the Church in a shadow by R. Cudworth D. D. now Master of Clare-Hall in Cambridge The Christian Conflict shewing the difficulties and duties of the Christian Warfare with the Armour and graces of Christian Souldiers partially applied to Magistrates and Ministers Husbands and Wives Together with the case of Vsury Depopulation and the errours of Antinomonists occasionally discussed by John Bentham A Remonstrance of the holy life and happy death of John Bruen Esquire exhibiting vanity of memorialls and exemplary passages usefull to all sorts of people as a path and president of piety and charity written by W. Hinde late of Bunbury in Cheshire THE NATURE OF Simple Medicines CHAP. I. De Absynthio Of Wormwood COmmon Wormwood is so well known that it needeth no description The Names It is called in Latine Absynthium because of its bitternesse Beasts will not feed on it neither doe most like the tast of it The Temperament It is hot in the second degree and dry in the third very bitter and cleansing yet binding and strengthening The Duration It will keep good a yeare The Inward Vse Wormwood draweth from the Tunicles of the Stomach and Intestines first choller then flegme and also doth strengthen the Stomach like Alois It purgeth choller likewise from the Reines and Liver and purgeth by Urin. It doth much prevaile in the Green-sicknesse Jaundise and Dropsie It helpeth such as have obstructed Livers and Stomachs the Collicke and gripings in the Belly cleanseth the womb and uterine parts help Crudities dryveth away the Hicket stayeth vomiting brings a good appetite expelleth winde and prevailes in intermittent Agues and obstructions of the Entralls It preserveth the bloud from putrifaction and is usefull in the Pestilence It prevents and resists Drunkennesse vomiting at Sea and killeth worms The Vineger wherein Wormwood is boiled helpeth a stinking breath that commeth from the teeth or gums or from the corruption in the Stomach It provokes the termes in women The wine made hereof is good for all the forementioned purposes except in such as have Feavers The Seeds of Wormwood helpe the Bloudy Flux and other Fluxes of the Belly Wormwood being steeped in Vineger and drunken helpeth such as have taken Mushromes or Toâ—d stooles The manner of administring it It is given in powder in decoction or the juice is taken by it selfe it is also infused in wine Against an Ague Take of Wormwood in pouder two drams Give it in white-White-wine or Posset-drink one hour or two before the fit commeth Against a Quartaine Ague Take of the juice of Wormwood half an ounce Venice Treacle halfe a dram Treacle water a spoonfull mingle them together Give this before the fit commeth Doe this for three or four fits together and it will prevaile especially at the beginning the body being first well purged A Decoction of Wormwood against Melancholy winde in the Stomach c. Take Wormwood Fumiterry of each a handfull Raisons of the Sun two ounces make an infusion and a gentle decoction in three Pints of Posset drinke to two Pints or two and a halfe strain it and drink every morning a good draught thereof It is good against Melancholly a cold Stomach as also to expell winde and to take away obstructions or stopping wormwood-Wormwood-Wine Take of dry Wormwood a handfull put it into a gallon of wine stop the vessel close and let it stand to infuse This helpeth cold and crude stomachs expelleth winde easeth the Collick comming of winde strengthneth the stomach avails in the Jandise and killeth wormes wormwood-Wormwood-Wine purging Water Take Wormwood a handfull and a halfe Cardus one handfull Agrimony a handfull Spleenwort Vervaine of each halfe a handfull Oris-root one ounce and a halfe Fennell-root one ounce Parsly-root halfe an ounce Capar barke Asarum Polypodium roots of Succory of each halfe an ounce or take one ounce and a halfe of Succory roots Fennell-seed Smallage-seed Parsly-seed and Anni-seed of each one dram Calamus Aromaticus Cinamon of each two drams Sene one ounce and a halfe Soldanella or Sea binde weed three handfulls Cut and bruise those things that are to be cut and bruised then put to them sixteen or eighteen pints of White-wine wherein Steel hath been quenched let them stand together after a week drink of it a good draught in the morning or about ten of the clock in the forenoone every day or every second day You may make but halfe the receipt The juice of Wormwood is commended against Melancholly if two or three drams thereof be taken in a morning Heurn Meth. ad prax cap. 9. f. 200. Against the Jandise Take the flowers of Wormwood or the tops thereof Rosemary and Black-thorne of each a like quantity of Saffron half so much boyle them gently in Renish-wine let it be given after the body is prepared by purging The externall or outward Vse Wormwood being outwardly applied killeth worms in the belly or stomach the juice with Honey helpeth dim eyes and mingled with Niter it helpeth the Quinsie being anointed therewith It taketh away black and blew spots in the skin that come after falls or bruises if it be mingled with Honey and anointed It helpeth soare and running ears and ceaseth the pain of them if the hot vapours of the decoction be taken in thereat by a Funnell or otherwise It easeth the tooth-ach Being bruised and applyed with Rose-water to the stomach it gives much ease and comfort to such as have been long sick It avails against the hardnesse of the Spleen or where there is a hot sharp water running between the flesh and the skin if it be used with Figs Vineger and Mâ—ale of Darnell A decoction thereof being made and the Temples bathed therewith it helpeth the paines of the head that come of a cold cause Also being boyled in Vineger and the mouth washed therewith it helpeth a stinking breath Being put into Chests or Presses where Cloaths are it preserveth from worms Moths If the skin be rubbed with the juice or with the oyle it drives away Fleas or Gnats If Children before they be three moneths old be bathed with a decoction thereof or their temples feet and hands be nointed with the juice thereof and well rubbed in they shall not be troubled nor molested with heat or cold all their life time It is so commended being used as before that the body shall not be infected with Scab Leprosie French Disease Lice or such like malady Nisi Deus eos velit punire except God will punish such for sin Joan. Rudolp Camerar Memorabil med mirab Nat. arcan cent 3. partic 70. fol. 189. Against the Wormes Take Wormwood Horehound and Lupines of each a handfull boyle them in water or honey or strong wine apply it hot to the Navell A Plaster against the Wormes Take of Mithridate two drams Aloes in powder a dram with the juice of Wormwood make a Plaister and lay it to the belly The hurtfull Quality The juice offends the Stomach being too much used and also
and applyed it easeth paines of the side the cough and shortnesse of breath and is commended against the Pleurisy but I question whether it be not too hot except in a bastard Pleurisy If it be dissolved in Vineger and the juice of Rue and applyed it helpeth Contusions and bruises and used with Oile of Rue to the back it driveth away cold paines thereof Being dissolved with Vineger of Squills and applyed it dissolveth the hardnesse of the spleene as also the Kings evill or Scrophulaes bred under the eares and neare the throat and those hard nodes that arise in the joints after the Gowt with the juice of Rue or Fennell it cleareth the sight and takes away all spots therein Dissolved with Oile and applyed it strengtheneth those members that are out of joint or the strained members and joynts It draweth forth Thornes or splinters and breaketh any Botch or Boile Being put into Glysters it easeth the Collick and a Pessary made thereof and put up bringeth downe the after-birth and the courses A fumigation thereof with the horne of a Goat is commended against the Lethargie The hurtfull quality with the corrective meanes It hurts the Liver and Stomach therefore it is corrected with the third part of Mastick Cynamon Ginger Spicknard c. It must not be given to women with Childe for it kills the birth The best way to prepare it for the diseases of the braine nerves breast joynts and cold diseases of the Wombe is to dissolve it in Wine and with Aqualangii c. to draw forth its vertue in the manner of an extract The dose The dose is from halfe a dram to a dram The compounds made of Sagapenum Pils of Sagapenum extract of Sagapenum oile thereof CHAP. 56. De Sambuco Ebulo of Elder and Wall-wort or Dane-wort THe Elder and Dane-wort being of such affinity I shall joyne hem together in this Chapter The Dane-wort is very like Elder but much lower in growth The names Elder is called in Latine Sambucus from Sambix the first finder of it Dane-wort is called Low-Elder in Latine Ebulus in English Wall-wort Dane-wort or Dwarfe-Elder The temperament They are hot and dry in the second or third degree and the Wall-wort is somewhat hotter then Elder The duration They will keep good a yeere The inward use There is in use the flowers leaves inward barke or rinde the Seeds Berries and the spongie substance They are profitable in the Dropsie joynt-Gowt Agues stopping and swellings of the spleen stone of the Kidneys affects of the Wombe and St. Anthonies fire They purge tough flegme water and thin choler chiefly from the belly and joynts They are good in the Scorbute or Scurvy and kill wormes in the stomach or belly The first shoots or young leaves of the Elder boiled in Broth or Posset-drink draweth forth strongly choler and tough flegme the tender leaves eaten with Oile and Salt do the same The inner bark boiled in water and given to drink worketh much more violently and the berries also green or dry expell the same humour and is often given with good successe to help the Dropsie by evacuating great plenty of waterish humours the bark of the root also boiled in Wine or the juice thereof drunk worketh the same effect but more effectually then either leaves or fruit do the juice of the root taken provoketh vomit mightily and purgeth the watery humours of the Dropsie The decoction of the root cureth the biting of the Adder as also of a mad Dogge and bringeth downe the courses of women The decoction of the Berries in Wine being drunk provoketh Urine The powder of the seeds first prepared in Vineger and then taken in Wine halfe a dram at a time for certaine dayes together is a meanes to abate and consume the fat flesh of a corpulent body and to keep it leane The Berries so prepared and as much with Tartar and a few Anise-seeds put to them a dram of this powder given in Wine cureth the Dropsie by purging very gently The dry flowers are often used in decoction for Glisters to expell winde and easeth the Collick for they lose their purging quality which they have being green and reteine an attenuating The flowers in Ale or Beere are very good for such as have the Dropsie being put into a bag The flowers of both provoke sweat The Vineger made of the flowers of Elder by Ma ceration and setting in the Sunne is much more used in France then any where else and is gratefull to the stomach and effectuall to quicken the appetite and helpeth to cut grosse and tough flegme in the breast The distilled water of the inner bark of the Tree or of the root is very powerfull to purge the waterie humours of the Dropsie or Tympany taking it fasting and two hours before supper The dose is two ounces in the morning and as much before supper or take foure ounces in the morning The water of the flowers also is good in the Dropsie and openeth the stoppings of the Liver Spleen and Reines it driveth away the tertian Ague and is good against melancholy and strengthneth the stomach The dose is three or foure ounces fasting The Mushromes of the Elder called Jewes-eares are much used being dryed and boiled with Ale or milke with Columbine-leaves for sore throats and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in powder to put up the Uvula or palate of the mouth when it is fallen downe The young and tender branches of Dane-wort and leaves thereof taken with Wine helpeth those that are troubled with the stone and gravell The juice of the root is a strong purger of watery humours and excellent for the Dropsie The leaves boiled in water and given to drink helpeth the dry Cough and the Quinsie The dryed Berries or Seeds beaten to powder and taken in Wine fasting worketh the same effect as the juice of the root doth The powder of the seeds taken in the decoction of Ground-pine and a little Cynamon to the quantity of a dram at a time is an approved remedy both for the Gowt joint-aches and Sciatica as also for the French disease for it easeth the paines by withdrawing the humours from the places affected and by drawing forth those humours that are fluent peccant and offensive the powder of the root worketh the same effect The root steeped in Wine all night and a draught thereof given before the fit of an Ague doth much prevaile to abate the fit or to take it quite away especially taken the second or third time if need be In a word what hath been said of Elder may be said of Dane-wort only Dane-wort is more forceable or powerfull then Elder The manner of administring them They are given in powder Boles and decoction A Powder against the Hip-gowt and joynt-gowt Take Dane-wort-seed Turbith Hermodactyles Sene Tartar of each a dram of Cynamon two drams make all into fine powder The dose is foure scruples in any convenient liquor A
