addition of such Herbs doth cause that the Decoction wil not last so long to prevent this such herbs are to be added not to the whol decoction but to about one pound of it Some not unprofitably especially to those accustomed to it and whose stomach is weak do add towards the end of the decoction three pound of a sweetish white wine some prepare the whol decoction in wine but not so rightly for the best part of the wine doth evaporate in boyling and there is left an ingrateful Flegm as was said before Aurelius Minadous also doth admonish that the decoction of the wood is to be given with a vehicle which may direct the vertue of the Medicine to the parts principally affected and the Head most of al affected we must mix Cephalick things the Reins affected things Nephtitical the Liver Hepatical the Spleen things Splenitick Which as we do not wholly disallow of so we do not alwaies think it necessary whenas the vertue of the decoction doth easily of it self penetrate into the whol body but we must chiefly have a care least by the admistion of such Medicines the decoction be rendered nauseous and ingrateful to the Patient which when he himself also considers he admonisheth rightly that such Medicines are more commodiously taken by themselves reduced into a pouder or Bolus or some other forme than mixt with the decoction but we shal speak hereafter of compound decoctions The Chymists whenas they fear least by the long boyling Distilled water from Guajaum which is to the half or a third part the Spirituous and subtile parts should exhale and be dissipated and so the vertue of the Medicine be diminished prepare this decoction another way so that it loseth nothing of its strength they take the pouder of Guajacum and put it into a retort and pouring a sufficient quantity of water they place the retort in the ashes and apply the receiving vessel and making a fire under it first they make a digestion then distil it to the Consumption of one half of the water they give of the distilled water four ounces yet it were most commodious if the distilled water were mixed with the rest of the decoction in the retort being strained for so they would have al the vertue to that decoction remaining in the retort may be poured more water and let it digest twelve hours afterwards distil it and the liquor distilled may be given for common drink and whenas it happens somtimes that Infants are born infected with the Veneral disease or are infected by their Nurses this distilled and sweetned with Sugar may be given them instead of Juleps Also after that the first decoction prepared the common way The second decoction is strained twelve or eighteen pound of water again is poured to the wood remaining after the first boyling according as the Patient is wont to drink more or less and is boyled to the Consumption of the third part and being strained is given for ordinary drink at dinner and supper if they desire a more pleasant and sweeter drink you may add four ounces or more of Raysons or instead of Raysons one ounce or two of Coriander seed prepared and sweeten the decoction with two or three ounces of Sugar But if any Herbs have been added to the first decoction the decoction for drink at meals must not be made of the remainders of the first decoction because it would be nauseous but you must prepare another fresh decoction but more dilute or a wine of Guajacum which is made thus Wine of Guajacum Take four or five pound of the wood four pound of white Sugar ten pound of white Wine and put the wood into a wooden Vessel and heat the Wine and powr it to it Some boyl the wood the third time and use the decoction to boyl meat in The third decoction the same decoction also may be used to wash the hands to clense the Nostrils and mundisie Ulcers And some give this wood other waies some in the form of a pouder An Electuary of Guajacum others make electuaries of it Thus Nicol. Massa Lib. 2. de Morb. Gal. Cap. 6. he takes of the Indian wood most finely prepared one pound and with Syrup of Fumitory boyles it to the form of an Electuary of which he gives half an ounce or an ounce or take of the wood of Guajacum Sarlaparilla finely poudered of each one ounce of the species of the three saunders and Diarrhodon Abbatis of each two drams Conserve of Succory Roses of each six ounces with Syrup of Succory make an Electuary Others with a convenient Syrup make pills of it But others not without cause do here admonish us that such Medicines are less effectual and that many who were newly infected when as they hoped for health by the use of such Medicaments by that delay and lingring and weakness of the Medicine have fallen into a most grievous evil for as was said such Medicines do less penetrate into the body Yet towards the latter end of the Cure when the evil is almost overcome and 't is only feared that there may remain some evil disposition and the long continued drinking of the decoction of the wood is nauseous to the patient such Medicines may be used to consume the reliques of the disease An extract of this wood is more commodiously prepared and out of that pills An extract of Guajacum or rowles but after the use of it there is need of taking some liquor by whose vehicle the extract may be distributed and carried into the whol body nay these extracts according to the opinion of Hercules Saxonia have scarce so great strength as to overcome this disease if it be very great and ancient but the decoction is deservedly preferred before them Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener cap. 27. writes that the oyl is stronger The oyl of Guajacnm and he thinks the whol Alexipharmacal power of the wood is placed in this Oyl and he relates that he hath proved by experience that by the benefit of this oyl the greatest and ancientest disease hath been overcome But he gives it divers waies in wasted bodies with milk in others of a hotter temperament with Conserve of Roses or whey of Goats in Melancholly with conserve of Burrage or Bugloss in Flegmatick with Conserve of Betony in those that have knobs with Turpentine and two scruples for a dose But doubtless it was not oyl which Saxonia gave but a liquid extract or Tincture as they cal it For no oyl is distilled from this wood by an Alembick but that which is distilled by a retort or descent by an open fire is found to be such that it cannot conveniently be given into the body nay scarce with safety I attribute more to the spirit of Guajacum The spirit of Guajacum the preparation of which is not every bodies work for it requires a longer and more diligent digestion and fermentation for
the preparing of it There are some also who think the leaves and fruit of this tree being reduced into Conserves and Electuaries are to be used and they relate that the Indians infected with this disease do use them as Medicines but though the leaves and fruit may do somwhat in a light disease yet they are not sufficient in that which is great and inveterate neither are they able to perform what the wood doth But 't is observed that the fruit of this Tree hath also a power vehemently to loosen the Belly and whenas a fresh and light disease is somtimes cured only with purges 't is no wonder that the Indians may be cured by these purging fruits especial since that al Alexipharmacal vertue against this disease cannot be denyed them CHAP. XIV Of Sarsaparilla NExt to Guajacum Sarsaparilla that Root challengeth the first place in curing the Veneral disease which some call Spartam Parillam some Salsam Parillam the Spaniards Sarsam Parillam by reason of the similitude which it hath with the plant called rough bindweed By reason of its thornes 't is cailed Sarsa for Sarsa in Spanish signifies Bryers or Brambles but by reason of its leaves and boughs Parilla that is to say the thorny vine Nay Fallopius de Morb. Galli Cap. 63. is of that opinion that it is truly the rough bindweed which grows every where in Italy and he writes that by the use of it he hath with happy success freed many from the French Pox. Dioscorides also Lib. 4. Cap. 139. writes thus of the rough bindweed its leaves and fruit being drank before and after are antidotes against deadly poysons and besides 't is delivered that if somwhat of them poudered be given to a new born infant to drink no poyson shal afterwards hurt it But grant it be so that the Italian rough bindweed can do somwhat against this disease as also against other poysons yet he himself grants that there is no light difference betwixt this and the Indian But Sarsaparilla grows in Peru The native place of sarsaparilla in the hedges as rough bindweed the white and black Bryony and hops do in Europe The Root creeps far up and down by the Earth that 't is oftentimes above six cubits long which gathered into bundles is brought over to us The good and fresh is white solid but that which is reddish and poudery when 't is broke is less effectual It s vertue as I have said is very great also in curing this disease The vertue of it and 't is found by experience that many have been cured by the use of it without Guajacum and because 't is more Temperate and moderatly hot and without any acrimony bitterness or astriction or smel but hath a certain obscure sweetness it may safely be given to al constitutions of body and al Ages besides 't is of thin parts provokes sweat dries eminently resists putrefaction wasts superfluous humidity somwaht loosneth the body and therefore is wont in some sort to weaken the stomach but though Guajacum be more powerful and efficacious yet Sarsa in this exceeds that wood that it hath an eminent power to allay the French pains though never so accute and stubborn by reason of its exceeding tenuity penetrating and laxative vertue and Jul. Palmarius writes that no pain can happen so contumacious and so continual which at length it doth not lay asleep and overcome if any one use the decoction of it for a long time and constantly Nay al knotty French Tumors so they be not bony in what part soever they are are Rooted out by the use of it their matter being melted and cast forth by sweats or at the least wasted and emptyed by insensible perspiration and Fallopius writes in the alleaged place that if after the disease is overcome there remain Ulcers Clefts about the ARsehole that Sarsaparilla will heal them sooner by half than the Indian wood and in a short time also the most hard knobs are discussed by it Yet some admonish here that by Guajacum indeed this disease may be perfectly cured and that al things are found in Guajacum which are necessary for the cure of this disease but that sarsa doth not alone but mixt with Guajacum China Root and Sassafras wood cure this disease and for this reason because it loosness the stomach heats less is void of al acrimony and therefore is not so abstersive and being inodorous hath not the power to refresh the spirits But these accusations fetcht from the manifest qualities seem not to be sufficient truly that Guajacum doth challenge the first place in this disease is not to be denied in the interim it hath been observed also by many that somtimes this disease hath been cured by the use of this Root only and if perhaps it do to much lax the stomach that may easily be prevented But this also is given divers waies The manner of giving it for the most part as Guajacum in the decoction concerning which we must note they that wil not spare for cost and desire the decoction should be more effectual they ought to take only the bark as which is the more effectual part of the Root and to cast away the inner piths as that which is less effectual nay as 't is delivered by some 't is more cold and hath a certain astrictive faculty But the Root of Sarsaparilla is taken being sliced thin and to one ounce of it is poured two pound of water The decoction or to two ounces and an half of the Root four pound of Water some pour to four ounces of the Root feven pound of Water others to three ounces ten pound of water Neither can the quantity of the water to the Root be so strictly prescribed but it may be varied according to the Nature of the disease and the condition of the sick and the season of the year For in an inveterate disease there is need of a stronger decoction in a new of a weaker But it is steeped first of al fifteen hours or twenty and afterwards boyled to the Consumption of one half and reasons liquorish and other things are added to the decoction as need requires as in the decoction of Guajacum and because the decoction of Sarsa doth somwhat lax the stomach for the most part mint Betony or somwhat else that strengthens the stomach is to be added or what seems more commodious Guajacum or least the mixture of divers things may breed nauseousness after the taking of the decoction of Sarsaparilla they must take somwhat that strengthens the stomach After the first decoction is prepared The second decoction fifteen pound of water are poured again to the remainders and are boyled til a third is wasted and the decoction is used at dinner and Supper some also add towards the end of the decoction three pound of Wine yet this must be done then only as Fallopius thinks either when the sick body goes
