouth or nose give every day half an ounce thereof with white Wine in which Mints and Roses have been boiled For the Epilepsie drink thereof every day half an ounce with peony-Peony-water one ounce or thus Take the Root and seeds of Peony Viscus Quercinus of each equal parts boil them in white Wine and give them to the Patient with the said water For the Palsie foment all the members with this water and drink thereof every morning one ounce For lost speech take of the said water half an ounce waters of Lavander Peony Sage of each two drams drink it and take of Mithridate one dram with Wine wherein Castoreum hath been boyled Against Melancholly take of the aforesaid water half an ounce with the waters of Bugloss and Balm each two drams waters of Harts-tongue and Borrage each one dram mix them together and drink it three hours before dinner Against the Dropsie take of the said water one part water of Elder-flowers two parts Fennel water three parts mix them together and take for a Dose half an ounce For the Stone take of this water one part Saxifrage-water Wintercherry-water Aqua Millii solis Rhadish-water of each two parts Against Sterrility take of this water two drams of white Wine water of Rosemary and Mother-wort each two drams drink it morning and evening and twice or thrice in a week take Diamargarit sem Avicenna Many other excellent vertues hath this celestial water which I omit here for brevities sake leaving them to manifest themselves by experience FINIS The Table to the several Treatises of the whole Book The English Apothecary The transcendent sufficiency of English Herbs being fundamental Reasons PRoving our Medicines to be most congruent with our bodies and the great prejudice we daily receive by the use of forreign Drugs as also by their sophistication to which Fuchsius Martino Rulandus c. agree page 35 The correcting of Scamony of its malignity page 19 Of Mechoaca and Opium and the prejudice we receive thereby unless well corrected page 21 Of Rhubarb and its properties page 24 The inconveniency of drinking Wine and that of Honey may be made a better and more wholesome drink page 31 Of Milk and its vertues page 41 The cure of Poysons by venomous beasts with Peniroyal Treyfoil c. page 42 The cure of the Prench-Pox not onely with Sarsaparilla but with the essence of Primroses and Cowslips page 43 The rare vertue of Cink-foyl Worms Wood-lice or Sowes Lichenes c. For the cure of Tertian-Agues Falling-sickness Tooth-ach c. page 44 To cure the bitings of venomous beasts by the decoction of Frogs page 44 53 To cure Cankers by the juyce of Nightshade page 49 To cure the Leprosie with Plantane and its vertues page 50 To cure the Falling-sickness with Misleto Peony-root a mans skull c. page 50 The cure of Poysons in particular page 51 52 The cure of the Pestilence page 52 The cure of hot diseases by contrariety page 54 The cure of cold diseases by contrariety ib. The cure of moist diseases page 55 The cure of dry diseases ib. Rules to be observed in cures page 55 56 Of purgations and their manner both by vomit and stool page 56 Preparatives for the Humors before evacuation c. page 60 The cure of Wounds and the broken Bones by Herbs c. page 61 Of Anodines Causticks Emmolients c. page 62 63 The occult properties of sundry Herbs being appropriated to the Head Heart Liver Spleen Stomach Lungs c. ib. That the Brain is comforted by Herbs as well as by Spices page 68 The sovereign vertues of Carduus Benedictus with its use or manner of taking it page 71 Of the sovereign vertues of Angelica with its temperature and use page 79 A discourse shewing what members of the body are governed by the twelve Signs page 82 Of the members of the body and how they are governed by the seven Planets page 184 A brief accompt of some simples appropriated to the Heart page 186 The Chyrurgeons guide or the errors of unskilful Chyrurgeons page 195 The first error of their curing the Lues venerea or French-Pox page 195 The second error when the disease cometh to suppuration page 198 The third error is concerning Wounds in the Breast page 201 4. Of their applications of Trepans Terribelles for fractures of the head page 203 5. Touching the punctures of Nerves page 204 6. Of the abuse by Runners or Cutters of the Stone and Ruptures page 205 Of the eight kinds of Hernies or Ruptures page 207 Of the Hernie Intestinale page 208 Of the Hernie Zirbale page 209 Of the relaxation of the Peretoneum called Herni Inquinale page 210 Of the kinds of Hernies which be by similitudes or improperly called page 211 Of Hernie Verequose page 212 Of the Herni Ventose ib. Of the Hernie Humorale page 213 Phlebotomy Displayed or perfect Rules for letting of Blood page 214 With Physical cautions for Blood-letting page 219 Vrinal conjectures or brief observations upon the sick Patients staie or water page 222 Of Vomits page 