or in Decoction as in the Chapter of Mugwort The outward use The greene herbe bruised and applyed is good against hot swellings as Wilde-fire Plague-sores Botches and it is good also to be laid upon the bitings of mad Dogs Serpents Spiders Bees or Wasps or any other venemous creature The powder stoppeth blood at the nose being applyed The juyce thereof cleareth the sight being put in and taketh away the rednesse thereof so doth the water Being bruised with a little Hogs grease and a little wheate flower mixed therewith It cures stubborne and rebellious Ulcers if it be applyed thereto It is used against the Gangreene also The Dose It is given in powder from halfe a dram to a dram Of such Medicines as are made thereof Carduus water Spirit Extract Syrupe Oyle and Conserve CHAP. 91. De Caryophyllis of Cloves The Names THey are called in Latine Caryophylli and Garyophylli in English Cloves The Temperament They are hot and dry in the second or third degree The Duration They will keepe good many yeares The inward use Cloves comfort the Head Heart Stomach and Liver help the Memory the eye sight and concoction and strengthen nature they break winde provoke urine and if halfe a dram thereof be taken in milke they stir up Venery or bodily Lust They are good against fainting sounding as also against the Plague and any infectious Disease against all Fluxes of the belly proceeding of cold humours strengthen the retentive faculty and make the breath sweet they stay also vomiting They are much used in the Kitchin both for sauces and sticking of meate The chymicall Oyle of Cloves is good in a Quartaine Ague in long weaknesse and debility of the Stomach for it doth take away crudity and expell winde in Fluxes of the belly and very usefull for the aforesaid Diseases if two or three drops be given in beere or wine The manner of Administring it It is given in powder and in Electuary The outward use Cloves in powder being put into the Eyes taketh away the web therein and cleareth the sight so doth the chymicall Oyle and also cleanseth filthy Ulcers especially such as are moist being put therein A few drops thereof put into a hollow Tooth that aketh with a little Lint doth ease the paine thereof They are used in sweet powders and sweet waters c. The hurtfull quality They are hurtfull for young people and cholerick complexions they are profitable for old persons and phlegmatick and such as are rheumetick and that in the winter season The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to two scruples Of such Medicines as are made thereof Oyle of Cloves Extract Salt Aromaticum Caryophyllatum CHAP. 92. De Castorio Of Castor The Names IT is called in Latine Castorium and Castoreum in English Castor and Bever-cod The temperament It is hot in the third degree and dry in the second The duration It will keepe good two or three years The inward Vse It openeth discusseth winde strengthneth the Head and Nervous parts quickneth the animall spirits resisteth poyson and provoketh the Courses in Women It is most excellent in the Lethargy Apoplexy Falling Sickness Palsy Swimming of the Head in trembling of the joynts and in defluxions of the humours to the joynts in fits of the Mother and in the Collick It helps to bring away the birth and after-Birth The spirit of Castor is good for the aforesaid Diseases The manner of Administring it It is given in powder or Electuary The outward use Being smelt to it availes in the fits of the Mother and put up into the Nostrills it provokes sneesing and helps the cold effects thereof If a piece bee put into a hollow aking Tooth it easeth the paine thereof and helpeth deafnesse or Noyse in the Eares comming from colde being mixed with a little Oyle of bitter Almonds and put therein Oyle of Castor helpes all cold effects of the Braines and Nerves as the Palsie Cramps Convulsions Lethargy and such like It prevents the strong shaking of Agues if the spine of the backe be therewith anoynted before the fit come A Pessary to provoke the Courses Take of Castor in powder halfe a dram Sage in powder two drams Myrrhe and Nigella Seede in powder of each three drams with the juyce of Mercury or a little Hony make a Pessary The hurtfull quality It must not be used to very hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given from halfe a scruple to a scruple Of such Medicines as are made thereof Spirit of Castor Oyle by Distillation Extract Electuary of Castor CHAP. 93. De Centaurio of Centory The Names and Kindes THere are two sorts of Centory chiefly in use the great and the small the great is called in Latine Centaurium magnum and Centaurium majus vulgare in English great Centory the small is called Centaurium parvum and Centaurium minus in English small Centory little or common Centaury The Temperament The great Centory is hot and dry in the third degree the lesser is hot and dry in the second degree and very bitter The Duration They will keepe good a yeare The inward use The lesser Centory purgeth Flegme and Choller and provokes sweate It is usefull in the Sciatica in Agues for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleene helping the Jaundies and easing the paines in the side making thin both the bloud and humours by the cleansing and bitter qualities therein it helpeth those that have the Dropsy or Greenesicknesse It killeth Wormes and dryeth up rheumes A Decoction thereof also is good against the Collick and to bring downe Womens Courses helpeth to avoid the dead Birth and easeth the paines of the Mother and is very effectuall in all paines of the joynts as the Gout Cramp or Convulsions A dram of the powder taken in Wine is a good helpe against the biting or poyson of Adder or Viper The tops of the stalkes with the flowers are most in use The great Centory roots being steeped in VVine or the powder thereof given in VVine is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaundes or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver two drams of the root in powder taken in VVine or water helpeth those that spit Bloud or that bleed much at the mouth It is also used for Ruptures Cramps and Pleurises and for an old Cough shortnesse of Breath Gripings in the belly and paines of the Mother It helpeth the Strangury and Stone The manner of Administring them They are given in Decoction or in powder The outward use The Juyce of the lesser Centory mixed with a little Hony is good to cleare the Eyes from dimnesse mistes or cloudes that hinder the sight and is singular good for greene or fresh wounds and also for old Vlcers and Sores to close up the one and clense the other and perfectly to cure them both although they be Fistulous and Hollow the greene herbe especially being bruised and laid to the Decoction dropped into the Eares
canded or the conserve taken doth warme a cold and windy stomach and helpeth the pricking and stitches therein or in the sides caused by the Spleene and to help the Cough shortnesse of breath and wheesing in the Lungs the dryed roots made into powder mixed with Sugar and taken serve to the same purposes and is also good for those that are troubled with the Mother and in the Plague and putrified Feavers very usefull The roots and leaves bruised and put into Ale or Beere and daily drunke cleareth strengthneth and quickneth the sight of the eyes wonderfully In the root lyeth the chiefe vertue The manner of administring it It is given in powder or decoction A Decoction against Aches in the joynts Take Elecampane roote and Avers of each a handfull Boyle them in a pint or a pint and a halfe of sweet wine when it is neere boyled put in halfe a dram of Safforn and boyle it againe gently straine it and adde Hony and Sugar of each foure ounces warme it on the fire or gently boyle it the Dose is foure ounces in a Morning and to sweat after it The outward use The root bruised and applyed helpeth Gouts Cramps or Convulsions loosenesse and paines in the joynts or those Members that are out of joynt by cold or moisture happening to them The roots boyled well in Vineger beat afterwards and made into an oyntment with Hogs grease and a little Salt with powder and Vineger added thereto is an excellent remedy for Scabs or Itch in young or old Seâ— my helpe for the pore Pag. 21. The place also bathed or washâ—d in the Decoction doth the some and helpeth all sorts of old putrid or filthy Sores or Cankers wheresoever The hurtfull quality It must not be given to hot and dry bodies The Dose The root in powder may be given from twenty graines to thirty Of such Medicines as are made thereof Water from the root and leaves Conserve of the root The root Candyed Extract from the root Wine of Elecampane CHAP. 102. De Eryngiâ— of Sea hâ—lly The Names IT is called in Latine Eringus Eryngium and Iringus in English Sea Holly and Sea Hulver The Temperament It is temperate in heate somewhat drying and cleansing The Duration The roote will keepe good being dry a yeare or two The inward use The decoctirn of the root in wine being drunke is very effectuall to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene and helpeth the yellow Jaundise the Dropsie and the paines in the Loynes and Winde-collick in the Bowells provoketh Urine expelleth the Stone and procureth womens courses It is usually taken to stir Lust and to help venerous actions especially the root Canded as also against the biting of any venemous Creatures or any poysonous herbes and is good against the French Disease and the Kings evill The continued use of the decoction for fifteen dayes taken fasting and next to bedwards doth helpe the Strangury the stopping of the Urine and the Stone and all defects of the Reines and Kidneyes and if the same be continued longer it is said perfectly to cure them that are troubled with the Stone The distilled water of the young Leaves and Stalkes being drunke is profitable for all the purposes aforesaid and doth help melancholly the Quartaine and Quotidian Ague and the Cramp of the neck The manner of Administring it It is given in Powder or in Decoction In Decoction Take of Eringo roots dry one ounce or an ounce and a halfe bruise them and boyle them in a pint and a halfe of White wine to the wasting of the third part straine it and drinke a good draught thereof Morning and Evening The outward use The roors bruised and applyed helpeth the Kings Evill and also the Sting or biting of any Serpent Applyed also with old Hogs grease or salted Lard being first bruised and boyled therein to broken bones thornes c. remaining in the fl sh doth not onely draw them forth but healeth up the place againe gathering new flesh where it was consumed or almost fallen away the juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares helpeth Apostumes therein The Dose The root in Powder is given from halfe a dram to a dram Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water The roots Canded CHAP. 103. De Euphrasia of Eye-bright The Names IT is called in Latine Euphrasia Eufragia and Eufrasia in English Eye-bright The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration It will keepe good being dry a yeare The inward use It is chiefly used for all diseases of the eyes that cause dimnesse of the sight for either the greene herb or the dry the juyce or the distilled water is very effectuall for the said purpose to be taken in wine or broth so is the conserve made of the flowers being taken Morning and Evening It helpeth also a weake braine or m mory and restoreth them being decayed in a short time Wine or Ale made with Eye-bright and taken is very good for the same purpose The powder of the dryed herbe mixed with Mace and Fennell seede is good for the weake sight and memory being drunke or eaten in broth The manner of Administring it It is chiefly given in Powder A powder to preserve the sight Take Eye-bright Betony of each a handfull Mace and Fennell seede of each two drams make them into powder and give halfe a dram thereof Morning and Evening in Broth or Beere The outward use The juyce of the Eye-bright or the water dropped into the eyes cleareth the sight and taketh away the dimnesse thereof The Dose It is given in powder from halfe a dram to a dram in the water thereof or any other convenient L quor Of such Medicines as are made thereof Water of Eye-bright Conserve of the flowers Wine of Eye-bright A water to cleare the sight Take Rosewater Eye bright water Celandine water of each one ounce of Tutia or Tutty in powder a dram m xe them together and keep it to wash the eyes with CHAP. 104. De Ficubus of Figgs The Names IN Latine it is called Ficus and Carica in English Figs. The Temperament Figs are hot and moist especially being greene but dry they are hot and dry in the second or almost in the third degree The Duration They will keepe good halfe a yeare The inward use A decoction of Figs is good for the Cough Lungs and throat as also against shortnesse of breath especially if they be boyled in Hyssop and Licorish They are good for the Reynes and bladder and to regaine a good colour to them that by long sicknesse have lost it and usefull also in the Dropsie Falling Sicknesse Quinsie and for the infirmities of the wombe where cleansing is required they expell also superfluous humours from the inward parts to the circumference usefull therefore to expell Poxe Measells and such like venemous matter to the skin Figs stampâ—d with Salt Rue and the kernells of Nuts withstand all poison and
of Birthwort root a dram Myrrhe in powder ten graines make the other in powder and with water of Honey or Carduus water make a Potion and give it Against the swelling of the Spleene Take of round Birthwort in powder a dram or of the Extract of round Birthwort halfe a dram Give it with Oxymel Acoratum or Carduus water Against the impurity of the Womb to provoke the courses expell the After-Birth and to bring away the dead Child Take of round Birthwort in powder a dram Myrrhe in powder twenty graines white Pepper in powder ten graines mix them together and give them in Savine water In Decoction Take of round Birthwort bruised two drams boyle it in Posset-drink and being strained give it Against Botium gulae or strumous swellings about the Throat Take round Birthwort Radish-root and stinking Gladwin of each a dram Pimpinell or Burnet Mouseare Rue of each two drams Figwort Droppewort of each halfe an ounce Anni seede two drams Ginger a dram Turbith and Sene of each three drams make them all into a fine powder and add thereto of white Sugar four ounces The Dose is one spoonfull every morning in white-White-wine or broom-Broom-water The outward Vse It is used in old rotten and maligne Vlcers and Fistulaes especially being mixed with Oris powder and Honey for thus used it cleanseth and incarneth It cures Vlcers of the secret parts if you wash them with the decoction thereof The powder hereof doth cleanse the teeth and make them white being rubbed therewith It easeth the Gout being mingled with Honey and Salt and applied It draweth forth Thorns and Splinters of bones that are broken being applyed with Terpintine It helpeth the biting of venomous Beasts being boyled in Wine and laid on or let the powder thereof be mixed with the juice of Rue and so applyed to the Wound Being mingled with the powder of Aloes Lime or Chalke and Honey into an Oyntment adding a little Wine it cures the Cancer in the Nose and Polypus if tents be made thereof and put up and make an Oyntment for the said purpose with the powder of round Birthwort Cypresse and Honey and use it as the former The powder thereof tempered with Honey cures the Vlcers of the mouth and gums A Pessary made hereof and with Myrrhe provokes the terms in Women It healeth all Wounds in the Head the fume thereof or the powder in a quilted Cap stayeth all Fluxes and distillations of thin Rheume from the head An Oyntment to procure flesh in Vlcers Take the powder of round Birthwort and Oris of each a dram roots of Reeds and Peucedanum or Hoggs Fennell in powder of each a dram and a halfe Francumsence Mastich and Myrrhe in powder of each two drams of the Oyntment called Vnguentum Comitissae three ounces Honey of Roses so much as is sufficent make all into an Oyntment An Oyle usefull in the Palsie and Epilepsie or Falling Sicknesse Take of round Birthworth two ounces bruise it Euphorbium and Castor of each a dram and a halfe boyle these in Oyle Olive twelve ounces strain it and anoint the spina dorsi from the Neck to the Buttocks or shutting of the Hips do thus for the space of a fortnight or three weeks The hurtfull Quality It is not to be given to Women with Child because it brings Abortion or causeth miscarrying Of such things as are made of Birthwort long and round 1. The Distilled Water Usefull against creeping Vlcers and Pustules of the Genitalls both in men and women being therewith washed or linnen cloaths dipt in the same and laid on the place all night 2. Pils of Aristolochia Fernel 3. Extract thereof 4. Diatessaron or Theriaca Diatessaron The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to a dram In decoction from a dram to two drams or three drams CHAP. VII De Assa Foetida Of Assa Fetida ASsa Fetida is a Gum comming from the Plant called Laser or Sylphyum growing in Media Libia and Syria and not of Laserpitium of Diascorides the juice of which is unknown to Modern Writers Johan Schroder pharmac med chym lib. 4. fol. 180. Others will have it to come from Laserpitium The Names In Latine Laser medicum foetidum and Assa Foetida or Asa foetida It is so ill sented that the Germans call it Teuffelz drech that is Diaboli stercus Devils durt or dung The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree The best sort The best is that which is clear smelling somwhat like Garlicke tough and not dry or foul with sticks in colour like the best Myrrhe The Duration It will keep good many years It is adulterated by mixing Meal Bran and the Gum Sagapenum together The Inward use It is profitable for Women that are troubled with the rising of the Mother and Diseases of the Womb It bringeth downe the courses in Women and expells the secundine or After-Birth being taken with Pepper and Myrrhe It is usefull in Diseases of the Breast Nerves and Brain and being taken in an Egge that is soft it helps Hoarsnesse and given with Oxymel it helpeth the Cough Jaundise and Dropsie Given with Vineger of Squills or Mulsa that is Wine and Honey boyled together it helps the Falling Sicknesse Being given in Wine or Angelica water it helpeth against Venome and Poyson of venomous Beasts where any are stung therewith It cures the Quartaine Ague and Feavers of long continuance Taken with Oxymel it dissolveth coagulated milk in the breast it killeth Worms and expelleth wind it is used also to take away the loathing of the stomach to meat by the Indians and to strengthen the weaknesse of it also and is much in use by them to provoke unto Venery The manner of administring it It is given in Pils or in powder but hardly made into powder because of its moistnesse or it is given in wine or other liquor being first dissolved in the same A powder against the Quartaine Ague Take Assa Fetida Rue long Pepper of each two drams make them into powder and mix it with a little Honey Give a dram or a dram and a halfe of it in any convenient liquor before the fit commeth Wecher syntax fol. 248. 348. Note here that except the Assa Fetida be very dry you cannot make it into powder therefore you may dissolve it in honey or wine and so take it There is an Electuary made of Assa Fetida Pepper Ginger Rue Salniter and Honey which is commended against the Quartaine Ague and Chronicall Feavers or Agues of long continuance It is so much commended against wind that Mr Parkinson in his Herball tells a Story from Gartias of a Portugall that tried it upon a Horse whom the King of Bisnager would have bought but that he was over subject to break wind but after the Portugall had cured him thereof the King bought him and asking how he cured him he answered with Assa Fetida given in his Provender no marvaile said the King if he