abroad to preserve his strength or when the stomach is weak Yet there may also be prepared out of this Root pouders Electuaries extracts as are from Guajacum CHAP. XV. Of China Root THe Portugal Merchants brought over in the former Age China root from the Country of China a certain Root for the cure of this disease which they called China Root for when as the Venereal disease had invaded that Country also as the Americans shewed the use of Guajacum for the destroying of this disease so the people of China used this Root to cure the same disease and taught others the use of it But the Root is a handbreadth long somtimes pretty thick somtimes thinner knobbed somwhat reddish pretty weighty which being newly digged up they report is so tender that it may be eaten raw and boyled as turnep and rape Roots are with us the which seems not to be very credible whenas our Turneps Rape Roors dryed never attain to so great a hardness they are brought to us divided As concerning its vertues 't is neither strong in smel nor tast and therefore there is no excess of it in heat and cold but 't is rather temperate or if there be any excess in it 't is rather in cold yet 't is dry in the second of thin substance yet with a certain astrictive power and a kind of substantifical moisture so that by the use of it men do grow Fat Whence also the decoction of it doth easily sowr When it was first brought over by the Portugals into France and the neighbouring provinces it was wonderfully cryed up by the Merchants as being of thin parts and having power to digest to more urine and sweat to consum Excrements of al sorts to clense the Bowels free from obstructions clear the blood from corruption to cake away pains in the Joynts to be good for the Venereal disease and because 't is temperate it may safely be given to any age sex any time of the year and to those that are feaverish al which faculties whenas they are not in Guajacum by some of that time it was made use of not only for the cure of other diseases but also for the cure of the pox it was preferred before Guajacum Which very thing caused that Charles the fifth Emperour being sick of a most grievous Gout was the first almost that would make tryal of the use of this Root upon the advice of some Physitians But experience afterwards lessened that same and Jul. Palmarius writes of this business de lue Vener Cap. 14. that many to their great detriment have preferred this root before Guajacum and that he hath found by experience that also in a very strict diet it hath been uneffectual against this disease oftentimes also the stomach is seen to become so moist with the use of its decoction and the Native heat opprest that a great Lientery and crudity hath often followed in those who had but weak Fuell for their implanted heat Besides these discommodities and faults he writes also that it doth oftentimes cause swelling of the Spleen and hardness in those that use it long neither doth he grant it to have extraordinary vertue against this disease either by its whol substance or occult quality when as after the use of it they who thought themselves wel do dayly fal into a relapse of the same Disease The same also is confirmed by Gabriel Fallopius Lib. de Morb. Galli Cap. 60. who writes that he hath used this Root again and again for the Cure of this Disease but could do nothing with it in the interim he writes that he hath used it with happy success for the dropsie to moderate the mobility of the Humors in hot bleared Eyes and in a hot distemper of the stomach and Liver And other Physitians also agree in this that this Root for the Cure of the French Pox is far in feriour to Guajacum and Sarsaparilla although it be profitable to preserve and strengthen the heat of our body and therefore for other diseases And if by chance any one who could not be cured neither by the decoction of Guajacum nor by the unction of Quick-silver hath recovered health by the Decoction of China Jul. Palmarius thinks this is the Cause of it because Nature rejoycing in the Variety of Remedies and weary of the stronger at length is easied by those that are less effectual Yet Garzias ab Horto relates of the Root being fresh that it doth so exceedingly heat that if any one use the pure Decoction of it or drink it hot by reason of the too great heat of the Medicine he wil fal into exceeding heats of the liver Erysipilaes and Phlegmons and other most grievous Symptoms But when as 't is brought over to us insipid and somtimes dusty there is no cause to fear any such thing Neither doth this only happen in this plant but also in many others that the Alimental juyce hath far other vertues then the dryed Plants and therefore though perhaps this Root being fresh in China may have great vertue to Cure the Venereal Disease yet it is not necessary that it retain the same with us But divers prepare the decoction of this root diversly The decoction of China Jul. Palmarius writes that the common way of preparing it is this that to two ounces of the root cut into rounds and put in an earthen pot there is poured four pound of water and let them steep twelve houres afterwards boyl with a gentle fire to the consumption of the one half Fallopius boyles two ounces of the root in twelve pound of water to the consumption of half but according to the nature of the disease the proportion of the root and water may be varied and the root may be boylled from one to three in twelve pound of water Yet Septalius adviseth us here that this decoction is most commodiously prepared if one ounce of the root fresh and not rotten be boyled in ten pound of water two ounces in twelve pound of water For he writes though many physitians to save charges whenas many cannot take al that decoction in one day and they feare if they should keep it another day it would grow sowre do boyl half the portion of China in half the quantity of water and boyl away the half or two thirds thinking that so they have both saved their purse and prepared the decoction as strong yet they are very much deceived and if they have not lost their taste they shal easily know that that first decoction is much more powerful than the second and the reason is ready because 't is not enough to give a proportion of the root to the water but the time of boyling is cheifly to be considered and the action of the heat of the fire and the reaction of the water For whenas foure houres space imagine ought to be allowed to extract the vertue out of a most hard root and communicate it to
the water how much time wil be spent in boyling away six or eight pints of water if taking but the half quantity viz. half an ounce of China with six pints of water we suffer the half to wast or two thirds which wil be consumed in less than two houres space the water being less able to resist the action of the fire nor let any one dare to say that we may prevent this inconveniency by making a less quantity of fire and if it he boyled by a slower fire for to extract this vertue out of a more solid substance there ought also to concur a due quantity of fire Out of the remainders another drink is prepared by some for dinner and supper The Second decoction as out of Guajacum Yet Palmarius thinks that al the vertue of that root is transfused in the liquor at the first boyling and therefore for ordinary drink he boyles three ounces more of the root in eight pound of water til two pints are consumed and he ads raisons and liquarish nay some also drink the first decoction at dinner and supper whenas it is not unpleasant to the tast Some also do admonish us that we provide no more of the decoction at once than may be spent in one day whenas it quickly growes sour when 't is cold therefore they command also that it be kept on warm ashes but experience hath taught us that it wil last four dayes Yet because it growes sour that very thing tels us that this root hath in it somewhat spirituous and alimental which is the cause of fermentation and hence of acidity Consult concerning this with Amatus Lusitamus centur 1. curat 98. and especially centur 2. curat 31. CHAP. XVI Of Sassafras wood THey use also for the cure of the Veneral disease that wood which is connonly called sassafras which is imported form the Island called Florida Sassafras-Wood it is of an aromatical taste like fennel 't is hot and dry in the second degree of a thin substance and endewed with an opening discussive and attenuating faculty Its vertues and therefore is commended by them who have sailed to the Indies against long tertian feavers evil habit of the body and dropsie and to strengthen the stomach and against nephritical paines it is comended also for the gout to move the courses and many other diseases to treat of which is not proper to this place 't is used also for the cure of the French pox yet most physitians agree that 't is less effectual than Guajacum and sarsaparilla and the decoction of it is prepared almost as that of Sarsaparilla Chap. XVII Of Sope-wort Last of al sopewort is commended by some physitians for the cure of this disease which is bitter Soapwors accid and endewed with an abstersive and opening faculty and is praised for the French pox and contumacious paines which cannot be over come by other remedies 'T is reported to be the invention of Zapata a spannish Empirick t is used both in the decoction and in substance the decoction is prepared after this manner Take of green sopewort two handfuls It s decoction infuse them al night in eight pound of water than boyl it â—â—l the sâ—pewort is boyled enough then strain one pound of it with half a pound of water and the harbs now boyled and squeez them and reserve it for a mornings dâ—aught to provoke sweat taking seven or eight ounces But that which remains sweeten with raisons or sugar for drink at meales in summer and Cholerick bodies you may add one handful of Sowthistle or basterd Navel-wort But t is a remedy unpleasing to the tast Eustachius Rudius takes of soap-wort six pugils or more and infuseth it in twelve pound of water and boyles it to the consumption of half But as Septallius hath observed t is too great a quantity of water to so sinal a portion of soap-wort But the Root Cheifly is used in substance The pouder and Rudius doth very much commend it in ancient french pains and out of it he prepares this pouder Take of ground pine two ounces of white dittander one ounce and half of Zedoary six drams of the root of soapwort three drams of pearl prepared half a dram Make a pouder for 9. doses but who can take for one dose almost four drams of pouder and the other medicines do far exceed the soapwort which notwithstanding ought to be the basis CHAP. XVIII Of Compound Alexipharmaca BUt though al the medicines hitherto reckoned up Compouond Alexiphbrmaca in the Veneral disease are good to destroy this disease yet some are more effectual then others and besides some have other qualities for the which they are useful sometimes for this sometimes for that end as was said of the simples and therefore seldom one of these medicines is used but for the most part many of them together Indeed if the disease be simple and none of the bowels be affected nor there is no eminent distemper in any part which may hinder the use of Guajacum that wood is the most excellent of al because it resists this disease both by its occult and manifest qualities but if any disease be joyned with it t is oftentimes most profitable to add sarsaparilla and China and there are added by some manny altering medicines of which whenas we spake before in this place we shal ad nothing of them but this that we must have a care least by the mixture of Succories and endives and cooling medicines which are added to moderate the heat of Guajacum which yet is not so much to be feared they hinder sweating which is only to be desired and which brings more benefit then a little heating can do dammage next of al least by the admixtion of other things the drink be made ungrateful and nauseous therefore passing by these that we may speake somewhat of the mixture of alexipharmaca if the nature of the patient be very hot and dry and the humors violently fal from the head on the lungs breast or other parts Guajacum wood is not commodiously given alone whenas it doth farther heat and dry the parts and by its heat make the humors run and move but then sarsaparilla is safer and China more comodious which doth at once moderate the heat and hath an astrictive power by which it stops defluxions on the contrary if the strength be feeble and there be a weaknes of the sight sarsa is not commodious whenas it loosenss the stomach and duls the fight if there be a great consumption if so be it hath not its original from the Venereal disease for then this disease being taken away as the cause that wasting also ceaseth and the body begins to be nourisht better Guajacum and sarsaparilla are not safe But then china is far more profitable as that which moistens substantifically as they speak Yet Ludiciptalius commends Sasaparilla above al the rest against a consumption lib. 7.