225 Of the Excrements page 226 The Treasury of health or Salves for every sore with their cures page 227 For the falling out of the Fundament page 229 For the Liver page 231 For the Dropsie page 231 For the Spleen page 333 For the Yellow-Jaundies page 235 For the Stone page 236 For the Strangury page 239 For the Vlcers in the Yard page 241 For the Diabetes page 242 For the Swelling of the Gods page 243 For the Pleurisie page 244 For to provoke the Tearms page 244 For to stop the Tearms page 247 For the Fits of the Mother page 248 For the Swelling of the Breasts page 249 For Child-birth page 251 For the Gout page 453 Foa the Fistula or Vlcer page 256 For the Leprosie page 258 For the Warts page 259 For Thorns Splinters c. page 260 The expert Lapidary or a Physical Treatise of the vertues of Stones page 265 Of Jacinth and its vertues 265. The Saphir 264 Emrald ibid. The Ruby 265 Granat 266. Sardine ibid. Diamond 266 Amethist 267. Bezoar ibid. Topaz 268. Snakes-Stone ibid. Toads-stone 269 Alectorius ibid.
herein havâ— the Minerals and Metals the chief place To thâ— exulcerate Canker belongeth the Wolf whicâ— is naught else but a Canker exulcerated Thâ— Gangrene and Speacelus are cured by the râ—medies of the Canker and Wolf the one beinâ— a degree of an Ulcer in which the parts begin tâ— be mortified the other when they have noâ— lost life altogether The Leprosie is an universâ— Canker and for outward medicines requireth nâ— other Among the inward Plantine Whaâ— Hedgehogs dryed and drunk help greatly Anâ— thus much for Cankers and Leprosies which 〈◊〉 they be diseases hard to be cured by any medâ—cine so receive they as great help by these oâ— home medicines as by any of strange 〈◊〉 The Falling-sickness if it be in such as are age and have been long diseased therewith is a dâ—ease hardly or not at all to be cured But whâ—â— it is curable these medicines be comparâ—â— with the best The root of the Missleto of 〈◊〉 Oak the runnet of an Hare the Peony-roâ— Enula Campana the scalp of a Man and Aâ—hoof Hyssop the milt of an Horse the Stoâ— which are found in the Mawes of the first 〈◊〉 of Swallows five leaved Grass the juyce of tâ— Cowslip the juyce of Horehound with Hoâ— All suffocations of the Matrix are cured 〈◊〉 Plantine Pennirial Herbgrace and by an infinite number of home medicines Worms and that infection is taken away by Coriander-seed Colewort seed Garlike Wormwood and in a manner with all bitter herbs with the juyce of Purslane with the filings of Stags-horn little inferiour in vertue to that which is commonly taken for the Unicorns horn Peach leaves Hyssop Mints Purslane seed Thus much touching medicines against diseases ingendred of venemous causes within the body Now touching such as happen by outward occasions and first of those that by mouth are taken into the body Against which generally it helpeth greatâ—y to drink store of butter instead of oyl with warm water or the decoction of Flax seed Feâ—igreek or Mallows and thereupon a vomit which done Sothernwood the root of Seahulver the seed of Nep the juyce of Horehound the seed of wilde Rue Walnuts Turnips Herb-grace five leaved Grass with an infinite number of native medicines expel the poison and restore the Patient More properly to the poison of Cantharides belong Penerial to Buprestis all kinde of Pears and Womens Milk to the Salamander Chamepitis 〈◊〉 holy roots to the worms of the Pine-tree suâ—◠〈◊〉 â—he poison of Cantharides against the poison of the Toad the roots of Reeds and Cyperus against the Camelion Radish roots and Wormwood against Ephemerum Asses milk or Cows milk hot against Dorycnium Goatâ— milk Asses milk Cockles and Crayfishes against the poison of Aconitum Organ Herb-grace Horehound the decoction of Wormwood Against Chriander Wormwood salt broth made with a Goose or Hen which expeâ— also the poison of Flewort the Poison oâ— Hemlock is cured with Mints Herbgrace Nettle-seed Bay-leaves which also cure the poison of Ugh and Carpasus The poison of that kinde of Crow-foot called Sardonia is cured with drinking store of Mede and Milk Henbane with Nettle-seed wilde Endive Mustard-seed and Rocket Cerus with Mede hot Milk Peach-stones with the decoction of Barley with the decoction of Mallows Quicksilver with store of Milk drunk Mercury sublimed with Chrystal Lime Orpiment Ratsbane and such like with the decoction of Flax-seed and Milk with Mede And to conclude thâ— point there is no kinde of poison but it findeth cure by our Countrey Medicines without borrowing Thus much for the cure of poison taken into the body by eating or drinking oâ— them Pestilences are cured if with any medicine with Angelica Carduus Benedictus Arâ—nike worn about the body the root of Pimpâ—nel of Tormentil Herbgrace Setwal Walnuts the powder of St. Johns-wort Juniper-berries Verven and the chief of all the noble simplâ— Water Germander