a dram in infusion from two drams to halfe an ounce Brassica Marina see Soldanella or Sea bind weed CHAP. IX De Bdellio Of Gum Bdellium BDellium is a Gum flowing from a tree growing in Arabia in India and Media but it chiefly groweth in Arabia The Names It is called in Latine Bdellium The Temperament Bdellium is hot in the second degree and moist in the first of a mollifying and discussing nature The best kinde The best say Authours is clear like glew fat on the inside easily melting or dissolving pure or clear from drosse sweet in the burning and bitter in tast but that we have is not to be found so for we find little bitternesse in any and lesse sweetnesse in the burning of it but strong and unpleasant rather neither is it easie to be dissolved without warmth and ours is of a sad brown colour somwhat like Glew and much like unto Myrrhe in colour insomuch that some erroneously judge the purer part of this Gum to be Bdellium and the grosser to be Myrrhe The Duration It will keep good ten or twelve years The inward Vse It provokes Urine and the courses in Women breaks the Stone it is good for those that have the Cough and are bitten by Serpents or venomous Beasts It helpeth to discusse the windinesse of the Spleen and pains of the side it helpeth Ruptures mollifieth the hardnesse of the Mother and dryeth up the moysture thereof and draweth forth the dead Child It provokes sweat stoppeth the overflowing of the menses or courses in Women and also of the womb as some affirm which if it doe both surely 't is by its Arcanum or hidden property It is given against a super-purgation after the taking of a sharp Medicine that is when a Purge worketh more then is meet The manner of administring it It is chiefly used in Pills but it may be dissolved in wine or any other liquour and so taken Pills of Bdellium that are good against the Hemroids or Piles and the overflowing of the courses Take of Bdellium one ounce and a halfe Myrobalans Chebuls Black Myrobalans Bellericks and Emblicks Concha Venerea burnt which is a Sea-shell of each two drams and a halfe Ammios-seed three drams Amber two drams and a halfe make those things in powder that are to be powdered then macerate and dissolve the Bdellium in juice of Leeks and with a sufficient quantity of syrupe made of the juice of Leeks make it into a masse or lump for Pills The Dose is from halfe a dram to four scruples Pills against the Hemroids Take of the former Pills two drams of Sene Rubarbe Agarick trochiscated in powder of each a dram with a sufficient quantity of syrupe of Roses make a masse for Pills of which take a dram at a time in the morning for divers dayes together if need require Riverius observat med cent 3. fol. 236. The Externall Vse It is outwardly used against Convulsions and Ruptures against swellings of the Throat it dissolveth hard tumours and nodes of the Joynts it openeth obstructions of the Womb mollifieth the hardnesse thereof and dryeth up its moistnesse either applied or a fume thereof received the same is good against swellings and apostumes of the genitalls or privy members A Plaister dissolving hard tumours Take of Bdellium one ounce of Sagapenum four ounces of Ammoniacum three ounces Galbanum Euphorbium of each two drams Dissolve the Gums in Sacke then add thereto Oyle of white Lillies and Oyle of sweet Almonds of each an ounce Propolis which is found in Bee hives four ounces and a halfe make them into a Plaister A Plaister against Nodes and glandulous tumours Take of Bdellium and Lupines of each two drams of Cow-dung two ounces of Colewort-root Capar bark Sea Onion pulp of Figs of each halfe an ounce make those in powder that are to be powdered dissolve the Bdellium in Wine and with a sufficient quantity of Honey Vineger Hogs-greace and Old Oyle make a Plaister apply it as need requireth The Hurtfull Quality It is not to be given to Women with Child The Dose The Dose is from a dram to two drams These following are made of Bdellium 1. Pills of Bdellium 2. Oyntment of Bdellium 3. Vnguentum Apostolorum CHAP. X. De Bistorta Of Bistort-root BIstort is a thick short knobbed root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or turned together of a harsh or binding tast with divers blackish fibres or hairie threds growing thereat and hath leaves like Dock's but smaller The Names It is called in Latine Bistorta because the root is writhed in the likenesse of a Serpent in English Bistort or Snake-weede The Temperament It doth coole and dry in the third degree and is very astringent or binding The Duration It will keep good a year or two The inward Vse Bistort-root is excellent to resist all poyson and venom A dram of it in powder taken in Wine or angelica-Angelica-water expelleth the venome of the Plague or Pestilence the Small Pox Measles Purples or any other infectious Disease the same in powder or the decoction in Wine being drunk stayeth all manner of inward bleeding or spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body and moreover such as are troubled with vomiting The powder or the decoction being drunk helpeth Ruptures and is available against all bruises or falls and dissolveth the congealed bloud and easeth the paines that happen thereupon the same helpeth the Jaundise and hindereth Abortion or miscarrying in Women killeth Worms and is profitable for such as cannot hold their water especially if the juice of Plantaine be added thereto A dram of the powder taken in the water thereof wherein some Iron or Steel being red hot hath been quenched is an admirable help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins so that the body be first purged It is very usefull in decoctions for Wounds being taken into the body the same stayeth the flowing of the courses in Women The manner of administring it It is given in powder in electuary and in decoction An Electuary against Womens Flux or the overflowing of their Courses Take of old Conserve of red Roses one ounce and a halfe Bole Armenick in powder two scruples red Corall in powder a scruple Bistort root in powder a dram with a sufficient quantity of syrupe of Mirtles or syrupe of Quinces make an Electuary Take often of it especially a little before meat the quantity of a Nutmeg and after meat as much An Electuary against the Pestilence Take of LONDON Treacle halfe an ounce Mithridate 3. drams Angelica root and Bistort root in powder of each halfe a scruple Cardamoms five grains Camphor four grains Cinamon in powder halfe a scruple Let the Camphor be dissolved in a little syrupe of Lemons and the rest being in powder make it into an Electuary The Dose is a dram or more morning and evening by it selfe or in Carduus-water In Decoction Take of Bistort root bruised two drams boyle it in
Countrey-people Tetter-berries may with good successe be applied to them The root cleanseth the skin from the Morphew Leprosie all running Scabs and Manginesse if a Bath be made thereof or the juice applied thereunto A Pessary made of the root bringeth downe the courses in Women and bringeth forth the After-birth and dead Child A Bath made hereof cleanseth the Womb from filthinesse and uncleannesse The root hung about the Neck is good against the Falling Sicknesse and Convulsion The root bruised and boyled in Vineger being applyed to the swollen Genitalls of men helpeth the same A decoction of the leaves or roots mingled with Honey and the mouth and throat washed therewith cureth Vlcers and sorenesse thereof The distilled water of the root worketh the same effect but more weakly yet the water is used for freckles and spots in the face Against hardnesse and stopping of the Spleene Take what quantity you will of the green root of Brionie bruise it with Figs and apply it to the Spleen adding thereunto a little Oyle of Capers Or Take Ammoniacum dissolved in Vineger Oyntment Dialtheae or of Marsh-mallows Plaister of Melilot of each halfe an ounce Brionie root and Orris in powder of each halfe an ounce Ducks-grease Goose grease and Hens-grease of each three drams Bdellium and Galbanum of each a dram and a halfe Oyle of Orris-root one ounce and a halfe of the Mussilage of Linseede and Fenugreeke a sufficient quantity of each dissolve the gums and boyle them gently together and add thereto of Wax four ounces of Turpintine and Rosin of each one ounce and a halfe make all into a Cerat according to art Against corrupt and fretting sores in the Legs Take the leaves or root of White Brionie bruise them with Salt and Vineger and apply it Against the Gout and Sciatica Take of Brionie-root green bruise it and apply it with Hogs-grease The hurtfull Quality with the correcting means The root of White Brionie doth much trouble the Stomach head and other parts therefore it must not be given to delicate bodies nor where the spirits are low for though it have a specifick vertue for the Diseases of the Brain before mentioned yet it offends the weak The hurtfull Quality hereof is taken away in part by adding to it Ginger Cinamon Quince or such like The same is also very dangerous for Women with Child however it be given for it causeth Abortion or miscarrying These things are made of Brionie 1. The Extract thereof 2. Faeces vel Faculae Brioniae 3. Water of Brionie 4. Oyntment of Brionie 5. Vnguentum Agrippae The Dose The Dose of the root in substance is from a scruple to a dram in infusion from two drams to halfe an ounce The juice of the root is given from a dram to two drams or more in strong bodies The faeces or dregs thereof are given from five graines to twenty Cambogia see Gutta Gummi CHAP. XII De Camphora Of Camphor or Campher CAmphor is a Gum or liquor of a Tree growing in India and other places partly distilling forth of its owne accord but chiefly by incision and commeth forth clear and white without any spot therein of a very strong sent and of thin parts so that being but a while expos'd to the air both sent and substance vanisheth away The Names It is called in Latine Camphora Caphura in English Camphire Camfire Camphor and Campher The temperament Some will have it to be cold and dry in the third degree others esteem it to be hot but of this more hereafter The best kinde The best is white shining clear as Crystall not full of spots easie to be broken and brittle also being set on fire it burneth and is not easily quenched and hath also a strong sent The Duration It will keep good many years some say forty years but it must be kept from the air and in Flax-seed or Fleawort-seed otherwise it will evaporate and consume to nothing The inward Vse It resisteth putrifaction and venome therefore it is frequently used in the Pestilence contagious diseases and in Feavers It extinguisheth venery or the lust of the body Camphora venenis strenuè resistit cardiacon est Joubert de peste f. 72 Vide Thoner observat l. 3. observat 8. fol. 187. and is good for the running of the Reins as also against the Whites in Women and for the rising of the Mother being dissolved in Balm-water and so taken It cools the heat of the Liver Backe and all hot inflamations in the body The manner of Administring it It is given in Electuaries in Powders Potions c. An Electuary against the Pestilence Take Myrrhe Saffron the bone of a Stags heart or Harts-horne in powder of each two scruples and a halfe of Dittany in powder two drams of white Ginger in powder halfe an ounce of Zedorie in powder two drams and a halfe of Tormentill-roots in powder a dram of Campher in powder or dissolved in Aqua vitae two drams Mithridate and London Treacle of each three ounces with a little Aqua vitae make an Electuary Take thereof morning and evening as much as a small Nut. A powder for the Pestilence Take of Zedoary White Dittany root Gentian-root Scordium Carduus Sorrell of each two drams make them into powder The Dose is a dram in a morning in Carduus-water or in the winter let it be given in white-White-wine This is a good preservative in times of infection Or Take of white Sugar-Candy a dram white Ginger two scruples Camphor halfe a scruple make them in powder and give it in two or three ounces of scabious-Scabious-water or Angelica-water Or Take Angelica-root Bay-berries of each halfe an ounce round Aristolochia or Birthwort two drams Gentian-root Nutmeg of each a dram Camphor halfe a scruple make all into powder The Dose is a dram or more in Carduus-water A Potion against the Pestilence Take of Treacle called Diatessaron a dram Angelica-root in powder halfe a dram or a dram of Rose-Vineger a dram Campher three grains Carduus-water two ounces Dissolve the Campher and the rest that is to be dissolved in the water and make a potion give it and let the party sweat after it This may be given divers times if need be Note That Campher will not be made into powder alone without a blanched Almond or some other such like unctious thing which hereby will be brought into fine powder neither will it easily dissolve in cold water but by warmth it will or with any syrupe it will soon dissolve The outward Vse It helpeth pain of the head and heat thereof if it be mixed with yellow Sanders and red Rose-water and the Temples and Forehead bath'd therewith It stoppeth blood that floweth out of the nostrills if it be smelled to and refresheth the brain It is used against Phlegmous and Erysipelas or Wilde-fire also against heat or inflamations of the eyes it is good in Wounds and Vlcers to abate the heat thereof and is of much