animadv num 214. as shal be said also hereafter in the last chapter So if cruel paines molest the patient or gummous tumors or exceeding ulcers be joyned with them Sasaparilla is most profitable which doth discusse the french knobs and easier appease the pains then Guajacum Thus according to the constitution of the Patients and the Nature of the Diseases joyned with it 't is good somtimes to use Guajacum alone somtimes Sarsaparilla somtimes China Root and somtimes to mix al of them in a greater or lesser quantity and somtimes the bark of Guajacum is added somtimes three or four ounces weight to one pound of the wood and they are boyled in fifteen pound of water For examples sake Take Of the wood of Guajacum half a pound of the bark of the same of sarsaparilla each three ounces of China root one ounce and half Infuse them twenty four houres in twelve pound of water afterwards let them be boyled to the consumption of half for a sweating drink Poure on the remainder twelve pound of water let them stand and infuse eight houres afterwards boyl them to a consumption of a third part for drink at meales Or. Take of the Wood of Guajacum one pound the bark of the same Sarsaparilla of each thre ounces Boyl them in sixteen pound of water to the consumption of half Or. Take of the wood of Guajacum China root each one ounce an half Sarsaparilla one ounce infuse them twenty four hours in six poundof water afterwards boyl half away Poure on the residue ten pound of water boyl it to the consumption of three pound Strainit and give it for drink at meales Or Take of wood of Guajacum eight ounces of the bark of the same four ounces sarsaparilla sassafras wood each two ounces Boyl them in twelve pound of water to the consumption of two thirds that there remains four pound towards the end ad four pound of wine Poure to the remainder sixteen pound of water boyl it to theconsumption of half towards the end ad four pound of wine make a drink for meales In this place we must not omit a question concerning the use of purgers Whether purgers ought to be mixt with the decoction whiles the decoction is drank to wit whether they ought to be mixt with the decoction or to be used at the same time with the decoction For some do wholy reject them and hold that purgers are neither to be mixed with the decoction nor to be used apart for this reason because the bodies are wont diligently to be purged before they come to the use of these decoctions next of al because purgers and sweaters do cause contrary motions Others on the contrary do mix purgers with these decoctions that by benefit of them the blood may be purefied and the belly constantly kept loose others do not mix purgers with these decoctions but purge at certain intervals every eighth or tenth day or at a longer distance as need requires which last opinion seemes to me to be trewest For though the body be purged before the use of these decoctions yet some may easily remain and ever and anon be collected and sweating doth purge onely the thinner humors but leaves the thick neither after this manner are there caused contrary motions for that day that purging is ordered sweaters are not administred but if purgers were mixed with the sweaters then there would be contrary motions And besides by the admistion of purgers the decoction being to be used so many weeks it would become nauseous and ingratful Hercules Saxonia also holds de lue Vener Cap. 38. Whether purgers may serve instead of sweaters That purging may be ordered every day to wit in those in whom sweat cannot or ought not to be caused he thinks sweat cannot be provoked in them who either are of such a hard and thick Skin that they can by no means sweat or in those who fal into fainting and swouning fits as soon as sweaters are administred but he thinks they ought not to sweat in whom the Veneral disease possesseth not the Joynts nor the Skin nor the superficies of the body but hath rather taken up its seat about the bowels but this opinion seems not to me to be agreeable to truth for whereas he thinks that some ought to have purgers administred because they cannot sweat by reason of the thickness of their Skin or because they presently fal into swouning fits is agreeable neither to reason nor experience for scarce any one hath so thick a Skin that the pores wil no way open for sweat and though on the first daies sweat doth not prelently follow yet after that the Humors are attenuated by the use of the decoctions the passages and pores are opened then sweat succeeds especially if those Laconick Baths be applied as shal be said hereafter And the Patient may so moderate his sweating that he need not fal into fainting or swouning fits and they that cannot endure sweating wil not easily endure purging Last of al purgers cannot performe the same as those sweaters do But that in some bodies sweaters are not to be administred is salf for though the disease may have its principal seat about the Liver and bowels yet it cannot be but also vitious Humors do abound in the whol body whenas the Liver infected with this disease doth generate virulent blood and distribute it to the whol Body Chap. XIX Of the manner of using these Medicines AS concerning the manner of using these Medicaments The manner of using these Medicines The dose of the decoction first of al the decoction of Guajacum is administred for the most part in the morning and afternoon two hours before Supper In the morning 't is given from five ounces to eight or nine ounces before the evening from three ounces to six ounces the pouder is given to two drams the extract to two scruples Yet somtimes the evening drauft is omitted especially at the begining before the patient is accustomed to the Decoction For what was said above of moderating the quality of the decoction that also is to be observed concerning the quantity of the Decoction to be given that the sick be not offended and overcharged which too much of it which unless it be observed it happens somtimes that the sick fal into Feavers contract Crudities and there is caused a loosness ill habit of body and a Dropsie After the same manner we must give the Decoction of Sarsapatilla China Root and the compound decoctions For though some do prescribe here divers doses yet he shal not erre that shal administer them in the aforesaid manner And indeed after the mornings drauft Sweat we must endeavor that the Patient sweat for expetience teacheth that they that sweat not upon the taking of these Medicaments are â—carce clearly freed from this Disease but that sweat may flow the easier let the Patient sleep one hour after he hath taken the Medicine for so
which there had been boyled the Root of the greater Dock which having drunk up when he could not be cured by any other remedies of the Physitians he made a great deal of white Water his Urine being like Milk and so was freed from all his pains Or Take Sarsaparilla one ounce Sassafras Wood half an ounce the Root of the Clove Tree one ounce Citrine Saunders two drams Infuse all in three pints of Water for twenty four hours and afterward boyl the same and give of this Decoction one draught in the morning either alone or else with Harts horn Topicks The Body being thus in a due manner evacuated Topicks and the Antecedent cause that would have augmented the Disease being once taken away we then come to the very moderating of the pain and the taking away of the Conteining Cause of the pain and swelling and so unto the Topicks But if Topicks shall presently be administred before those Universal and General Remedies shall have been first made use of the Patient shall receive from thence far more hurt then benefit For either the matter which Nature endeavoureth to thrust forth to the Joynts is driven back unto the more inward parts from whence very grievous Symptoms are excited or else it is impacted into the Joynts and so the pain is exasperated or else the part is effeminated and made weak and loosened and so the flux is increased Which being not commonly taken notice of and Topicks being oftentimes most unseasonably and without any caution at al administred the sick persons do for the most part receive more hurt then good from them and from hence it was that the common and received opinion had its first original to wit that the best course is to administer nothing at al unto the pained Joynts And the truth is that it is fir becter to apply nothing call but to commit the whole business to Nature then to make use of such Medicaments as are altogether unfit and improper Now the Topicks that are applied they respect either the pain only or else withall the Cause of the pain to wit the Humor that now and formerly hath flown in exciting both a pain and a swelling Mitigaters of Pain The Pain in this Disease for the most part is a most grievous Symptom Mitigaters of Pain and which is most troublesom to the sick parties and which they most of all Curse and Bann as Lucian hath it in the beginning almost of his Tragopodagra and therefore also it is that they most of all desire the removal thereof And indeed it is altogether necessary that the Physitian should have regard thereunto because that if it be too great it causeth a restlessness dejecteth the strength and by attracting the Humors it augmenteth the Malady and so deservedly draweth our care unto it for its removal as Gaien in the 12. of his Method C. 1. and thereupon it sheweth and pointeth us unto the asswaging thereof by Anodynes Now Anodynes or Mitigaters of pain have likewise this Good and benefit going along with them to wit that by loosning the parts they make that the Humor that before flowed only unto the interiour parts about the Joynts comes now also to flow and be diffused unto the Ambient and fleshy parts And hence it is that the pains in the Gout before the swelling of the part are most Vehement and Intollerable and that so soon as the part affected beings to swel they are much Mitigated But now these Anodynes of what kind they are we have told you elswhere in our Institutions to wit such as mollifie and loosen the part affected and yet do not discuss the very Cause it self And here they may be provided of Goats Milk newly drawn out of their Dugs as also white bread and Milk together with the Yelks of Eggs and a little Saffron as likewise of the Leaves of Marsh-Mallows Mallows Colewort or Cabbage laid upon the place affected as hot as the Patient can wel endure them as also of Mallow Seeds Seeds of Marsh-Mallows Quinces Fleabane and especially the Mucillages of them Cassia newly drawn out of the Pipe with the Decoction or Water of Nightshade which as Avicen tels us is the best Remedy that can be unto which if there flow any hot Humors thereunto we may add some of the Oyl of Roses or Rose water but if the flowing Humors be cold then we are to add thereto the Oyl of Camomil and instead of Cassa out of the Pipe we may likewise make use of the Rob of the Elder Tree of white bread and Wine and indeed if the Humor be more hot red Wane but if cold or betwixt both then white Wine with the pouder of