and the Duarfgentian Foâ— pestilent sores and Carbunkles Scabious Osbâ—â— Lousestrife and the Marigold to the pestilent may be referred the small Pocks and such like which agree in medicine also with the pestilence And thus much for the cure of poisons Against bitings and stingings of venemous beasts and poisoned weapons there are also both general and particular remedies The general are these the ashes of the cuttings of the Vine and of the Fig-tree with Lee Leeks Onions Garlike the Sea-water Mustard-seed Endive Heath the root of the Sea-Hulver Bay-berries Herbgrace Dill Sowse-bread Fennel Penerial the runnet of an Hare the Weasel and these general Particular are such as follow Against the bitings of Phalangium the seed of Sothernwood Aniseed the seed of Trifoly the fruit of Tamarisk Against the Scolopendra wild Rue Thime Calamint against the Scorpion Basil-seed against the biting of a Viper Adder c. Sothernwood Bays green Organ the Bramble the brains of an Hen Cole-seed Against the bitings of a mad Dog Crowgarlike the river Crab Balm an actual cautery the liver of the mad dog broiled the blood of a â—og drunk And thus much for the bitings and stingings of venemous beasts which also serve against poisoned wounds else to be cured with the medicine which respecteth properly the poison wherewith the weapon hath been infected The â—nfection without wound is the French Pocks whereof sufficient having been said before I will here say nothing This then shall suffice to have written of the cure of all diseases rising of â—enemous causes wherein if nature of her own â—ccord as it were and in this great neglect of â—ur Countrey and native medicines hath shewâ—d her self so liberal how large would she be if with set purpose and careful endeavour greater trial of things were had and proof made by learned and discreet men Now follow the diseases which are by the excess or defect of one or two parts of the temper which are hot cold moist and dry simple or compounded which if they be not procured by evil humours then require they altering onely by contrary qualities If by them as Phegm Choler Melancholy then are these humours first to be avoided and diminished Such as require altering are cured by natures of contrary quality not onely generally but even answerable to all degrees of excess And first to begin with hot diseases of the first degree they are cured with such contraries as follow Barley sower Grapes Roses Violets the Oak Quinces Damsins Pellitory of the wall Docks Pears Apples Harts-horn the flowers and whole herb of Mallows of the second degree the water Lilly Ducks meat Knotgrasse Vine leaves the Bramble Plantane Cherries Lead Cerus Barberies Cowcumbers Mellons Gourds Citrals whites of Eggs Medlers and Services Of the third Purslane Housleek Mandrake Henbane Of the fourth Hemlock Poppy Thus much for hot diseases Medicines for cold diseases are these hoâ— which follow Of the first degree Bugloss Borage Fumitory Sage Horse-hoof Lycorice Maiden-hair Butter Lillies Flax-seed Marrow and Fat Cammomile Fenigreek c. Oâ— the second Dill dry Mugwort Parsley Saffron Honey
beaten into powder of them every morning fasting in white wine to one that is bursten and let him fast an hour after and if that cure hâ—â— not give him nine more 34. Knotgrass is an herb of the 〈◊〉 Mizaldus and cures diseases of the heart and back stone-cholick burstness and resisteth the pestilence 35. The paring of an Apple cut sâ—mewhat thick and the inside laid to eyes troubled with a hot Rheum and bound on at night when they go to bed gives speedy help contrary to expectation 36. They say Piece-grease such as is fried out of Shoe-makers Leather is an excellent remedy for the Gout 37. Shell-snails dryed in an oven and a drachm of the powder of them taken at a time doth in nine or ten dayes cure the black Jaundies It must be taken in Ale in the morning fasting 38. Butter Aqua vitae and Beasts Gall of each a like quantity mixed together cures any Ache or Stitch being anointed with it every morning and evening 39. Galen Gesner The powder of mans bones cure the Falling-sickness according to Galen but Gesner avoucheth he hath done it often with the * Cranium humanum Scull of a man not buried which is the most probable although the other may be true 40. The powder of Stone-pitch given in small Beer two or three mornings together is a notable remedy for such as are bruised and cheap enough too 41. The root of Vervine hanged about the neck of one that hath the Kings-evil gives a strange and unhoped for cure The reason of it is because Vervine is the herb of Venus and Taurus is her house For the time of gathering this and other Herbs I refer you to other Treatises where the matter is particularly handled 42. The tender horns of Bucks Cribonius largus whilest they be covered with a thin hairy skin being sliced and put into