use among Women to beautify their face therefore it is much used against heat and pimpels of the face It extinguisheth Venery being applied to the Reins or Testicles with the juice of Nightshade Being put into a hollow Tooth that aketh it easeth the pain thereof also put into a piece of fine Linnen or Taffety and hanged about the neck it cures Agues especially in Children and that by a specifick vertue Also it is good to smell to for such as have lost their smelling and to preserve from infection in times of contagion Against rednesse of the eyes and to coole and dry Take of Sumach bruised two drams steep it in two ounces of red Rose-water straine it and add to the liquor of Campher four grains dissolve the Campher and keep it for your use Against Ophthalmia or inflamation of the eyes in its declination Take of Tutia or Tutty in powder halfe an ounce Lapis Calaminaris quenched often in white-White-wine and in powder a dram Cloves in number powdered five of Honey one ounce white-White-wine two ounces red rose-Rose-water four ounces Campher dissolved in the Rose-water a dram Mix them together shake it often and wash the eyes therewith Against rednesse and running of the eyes Take of Tutty in powder an ounce of Aloes succotrine powdered halfe an ounce Campher a dram Rose-water one pound and a halfe of white-White-wine wherein some Pomegranat pill hath been infused or steeped four and twenty hours halfe a pint mix them together and let them be boyled very gently or rather warm it in a Kettle of hot water strain it and reserve it to use Against spots in the eyes Take of Campher a dram dissolve it in the juice of Fennel and add some Rose water to it drop some of it into the eyes Against the heat of the Liver Take of Campher halfe an ounce dissolve it in the juice of Nightshade dip linnen cloaths therein and lay them to the region of the Liver The hurtfull Quality It is not safe to give it to such as have weak heads or infirme Stomachs or to such as abhor the smell thereof for in great pains of the head and stomach it is dangerous to use it for it exciteth watchfullnesse and causeth head ach neither is it safe to give it in chollerick Diseases Dan. Sennert med pract l. 1. c. 1. fol. 12. f. 66. Rudolph Camerar memor med cent 4. fol. 254. The Dose The Dose according to some is from halfe a scruple to a scruple but I conceive if it be given alone 't is not safe to give above five or six graines at the most except it be in the Pestilence or such like Diseases Of such things as are made with Campher 1. Essence of Campher 2. Oyle of Campher Excellent in the Tooth-ach 3. Trossâ—s of Campher 4. Vnguentum Camphoratum album Whether Campher be cold or hot and whether it extinguish Venery or lust There is some controversie among Physitians about the nature of Campher most agree that Campher is cold and that without doubt because it is used in externall heats and inflamations that commeth by being in the Sun too long and because it helpeth pain of the head and cureth inflamations of the eyes as also extinguisheth Venery Others especially late Writers say Campher is hot and that upon these grounds First Because of its inflamability for it doth not only burne easily but being set on fire and cast into the water it will burne there But this Argument Scaliger exercit 104. sect 8. doth reject and deride but without just cause For nothing doth thus burne except it be of a sulphurous and butuminous nature as some conceive Now all inflamabilious things or such as are of burning and fiery nature are hot from whence it appears that Campher is hot although on the contrary we may not conclude that all things that are hot are of a burning nature Secondly Campher seems to be hot by it's taste being bitter how we say quod amarum calidum that which is bitter is hot Thirdly the strong smell or sent thereof doth demonstrate it to be hot Fourthly the tenuity or thinnesse of parts and it 's great penetrating faculty doth manifest it to be hot for such properties are not to be found in cold things Now that Campher doth extinguish heat heals inflamations and mitigates paine of the head proceeding from a hot cause this it doth by accident in drawing hot vapours and humours away and so discussing them in the same manner as Linseed-oyle Vernix and such like doth cure burning Others would reconcile the difference thus by saying Campher doth consist of a double faculty or substance as is in Veniger Rubarbe c. one hot which causeth the penetrating sharpe and burning faculty the other cold which extinguisheth lust and helps inflamations of the eyes But surely Campher is altogether hot for though it be affirmed to be cold yet t is not easily proved Neither can the double substance in Campher be separated as in Rubarbe and Roses for the whole substance thereof is hot and of a fiery nature and nothing at all cold for though it do cool yet it is not per se of it's proper nature but by accident as it is before shewed Now concerning it's faculty in extinguishing Venery t is denied by Scaliger exercit 104. sect 8. For he thus writes extingui venerem ea non esse verum pro certo habemus We have certain experience that Campher doth not extinguish Venery for saith he a young man did the feat strongly although he had a piece thereof in his hand Also he tryed it upon a proud Bitch by giving it inwardly and using it outward but all in vain Coivit concepit peperit But this experience is not sufficient for when it is said Campher doth extinguish Lust it is not so to be understood as if by one act or by using it outwardly once or twice it should prevaile but if it be often used doth inwardly and outwardly Dan. Sennert de morb mulier lib. 4. part 2. sect 3. c. 6. fol. 250. Paralipom fol. 156 157 158. Schroder Pharm med chym l. 4. f. 185. Pet. Paul de cur morb l. 1. c. 30. f. 87. Fragos med ind histor c. 7. f. 106. Greg. Host Epistol med lib. 2. sect 9. f. 491 492 c. CHAP. XIII De Carthami semine Of seed of Bastard Saffron CArthamus seed is a white and long cornered seed somewhat like French-barley but a little bigger and more picked at the one end then at the other The Names It is called in Latin Knicus Knecus and Knecum also Carthamus and the seed semen Carthami in English Bastard Saffron The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree although Galen saith it is hot and dry in the third degree which might be in respect of the region or place where it did grow The best sort The best is the whitest and cornered with a light and hard skin or bark full of Pulpe unctious
halfe a scruple Myrrhe ten grains make them into powder adding of Savin in powder a dram and a halfe and with a little Honey make a masse or lump for Pills Give them as need requireth An Electuary against Fluxes of the Belly Take of Cinamon in powder two drams old conserve of red Roses two ounces red Corall in powder two scruples with syrupe of Quinces make an Electuary of which take morning evening and before dinner the quantity of a small Nut. Note That it is best to make Cinamon in powder only when you use it and not to keep it powdered The outward Vse Cinamon being mixed in Collyries that is Medicines for the eyes quickens the sight and dryeth up the moisture thereof mingled with Honey and Vineger and the place noynted therewith it helpeth Ring-Wormes or Tetters and taketh away spots or freckles The powder is commended against clefts of the lips and other sores being put therein Oyle of Cinamon is commended for all green Wounds and Vlcers if it be dropped therein and doth much corroborate and warm cold parts of the body being noynted therewith and mixed with Honey it takes away spots from the face being therewith anointed Cassia lignea being cast on coles and the smoak taken at the Nose dryeth up Rheumes and Catarrhes that proceed from cold and moist humours Also a Suffumigation thereof helpeth the paine of the Womb and the stoppings thereof Being mixed with Honey and applied it dissolveth swellings and hard tumours A decoction of Cassia lignea made with white-White-wine and rose-Rose-water is commended against the stinking of the Arm holes if the place be bath'd therewith and the same is good to wash soar mouths and Gums The hurtfull quality Cinamon is hurtfull to those that have hot and chollerick bodies for in such it inflames the Liver and blood and the inward parts neither may such as have Feavers be too busie with it nor Women with Child The same cautions are to be used in taking of Cassia lignea These best agree with cold and moist bodies and weak stomachs and is more usefull in Winter then in Summer The Dose The Dose in powder of either is from a dram to a dram and a halfe The Dose of the Chymicall Oyle is two three or four drops in any convenient liquor The Dose of the Cinamon-water is halfe a spoonfull or one spoonfull at a time in Beer or such like Of those Medicines that are made of Cinamon 1. Cinamon Water 2. Tincture or Extract 3. Elixir of Cinamon 4. Oyle of Cinamon 5. Salt of Cinamon 6. Balsum of Cinamon 7. Syrupe of Cinamon 8. Magister of Cinamon 9. Species Diacinamomu Whether Cinamon be rightly used to stay Womens Fluxes or the Menstru s in Women It is very common among many that when Women are troubled with the overflowing of the Menses or Courses or any other Flux of the body then to prescribe Cinamon and they think it a great binder of the body They usually burne Claret Wine with Cinamon and give them Cinamon in powder with Milk Now in that Flux of the body called Diarrhaea and other Fluxes I deny not but it may be used and that with good successe for it strengthneth the stomach and entralls the imbecillity or weaknes whereof is the cause of such Fluxes but to give it to Women to stay their Courses is contrary to reason and experience for it will rather bring them downe and cause them more to flow as is before manifested Therefore I would advise Women to leave this inveterate custome CHAP. XV. De Cassia Fistula Of Cassia in Canes CAssia Fistula is a black Cane having a black substance therein with seeds like Peony-seeds It was unknowne to former Writers or not regarded and esteemed by them The Names It is called in Latine Cassia solutiva Cassia or Cassia Fistula now it is called Cassia as some think from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quod coriaceum vocant because the Cods or Canes are like Leather or as others conceive from the sweetnesse of the flowers like unto Cassia aromatica or Odorata In English 't is called Pudding-pipe because the Cod is like a Pudding The temperament Cassia is hot and moist in the first degree The b st kinde The best sort of Cassia is that which is taken out of the most heavy Canes and that are fullest and shine without but such Canes as are light and make a sound or rattle are not to be chosen but to be rejected The Duration It will keep good in the Canes two or three years The inward use Cassia purgeth first choller then Flegmatick humours It is profitable for such as are troubled with hot Feavers Pleurisy Jaundise or heat of the Liver mixed with convenient liquours It is good for the heat of the Reins and Kidneyes it bringeth forth Gravell and the Stone and is a good preservative against the Stone taken with a decoction of Licoris or Parsly roots It profiteth in inflamations of the Lungs Breast and Trachea arterie or rough arterie easing those parts very much It tempers the heat of the bloud and takes away the acrimony or sharpnesse of the bloud and choller and quencheth thirst in Feavers It profits in the Quinsie and in the running of the Reines with Licoris Rubarbe and Anni-seed as also in sharp Rheumes and distillations It is a safe Medicine and may be given to Women with Child and that at any time either in the morning before dinner supper Non diu ante cibum exhibere debet aliâs in nutrimentum ea abutitur natura Sennert instit f. 953. or at night The manner of administring it It is given in Boles or in Potions but the best way to take it is in a Bole. A Bole. Take of Cassia newly drawne ten drams Anni-seed or Fennel-seed in powder halfe a dram with a little Sugar make a Bole. Or Take of Cassia newly drawne one ounce of the species of Hiera picra a dram or two drams mix them together and make a Bole. Take it in the morning and within an hour after take a messe of Broth or some Posset-drink A Bole to purge Choller Take of the pulp of new Cassia one ounce of the pulp of Tamarinds halfe an ounce mix them together and take it as before A Bole purging Choller from the head Take of the pulp of Cassia new drawne seven drams of Electuary of the juice of Roses two drams mix them together and make a Bole. A Bole purging Flegme from the head Take of Agarick trochiscated a dram and a halfe Stoechados in powder a scruple of Cassia newly drawne an ounce mix them together for a Bole. A Potion Take of Cassia newly drawne ten drams of the decoction of Succory and Anni-seed three ounces dissolve the Cassia and make a Potion Or Take of Tamarinds one ounce and a halfe or two ounces infuse or steep it eight or ten hours in Whey or Posset-drink then strain it and add to it of Cassia newly drawne
in powder stirring them well together till it become a fit masse for pils The Dose is from ten grains to fifteen Freitag Aur. Med. f. 337. The external use A decoction of Coloquintida made with Veniger easeth the paine of the Teeth if they be washed therewith The powder thereof with Honey applyed to the Navill killeth wormes Being infused in Vineger it cureth the Morphew Leprosie Elephansie dry scurfe and scabs if the places be often rubbed therewith A bath made of Coloquintida and the feet and other parts fomented therewith bringeth downe the Courses in Women The juyce boyled with Hogs-greese and applyed to the hip easeth the Sciatica An oyle made of Coloquintida and dropped into the ear take's away the noyse and singing thereof and is good against baldnes and falling of the hair Coloquintida is used in Glisters and Suppositories A Glister Take of the Pulpe of Coloquintida two drams Camomel flowers a handfull Anniseed Cuminseed of each halfe an ounce Make a decoction in fair water straine it and in a pint of the decoction desolve honey of Roses oyl of Camomel of each three or four ounces and make a Glister A Suppository Take of Coloquintida in powder a scruple species Hiera simplex halfe a dram Salgem halfe a scruple with a sufficient quantity of Honey make a Suppository A Ball made of Coloquintida which purgeth onely by smelling to it Take of Colocynthis and Esula or pine spurge in powder Aloes and Myrrhe in powder of each a dram with the juice of Coriander make two bals to hold in each hand one and being warmed therewith smell often to them The hurtfull quality with the correcting means Coloquintida hurts the heart liver and stomach by its strong operation it opens the mouthes of the veines whereby many times after the taking of it blood is voided both upward and downeward It also excoriats the bowels and passages of the Urine and bringeth great gripings and tearing pains Therefore it must not be given to women with child for being but applyed to the wombe it killeth the child nor to children aged persons or such as are weake neither to any that have the Plurisie Hectich Feaver or any inflamation It is not safe to give it alone but being well corrected it may be given to strong and rustick bodies It is corrected with Hepaticall Cardiacall Stomachicall and other gentle means as Tragacanth oyle of sweet Almonds Ginger or Mastich Some adde Bdellium and other astringent things But surely those things that binde make the operation of the Medicine afterwards more strong for though the binding faculty of such things may hinder the operation for a time yet it will at length bring forth and worke more violently Sagapenum is counted a good corrector of Coloquintida because of it's clammy faculty whereby it preserves the bowels from gripings The Dose The Dose in powder is from five graines to ten or fifteen These things following are made of Coloquintida First Pils of Coloquintida 2 Pilulae Alhandal 3 Extract of Coloquintida 4 Trosses of Alhandal 5 Chimicall oyle of Coloquintida 6 Oyle by infusion of Coloquintida 7 Wine and Vineger of Coloquintida CHAP. XVIII De Corallio Rubro Of red Coral REd Coral is a hard stony substance growing on the Rocks in the Sea The Names Coral is called in Latine Corallium Coralium and Coralium this Corallium rubrum in English Red Coral The temperament Red Coral is cold and dry in the second degree The best kinde The best is that which is smooth clear and red for the redder