Camomile flowers and Oyl of Roses of Cheese new made of sheeps Milk and imposed upon the pained part and often changed of fresh-made Ox or Cow dung in the first beginning of the Spring as also the Water that is distilled out of it Amost useful Remedy also is the Mucillage of Fleabane Seed extracted with the Water of Roses or Night shade unto which somtimes a little Vinegar may be added and this Medicament is by Serapton and others very much commended In the very first beginning of the Disease Solenander taketh the thick stalks of Hendock and sils them with Salt and then stoppeth them with Clay or Paste and puts them in a moist place that the Salt may dissolve which liquor he keeps in a glass and with Clothes applieth it unto the pained part And he oftentimes also made use of this Cataplasm Take Mallows the whole Herb Root and all cut it into very smal pieces and boyl it in equal parts of Wine and Vinegar in a new Earthen Vessel until a third part be wasted away and then mingle therewith the thicker Bran of Rye as much as will suffice for the making of a Cataplasm and apply this hot unto the grieved part Forrestus relateth that he knew one that added hereunto a little Barly flower and that of the Water Lentile boyled in Milk with Camomile flowers and so reducing them into the form of a Cataplasm he put them upon the part affected with miraculous success as one could judg no other of it And here also very useful is the Yelk of an Egg reduced into the form of a Liniment with the Oyl of Violets and so is also the Water of the Sperm or seed of Frogs which perhaps have in them some kind of Narcotick quality Adrianus Spigelius writes that among the Moravians there is in use a very notable Remedy and noble experiment for the speedy cuting of the Gout-pains to wit the Water of Meadow Sweet distilled with its Roots and Flowers and this water is likewise in frequent use among the Silefians And it is also very convenient to foment the part affected with the Decoction of Parietary or Pellitory of the Wall And very many there be likewise that make use of Oyls and Fat 's But here we are to give you
Oxycrate then add the Yelks of two Eggs Saffron one scruple and mingle them Or Take Mucillage of the Seed of Fleabane extracted with Rose Water two ounces Mucillage of Marsh Mallow Seeds one ounce Barly Meal as much as will suffice the yelk of one Egge and so make a Cataplasm Or Take The water of the Sperm of Frogs four ounces Water of Nightshade of the flowers of Elder and of Plantane of each two ounces Camphire half a scruple and mingle them well together If you think fit the Mucillage of the Seed of Fleabane and of Quinces of each one ounce may be added Or Take Juyce of Henbane Sengreen Lettice of each two ounces Barly Meal one ounce the Yelk of one Egg and Oyl of Roses two ounces Mingle them well together Or Take Red Roses â—ne handful the Meal of Fenugreek Seed Beans and Barly of each one ounce Red Sanders one dram and half Camomile flowers one pugil when they are boyled and throughly bruised you are to add the Yelks of two Eggs Vinegar four ounces Oyl of Roses as much as will suffice and make a Cataplasm Or. Take Water of Night-shade of Plantane of the Sperm of Frogs of each two ounces Oyl of Roses and Camomile of each one ounce Cows Milk three ounces the Meal of Beans Marsh-Mallows and Barly of each one ounce or as much as will suffice Saffron one scruple the yelks of two Eggs Smallage two scruples Make a Cataplasm Some there are that steep Harts-born burnt and prepared in the Water of Mulleyn flowers or else they boyl it in the same Water and in the streyning they wet and soak Linen Clothes and these they lay upon the part that is pained Or Take Mulleyn new and fresh gathered six pound Wine one Quart Let them be Macerated for three whole daies and then afterwards let them be destilled Or Take The Flowers of Mulleyn and fill a Glass bâ—ttle ful of them and then stopping the month thereof very close set it in the Sun for so they dissolve as it were into a liquor wherein you are to wet a Linen Cloath and lay it upon the part affected for the asswaging of the pain If you judget sitter to make use of Oyls Then Take Frogs five of them in Number Earth-worms washed in Wine three ounces boyl them in the Oyl of Roses and strain them Discussing Medicaments But now when the force and violence of the fluxion is once past and gone Discussives and the part become swoln then those things are withall to be mingled which do cal forth the Humor and gently discuss the same and so take away some part of the Cause But now here Physitiaus are wont for the most part of them to be very long and Tedious in reckoning up and distinguishing the several Medicaments which of them are fit and proper in a hot Cause and which of them when the Cause is cold yea and which of them are most convenient for all kind of Humors But although we deny not but that we are in some kind of manner to have respect unto the Condition of the Humor that floweth in unto the Joynts yet nevertheless our chief and main Care ought to be that the ferous and sharp wheyish Humor which is the nighest and most principal Cause of the pain may be called forth of the more deep and close parts in the Joynts unto the external parts and that they be insensibly discussed and yet that this may the more conveniently be so done we may likewise as we said but now have some regard unto those Humors that the aforesaid serous and sharp Humor forcibly draweth along with it and which by Reason of the pain are together attracted to the part that is pained and which are very commonly taken for the highest and most immediate Cause of the Gout Yea and moreover that very serous Humor it self the prime and principal Cause of this Evil is in some more and in others less hot And therefore if the flowing Humor be more hot then the discussing Medicaments ought to be so ordered that they may indeed gently disperse the Humor but yet so that they give no occasion at all for any new afflux And such a like hot Humor inregard that it is withall moveable and thin is easily discussed neither needeth it any stronger Medicaments But if the Humor be less hot or somwhat cold then we may very safely administer Medicaments that are more hot Neither will there be any Cause to fear that then a new flux may easily be excited and therefore for the dispersing of such a like Humor there are necessarily required such Medicaments as are more hot then ordinary But now with what Medicaments that wheyish and as it is so called by the Chymists Tartarous Humore is to be drawn forth and discussed we are here and that for very good Reason diligently to make inquiry For we have elswhere told you viz. in our Tract of Chymic Confil. Diss Chap. 15. that the Medicaments ought in their own kind to be like unto the Cause For there is not any thing that suffereth from every thing neither is there any thing that may be united unto every thing Gum Arabick and Tragacanth and the Gum of Cherry Trees are dissolved by Water because of the neer alliance and agreement in their Natures but but so is not Sulphur and other things of a Sulphurous Nature and those things that are Oyly Sulphur is dissolved by Oyl but not by Aqua Fortis although the said Water is able to dissolve silver and other Metals The hands when they are all foul with Pitch or Turpentine are not to be made clean with Water but with Oyl or some thing else that is fat In burnings we use not to administer cold Water but Linseed Oyl Vernish and the like that may draw forth that fire and burning are to be applied And so in the Erysipelas or other wise called Rosa we ought not to impose those things that are fat and Oyly but ley tempered with Oyl and Sope that is dissolved in Elder Water and the Like which do not at al shut the pores but yet nevertheless they draw forth and discuss that subtile and hot Humor And the very same is the case in the Gout and since that it hath its Original not from a Watery Humor neither yet also from that which is Oyly or Sulphurous as the Chymists speak but from a Humor that is sharp and Salt for the drawing forth and dissipating of this Humor those things that contain in them a volatile and flitting Salt are rather to be administred then those things that are fat and Oyly And experience hath already taught many that the Gout pains are increased by such things as are fat And hence it is that the Chymists do so much commend and not without cause Salt Armoniack oftentimes sublimated dissolved in Wine or some other convenient liquor and so imposed upon the pained part Others commend the Salt of Urine
in like manner dissolved in Wine or some other liquor And whereas Adrian Spigelius writeth that he saw when a Mans Urine being kept till it was Stale was laid upon the part affected the pains as yet abiding and continuing even in their heighth and that it was wonderfully beneficiall in giving ease and how much rather then must the Salt of Urine perform this Yea and there are some that use likewise other Salts to evacuate the aforefaid Humor And I my self know also one that was wont to administer the spirit of Salt tempered with other liquors And very fitly may it be tempered with the Water of Meadowsweet for being then with a Feather laid upon the part in pain it extracteth the Humor in such a manner as that it may even seem to exhale in the likeness of a Vapor Yea some there are that commend also those things that are wont to be made use of for the causing of redness in any part and the raising of blisters when there is occasion and these they mingle with Anodynes Neither are these things the inventions of the latter Physitians and the Modern Chymists but that plants abounding with a volatile and sharp Salt were heretofore in use likewise with the Ancients for the curing of the Gout we are taught even by that one plant which we call Lepidium or Sciatica Cresses whose Roots as they write being bruised and mingled with old Grease are with singular benefit applied unto those that are troubled with these pains of the Gout as it appeareth out of Dioscorides and Damocrates whose verses upon this subject we may read in Galen his 10. B. of the Composition of Medicaments according to the place and Aetius Tetrab 3. Serm. 4. Ch. 2. and others And as touching Mustard Seed Alexand. Tralleanus writeth That he knew a certain person who by the use only of the said Mustard seed mingled with dried Figs in extraordinary great pains arising from a cold Humor was freed from the said pain of the Gout Some commend the wild Radish throughly bruised and I my self have seen that it hath done good to many If we fear its Acrimony and that from thence some heat may be excited we may then first boyl it a little The Liquor of Snails is likewise very much extolled by some as Take Snails taken forth of their Shels in number twenty five the berries of Danewort or Dwarf-Elder and Salt of each as much as will suffice These being put into the Alembick in a clean Vessel with holes through the bottom thereof let there be a Vessel put under it that may receive the Liquor