a new pot well covered and so dryed in an oven that they may be beaten into powder and some of it given in wine with pepper and mirrhe gives speedy ease for the Chollick 43. Pains of the Bladder and Cods as also the Chollick will be cured if you apply to it once or twice Pellitory of the wall bruised 44. A Hedge-sparrow is of a notable vertue Aetius Egeneta Mizaldus and Experience for the guts detracted and the feathers taken off and so either kept in Salt or converted into Mummy and eaten the Birds I mean not the guts nor feathers it will break the stone either in the Reins or Bladder and bring it forth 45. The Roots of white Lillies boiled in water â—nd the Face washed with the water takes away â—he redness thereof 46. Mizaldus Galen A green jasper hung about the neck of one that hath a weak stomach so that it touch the skin near the region of the mouth of the stomach doth wonderfully strengthen it 47. If you stamp Hariff a little and lay it in soak in spring-spring-water four and twenty hours and then wash any scald or scabby place with it quickly heals it 48. If you boil Parsley and Time well in white wine and in a draught of it put a spoonful of white Sope I suppose Castle sope scraped small and this being drunk up causeth one speedily to make water and is a precious medicine for the Stone 49. Arnoldus Carduus Benedictus stamped and boiled with Barrows-grease Wine and Wheat-flour to an Ointment this is so sovereign that it cures all Ulcers Fistula's and Sores yea though the very Bones be bare 50. Mizaldus A handful of Mugwort stamped and boiled in sweet Sallet-oyl till the juyce be consumed makes an oyl which gives speedy ease to the Gout 51. If your nose bleed on the right side crush the little finger of the right hand Mizaldus if on the leâ—â— side of the left hand and it will cease 52. If you give ten grains of red Corrall in â—owder to a Childe in Breast-Milk for the â—rst sustenance it takes Arnoldus de villâ novâ and it will never â—e troubled with the Falling Sicknesse It â—ems by this it mightily strengthens the â—rain 53. There is an Herb called Speregrass Cupton stamp 〈◊〉 and fill a Walnut-shell full of it and â—pply it to the place pained with the Gout â—nde it on and within six or eight hours it â—ill draw a Blister which cut and let out the â—ater and keep a Colewort-leaf to it till the â—alady be remedied this hath been known to â—re such as have been troubled with this disease â—enty years 54. Boyl the Lees of Oyl till half be consumed G. Vâ—rrâ— Caâ—o â—th which anoint the bottom-corners and feet 〈◊〉 a Chest or Press you put clothes in and 〈◊〉 Moths will trouble them but you had â—t let it be dry before you put your clothes 55. Take a handfull of green Rue gathered in hour of Sol he being strong ten Figs as â—ny Walnuts an ounce of Juniper-berries â—t all these well together with a little Bayâ— and take the quantity of a Hazel-nut â—ry morning it defends the body from â—ilence Poison or any Sickness even â—xtream old age Mithridates Mithreâ—ates was the Authour of it and therefore let him have the credit of it besides with this onely and the blessing of God upon it have I cured such of the Ptysick or Consumption of the Lungs that have been so weak they could not walk about a chamber without leading 56. Some men are so gross and fat that they can hardly walk or do any business let such eat three or four cloves of Garlick every morning with Bread and Butter and fast two hours after it and let their drink be water wherein Fennel hath been boiled it will in a very small time ease them 57. That which is shorn from Scarlet being well died and dried in an oven or otherwise that it may be beaten into powder and half a spoonful of the powder given at a time in red wine will quickly cure the Bloody-Flux 58. If you anoint your temples where the Arteries pass Simeon Sethi once a moneth with the gall of a Partridge it mightily strengthens the memory 59. Rhazis Albertus A Saphire tyed about the neck so as it toucâ— the Region of the heart preserves the beare from poison and the plague and abateth thâ— heat in Feavers and Agues 60. Petrus Hispanus The soles of the Feet rubbed with gooâ— Mustard helps forgetfulness and quickens tâ— motion A man might draw from hence that forgetful persons are usually dull 61. Seethe Ivy-berries in Vinegar and supyour mouth full of it as hot as you can and when it is cold spit it out again and take another sup and do likewise a few such sups will cure the pain of the Teeth 62. Also if you put a little Spirit of Vitriol into the pained tooth Which you may get done by a little Lint tyed to the top of a Bodkin or Wire it works the