it is the better it is The Duration It will keep good ten or twenty years The inward Vse Red Coral doth dry cool and bind it strengthneth the heart stomach and liver purifieth the blood and is therefore very usefull in the Pestilence against venome and all pestilent Feavers and malignant diseases it cheares the heart and is good against Melancholy helpeth such as spit blood or that bleed at the mouth or the nose as also stoppeth the Fluxe of blood in man or woman and being taken in wine or other liquor frequâ—ntly it taketh away the hardnesse and stopping of the Spleen it stayeth the Gonorrhaea or running of the reins in men and the whites in women helpeth conception by its binding faculty and is good for the stopping of of the Urine and paines of the Stone in the bladder if the powder when it is burnt be taken in Whitewine or Posset drinke the powder taken in Wine oâ— distilled Water brings rest to such as have an Ague and is good for such as have Cramps It is much commended in the falling sicknesse or to prevent it if a Childe so soon as it is borne take ten graines thereof in black-Cherry-water or in the Mothers miâ—ke Some affirme that it causeth an easie delivery of the birth which fit doe it is by a specifick vertue for experience doth manifest it to be of a binding nature The Chymicall oyle of Coral is commended against the Falling-sicknesse in children and others as also in all Fluxes of the belly and spitting of blood The manner of administring it It is given in Electuary powder c. An Electuary against the Flux of the belly Take of red Coral in powder three drams of Marmeâ—â—â—de of Quinces two ounces and a halfe species Diamargariton frigidum two drams with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Quinces make an Electuary take of it a little before meat An Electuary against vomiting of blood by reason of a bruise or fall Take of red Coral in powder a dram conserve of red Roses conserve of Comfry of each one ounce Bâ—le Armoniack washed in Rose water and in powder Blood stone in powder of each a dram Acacia Myrtle-Berries of each a dram Suger Pellets halfe an ounce with an ounce of Suger dissolved in Rose-water make an Electuary The Dose is three drams or halfe an ounce with red Wine in the morning and before meat A Powder against Ruptures Take of Myrtle-berries Cinamon and Nutmeg of each two drams of Knot-grasse dry halfe an ounce seeds of Plantaine and Purslaine of each three drams and the seeds of Garden Cresses a dram of red Corall a dram and a halfe make all into powder adding so much Sugar as will make it sweet The Dose is from halfe a dram to a dram in red Wine every morning or second morning for a Months space if need require A Powder against the Fluxe of the belly Take of red Coral a scruple roots of Tormentil two scruples Mirrhe a scruple Gum Tragacanth a dram Plantaine-seeds halfe a dram Dragons blood a dram trosses of Spodium a dram Bole Armoniack and Harts-horne burnt of each a dram make them into powder The Dose is a dram in Plantaine-water The outward Vse It helpeth sore Gums and Ulcers in the mouth and healeth up soul hollow Ulcers in other parts and filleth with flesh and is used in medicines for the eyes to stay the Flux of Rheume and takes away the heat and rednesse thereof
not so dangerous as some Authors fabulously report for Women to stride over or but to touch it It is not to be given without correcting helpe Now the correcting meanes are Mel Passulatum or Honey of Raisons Manna Mastick Syrup of Quinces or with species Diarrhodon Abbatis or with Oxymel and Hydromel or in powder it may be given with Chicken broth or Veale broth The Dose The Dose in substance is from a dram to a dram and a halfe The juyce is given from a dram to two drams or three drams Of such Medicines as are made of Sowbread First Vnguentum de Arthanita majus 2Vng de Arthanita minus CHAP. XXIV De Dactylis Of Dates DAtes are long and round fruits growing in the East and West Indies and in other places from whence we have them They abound in Indiae Syria Aegypt Arabia and such hot places The Names They are called in English Dates The best are called Cariotae and Phaenicobalanis which were also called Regiae because they were fittest for the dyet of Kings The Temperament Dates are hot and dry almost in the second degree and astringent or binding especially when they are not through ripe being through ripe they are hot and moist in the second degree some say hot and moist in the first degree The best sort The best Dates are such as are Yellowish in colour sweet ripe within new uncorrupt not worme-eaten and having their caps on therefore called Cap Dates for if the Caps fall off they soon decay The Duration Dates will not keep good long especially in the Summer time some will keep halfe a year or longer The inward Vse Dates yeeld a grosse and clammy and fatty or impingnating nourishment therefore they are used against Consumptions and wasting of the body they helpe the hoarsenesse and roughnesse of the throat the sharpe Cough by reason of sharpe rheume falling on the breast and lungs The decoction of them taken alayeth the force of hot Agues and stayeth spitting of blood the paine in the stomach and bowels by reason of a Flux and boyled in water and honey and taken doth refresh the spirits they somewhat provoke to Venery the decoction helpeth the weaknesse and paines in the back and bladder they strengthen the weaknesse of the Liver and Spleen being mixed with other convenient medicines They are used in broth 's against Consumptions and pining diseases and are counted restorative especially the sweet ones Dry Dates being eaten doe stop the belly and stay vomiting of women with childe and helpe against miscarying they stay womens courses and the bleeding and falling downe of the Fundament and Piles being taken in red Wine The manner of administring them They are given in brothes Decoctions and Electuaries A decoction against the Cough shortnesse of breath and the Plurisie Take of Dates six in number Figs four French Barley an ounce Raisons of the Sun stoned an ounce Sebesten and Jujubes of each fifteen Licoris halfe an ounce Maiden-haire Hysop Scabious Colts-foot of each halfe a handfull Cut the herbs and fruits and bruise the Licoris then boyle them in three pints of spring water to a quart straine it and drink of the clearest morning and evening seven or eight spoonfulls warme The outward Vse Dates made into a Poultis alone or with other things and applied to the stomack and belly stayeth the vomiting of Women with child The Decoction of Dates or the leaves of the Date-tree maketh the haireblack being often used and stayeth fretting Vlcers Being mixed with Wax and Saffron they helpe the black and blew marks remaining after stripes or blowes and reduceth the skin to its naturall colour Date stones being burnt and washed serve instead of Spodium to binde and restraine the fluent humours into the eyes and to consume the Pin and Web in them and to dry up Pushes being used with Spikenard it it stayeth the falling of the hair from the eye brows being mingled with wine and used it helpeth any Excressences of the flesh as Wens and such like and bringeth foul Vlcers to Cicatrising and stayeth the spreading of Vlcers A Poultis made of them and applyed helpeth any luxation or joynts out of place and they are used in astringent Cataplasmes or Pultises The hurtfull quality They breed ill and grosse humours and thick blood in the body and are hard of concoction especially in such as are of a hot constitution bring the head-ach obstruct the Liver and breed winde therefore they are not to be used by such as are troubled with the head-ach Collick or hot Livers These Medicines following are made of Dates First the Electuary Diaphoenicon mesuae 2 Diaphoenicon solidum 3 Electuarium resumptivum 4 Lohoch e Pino 5 Lohoch sanum experium Diagredium seu Scammonium CHAP. XXV De Dictamno Cretico Of Dittany of Creete or Candy DIttany of Crete is an hearb much like unto Penny-royal but hath greater leaves and hoary covered over with a soft downe and white woollen Cotten growing in Candy The Names It is called in Latine Dictamum and Dictamus or Dictamnum creticum also Dictamnus creticus and it is so called a dicte promontorio Cretae because plenty of it grows there in that mount in English Dittanie and Dittanie of Candy The temperament Dittany is hot and dry in the third degree of a biting nature especially being green The best kind The best is that which is newest white and not too full of strings The Duration It will keep a year or longer The inward Vse Dittany provokes the Courses hasteneth the birth and bringeth away the dead child and after birth It profits those that have the Dropsie Spleen swollen The juice drunken with wine is a present remedy for those that are bitten or stung by any venemous creature nay the herbe is so effectuall against the poyson of all beasts that are venemous that the very smell drives them away or if they do but touch the herbe The powder being mixed with hony and taken easeth the Cough an killeth Wormes and a decoction thereof taken is profitable in the Jaundies The distilled water is commended against the Pestilence if three ounces be drank morning and evening and sixe ounces thereof against Venome also three ounces thereof taken in a morning is profitable against the Stone The manner of administring it It is given in powder Electuary c. Powder to bring away the dead Childe Take of Dittany of Crete a dram of Saffron five grains make them in powder and give it in wine An Electuary against Venome Take Dittany of Candy round Birth-worth in powder of each halfe an ounce with six ounces of honey make an Electuary The Dose is from a scruple to a dram in wine or Carduus water The outward Vse A Pessarie made of the juice and the powder bringeth away the dead child and after birth being applyed A Bath or decoction made thereof and used all over cures the Jaundies The juice mixed with the powder help 's the
themselves about herbs the one growing upon Time the other upon Flax or Line The Names Epithymum is called Time or laced Time Cuscutha is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cuscutha Cussutha Cassutha and Cassytha in English Dodder The Temperament Epithymum is hot and dry in the third degree Dodder is hot in the first degree and dry in the second The best The best is that which is fresh and new not too old the tops and flowers are most effectuall The best is that which comes from Crete The Duration They will keep good a year The inward Vse Epithymum purgeth Melancholy and adust Choller as also Flegme from the braine heart spleen and hypochonders It avails against Melancholy old and inveterate pains of the head swimming of the head madnesse falling-sicknesse faintings Quartaine Ague Hypochondriack passions Scirrhues or hardnesse of the Spleen and windinesse thereof stoppings of the Kidnies and is very usefull in the Scab and Itch Leprosie Elephansie malignant Vlcers and Cancers as also the French-Pox It cleanseth the blood very much from Melancholy and adust humours Avicen commends it against the Cramp It is profitable in the Jaundies in opening stoppings of the Gall. It hath also a strengthning property besides its purging quality as in Rubarbe and a very safe Medicine for the stoppings as well of the Liver as Spleen purging the Veins of flegmatick and chollerick humours and helpeth Childrens Agues if a little Wormseed be put to it Taken with Lapis lazul it cures the Quartaine Ague Note That it will not endure any long decocting or boyling Cuscuthe or Dodder is very profitable in stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleen cleanseth the blood from Melancholly and is usefull in the Jaundise provokes Urine and cleanseth the Veins of Chollerick and Flegmatick humours Being taken with Wormwood it purgeth Choller If halfe a pint or lesse of the decoction be taken with halfe an ounce of Sugar it cures Children of Agues Moreover it hath the same vertues as Epithymum hath though not so fully only some will have Cuscutha more proper for the Liver and Epithymum for the Spleen But the Cuscutha is more or lesse effectuall according to the vertues of those hearbs on which it groweth For that which groweth on Nettles and Broom provokes Urine that which growes on Tares which is the most common is not so good for Tares are of hard digestion and bind the belly and breed thick and Melancholly blood The seeds drunk with Wine and Sage ease the Hip-Gout The distilled water of Cuscutha taken helps the effects of the Liver and Lungs by cleansing and strengthening also cures the Jaundise expells the stone of the Bladder and easeth gripings in the belly helps to bring downe the Courses in Women and swellings about the Navill and cures Agues in Children The Dose is three or four ounces morning and evening to Children give lesse The manner of administring them They are chiefly given in Potions and Powders A Potion against Melancholly Take of Epithymum halfe an ounce of Sene one ounce and a halfe Anni-seed two drams Licoris a dram Damask Prunes ten or twelve Bruise the Licoris and Anni-seed and cut the Prunes then infuse them on hot embers five or six hours with half a pint of Posset-drink strain it and give the clearest Or Take the flowers of Balme Rosemary Borrage and Buglosse of each halfe a handfull of the outside of yellow Myrobalans half an ounce Epithymum Time Sene Polypodium of each two drams or halfe an ounce boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water till about halfe be consumed strain it and add syrupe of Roses an ounce make a Potion and give it Or Take Epithymum Cuscutha Sene Origanum or Wild Marjoram of each two drams of red Ciches a dram make a decoction in a sufficient quantity of water strain it and in the clearest infuse or steep of Agarick trochiscated a dram of Cinamon halfe a dram let them stand one night then strain it and to the strained liquor add Confectio Hamech two drams or halfe an ounce and make all into a Potion The externall use The distilled water of Cuscutha or Dodder clears the fight if it be dropped into the eyes the leaves made into a Pultis and applied to the Spleen doth ease the pain thereof also boyled with Oyle and Wine and applied to the Flanks helpeth the Strangury The hurtfull quality They are not convenient for hot and dry bodies neither is the use of them so safe in Summer as in Winter The too frequent use of them offends the stomach and causeth dry'th And because they are weak in operation use them with Salgem Ginger or black Hellebor and to mitigate the drynesse of them give them with Posset-Ale or with a decoction of Raisons Violets and Borrage The Dose The Dose in substance is from two drams to three drams or halfe an ounce in infusion or decoction from an ounce to an ounce and a halfe or two ounces and let this be in the winter time for in hot weather you must give lesse in quantity Of such things as are made of them 1. The distilled water of Epithymum and Dodder 2. Syrupe of Epithymum 3. Decoction of Epithymum 4. Syrupe of Apples Magistrall Esula minor or Tithymall see Cataputia minor CHAP. XXVIII De Euphorbio Of Gum Euphorbium EVphorbium is a Gum of a brown yellowish colour in small grains like Mastich and comes from a certain plant growing in Lybia and in Barbary The Names It is called in Latine Euphorbium from a famous Physitian whose name was Euphorbius Brother to Antonius Musa who was also Physitian to Juba King of the Mauritanians or Moors and first found out the vertue of this Gum. In English 't is called also Gum Euforbium or the Gum Thistle or the Gum of the burning thorny plant The temperament Euphorbium is hot and dry in the fourth degree The best kinde The best is the clearest of a brown yellowish colour but whiter within and without filth That which is pale is to be rejected The Duration It will keep good four or five years Some affirme that it will keep its vertue forty years The inward use Euphorbium purgeth thick and tough flegme but chiefly and more strongly watery humours from the Joynts and remote parts of the body Therefore it helpeth the Dropsie and any kind of Gout It purgeth flegme and water from the Brain and Nervous parts and also thick flegme from the stomach It is profitable in the Apoplexie Palsly Lethargie and in all soporiferous or sleepy Diseases and cold Diseases of the Brain and resolution of the Nerves in Convulsions and tremblings And because it draweth tough and thick humours from the Joynts it is used in the French Pox and by some it is counted available in the Pestilence Also it is esteemed a present help against Apostumes and painfull Nodes or Bunches of the Joynts It speedily helps the Collick proceeding from tough and glassie flegme especially when the tunicles