as it distilleth in the which you are to wet cloaths and apply them unto the part affected This Suffumigation is likewise much commended Take Lign Aloes yellow Amber Frankincense Gum Juniper Henbane seed Styrax Calamite Gum Tacamabaca of each one dram Pouder them grossly and cast the pouder upon live coals of fire and so for half an hour let the part affected receive the smoak hereof Quercetan in the seventh Chapter of his Pharmacop restit hath four Waters al good against the Gout The first is this Take Water of the Sperm of Frogs of white Mullein and Sallow of each a quart and half a pint the Vrine of a Boy that drinketh Wine three pints Treacle new and fresh two drams and half Vitriol Salt dissolved and Allum of each four ounces Let them be distilled till they be dry upon the Embers then add Salt of Vitriol one ounce and half Camphire and Saffron of each two drams and mingle them Let Linen cloaths be throughly wet in this Water and applied unto the grieved part and be very often renewed The Second Water is this Take Salt Vrine of a Child of each as much as you think fit and then distil them The third is this Take Leaves and Flowers of green Elder of each one pound let them be well bruised and macerated in a sufficient quantity of Wine for three daies together in Balneo and afterward let them be distilled The fourth Water is this Take Spirit of Wine rectified one quart the purest Honey one pound Let them be distilled in Balneo and let two Liquors be gathered from hence severally and apart to wit One watery and the other Sulphureous Add unto the remainders of whol Saffron one ounce and half Venice Turpentine two ounces Tartar calcined to a whiteness half a pound Salt one ounce the flegm of Vitriol four ounces Lye made of the tender shoots of the Vine two pints Let them be macerated for twenty four hours and then distilled till they be dry Vnto the feces that remain add the first Water and let them be distilled And at length mingle together all the Liquors and distil them in a Balneum where they may evaporate Andreas Libavius in the first part of his Apocalyps Hermet Cap. 8. preferreth before all others that Water in which Brass and Iron have been extinguished and afterwards Mercurius vitae hath therein been macerated Or Take venice Soap one ounce and half Spirit of Wine Water of Elder Flowers of each two ounces and mingle them Or Take River Crevishes eight in number Juniper grains one handful Myrrh and Frankincense of each one ounce the best Wine one pint let them be distilled Or Take Mastick Frankincense Myrrh Ammoniacum and Bdellium of each two ounces Vitriol one pound Honey a quart Tartar an ounce and half Spirit of Wine the best four pints let them be distilled according to art Solenander in his 24. Consil Sect. 5. writeth That he knew an old man that was much troubled with the Gout who made for himself a Medicine in this manner When there was a swelling and a real pain and the place red he took Salt Cinders the Urine of a Child and Vinegar in these wel mingled together and stirted up and down he throughly moistened a white woollen cloth and then squeezing it he applied it now and then unto the part that was pained And when he had now by this means in great part asswaged the pain and the disease declining he boyled live Sulphur and the pouder of white Hellebore in the Oyl of Linseed and with it he anointed the places affected And the same Solenander writeth also that this following was known to benefit many that made trial thereof There groweth unto the Roots of the Oak in the Autumn for the most part a certain kind of Mushrom that is red and tender and proportionably big enough according to the growth of the Tree which he therefore calleth Hypodrion the same no doubt that we have made mention of above in our 3. B. of Practice Part. 2. Sect. 2. Chap. 7. touching the Dysentery this when he hath cut it into many smal thin slices with Salt finely poudered he puts it into an Earthen pot so sprinkling the aforesaid Salt that every laying of the several pieces may receive some thereof betwixt each other he then puts them deep in the Earth for certain daies and
Treacle touching which the Author of the Book of Treacle to Piso in his 15. Chapter wrireth But it most of all profiteth faith he when any one shall frequently take thereof whiles he is yet well and in health in regard that it consumeth the superfluous humors of the whol body and changeth likewise the temperament thereof And a little after I advise saith he that every man in such like diseases would use Treacle because that it both drieth up the superfluous humors and permitteth not that any other be bred whereupon very many from the use of this alone in the beginning have been altogether freed from the Gout Aetius in the place alleadged hath this description of the Antidote consisting of four things The Antidote of four things by some called a Mystery viz. Take Gentian Bayberries Mirrh equal parts and make a pouder Give hereof every day half a spoonful in hot Water Oribasius in the place alleadged hath another description hereof Take Germander one pound Gentian round Aristolochy or Birthwort of each two ounces Rue seed one sextary Let them be well bruised and searsed Give dayly hereof one spoonful That which is made of seven things hath as followeth Take St. Johns wort one ounce Centaury and Groundpine of each three ounces The Antidote of seven things The Antidote of Cantaury Gentian five ounces round Aristolochy one ounce Agarick three ounces Parsley one ounce Attick Honey sive pound The Dose one dram in three Cyaths of Water But Aetius chiefly commendeth the Antidote of Centaury and he writeth that he knew many cured by the use thereof and that it was so wholsom for such as were troubled with the Gout that the use thereof had enabled many that had been affected herewith fifteen yeers and so wel recovered them that they went journeys on foot and that it was grateful to the stomach convenient for the belly and provoking much urine The manner of making it is thus Take the tops of Centaury the less Roots of Centaury the Greater Germander Gentian round Aristolochy of each alike as suppose one pound Let one dram hereof be given for fourty daies out of hot water and in the other three hundred twenty five following daies of the yeer let half a dram be administred after the same manner And the same Aetius likewise very highly commendeth the Antidote of St. Johns wort The Axtidote of St. Johns wort as that which cureth al manner of Gouts the Disease of the Hips and al diseases of the joynts in general being drunk for the space of one whol yeer that it warmeth and cherisheth the stomach maketh the sight sharp and quick and that it maketh the rest of the senses also mote cleer and fitter for the discharge of their several Offices that it gently evacuateth the Urine and that it is excellent good in the falling-sickness that it freeth from the great and grievous pains of the head and lastly that it mollifieth the Liver and the Spleen when they are hardened into a Schirrus Now the manner of making it is this Take Germander nine ounces Centaury eight ounces round Aristolochy seven ounces Gentian Root six ounces the tops of St. Johns wort five ounces Parsley four ounces Spignel three ounces Valerian two ounces Agarick two ounces Honey well scummed three pound Alexander Trallianus greatly commendeth this Antidote of the Philosopher Heraclitus as much approved of by many Viz. Heraclitus his Antiâ—â—â— Take Spicknard two ounces Gentian long Aristolochy round Aristolochy or Birthwort the best Myrrh Bayberries Rhapontick of each half an ounce The Dose is one dram The best time to take it is the beginning of the Spring and the Autumn and indeed in those places and persons that are cold the Spring time but in others that are more hot the Autumn The same Trallianus preferreth the Diacorallium Antidote before al other Antidotes whatsoever The Antidote Diacorallium which is thus made Take of Corals two drams Mirrh four ounces Cloves half an ounce Rhapontick one ounce Peony Root the like quantity long and round Aristolochy of each two ounces Spicknard four ounces and make hereof a Pouder And of this he giveth in the morning one scruple out of warm water and after it he enjoyneth abstinence from al kind of food for six hours but yer the truth is a shorter time of fasting may suffice maketh the beginning hereof about the Kalends of January and so continueth administring of it for a hundred daies by reason of the long continued perseverance of the Indication as Cappivaccius explaineth it and then for thirty daies he intermitteth the administring of it because of the strength and powers of the body that they may be recollected as the same Cappivaccius tels us And then again he administreth it for a hundred daies mote and so again as before he intermits for thirty daies When the two hundred and sixty daies wherein there were two hundred potions administred are over and past he then giveth it again but now not every day but only every other day and so in a hundred and three score daies he administreth fourscore Potions And afterwards again in two hundred and sixty daies he administreth eighty Potions giving them every thud day until the three hundred sixty five Potions shal have been al taken But he warneth them that take this Antidote that they abstain from Anger Venery Astringent and sweet Wine al kind of bitter Pot-herbs the heads of Fish Crabs and Crevishes Lobsters Eels Hares flesh al kind of Pulse but more especially Beans And many more of such like Antidotes there are to be found in Paulus Aegineta Aetius and Trallianus in the places before alleadged Out of these afterwards in the Ages not long before ours and in our Age also there arose divers other such like Compositions Thomas Erastus telleth us that he had two of these communicated unto him and extolled with high commendations One of them that was given him by an Italian Physitian who called it the Pouder of Jupiter and was imparted unto him by Doctor Conradus Gesner is made in this manner following Take Round Aristolochy Jupiters Pouder such as is right the true Rhapontick of each one ounce Macedonian Parsley seed half an ounce Germander tops Centaury the less and St. Johns wort of each ten drams make a Pouder hereof In the first month give every day one dram hereof out of warm Water and afterwards half a dram for one whol yeer every month you must also order the Patient to take a purge or two or else for such as are flegmatick you may intermingle the Pouder of Agarick with the aforesaid Pouder a little to purge the sick person The other Composition bestowed on me by Dn. D. Christoph Wirsung an Augustan Physitian is thus to be made Take the true round Aristolochy Gentian Rhapontick or Centaury the greater but I think the true Rhapontick to be better the tops of Germander Groundpine or Herb Ivy of each alike