through the back with a sharp knife pull out all the bowels and wipe him clean with a cloth break all the bones and put him into an Alimbeck and distil him with a pottle of Sack and as much red Cows Milk so will you have an excellent spirit for a Cough or Consumption of the Lungs if you take three or four spoonfuls of it in the morning fasting 65. For heat in the Reins Let such as are troubled with heat in the Reins lay to the place a fine cloth dipped in rose-Rose-water juyce of Plantane and the Milk of a Woman which brought forth a Girl 66. An excellent remedy for those that are subject to vomiting Take Wormwood Spearmints and red Rose-leaves of each a handful chop them small and boil them to a Poltiss with red Rose-water and Vinegar of each equal quantities thicken it with Rie-bread grated spread it upon a cloth and apply it to the Stomach of him that is subject to vomiting as hot as he can endure it 67. For an Ague of the Breast Let such Women as are troubled with that inflamation commonly called the Ague in the Breast apply to the place a fomentation made with Rosemary-tops boiled in their urine apply it hot for three or four hours and it will help it 68. For the running in the Reins The Marrow of an Oxes back being dried and beaten into powder and a dram of it taken in the morning in a little red Wine is an excellent remedy for the running of the Reins 69. To take away Freckles from the Hands or Face Such as are troubled with Freckles either upon their hands or face or Sun-burning may easily help themselves if they wash the place with a little juyce of Lemmons wherein Bay-salt hath been dissolved wash the place often and let it dry in of it self 70. Against any Swelling Take Cammomile-flowers and Rose-leaves of each a like quantity boil them in white Wine to a Poltiss and apply it as hot as can be suffered to a swelling and it will presently ease the pain and asswage the swelling 71. Against Deafness Stop the ears of one that is deaf with good dried Sewet it many times gives help when nothing else will 72. To stop bleeding Take powder of Earth-worms and put upon a Wound that bleeds and it will instantly stop the bleeding 73. For the same Take the ear of a Hare dry it and beat it to powder and put that powder upon a Wound and it will do the like 74. For him that spits Blood Take the juyce of Betony and temper two spoonfuls of it with four spoonfuls of good Milk and let him that spits blood drink the same quantity four mornings together and by that time he will be whole 75. For a Flux Let him that is troubled with the Flux take the seeds of Trefoyl bruise them well and drink half a dram of them in the morning fasting in white Wine if he be curable it will cure him in three dayes if he be not curable he knows the worst of it it is but dying 76. To stop the bleeding of a Vein being cut If a Vein be cut and you cannot stop the bleeding take Rue and boil it in water then stamp it and apply it to the place and binde some wool over that which was never washed 77. For Veins that are sprung For Veins that are sprung take Beans and husk them then boil them in vinegar and bruise them and apply them Plaister-wise to the place 78. For those that piss Blood Take Garlike bruise it and boil it in water till the third part be consumed a little of this water being drunk presently helps them that piss Blood 79. To cause easie Delivery Let a woman that is with childe and near her time drink a decoction of Betony every morning and she shall be delivered without much pain 80. For the same and to expel the after-birth A decoction of Hyssop made with water and drunk very hot giveth speedy delivery to women in travel yea though the Childe be dead in her womb so soon as she is delivered of a dead childe if you suppose any of the After-birth be left behinde let her keep drinking the same decoction till her body be cleansed 81. For the same Savory used in like manner hath the same effects 82. For the same Also another good remedy to give speedy delivery to women in travel is this Take wilde Tansie or Silver-weed and bruise it and apply it to her nostrils 83. For the same Also another remedy is to take the Roots of Polypodium and stamp them and apply them to the soles of the feet Plaister-wise the childe will quickly come away be it alive or dead 84. For a Surfeit Take the bottom of a wheaten-loaf tost it very well till it be dry and hard then dip it in good Spirit of Wine and wrap it up in a single linen cloth and apply it to the Brest of one that hath surfeited and cannot digest his meat apply it warm and let it lie to the place all night and it will speedily help him and cause him either to vomit up or purge out the evil humors which the Surfeit hath contracted in his body 85. To cure hot Rhume in the Eyes Take twelve or sixteen woodlice some call them sows or slugs wash them clean then stamp them and put three or four spoonfuls of Ale to them and mix them well together in a morter then strain it and let him that is troubled with a hot Rhume in his eyes drink it in the morning fasting and as much at