in lie and the head washed therewith it killeth Lice and helpeth the running scabs and sores thereof Boiled in vineger and the mouth washed therewith easeth the toothach the same decoction helpeth also itch and scab in the hands and cleanseth foul sores and ulcers in the legs and other parts put into Fistulaes it taketh away the hardnesse of them A Pessary made thereof and put up brings down the Courses and dead childe The hurtfull quality White Hellebore is a vehement and strangulatory medicine and induceth most terrible symptomes and causeth strong vomiting bringeth Convulsion Cramp Hicop and fainting of the spirits and ofttimes suddenly suffocateth the party therefore I advise the vulgar not to meddle with it but to leave it as a dangerous and deadly medicine But if any will venture to give it let it be with good advise and in very strong bodies Give it with Mead or honied water and sal-niter The safest way is to give it by infusion or decoction and not in substance let it be infused in juice of Quinces or given with the syrup of Quinces or give the decoction with Anise-seed and Cynamon adding a little Sugar thereto Pliny adviseth not to give it in close weather or upon a dark and cloudy day It must not be given to such as have long necks or are crooked and short-breath'd or to women with childe old persons or such as have any vein broken in their breast or lungs or spit bloud or to such as have any ulcer in their lungs If any desire to read more of white Hellebore let them consult with these following Authors Hippocrat Epist lib. de veratri usu f. 532. Oribas lib. 8. c. 2. c. 4 c. 5 6. c. Matthiolus Com. in lib. Diascor 146. fol. 754 755. Paul Aeginet lib. 7. c. 10. f. 433. Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 25 cap. 5. fol. 217 218 219. Pet. Salius divers de affect partic de Rabie c. 19. f. 370 371 372 373. Heurn Prax. med l. 2. f. 240 241 242. Valleriol Observat Med. lib. 3. Observat 9. f. 107 108 109. Marold Pract. Med. f. 378. Forst de Venenis l. XXX Observat 9. Antonius Benivenius de abditis morb causis cap. 51 52. relates of two that died after the taking of white Hellebore the one had a quartane Ague and took it who died within six houres after he was called to the party the other who was troubled with a pain of his stomack two yeers and could not be cured thereof by any Medicines at length white Hellebore was given him which cured him of all diseases for he died within a short time after the taking of it The Dose It is given in substance from ten grains to a scruple or more in decoction or infusion from a dram to two drams Of such things as are made of white Hellebore There are made thereof Oxymel Helleboratum Vomitorium Heurnii CHAP. 37. De Helleboro nigro of black Hellebore TRue black Hellebore hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root each of them standing on a thick round stiff green stalk about an hand-breadth high from the ground divided into seven eight or nine parts or leaves and each of them dented from the middle of the leaf to the pointward on both sides abiding green all the Winter c. The roots are a number of brownish black strings which run down deep into the ground and are fastened to a thick head of the bignesse of ones finger There are other bastard kindes that are used in stead thereof The names It is called in Latine Helleborus niger veratrum nigrum also Melampodium and that because it was found by Melampos a Shepherd or Southsayer who was first thought to bring it in use and cured the daughters of Praetus therewith which were mad and foolish but by the use of this were brought to their right senses again In English 't is called Black Hellebore and Christmasse-Flower because it flourisheth about that time especially when the Winter is milde The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree The best sort The best is that which is not too new nor too old Heurnius will have it to be laid in leaven twenty dayes before it be used The duration It will keep good two or three yeeres The inward use The roots are most in use especially the barke Black Hellebore purgeth Melancholy and burnt choler as also thick and viscuous flegme from the bloud whereby that is infected and entrails and from remote parts therefore it is very usefuâ—l in pains of the head swimming giddines thereof in the Apoplexie in Melancholy Madnesse Falling Sicknesse Hypochondriack affects hardnesse of the spleen quartane Ague and erratick feavers also against the Dropsie Scab Leprosie Cancer scald Head or scurf Elephancie and such like foul diseases of the skin It is profitable against pain noyse of the eares and against stubborn and contumacious diseases It is counted as an Antidote against the Leprosie Scab Tetter c. hardnesse and swelling of the Spleen old quartane Agues pains of the joynts Aposthumes and the Kings Evil. It quickneth the brain and senses provokes urine and brings down the Courses in women It hath an excellent faculty to draw away whatsoever is mixed with the bloud and causeth it to corrupt and is profitable in a long continued Jaundise Some say it will cause the Devill to be cast out being taken by such as are possessed Thus we may say that although the Devil cannot be cast out by humane art or physicall means yet by taking black Hellebore the melancholy humour is drawn away which is Balneum sedes Diaboli the bath and seat of the Devill and so the Devill is more easily cast out from whence it may rightly say some be called fuga Daemonum But I think the white Hellebore rather deserves this name then the black It is usefull in pains of the belly in the Gowt Sciatica Cramp or Convulsion pains and aches of the joynts or sinews It killeth Wormes especially the leaves of the bastard kinde called Beares-foot Some commend it in Consumptions of the Lungs and of the whole body The extract of black Hellebore is very safe for the Diseases before mentioned The distilled water of the root saith Dorstenius purgeth Melancholy and glutinous humours out of the body if a dram thereof be given with three ounces of white wine and if half an ounce or one ounce of the water of the leaves be taken in a morning fasting it stayeth the flux of the body Dorsten Botanic fol. 111. The manner of administring it It is given in decoction in infusion or in substance In decoction Take of the bark of black Hellebore bruised two drams Anise-seed Fennell-seed of each a dram make a decoction in water straine it of which take four ounces of syrup of Roses an ounce make a Potion In infusion Take of the barke of black Hellebore two drams Anise-seed Fennell-seed of each a dram Cynamon Cloves of each
three grains make an infusion in water or white wine according to art of which being streined give three ounces In substance Take of black Hellebore-root prepared and in powder give it in Oxymel Or Take a dram of black Hellebore-root of Anise-seed Fennell-seed Cynamon Mastick of each ten graine make them into powder and give it in broth The externall use It is outwardly used against the Leprosie Morphew Scab Itch Warts and Pushes of the skin being boyled with vineger and bathed therewith The powder put into Fistulaes or hollow Ulcers doth soon heal them and if there be callons or hard flesh grown in the Fistula the root left in it for two or three dayes will consume it quite and put into a wound where dead or spongious flesh is it consumes it and preserves the flesh from putrefaction A decoction thereof helpeth the tooth-ach and the sores of the mouth being gargled and being put into the eares it helpeth the noyse thereof A Pessary made of the root and put up prevailes wonderfully to bring down the termes or courses in women A Cataplasme or Poultis made of the root with Barley-meale and wine is good to be applyed to the bellies of such as have the Dropsy In time of the Pestilence it is usefully applyed to or in any sores either in the groine or under the arme or an issue made and a piece of the root put in to keep it open doth much avail to draw sorth corrupt humours out of the body The root is in use to rowell cattel withall and to help them of the cough Being put upon the swollen Hemorrhoides it cleanseth them Against the Gowt Boyle the herbe or root in salt water and bath with it also lay the herb or root boyled to the affected part For wormes in the ears Take of the powder of black Hellebore-root half an ounce of the juice of Rue or Assmart four ounces mix them together and put thereof into the eares For the scurffe of the head Boyl the roots of Lupines in vineger and adde to it powder of black Hellebore and anoint with it wash the head after with warme water The hurtfull quality with its corrective help The ancient Writers counted it very dangerous though not so dangerous as the white yet that it worketh not without trouble and difficulty therefore it is not to be given but to robustick and strong bodies because it bringeth convulsions which happily may be spoken concerning Hellebore in substance of such as did grow in hotter clymates then ours is or of some other kinde then we now use for we do not finde any such great danger in any of that which is now in use with us yet 't is not safe to give it to children women with childe or weak persons It is corrected with Mastick Cynamon Anise-seed Origanum c. to a dram of Hellebore adde half a scruple of any of these It is given more safely in decoction or in infusion then in substance The Antients did infuse the root a day and night in vineger and then used it Macerate or steep the bark casting away the middle three dayes in Quince-wine or Muskadell dry it and keep it for your use It may be given also in broth with some seeds as before mentioned Also you may give it in wine of Raisons Oxymel syrupe of Quinces or with juice of Quinces Some give it with Scammonie to quicken its vertue Note that all preparations of Hellebore vvhich are made by sharp and acute liquours such as are spirit of wine anise-seed-Anise-seed-water or spirit of Anise-seed Aromatickes or oile of such also the putting Hellebore into Radish-root and so to take it except you desire a vomiting or turbatory medicine to be made of white or black Hellebore are to be rejected The Dose The dose in substance is from a scruple to two scruples in infusion or decoction from a dram to two drams or more Such Medicines as are made of black Hellebore The distilled water of black Hellebore both of the leaves and roots The extract thereof Syrup of Roses solutive with Hellebore Oxymel Helleboratum CHAP. 38. De Hermodactylis of Hermodactiles HErmodactyles are whitish roots about the bignesse of a Chesnut smooth flattish and sharp at the one end but somewhat fuller at the other growing upon I know not what plant comming from I know not what place and truly may be called opprobrium medicorum the shame or disgrace of Physicians The names This root is called in Latine Hermodactylus in English Hermodactyle and Hermodactyles The temperament They are hot and dry in the second degree The best kinde The best are such as are white both within and without of some good bignesse which being lightly bruised and made in powder look like wheat-flower and of a pleasant and sweet taste Such as are worm-eaten are to be rejected The duration They will keep good three or four yeers The inward use They purge chiefly thick and tough flegme from the joynts therefore they profit in any kinde of Gowt yea they are so available in the Gowt that this root is called Theriaca Arthritidis Treacle for the Gowt It is used also in the French Pox The manner of administring They are given in potions drinks Pils c. A Potion Take of Hermodactyles cut in thin slices or bruised Sene Epithymum of each two drams Raisons of the Sun stoned half an ounce licorish bruised a dram Ginger bruised half a dram make an infusion in a sufficient quantity of water upon hot embers all night strain it to which add of syrup of Roses one ounce A purging Drink against watery humours Take of Hermodactyles of Lignum vitae of each three ounces Mechoacan foure ounces Ginger two drams Sarsaparilla Licorish of each two ounces of Nutmegs two drams of Seabind-weed one ounce a half cut and bruise those those things that are to be cut bruised put them all in a vessell with three gallons of new Beer in a bag adding thereto of Seue an ounce After six dayes take a draught of it in the morning and before supper D. Sadlerus Prax. Med. f. 205 The externall use They are outerwardly used in the Gowt to ease pain they are also good to cleanse wounds and to consume proud flesh therein as also to heal old wounds and Ulcers A Poultes to ease the Gowt Take of new milk a quart Barley-meal a pinte or more Harmodactyles in powder three ounces the yolks of foure Eggs Saffron in powder two drams crumbs of bread so much as is sufficient to make a poultes apply it warm Or Take new Cow-dung a pound and a halfe Hogs-grease half a pound or twelve ounces Hermodactyles in powder two ounces and a half make a poultes and apply it The hurtfull quality and the corrective means There are two things in the use of Hermodactyles to be minded First that the hurtfull quality may be taken away for it troubleth the stomach and causeth windinesse now to help this let it be mixed with