and make a Pouder Let there be one dram hereof taken for the one half of the yeer and for the other half of the yeer half a dram Doctor Johannes Mattheus out of an old Manuscript produceth this Pouder as he there findeth it prescribed Viz. Take Rhapontick one ounce Agarick two ounces Valerian three ounces Macedonian Parsley seed and Spignel of each four ounces Gentian and Aristolochy of each feven ounces Germander nine ounces and make a Pouder Donzellinus his Pouder is as followeth Take Germander Groundpine both the Centauries or only the lesser Marjoram Sage Betony Gentian and Birthwort of each one ounce the best Guajacum eight ounces or one pound and make a Pouder And by this one Remedy alone Donzellinus writeth that the Gout may be perfectly cured provided that a man live not like unto a Sardanapalus Crato his Pouder is this Take Aristolochy one ounce Centaury the less three drams Gentian six drams Spignel five drams St. Johns Wort six drams Parsley of Macedonia half an ounce Agarick two drams Rhapontick or if that may not be had Rheubarb one dram and make a Pouder Of which he giveth in the morning two scruples in the Water of Groundpine or Betony Water with the Syrup of either of the two former in January five daies in February as many in March two in May three in June one in July two in August one in September October November and December two but it matters not much if it be oftener taken only as he saith it wil be somwhat better to take it in the manner aforefaid This following is Doctor Manard his Pouder Take Germander Dittany of Crete Groundpine or Herb Ivy Roots of the greater Centaury and round Aristolochy of each two ounces the inward Rinds of Walnuts one pound make a Pouder The Dose is one dram for forty daies This Pouder next following is attributed unto Erastus Take Harts-horn burnt Beef bones burnt the Kernels of the Citron Dates Jaws of the Luce-fish or Pike equal parts burnt Coral and burnt Ivory of each half parts make hereof a Pouder Unto which for the tasts sake you may add a little Cinnamon Mace and Cloves and with Sugar make a Pouder Johannes Anglicus greatly commendeth this Pouder The Sarracenick Pouder which he calleth the Sarracenick Pouder Take Herb Ivy or Groundpine one ounce the bones of man or woman burnt two drams Liquoris three drams make a Pouder And yet nevertheless the sick person is not strictly and precisely to be tyed unto any forms of Pouders but of the same simple Medicaments there may with Sugar or some convenient Syrup be made Electuaries or Pills which for the most part are very fitly made up with Turpentine of Cyprus since that most of those that are troubled with the Gout are likewise obnoxious and subject unto the Stone or Extracts or those Medicaments they cal Essences or liquid Extracts or a Wine or a Medicate Drink that so in this manner also the palat of the sick person may be pleased Antonius Gallus a Physitian somtimes of Paris greatly commendeth this Electuary Take Valerian one dram Agarick two drams Spignel three drams Macedonian Parsley seed four drams St. Johns wort five drams Gentian six drams Birthwort seven drams the lesser Centaury eight drams Groundpine nine drams Mans bones taken out of the Joynts and moderately dried ten drams with Oxymel Scillitick as much as will suffice make an Electuary the Dose whereof is one dram for a whol yeer together Or. Take the Conserve of Germander three ounces of Herb Ivy and Betony Leaves of each one ounce and half Seeds of St. Johns wort Roots of round Aristolochy of each half an ounce Angelica two drams the bones of a Man prepared red Corals prepared Ivory prepared of each one dram Cloves and Cinnamon of each two drams and with the Syrup of Betony make an Electuary And we may likewise add the Medicaments of latter Physitians viz. their Magisteria their Feculae and their Salts as also Margarites and Crabs Eyes As Take Roots of Spignel or Masterwort St. Johns wort of each one ounce the Feculae of Cuckowpint two drams the Salt of Groundpine of Germander of Cherfoyl and of Masterwort of each one scruple Magistery of Corals and Crabs Eyes of each half a dram Margarites one scruple Sugar as much in weight as all of them and make a Pouder For the causing and provoking morning sweats there are also given Syrups of the Berries of Eldern prepared with Sugar two spoonfuls and if you please there may likewise a little Harts-horn be added Crato commendeth this Distillation of which one spoonful is to be taken every day in the week once if not oftener Take Balm Valerian Juniper Berries of each what you think fit Let them be sprinkled with good sweet Wine then macerated in Balm Water and afterwards destilled And in cold Bodies there may also very conveniently be used that Aquae vitae which Gilbertus Horstius Hollandus once a famous Physitian at Rome made frequent use of and it is thus prepared Take Rosemary flowers the lesser Centaury Comomile flowers Groundpine Gilbertus Hostius his A qua vitae St. Johns wort Germander Asarabacca of each one ounce the Rinde of Dwarf-Elder Root one handful Orace one ounce Treacle half an ounce Cinnamoin Nutmeg Galingal Mace and Ginger of each one dram and half Hermodactyls and Aloes Hepatick of each one dram Agarick half an ounce Coloquintida three drams all the Myrobalans of each two drams Roots of Polypody of the Oak one ounce and half Leaves of Choyce Sene one ounce Seeds of Anise Dauk and Fenel of each one dram infuse them in the spir it of Wine that so the said spirit may lie a fingers breadth above them for two daies space and then let them be afterwards destilled in Balneo Mariae Of this Water he gave unto such as had the Gout from one ounce to three ounces in the morning But now in the Judgment of very many of Decoction of Groundpine may serve in stead of all the aforesaid Medicaments The Decoction of Ground pine and will do better than any one of them and therefore it was likewise highly commended unto the Emperor Charls the fifth by the Physitians of Genoa and Solenander in his fifth Sect. Consil 1. tels us that it hath been found by experience that very many which had drunk of this Decoction for the space of threescore daies have been wholly freed from the Gout and restored unto their healths whereas before they had both the Joynts of their hands and of their feet also grievously afflicted and tortured by this Disease And no wonder for it attenuateth the thick Humors and consumeth them driveth forth the Excrements by Urine or else by sweat evidently or else it insensibly discusseth them by transpiration and it strengtheneth also all the internal bowels and every kind of Nerve yea and the whole habit of the Body But because that Vesalius writeth so largely and
teacheth that this Medicine doth exulcerate and cause heat and inflamation on the other side it causeth numness Palsies and other cold affects and that it proceeds from the inequality of its temperament and because 't is an imperfect mixt body and if it be prepared by calcination that the cold substance doth fly away and that which is left is fire But these authors erre very much The authors opinion indeed it cannot be denied that there are many Medicines which have Heterogeneous parts by vertue of which they produce divers effects which parts also may be separated by the help of art But that Quick-silver hath such parts is fals neither was there yet ever found any Chymist who could show the diverse parts in it and separate them by art for the whol is Homogeneous if there be any thing so in Nature and either it al flies away or al remaines and what way soever it is prepared Quicksilver is Homogeneous at last it al revives wholly Homogeneous and whatsoever Chymist can show any Heterogeneous parts in Quick-silver as in Rhubatb shal be in my esteem a great Apollo Neither is precipitate of another Nature then that which is crude neither doth Quick-silver loose any thing by its preparation and that prepared does differ from the crude only in external form which is caured by the admistion of other things which somtimes are Salt parts as happens in Mercury Sublimate and Precipitate somtimes only watry as when Mercury is reduced into water by a retort without the admistion of any other thing as the same Vnzerits teacheth Lib. 2. de Anatom Mercu. cap. 2. n. 4. for this water is nothing else but the Quick-silver resolved into the smallest bodies or Atomes by the strength of the fire and mixt with watry Vapors or the moist Air. Yet in that there appeare no effects of cold but rather of heat and that very water as other mercurial waters wil dissolve gold in like manner Saxonia is mistaken for Quick-filver is no imperfect mixt body but a body that hath the most perfect mistion and cannot be destroied by any art of the Chymists but every where retaines its form neither whiles it is calcined or rather exposed to the sire for Quick-silver cannot properly be said to be Calcmed do the cold parts fly away and the fiery stay behind but if those parts which are raised up be received they are of the same Nature with those that remaine as is wel known to the Chymist Therefore whenas this Reconcilation is of no force Quick silver is hot let us see who is in the righter whether those who hold Quick-silver to be hot or those that say 't is cold But I think that they are altogether of the righter judgment who think it to be hot for that appears by its great penetrating and corroding vertue so that it penetrates and Eats into Mettals and the flesh nay the very bones are corroded by Mercury precipitate and sublituate And Libavius writes in tract de igne natu cap. 30 that he knew by the relation of a most learned Physitian that a certain Chyrurgion dying by the too frequent use of Mercurial Medicines had his bones plainly britle or frangible But whenas they object first of al The answer of the reasons against it that whiles 't is quick and whol it doth not corrode the cause of that is because it cannot infinuate it self into the body and worke upon it whenas al its parts are most closely knit together nor cannot be mixed with other bodies but the Medicines prepared out of it as Mercury sublimate Precipitate Oyl of Mereury and it there be any more of this kind have a great power to burn and corrode not only by the reason of Salts commixt which is very little but because 't is resolved into the smalest bodies and being mixt with the Salts it can adhere to the body and by the benefit of things admixt most intimately insinuate it self into it Secondly whereas Quick-silver appears cold to the touch that is common to it with steel Brass Lead Wine things of their own Nature hot which by accident feel to be cold Thirdly whereas some also from the effects would collect quick-silver to be cold in that they are very much deceived and they attribute those effects to cold which have their dependance elswhere Truly they that drink the waters infected with quick-silver on the Alps are sick of divers fluxes and are taken with a bronchocele Goldsmiths and others who often deal with quick-silver are seldom healthful and long lived but are obnoxious to numnesses tremblings palsies convulsions lethargies suffocating catarths and appoplexies Thus Fernelius relates of a certain Goldsmith that imprudently admitting the