night going to bed and in a few times using it will cure him 86. An admirable Poltiss for any swelling Take Violet-leaves Groundsel Mallows and Chickweed of each a handful chop these small and boil them well in water to a Poltiss thicken it with Barley-meal adding a little rough sheeps suet to it to make it moist so have you an admirable Poltiss for any swelling or inflamation in a wound or ulcer 87. For scabby Heads of Children Take white Wine and Butter of each a like weight boil them together till they come to a salve and you shall finde it an excellent Oyntment for Childrens scabby heads 88. For the Falling-sickness or Convulsion Take the dung of a Peacock dry it and beat it into very fine powder and give the party troubled either with the Falling-sickness or Convulsion so much of it at a time in Succory-water as will well lye upon a shilling if it be a child half so much will serve the turn or less if the childe be very young 89. To cure Tetters or Ring-worms An excellent way to cure Tetters and Ring-worms is to wash the place often with Tanners Woofs 90. Against the bloody Flux Take the bone of a Gammon of bacon set it an end in the middle of a Charcole fire and let it burn till it be as white as choak both in the outside and inside then take it and beat it to
when the vessels are thus Luted thâ— the animal and vegitable virtue cannot exhaâ—â— from the matter to be distilled then set a trâ—vet over the furnace with a vessel or Caldroâ—â— like Balneum Mariae which vessel fill halfâ— two parts thereof with water and underneat make a gentle fire increasing it by little and little and when the Cucurbite waxeth hot iâ—crease not the fire any more but alwayes imâ—tate nature as much as is possible to do Foâ— Nature as saith Gallenus and Lully cannot suffeâ— any violence without corruption of the primâ— vum or first matter Now according to Avicenna there arâ— four degrees of heat according to the four coâ—plexions the first whereof is warme as warâ— water so far calefied that it cannot hurt anâ— member immited into it The second degree 〈◊〉 so hot as it may be suffred by an humane member without lesion The third degree is so hot that if any member be immitted into it it is offended with its calidity and this degree is next to ebulition The fourth degree of heat is so vehement that it cannot be endured because it exceedeth in heat and this degree is ebulition or boyling Some also call the fire of a Bathe the first degree of fire and the heat of Ashes the second degree and burning fire the third degree but the fourth degree they deny And according to other Artists the fire of a Bathe is the first degree the fire of Ashes the second degree and Sand the third and sometimes proceed to a fourth but he who desires to be a perfect Master in the Art of Distillation ought to observe that in all Distillations whatsoever the fire never ought to be increased to the fourth degree because the fire will be more violent then the nature of the matter to be distilled can bear And by consequence Nature her self will be violated through the violence of too much heat and therefore of all Artists the fourth degree is to be rejected For Nature her self was so ordained by God that she cannot suffer any violence or vehement thing without the corruption of her self as by the judgement of many Philosophers may be proved Therefore I counsel all Lovers of this Art that they do not undertake to intermeddle with this excellent work given unto us by Divine Providence for the preservation of our humane lives unless they have the perfect knowledge of these four degrees of heat and know how to temperate them and the fire in alâ— things as they ought It is therefore to be understood that the degrees of heat are alwayes to be diminished afteâ— the first distillation because in the first distillation the matter is most gross so that it will noâ— easily yield to the distillation because of its impurity and crude substance which is not in thâ— subsequent distillations Therefore in the first distillation the fire is tâ— be exalted from the first degree to the last parâ— of the third degree so that the bathe be verâ— hot yet it ought not to boil In the second dâ—stillation we may work with a more gentle fire because by the first the grosseness of the matteâ— is somewhat attenuated so that there needs noâ— so great a fire and so alwayes by descending 〈◊〉 little in every degree you shall extenuate thâ— fire because as we have often said if you dâ—â— force or too much compel the matter whicâ— ought to be distilled Nature her self will bâ— corrupted Chap. 11. How a rude matter ought to be putrified and madâ— fit for Distillation WE must diligently weigh and accurately consider what substance the matter 〈◊〉 of that is to be digested whether it be hard oâ— soft gross or subtle how and by what Art iâ— may be putrified and