Cummin-seed Mastick Ginger Long-pepper Mint Cynamon Cloves or Mace Secondly that means be used to quicken its slow operation and for of it self it works but slowly by sharp means Mesue commends Sea-onion for this purpose if Trosses be made of the juice thereof with the powder of Hermodactyle Ginger and Sal gem Neither is it unprofitable to this purpose if you make Trosses or little cakes thereof with Ginger and the juice of Radish In purging from the joynts it will be proper to mix with it a little Eupherbium well corrected Also if the essence thereof be drawn forth with spirit of wine or the like it will be very usefull for the forenamed diseases They are rarely given alone but by decoction infusion or mixed with something to correct the noxious or hurtfull quality thereof These compounds are made of Hermodactyles Pils of Hermodactyles Pils Arthriticall Electuary Caryocostinum Electuary benedicta laxativa extract thereof Pulvis Arthriticus The Dose They are given in substance from two scruples to a dram and a half in infusion or decoction from two drams to three drams CHAP. 39. De Hyperico of Saint Johns-wort SAint Johnswort is an herb that hath brownish upright hard round stalks two foot high having two small leaves set one against another at every place which are of a deep green colour somewhat like the leaves of lesser Centory but narrower and full of small holes in every leaf which are easily perceived being held up against the light the flowers are yellow which being bruised yield a reddish juice the root is hard and woody with divers strings of a brownish colour The names It is called in Latine Hypericon and Hypericum also of some Fuga Demonum quia Daemon inde fugere creditur because they superstitiously imagine that it drove away the Devil Some call it Perforata because of the smal holes in the leaves that seem to be bored through In English it is called Saint Johns-wort and Saint Johns-grasse The temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree and of subtile parts The duration It will keep good a yeer The inward use It is diuretical and vulnerary A dram of the seeds being taken doth purge choler causeth the stone to come away kils Wormes resists venome and helpeth the biting of venemous creatures also provokes urine and the courses in Women and helps the Falling sicknesse Palsey and Sciatica being drunk fourty dayes together A decoction thereof cures tertian and quartane Agues it is most excellent for all inward wounds in any place and for congealed bloud or spitting of bloud or vomiting bloud by reason of a vein broken in any place it is very useful in all vulnerary potions for it resolves opens consolidates and is of a glutinous nature and truly I know not a better wound herb Being made into powder and taken in Wine it cureth the Gowt and is much commended against the Jaundise The Salt of S. Johns-Wort helpeth the Plurisey and expelleth the Stone you may give a dram thereof in any convenient liquor The distilled water of S. Johns Wort profiteth such as have the Falling sicknesse especially taken with the root or seeds of Pyony as also the Apoplexie and Palsey the dose is two or three ounces every day It also stayeth the Flux of the belly being taken with Red Wine and cureth inward wounds The manner of administring it It is given in decoction or in powder Against the Jaundise Take of the herbe and flowers of St. Johns-wort two handfulls boile them in a pinte and a halfe of Wine or water straine it and give of it with Sugar for divers mornings together This â—toâ—herus doth much commend and further adviseth to put the herbe in your Shoes bosome and to weare it about your head Stocher prax aur f. 185. Against spitting or vomiting of blood Take of the seeds of â—t Johns-wort in powder halfe a dram or a dram of the juice of Knot-grasse one ounce or of Plantaine-water two ounces of syrup of Quinces halfe an ounce mix them together and take it The outward use The leaves cure all green wounds except such as are in the head as also burnes and scalds The herbe dryed and made into powder is effectuall to cure wounds and sores and rotten festered Ulcers being strewed thereon The distilled water cures also wounds being washed therewith The Oile of St. Johns-wort either simple or compound is good for all green wounds and old sores and Ulcers in the legs or else where that are hard to be cured and is effectuall for all Cramps and aches in the joynts and paines in the Reines but the compound Oile is much better The simple Oile is made thus Take foure ounces of the flowers of St. Johns-wort infuse them in a pinte of Sallet-Oile and three ounces of white Wine set them in the Sunne for ten or twelve dayes then boyle them in a Balneo or Kettle of seething water straine it and put in new flowers and let it stand so long againe then straine it as before and renew it a third time and straine it againe which being hot put two ounces of pure Turpentine to it and keep it for green wounds or sinevvs that are prickt or any vvound made vvith a venomous vveapon Gerard hath a compound Oile made thus Take vvhite Wine tvvo pintes oile-Olive foure pounds oile of Turpentine tvvo pounds the leaves flovvers and seeds of St. Johns vvort tvvo great handfulls gently bruised put them altogether into a great double Glasse and set it in the Sun 8 or 10 dayes then boile them in the same Glasse per balneum Mariae that is in a kettle of vvater vvith some stravv in the bottome vvherein the Glasse must stand to boile vvhich done straine the liquor from the herbs and do as you did before putting in the like quantity of herbs flovvers and seeds but not any more Wine Another Oile of St. Johns-wort excellent against wounds Take of Sallet-Oile tvvo pound of earth vvormes vvashed and flit five ounces of the flovvers and tops of St. Johns-vvort halfe a pound of small Centory-flovvers and of the tops of svveet Trefoile of each tvvo drams Gum Elmne one ounce let them stand in the Sun certaine dayes then straine it and keep it for your use you may add some Turpentine if you vvill The Dose The seeds are given from a dram to tvvo drams Of such things as are made thereof The distilled vvater Salt Tincture thereof Oile CHAP. 40. De Jalapio of Jalap JAlap is a root like Mechoacan but covered vvith a black bark and grayish vvithin being put to the fire a gumminesse vvill arise and sometimes flame It is brought to us in thinne slices some bigger some lesser In taste it is pleasant but gummie vvhereby it stickes to the teeth being chevved The Names It is called Bryonia mechoacan nigricans Chelopa Celopa Celapa Gelapum Gelapo Jalapium Jalapa Jalappa Jalappium Gialapa Mechoacanna nigra Salapa Xalapa Zaqualtipan Rhabarbarum nigrum In
best Mechoacan is that which is new whitish in taste like meal or insipid not old or wormeaten The duration It will keep good two or three yeers The root is kept good and much preserved if it be kept in wax saith Tragosus Med. Ind. hist c. 35. f. 81. Monardus giveth counsel to roll it up in Sear-cloth Monard f. 26. The inward use Mechoacan purgeth chiefly thick flegme water and serous humours and that from the head stomach belly reins nerves and joynts therefore it is profitable in a long continued head-ach and lethargie in pains of the joynts reins and wombe in the Falling sicknesse Catarrhe Rheume diseases of the breast in old Coughs shortnesse of breath Jaundise stoppings of the Liver and Spleen It is very usefull in the Dropsie for it draweth away water and flegme and also strengtheneth the Liver and inward parts It is commended in the French Pox Kings Evill Scurvy and Gowt and causeth one to make water easeth the Collick and expelleth winde wonderfully It helpeth inveterate Agues whether Quotidian or Tertian It doth much conduce to the purging of crude and viscous or tough humours in the stomach and breasts of children It worketh without any hurtful quality molestation nauseousnesse or griping and is void of any hurtful quality for having done its work it leaveth the inward parts strengthened without debility and weaknesse contrary to most purgative Medicines Old-men children women with childe and weak persons may safely take this inoffensive Medicine The manner of administring it It is given in Powder Pils Boles Tabulates or Roulets and Potions But the best way is to give it in white Wine for so it works best It may be given with a little Cynamon in broth or with Mastick Anise-seed or Fennel-seed Note that the powder given by it self or with Wine doth work better then mixed with Syrups or other things A Powder against the Dropsie Take of Sene and Mechoacan of each two drams Ginger and species Diagalanga of each three grains Diagredium two grains make a powder and give it in broth Pils Take of Mechoacan in powder a scruple Gum Gutta six or eight grains with syrup of Roses make Pils and give them with Physical observation A Potion Take of Mechocan in powder a dram or a dram and a half white Wine or fennel-Fennel-water four ounces let them stand all night or all one day shaking them two or three times together then put to them of syrup of Roses laxative an ounce mix them together and make a Potion Or you may give it only with the white-white-Wine Tabulates Take of Mechoacan in fine powder a dram and a half of Diagredium three grains with Sugar dissolved in a little rose-Rose-water make cakes dry them gently and give them for a Dose A Bele Take of Mechoacan in powder a dram of the Electuary called Diacarthamum two drams with syrup of Storchados make a bole or lump and eat it in a morning fasting Note two errours of Monardus the one is in that he saith hac radice purgatos esse fortiores quà m antè the other that after the taking of a little broth or food it ceaseth to work any more which is contrary to daily experience Tragos Med. Ind. Hist f. 82. The hurtfull quality Although it work without any hurtfull quality yet in hot diseases and pure tertian Feavers and also in hot and dry bodies and in such as are subject to be bound 't is not safe to give it The Dose The Dose to a childe is a scruple or a scruple and a halfe to persons of yeers in substance from a dram to two drams in infusion from two drams to half an ounce Medicines made of Mechoacan Pils of Mechoacan extract of Mechoacan both simple and compound Vide Schroder Pharm Med Chym. l. 4. f. 232. CHAP. 47. De Myrobalanis of Myrobalans or purging Indian Plummes MYrobalans are fruits brought us from the East Indies The names and kindes There are five kindes of Myrobalanes First the yellow Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum as big as a reasonable Plum somewhat long and not round of a yellower colour then the rest called in Latine Myrobalanus Citrina The second is the Chebule or purple Myrobalane called in Latine Myrobalanus Chebula and is the greatest and longest of all the five sorts of a blackish purple colour on the out-side while it is fresh and also dry being five square as the former of the thickest substance and more fleshy then any other and with the smallest stone in the middle not fully so hard to break as the former but with the smallest kernel therein The third sort is the Bellerick or round Myrobalane yet being as it were three square in many of a pale russetish colour when they are fresh but of a dark or dusty whitish colour on the outside being dry of the thinnest substance or least fleshy of any of them the stone whereof is thick and greater then any other proportionable to the fruit very hard to break with a kernel within of a reasonable bignesse and is called in Latin Myrobalanus Bellerica The fourth sort is the six square Myrobalane or beaded called in Latine Myrobalanus Emblica they are round in shew and brought unto us broken into small pieces without any stones the kernels within being separated into three severall divisions having each of them two cauls wherein the parts of the kernell lie almost three square The fift sort is the black or Indick Myrobalane called in Latine Myrobalanus Indica and are eight square as Gartias saith which may be when they are fresh but they cannot be so plainly discerned in those that are brought over to us dry they are the smallest of all the rest somewhat long altogether fleshy without any stone in the middle and the blackest of any In Arabick they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dulegi or delegi The temperament They are cold in in the first degree and dry in the second The best sort The best are such as are new and not too old fleshy thick and heavy or ponderous and gummie within The duration They will keep good two or three years The inward use All the sorts of Myrobalans do purge gently some more some lesse than others some also purging choler some flegme and some melancholy but they have in them also an astringent faculty much more then is in Rubarbe they are exellent in fluxes of the belly The Citrine or yellow Myrobalans do purge choler strengthen the stomack heart and liver profit such as have the Hemorrhoides and are proper for such as are of a temperate heat they are good in tertian feavers cause a good colour and hinder old age being often used The Chebule do purge flegme quicken the brain and sharpen the sight strengthen the stomach after purging they are profitable for such as have the Dropsie and are troubled with long continued Agues The Emblick and Bellerick purge the stomach from rotten flegme lying therein and strengtheneth the braine
bole purging flegme and usefull in the Dropsie Take of the juice of Elder berries halfe an ounce powder of Seabinde-weed a dram Oile of Cynamon foure drops make a bole or lump rolle it up in Sugar and take it in a morning drinking some Posset-drink after it A decoction against the Quartane Ague and Quotidian Take of Elder-bark with the root of each an ounce of Asarum three drams Cynamon a dram and a halfe boile them in milk and give halfe of it This will work upward and downward Take it before the fit commeth once or twice if need be Vide Blochwitius Anotomiâ Sambuci The outward use A decoction of the roots of either mollifieth the hardnesse of the wombe if women do sit therein and openeth the veines and bringeth downe the courses The leaves boiled and laid hot upon any hot and painefull Apostumes especially in the more remote and sinewie parts doth both coole the heat and inflammation of them and ease the paines The juice of the leaves snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the tunicles of the brain The juice of the green leaves applyed to hot inflammations of the eyes asswageth them The juice of the berries boiled with a little Honey and dropped into the eares easeth the paines of them A decoction of the root maketh the haire black if it be washed therewith the leaves boiled till they be tender then beaten and mixed with Barley-meale and applyed to hot inflammations asswageth them and helpeth places that are burnt either by fire or water cureth Fistulous Ulcers being laid thereupon and easeth the paines of the Gowt being beaten and boiled with tallow of a Bull or Goat and laid warme thereon The young buds and leaves of the Elder and as much of the roots of Plantaine beaten together and boiled in Hogs-grease this being laid warme upon the place pained with the Gowt doth give present ease thereto the leaves also burnt and the powder of them put up into the Nostrils stayeth the bleeding once or twice used The leaves of Elders boiled tender and applied warme to the fundament easeth the paines of the Piles if they be once or twice renewed growing cold The pitch in the middle of the Elder stalkes being dried and put into the cavernous or hollovv holes of Fistulous Ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the Orifices whereby injections may be used and other remedies applied for the cure of them The Mushromes called Jewes-eares helpeth the inflammation of the eyes being macerated or steeped in Rose-water or Plantaine-water and the eyes washed therewith The dryed Jewes-eares steeped in Rose-water and applied to the Temples and forehead do ease the paines of the head or head-ach The distilled water of the flowers of Elder is of much use to cleare the skin from Sun-burning Freckles Morphew or the like and both the fore-part and hinder-part of the head being bathed therewith it taketh away all manner of head-ach that commeth of a cold cause The same water taketh away the heat and inflammation of the eyes and helpeth them when they are blood-shotten The hands being washed morning and evening with the same vvater of the flovver doth much help and ease them that have the Palsy in them and cannot keep them from shaking The foule inflamed or old Ulcers and sores of the leggs being often vvashed vvith the vvater of the leaves or of the flovvers distilled in the middle of the moneth of Maey doth heale them in a short space The water also helpeth the paine of the side if a linnen cloth be vvet therein and the side bathed therevvith vvarme Oile of Elder-flovvers doth assvvage paine cleanse and mundifie the skin profiteth in stoppings of the Liver and spleene and is good for the paines of the joynts and nerves and is very usefull in burning and wild-fire An ointment made of the green leaves of Dan-wort May butter made in the Moneth of May is accounted with many a sovereigne remedy for all outward paines aches and cramps in the joynts nerves or sinewes for starcknesse and lamenesse by cold and other casualties and generally to warme comfort and strengthen all the outward parts ill-affected as also to mollifie the hardnesse and to open the obstructions of the spleen the grieved parts anointed therewith Against