vapour of quick-silver only presently became stupid drowzy and wholly speechless Ferdinandus Ponrertus relates that the same happend to another lib. 1. de vene cap. 3. And Forestus lib. 8. obser 5. writes That a certain yong man learning the Smiths art upon the atching of a Cup with quick-silver had all the hair of his head fell off and that his face became extraordinary pale and all his body tremulous and many others have observed the same And Jacobus Oethoeus in his observat reports That a certain yong Noble man troubled with Crab-lice in his Privities used Mercurial Oyntment to drive them away upon which his Yard grew cold and sluggish and unfit for Venery But here is a fallacy of the cause for quick-silver doth not do these things by cooling but because it hath a peculiar and occult quality that is an enemy to the Nerves and Brain as appears in many other stupifying poysons Fourthly That which is Objected is easily Answered to wit That the damage brought upon mans body by quick silver is cured by the use of hot things as Sage Hyssope Origanum Clary Rue Castor and the like For those Medicaments are not therefore applied to the preternatural affects caused by quick-silver only because they are hot but because they are friends to the Brain and Nerves and furthermore as they themselves grant by a specifick property are enemies to the Mercurial virulency and that such things are not therefore applied because they are hot but because by a peculiar vertue they are friends to the Nerves it appears by this because other hot things as Ginger Pepper and the like which have no specifick property freindly to the Nerves do not perform the same But concerning the Occult Vertue and Propriety of Quick-silver we chiefly meet with two doubts First of all Whether it be poysonous next of all Whether it be rightly applied for the Cure of the Venereal Disease Concerning the former Question Whether Quick-silver be Poysonous Whether quick-filver be Poysonous we have already treated before in tractat de Chym. Aristot consens dissens cap. 19. where we speak of Mercury and we said there That Matthias Vnzerus de anatem spagyr Mercu. did endeavour to prove at large That Mercury is not
place till the gold be dissolved with this solution wash the part affected twice every day Ulcers of the nose are cured by errhines or infusions by pouders strewed on it Of the nose by suffumigations made of Guajacum and cinnabar Clefts of the bands and feet If there be chaps and clefts in the palmes of the hands and soles of the feet Clefts of the hands and feet let them be washt with the decoction of Guajacum its barke scabious water germander cinquefoile and if there be hardness with it take also marsh mallowes or the root of wild cowcumber afterwards use an ointment of butter goose-grease or hens ammoniacum bdellium apples to which ad alittle of unflaked loome or precipitate or the oyntment proposed before Or Take of hogs-grease as much as you please and put as much oyl of tartar to it that by it the oyntment may be made sharpe If the evil yeeld not to these apply a particular suffumigation of cinnabar Hercules Saxonia de lue vener Cap. 30. writes that he hath observed a certain woman who for eight years together had clefts in her hands and had used the help of al the Venetian and Padua doctors to no purpose was in a short time easily cured with the juce of an herb which some cal mugwort others tansie being carefully dropt with a feather into al the clefts and forbearing to wash her hands at al and that he hath found the same juyce profitable in ringworms and Crusty Uloers Buboes Concerning buboes which are wont often to break forth in the groines in the Venereal disease we must hold fast this in general that we do our endeavor The cure of buboes to help the expulsion of that matter which nature assayes and indeavors to thrust forth to the more ignoble parts whenas sometimes by this evacuation nature is wont to free her self from al that disease therefore if a buboe break not forth enough and increaseth but tendeth not to suppuration we must use our endeavor to draw it forth and suppurate it Therefore the thigh of the same side must be rubbed and scatified about the lower part or else a vein must be opened about that place but on the bubo it self there must be layd strong drawing medicines As Take of sagapen Ammoniacum each three drams opoponax Bdellium each two drams mustard pepper Pellitory of spain of each one dram blacke sope half one ounce mix them and with wax and pitch make an emplaster Yet if nature be opprest with the plenty of virulent matter that it cannot expel it al then 't is good to give a purge that part of the butthen being taken off nature may the easier expel the rest When the tumor hath broke forth enough we must take care it be speedily opened and be kept open a long while that it may suppurate we must lay on it those maturatives which are wont to be applied in inflamations of the mucilage of mallows marsh-mallows wheat and flax seed figs hogs-grease goose-grease and the like or the simples diachyled or that compound with gums when 't is mattered we must not expect that the bubo should open of it self but it must be opened betimes least the virulent humor detained there do hurt other parts the tumor being opened the forementioned digestives and abstersives must be layd on to which there wil be need sometimes to ad a little of mercury precipitate and the ulcer must be kept open a long time Yet in cold buboes there is no such feare that the matter should ascend to other parts but if purgers and sweaters and proper alexipharmaca be applied sometimes the bubo doth wholly vanish without any danger Gummosities and Nodes Truely Such tumors and nodes which do rise in places void of flesh as the forehead the skul and the outward part of the legs do oftentimes vanish if the disease be perfectly cured especially after the use of sarsaparilla which is most effectual in discussing of these diseases and after the use of mercurial unctions which are applied to such tumors yet if after the cure is inded such tumors and nodes remain things emmollient attenuating and digesting must be laid udon them and that are strong as the rootsof wild cowcumber bdellium sagapen opoponax and cheifly ammoniacum or diachylon with gums or a mercurial cerote this is good and proved by experience Take Of the plaister diachylum with gums one ounce fimple diachylum half an ounce mercury killed with spittle one ounce oyl of guajacum as much as is sufficient make aplaster Or Take of Ammoniacum Opoponax Gume of ivy dissolved in aqua vitae hens and goose grease each one ounce and half the marow of a calfs leg one ounce ladanum styrax calamite and liquid each two drams the pouder of hermodactil roots orrice each three drams cinnabar one dram quick silver mix with turpintine six drams oyl of lillies and wax as much as is sfficient make acerote Also the lavatories made of mercury mentioned before are good in these tumors If these things do not satisfie the tumors must be opened with causticks especially if they be not in the joynts nerves tendons and the place must be kept open and the bone underneath which for the most part is hurt must be seraped Smal Bunchings and pustles Bunchings also and smal pustles thymi verrucae favi Bunchings and pustles as in other parts of the body so especially they are wont to rise in the head about the arsehole yard and privities in the french pox which though sometimes after a universal cure they vanish of their own accord yet sometimes also they require a peculiar cure This sort of bunchings which are in the head must be washed often with the decoction of guajacum and cheifly of the barke of it and sarsaparilla some use oyl of scorpions and vipers to which if they yeeld not they must be anointed with some mercurial unguent or the compound water of allum prepared of roch allum and mercury sublimate which some also prepare thus Take Of roch allum Mercury sublimate each two drams grind them ad of plantane and rose water each one pound Boyl them in a glass to the consumption of half afterwards let them stand fifteen dayes that the allum and mercury may sink to the bottom and let the cleare water be poured off and kept for your use If the pustles be in the mouth use washing of the mouth with the decoction of guajacum or if there be an inflamation with chalybeate whey to which may be added roses and plantane and if the pustles be soule ad scabious and ten graines of alum to every pint of the whey or decoction The compound alum water even now described is most profitable yet in pustles of the mouth t is not safe to use that alone but it must be diluted with a treble or quadruple quantity of rose and plentane water But the pustles of the arsehole and yard must every day
hath thereby been suddenly and unexpectedly taken away But in regard of the urgency of the Malady and that the Flux cometh very speedily therfore even forthwith if there be occasion Venesection is to be instituted and as much of the Blood as is needful if the strength of the Patient wil bear it to be taken forth at once opening of the Vein But if the Patients strength wil not bear nor allow of a more large evacuation of the Blood all at once then at several times and by intervals so much of the Blood is to be drawn forth as may answer unto the Bodies fulness thereof Cupping-glasses and Leeches Instead of this Venefection Cupping-glasses may also be applied which are wont to be affixed in the very first beginning of the Pains unto the sound opposite part with Scarification And so likewise Leeches applied in the accustomed places for the Hemorrhoids bring some kind of benefit unto the sick Person by their drawing forth the Blood Purgation These Revulsions by the Evacuation of the Blood being thus made Purgation purging is then next of all to be appointed unto the Patient touching which although there be some that think otherwise as we shal afterwards further shew you in the 11. Question yet for the most part it is very fitly and successfully administred But it is instantly to be ordained even in the very beginning of the pains or if occasion be when they are suspected as nigh at hand before such time as by the said pains as also by restlessness and want of sleep or by the augmentation of the Feaver the strength be too much impaired neither need we here to expect any Concoction or use any preparation before which most of the Physitians of former Agee were wont to do who first of all made use of Lenitives and then Secondly Preparatives or Digestives as they calthem for some certain daies and Lastly of Purgers that draw the humors from the Joynts For even then when the humors have already before been in their motion and are become thin and that Nature her self endeavoreth the separation of them as burthensome to her from the good Blood and that there is cause to fear left that as we said before ere ever any such things as these can be done and finished the humors may rush unto the Joynts and that by pain and want of rest the strength be too much dejected