digested that it may bâ— the better brought to yield to the distillation and that the pure may be sequestred from the impure and the gross may be the better separated from the subtle In the progress whereof observe these degrees of putrifaction Whatsoever it is out of which you would extract a Quintessence by distillation first of all let it be putrified and digested two moneths in Horse-dung and between the first and second distillation one moneth between the second and third three weeks between the third and fourth fifteen dayes between the fourth and fifth eight dayes between the fifth and sixth four dayes and between the sixth and seventh two dayes And further observe that the dung ought alwayes to be of the same equal heat for if the heat be deficient the circulation of the water is corrupted And by conseqence the matter it self which should be reduced into the Quintessence will be separated in the heat of Heaven as you may see in a Diameter Line which divideth the Quintessence which is the superiour part from the feces which is the inferiour part And here note that these degrees of digestion and putrifaction of the matter is so to be attributed as it is before declared concerning the degrees of heat Therefore there is required a longer time of putrifaction before distillation then afterwards and when the first distillation is made the matter contains not in it self so much grossness as before and is become more apt to receive the Quintessence then before it was And therefore after the first distillation the putrifaction is made in a shorter time then at the first because the matter is become more subtil And therefore it is worthily to be perpended that there ought to be made seven digestion or putrifactions as also seven distillations The manner also of digesting after the opinions of the Philosophers is delivered after this manner Every one that will endeavour to performe such a work let him cause to be made a pit oâ— hole of five foot deep and two foot wide or a little more Let the pit be made in some moist place as in a Celler which being done let the bottom bâ— covered with quick lime about the thickness oâ— half a foot Let there be another laying oâ— horse-dung which is not much putrified nor very new upon which place the vessel wherein yoâ— put the matter to be fermented and then fill thâ— pit with dung round about the vessel which being done let the dung be madefied with hot water according the magnitude and quantity of the pit untill you can feel the heat about the vessel or cucurbite and this is usually done in thâ— space of half an hour but if in that time it bâ— not done then proceed powring on more hoâ— water and do this three or four times in a weeâ— and when the Calx and Dung waxes old let iâ— be removed and new put in the room This is the method which is to be observed iâ— all things that you would distill and thereforâ— it is made digestion because gently and without any vehement motion of nature action or mutation a gross matter is made subtil and obedient to distillation Digestives are also ordained diversly according to the four degrees of heat so
Dung as before we have directed concerning digestion and let it be fermented there one Moon or thereabouts according as the season is and when you see the matter to be resolved into water and the gross substance residing in the bottom of the Pellican to be separated quite from the water then take it out of the dung and put it in Balneo Mariae with an Alimbeck and distil it with a gentle fire as before is spoken of the Quintessence of Wine And when you have performed the first distillation mix it again with the Feces which remain in the Distillatory and let it putrifie again in the dung until you see the pure to be separated from the impure and the pure and subtle matter to swim above the Feces And if the season be fair and clear let it putrifie a longer time then if it were cloudy or rainy weather This being done distil it again the second time then mix it again with the Feces to digest and then distil it repeating this course four times over at least After the fourth distillation circulate it a long time in the same manner as you do the Quintessence of Wine till it come to the perfection and purity of a Quintessence of humane blood which hath a noble vertue to sustain humane nature in all infirmities and free the body from all Diseases Let this therefore suffice to have spoken concerning humane blood If you would also extract a Quintessence from Flesh or Eggs let the Flesh be finely and subtly minced and then bray it in a Mortar with a tenth part of common Salt In like manner let the Eggs be beat in a Mortar with alt till they be reduced into water afterwards put them in a Cucurbite and place thereupon a blinde Alimbeck and worâ— in all things in digestion fermentation and distillation as is directed touching humanâ— blood Chap. 18. To draw a Quintessence from Apples Pears and other fruits IF you would draw a Quintessence from Apples Prunes Cherries Chestnuts or such kinde of Fruits first cut them small with a knife then beat them in an earthen Mortar and incorporate them well with the tenth part of common Salt afterwards put them in a Cucurbite and place thereupon a blinde Alimbeck well luted and set it in Horse-dung to putrifie as before is spoken concerning humane blood and then the vertue and excellency of the Fruit cometh forth out of its essence which lies occult in the matter and when it is separated from its Feces and gross matter it is reduced to a certain immaterial and incorrupt matter deservedly by Philosophers called the Quintessence of Fruits and hath an hundred times greater vertue then it had before when it was an Elementary Body Chap. 19. To extract a Quintessence from Flowers Herbs and Roots IF you would separate a Quintessence from the four qualities of Flowers Herbs and Roots take them when they are at their full maturity with their whole substance in a clear and serene season the Moon increasing near the full for then the Herbs are more free from corruption and after you have cut them small beat them in a Marble Morter with the tenth part of salt and impose in a circulatory Let it ferment in Horse-dung a moneth renewing the dung once a week then at the monthes end take it out of the dung place upon it a blinde Alimbeck and distil it in Balneo Mariae augmenting the fire to the third degree then reserving the distilled water take the feces and pulverize them finely afterwards powre the distilled water upon the feces and again set on a blinde Alembick luting all well distil them as at first in Balneo Mariae abating the fire half a degree Afterwards pulverize the feces again and powre on them the distilled water let it digest again and distil it the third time and putrifie it alwayes abating the fire half a degree decrease also the putrifaction half a degree alwayes see that in the second digestion it putrifie one and twenty dayes in the third fourteen dayes and in the fourth eight so that it is to be fermented four times After the fourth distillation is performed put it in a Circulatory and bury it in Horse-dung or in Balneo making the fire in the first degree or it may also be set in the Sun in Summer and circulated there one moneth or a little more while the superfluous humidity of the four qualities is quite digested consumed and resolved in the Circulatory by frequent ascension and descension and thus you have a Quintessence wherein consists the greatest vertue of Herbs Flowers and Roots You may do it likewise after the same manner as Chelidonia and it will be the stronger Chap. 20. How to distill Vinegar and mans Vrine wherein all calcined Metals may be resolved WE have already declared that Sol may be dissolved in distilled Vinegar we come now to describe the manner of distilling the Vinegar for there is a great difference between the distillation of Aqua vitae and Vinegar for in Aqua vitae the better substance is first distilled but in Vinegar it is last take therefore the best Vinegar you can get put it in a Cucurbite and set thereon an Alimbeck and distill it in ashes or in sand or in Balneo Mariae with a gentle fire until no more water will come forth taste the water often upon your Tongue if it be very sharp with a kinde of ucerdacity or biting then it is time to remove the receiver and put another in his place which is to be well luted and augment the fire a little and when you see little white lines as it were little Clouds in the Alimbeck continue distilling until the spirits do arise the Vapors whereof you shall see arise unto the top of the Cucurbite and pass out of the Alimbeck into the receiver but when you see as it were drops of blood in the Limbeck then apply another receiver and let it distil until all that sanguine matter be come into the receiver and this matter is very fetid smelling of Combustion and therefore is not fit to resolve Calcined Sol to make Aurum potabile but good to tinge mettals because the fetor of the Combustion will adhere to the substance of the Sun whereby the Aurum potabile will be corrupted But if you would distill mans Urine wherein leaves of Gold or Calcined Gold may be dissolved from which the Urine being so distilled may be extracted a colour to make the Aurum potabile so much spoken of which hath an excellenâ— virtue against the Gout the feet being twice or thrice in a day bathed therewith and let dry of themselves it is good also for such as are Ptysical and for many other diseases which for brevities sake I omit Take therefore the Urine of a man of a sanguine complexion or a sound Choller one that drinks good Wine and is not above thirty five years of age distil it four times by an Alimbeck in Balneo Mariae