and that a Feaver following thereupon forbid a Purgation even then the Purgation is forthwith to be instituted And the exhibition of one only Purge doth for the most part less hurt and offend the stomack than those so often repeated digestive Potions which resolve and weaken the Stomack so that the Crudities being afterwards augmented there is caused a greater afflux of humors unto the Joynts Altering Medicaments Yet nevertheless Alterers if the humors be over-hot and sharp they may be attempered by Broths altered by Cichory Endive Sowthistle Purslane Sorrel and Medicaments made out of these neither are we to omit the administring of the Conserve of Roses with the species Diatrion santalon it being of singular use in the altering of the humors As Take Conserve of Roses three ounces Spec. Diatrion sant one dram Red Coral one scruple and with the Syrup of Pomegranates make an Electuary Or Take Margarites prepared one dram Red Coral prepared and all the Sanders of each one dram and half Red Roses one dram the Bone taken out of the Staggs heart one Scruple and make a Pouder Or else with Sugar dissolved in Rose Water make little Roâ—â—s But now as touching Purgation we are to advise you in these two things especially First that a fit time be made choyce of as we gave notice before and that the Purgation be not too long deferred For if dready the whol humor be flown in unto the Joynts it is easily called back And thereâ—â—â—s that the humor which is now ready to flow into the Joynts may be turned 〈◊〉 the â—elly and by it be evacuated presently in the very beginning of the Paroxysm 〈…〉 also so soon â—s ever we do but suspect it to be nigh at hand the Purgation is to be ocdaineâ— and adâ—â—isired for by this means the humor that is now flowing and that which was after tossâ—â— iâ— evacuated by convenient places and hindred that it rush not to the part affected and the encrease of the pain and swelling is hereby prevented and so that which hath already flown in unto the part affected is easily dissolved And experience it self testifieth that this kind of Cure hath profited very many And so Petrus Bayrus writeth of himself that he himvelf being by tour men carried to the Close Stool after that he had four times eased his Belly having before taken his own Caryocostin Electuary he was freed from all his pains and that he could then go without help from any other And then Secondly It is to be considered by what Medicaments the Purgation is to be inftituted and begun Some think that we ought to abftain from the stronger sort of Medicaments and to make use only of those that are more mild and gentle or of the stronger in the smallest quantity because that a strong purge may draw store of humors from the more ignoble and external parts unto the more noble and so it may somtimes happen that some of these sick Persons may by a vehement and strong Purge fall into burning Feavers as also Feavers Malignant and Mortal Which as we willingly grant and think that the humors that were hoâ— before are not by vehement Purgers to be more inflamed and that the motion of Nature is not altogether to be disturbed so also on the other hand we conceive that great care ought to be taken that the humors be not only stirred and moved up and down in the Veins and not wholly drawn forth and sufficiently evacuated Which when it happeneth they afterwards rush with a greater violence unto the part affected as unto the which they are withal attracted by the pain And therefore in the beginning of the Paroxysm or when it is nigh at hand we ought to make choyce of Medicaments that are somwhat stronger than ordinary and yet notwithstanding such as do no way offend the Stomack For as we said before if we make use of those that are too gentle and weak in their operation the humors are then only moved up and down in the Body and nothing worth speaking of is evacuated whereupon there is afterward a greater Conflux unto the part affected But now that during the purgation there may be no Conflux unto the part affected and that the Humor being moved by the Purgation may not rush unto the part affected this we ought carefully to prevent and it is done by placing the part affected in a higher place in the Bed until the Purgation shall be fully 〈◊〉 or which is the more sure and certain way by imposing a defensive Medicament after the administring of
likewise found the same to be the Opinion of Authors none of the meanest and I my self have also observed it more than once in such persons as were Hypochondriacal and such as have had the scurvy and from hence likewise it is that Diarrhaea fluxes unseasonably suppressed are turned into the Arthritis And that there may flow from the Colon Intestine a humor exciting the Arthritis we are taught both by Galen and Hippocrates in 6. Epidem Com. 4. Text. 3. And as for the waies and passages the thing is very plain as we likewise told you before touching the Scurvy to wit that from the Colon this humor may by the Meseraick Arteries be transserred into the Trunk of the great Artery and from hence be thrust unto the joynts And Secondly This also is true and certain and that which is granted by all the most learned Physitians that the Humor the cause of the Arthritis is moved through the Veins and Arteries some of these say alwaies but others of them very often and they are those that determine that the humor floweth down likewise from the Head and the thing is altogether so plain that Thomas Erastus who notwithstanding in his 4. Disputat against Paracels Page 261. defendeth likewise another way from the Head writeth that he only can doubt of this thing who doth not sufficiently attend and take notice of what is dayly done or he that hath his minde prepossessed with a prejudicate Opinion And seeing that these things are true and certain the doubt now lieth in this Whether this way be not sufficient and whether there may any other be assigned and whether the humors also flowing down from the Head under the Skin may excite the Arthritis yea or no And yet notwithstanding in the third place I conceive that this is also most true and certain and sufficiently proved above that somtimes the beginning of the fluxion is not from the Head For whereas both the part transmitting and the part receiving do both of them discover themselves by their several and proper symptoms and that in many Arthritick persons there appeareth no heaviness of the head no pain neither any other symptoms as signs and tokens of any humor gathered together and heaped up there it cannot therefore be concluded that the humor floweth down from the Head And moreover neither hath that Arthritis which is from the Collick its original from the head or from the brain as before we shewed you as likewise neither that which proceedeth from a Diarrhaea unseasonably and unduly suppressed And therefore fourthly this remaineth that may truly be doubted of to wit Whether or no the Arthritis may somtimes have its original from a matter heaped up under the Skin of the Head and from thence flowing down Which indeed very many of the most learned and able Physitians do affirm whom I leave free unto their own judgments but yet for my own part I cannot be perswaded to beleeve it for the reasons before alleadged which here to repear I hold it altogether needless in regard especially that I am able very wel to render a reason of al those symptoms that befal unto Arthritick persons although I determine that the humor the cause of Arthritis is moved only within the Vessels and that by them it floweth into the joynts especially if this be well heeded that this humor doth somtimes most chiefly flow through the descending Trunk of the hollow Vein and the great Artery and somtimes likewise that it withal floweth by the ascending Trunk and that from thence various symptoms are excited about the head What need is there therfore that neglecting those waies which Nature hath ordained as Channels for the motion and flux of the humors we should seek for unknown and unheard of waies And there is one thing that I cannot but at least touch upon and it is this That Erastus indeed in the place alleadged hath this for a sure and certain sign of the humor its flowing from the head that the sick persons do for the most part manifestly feel and perceive the humor to flow down from the head by the neck sides and back like unto a water with a kind of shaking trembling or a slight kind of cold But this sign seems not unto me any whit firm for that shivering and quaking happeneth not only in the Arthritis but oftentimes likewise in Feavers the Erysipelas smal Pox and Meazels and it is a sign and token that these Diseases are very nigh at hand when from the Trunk of the hollow Vein and Artery especially in the back by the branches that arise from them and the extremities of the Veins and Arteries a vapor from the vitious humor or likewise the thinner part thereof is thrust forth into the parts of the back For although that without doubt also the very same happeneth even in other parts yet nevertheless this Chilness and trembling is first of al excited in the back by reason of the Spinal Marrow and the very many Nerves there proceeding from the said Spinal Marrow and being endued with a most quick and exquisite sense by the which Spinal Marrow a Chilness and shivering is likewise seen somtimes to ascend and somtimes to descend touching which see more in Hippocrates his fifth Section and 69. Aphorism And thus much may suffice as touching this Controversie Quest 8. Whether there may any thing be gathered together in the Joynts that may make any thing unto the producing of the fit NOt only Paracelsus and his followers who derive the Arthritis from the ebullition of Synovia have given me occasion to think of this Question but likewise those strange and admirable Cures that have now and then been made in the Arthritis have chiefly put me upon the debate hereof Guilhelm Fabricius in his first Century Epist 47. and 48. relateth that some by tortures have been so freed from the Arthritis that they were never known afterward to undergo any fit thereof Indeed by affrightment as also by joy it is a thing very wel known that many have been freed from the Arthritick Paroxysms But how a man should in this manner perpetually be freed from the Arthritis or joynt-Gout it is not so easie a thing to render the reason thereof unless it be sought for in the place affected And there are likewise other Histories of this very thing That famous and eminent person Dn. D. Doringius related unto me that there was a Citizen of Giessa who through impatience by reason of his pain with a hatchet cut off the great Toes of both his Feet and ever after this he lived altogether free from the Arthritis Andreas Libavius likewise in his 73. Epist to Schinzeurs relateth such a story as this There was saith he a Patient an Host or publick Inholder A certain Physitian a Chevalier a person of great quality happening to be there having agreed with him for three hundred Florens promised the Cure and when he had received