burning by Fire or Water Take one pound of the inner bark of Elder bruise it or cut it small and put it into two pound of pure Sallet-Oile or Oile-Olive that hath been first washed oftentimes with the distilled water of Elder-flowers let them boile gently a good while together and afterwards straine forth the Oile pressing it very hard set this Oile on the fire againe and put thereto foure ounces of the juice of the young branches and leaves of the Elder-tree and as much new Wax let them boile to the Consumption of the juice after vvhich being taken from the fire put presently thereto two ounces of liquid Vernish such as Joyners use to vernish Bed-steds Cubboards c. and afterwards of Olibanum in fine powder foure ounces and the whites of two Egges being first well beaten by themselves all these being well stirred and mixed together put it up into a cleane pot and keep it for to use when occasion serveth Parkinson Treatise of Plantes fol. 210 211. taken out of Matthiolus Against the Tooth-ach Take of the root of Elder cut in thin slices two ounces and a halfe Vineger of Elder or White Wine halfe a pinte boile them together then wash the mouth and teeth therewith Or Take of the middle rinde of Elder and flowers thereof of each a handfull of Jewes-eares one or two boyle them in a sufficient quantity of Vineger and Wine use it as the former An Ointment against the hardnesse or scirrhus of the Spleene Take Oile of Elder an ounce Ammoniacum dissolved in Vineger of Elders two drams boile them to the Consumption of the watery substance then add a little wax and make an ointment Two or three drams of Wax will be sufficient With this Ointment anoint the spleen morning and evening warme laying a warme cloth on A Cataplasme or pultis against bruises Take of Elder-flowers in powder two ounces Camomill and Worme-wood in powder of each halfe an ounce mix them with a sufficient quantity of Oile of Elder and apply it warme to the bruised parts For the Piles or Hemorrhoides Take a handfull or two of Elder-leaves and boile them in water till they be tender take them out of the water and mix a little Linseed-Oile therewith then apply it warme upon a red cloth or a piece of Scarlet to the Piles there letting it lye till it be almost cold then apply fresh do thus for the space of an houre or two if need require and let it be bound up having the party to his warme bed This saith Gerard hath not failed at the first dressing to cure the said disease Ger. Herball fol. 1423. The hurtfull quality Both Elder and Dane-wort offend the head are
hurtfull to the stomach and liver that is hot as also bringeth gripings weakneth the body let them be given with Anise-seed Carraway-seed Cynamon Mace c. Wal-wort is not to be given but to such as have strong bodies The dose The juice of the leaves or rinde is given from halfe an ounce to an ounce or two ounces The juice of the berries from two drams to six drams The seeds from halfe a dram to a dram The distilled water from two ounces to four ounces The powder of the bark or rinde from halfe a dram to a dram Of such things as are made of them From the flowers of Elder are made these following The distilled water both of the flowers and leaves Spirit of Elder-flowers Wine of Elder-flowers Syrupus acetosus Sambucinus Honey of Elder Conserve of Elder Oile both by infusion and distillation From the berries Rob-Sambuci or Pulp of the berries Tincture Extract Wine Spirit water distilled Oile From the tender branches Conserve From the leaves middle rinde roots and Jewes-eares Distilled water Syrup Oile From Dane-wort are made the distilled water the spirit from the flowers Rob-Ebuli or the pulp of the berries Tincture or essence CHAP. 57. De Santalis of Sanders THese are woods that are brought to us from the Indies The names and kindes There are three sorts of Sanders white red and yellow The white is called in Latine Santalum and Sandalum album the red Santalum rubrum the yellow Santalum citrinum or flavum Difference betweene Brasill-wood and red Sanders They differ thus 1 They grow farre one from the other 2 Sanders is neither sweet in taste nor giveth any dye as the Brasil doth 3 Red-Sanders is more ponderous and weighty then Brasil and vvill sink in vvater 4 It is a harder and shorter grained vvood and more brittle in breaking short The temperament They are cold and dry in the second or third degree Some say they are hot the red is more cooling and binding The yellow is the best the next is the vvhite the red is least of use The duration They vvill keep good three or foure yeares or longer The inward use They are Cephalicall Hepaticall and Cardiacall that is good for the Head Liver and Heart to open the obstructions of the Liver and to coole the heat thereof and to ease the paine of the head especially the white and the yellovv They are good for faintings of the heart and paâ—pitation o beating thereof also for weak and faint stomackes which comes through heat good against melancholy and procureth mirth and alacrity They are used to stay and binde the spermaticall flux in men and women for which purpose either the powder taken in a reare Egge or mixed with other things for the purpose or steeped in red Wine and kept in a hot Balneo or in hot Embers close stopped all night and strained forth and drunk in the morning and evening both stay the Gonorrhea or running of the Reines in men and the whites in women They are good in hot diseases as in burning Fevers inflammations of the Liver and such like The Indians saith Gerarde do use the decoction made in water against hot burning Agues and the overflowing of the courses Erisipelas the Gowt and all inflammations especially if it be mixed with the juice of Night-shade House-leek or Purslane They are put in Collises and Jellies and all delicate meats which are good to strengthen and revive the spirits The red Sanders have an astrictive and strengthning faculty but are not cordiall as the other two they are used in divers Medicines and meats both for their faculty and pleasing red colour which they give to them as in savvces Pies c. The red is often used to stay defluxions of thin rheume from the head and to coole hot inflammations hot Gowts and to temper the heat of hot Agues The manner of administring them They are given in Powder Electuary and Pils A powder against the Pestilence Take of the three Sanders of each two drams Cloves and Cynamon of each a dram Harts-horn two drams make them into a fine powder and take thereof morning and evening half a dram in Carduus-Water An Electuary against the Whites in Women Take of old Conserve of Red-Roses four ounces White and Red Sanders in powder a dram and a half with syrup of Water-lillies make an Electuary and take of it morning and evening as much as a Nutmeg The outward use It is used outwardly in Catarrhes or Rheumes pains of the head against vomiting and in Epithemes and Fomentations against the intemperate heat of the Liver They are used against the Gowt and hot inflammations with the juice of Purslane and Plantain or Housleek Applied with Rose-water to the temples it giveth ease to the head-ach and keepeth back the flowing of humours to the eyes Being applyed to the breasts of Maids or Women mixed with the juice of Purslane abateth their greatnesse and hindereth their over-much growing The Dose The Dose is from a scruple to two scruples Of such things as are made of Sanders Extractum gummosum Species Diatrion santalon Trosses of Sanders Ointment of Sanders Cerote of Sanders CHAP. 58. De Sarcocolla of Sarcocoll SArcocolla is a Gum of a plant growing in Persia bitter in taste and in very small pieces and powder like the small pieces of Frankincense and little bigger then Poppy-seed The names In Latine Sarcocolla in English Sarcocoll The temperament It is hot and dry in the first degree or hot in the second degree and dry almost in the same The best kinde The best is that which is new inclining to white for being old it waxeth reddish or of a pale colour bitter in taste of a porous substance viscous and easie to be dissolved in water The duration It will keep good five or six yeers The inward use It purgeth flegme both crude and tough chiefly from the brain eyes nerves joynts breast and lungs therefore it profits and avails in coughs and shortnesse of breath especially in old persons that are flegmatick also in all pains of the joynts It is thought by some to fatten the body and to increase sperm or seed The manner of administring it It is given in powder or in pils The externall use It is used outwardly against inflammations of the eyes with milk and the white of an Egg and to stay Rheumes and Catarrhes Defluxions and Rednesse thereof also against all spots in the Eyes It cleanseth corrupt Ulcers and incarnateth or breedeth good flesh also closeth up Wounds and Ulcers A fume made thereof is profitable aganist Tenesmus a disease when one is often provoked to go to stool Being mixed with Saffron and Honey it heals Scrophulaes or hard swellings called the Kings Evill in the neck after they are sufficiently drawn It is used against bleeding of the Nose or to stay the bleeding of Wounds and healeth Ulcers in the Eares being mixed with Hydromel or Water and Honey and instilled therein A powder for
accord when it is broken gathered and dried and afterwards relented or made soft and laid as a plaister to the bottom of the belly draweth forth watery humours by siege The hurtfull quality and the corrective meanes Diascorides and some of the Ancient write that it is an enemy to the stomach and sharp in taste and therefore adviseth that it be boiled in broth of fat meat to hinder the strength of its working and they say it must be given only to strong bodies And happily it might operate so with them by reason of the climate where it did grow But that which we use now is a most safe medicine and may be given to children and weak persons as daily experience doth manifest It may be given with Cynamon Ginger Anise-seed Mastich or Sugar also with Rubarbe and Cubebs for Rubarbe is counted an excellent consort for it In decoction it is given with Raisons and Anise-seed The Dose In powder it is given from halfe a dram to a dram and a halfe or two drams In decoction from halfe an ounce to an ounce and a halfe The juice is given from two drams to halfe an ounce Of such things as are made thereof Extract of Seabinde-weed Succus inspissatus CHAP. 62. De Succino of Amber PLinie saith Amber issueth forth from trees like as Gum in Cherrie-trees and Rosin in Pines Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 37. Cap. 3. f. 607. But it is generally taken for a kinde of liquid Butimen whose springs and fountaines are in the Germane Seas and running into pieces some greater and lesser then others and is taken up with Iron-hooks being soft under water but hardning in the Aire like Corall The names In Latine Electrum Chrysolectrum Glessum Resina terrae but the usuall Latine names are Succum Carabe Charabe and Karabe in English 't is called Amber The temperament Amber is hot in the first degree and dry in the second The best kinde Although Authors mention three sorts yet there are but two sorts in shops the white and the yellow the best is the whitest and that which is most cleare and being rubb'd will draw straws unto it and gives a sent like Bitumen The duration It will keep good many yeares The inward use Amber strengtheneth the heart and stomach stayeth vomiting dryeth up moist humours in the stomach and hinders the breeding thereof and stayeth the flux of the belly It is usefull in cardiack passions and palpitations or beatings of the heart It recreates or refresheth the braine and is profitable in Rheumes or Catarrhes in the Falling Sicknesse Apoplexie Lethargie Swiming of the head suffocation and inflation or windinesse of the Mother It stayeth the flowing of blood and seed provokes the termes in women and causeth a speedy delivery It helpeth women that have the whites and men that have the running of the Reines for it stoppeth the flux and strengthneth the parts very much Being taken in Saxifrage-water it is a sure remedy for such as have their urine stopped It is very good for old coughs and those that are falling into a Consumption being mixed with conserve of Red Roses and so taken morning and evening and is profitable for joynt-aches and the running Gowt if it be taken vvith tvvo or three ounces of the decoction of Lignum vitae The chymicall oile of Amber taken inwardly availeth against the Pestilence and contagious aire if three or foure drops be taken for divers mornings together in Carduus or Angelica-water It helpeth the biting of a mad Dog and is excellent to preserve from the Apoplexie Falling Sicknesse svviming of the head and Night-mare taken in Piony-water Betony-vvater Lavender Rosemary black-Cherry-vvater or in Lily Convally-vvater or Sage-vvater or taken in Wine especially if it be taken about the nevv of the Moone in the morning fasting for this oile is a singular secret to comfort the animall vitall and naturall spirits If five or six drops be taken in sage-Sage-water it restoreth the speech lost It dryeth up Rheumes and sharpneth the sight being taken in Fennel-water or Eye-bright-vvater It helpeth trembling of the heart and faintings of the spirits shortnesse of breath taken vvith Horehound-vvater and the Pleurisie vvith vvater of Sage of Jerusalem It helpeth spitting of blood taken vvith Tornentill-vvater It helpeth a cold stomach and vomiting being taken vvith Mint-vvater It helpeth the intemperate frigidity or coldnesse of the Liver and Spleene taken in Spleenwort-water or Wormwood-water and helpeth such as are melancholy if it be taken in Borrage or Buglosse-water Given in Endive-water or a few drops thereof taken in the pap of a roasted Apple with a leafe of Gold cureth the Jaundise It doth wonderfully ease the stone and urine stopt in the Kidneys or Bladder if a few drops be given in Saxifrage or Parsley-water It stirs up to Venery taken with Diasatyrion in Wine It helpeth the Running of the Reins taken with water or syrup of Purslan It easeth the Collick taken with Cynamon-water or Aqua-vitae It cureth the Dysentery or bloudy Flux taken in Tormentil-water It killeth Wormes taken in Tansey-water It helpeth the joynt-Gowt and Sciatica or Hip-Gowt taken with the decoction or Lignum sanctum as also trembling and the cramp It much helpeth the affects of the wombe as the suffocation and precipitation or â—aâ—ling down thereof as also barrennesse taken in Minch or Penny-royall-water or Anise-seed-water and easeth paines in travell bringeth away the childe and after-birth provoketh the termes and bringeth avvay the dead childe given in Savin-vvater especially if five or six drops thereof be given and then as much more vvithin halfe an hour if need require The manner of administring it It is given in povvder in Electuaries c. A powder to hasten the birth Take of Cynamon halfe a dram or a dram Cassia lignea tvvo scruples Saffron half 〈◊〉 dram of white Amber a scruple make all into powder and gâ—eâ— in Savin-water An Electuary against the pain and heat of the stomach c. Take of conserve of red Roses two ounces Marmelate of Quinces an ounce Mastick in powder two drams red Corall in powder a dram a half oile of Amber a scruple with syrup of Quinces make an Electuary Take of it morning and evening before meat and after meat It is excellent also to stay vomiting and the flux of the belly Doring de ol succinii viribus f. 73. The outward use Amber being burned on hot coals and the fume thereof received to the head doth help moist distillations thereof falling on the eyes teeth nose or stomach The fume thereof saith Doringius cured an old man of the Apoplexie that was judged to be certainly dead Doring de ol Succinii viribus f. 71. Being worn about the neck it cures Agues and helpeth swellings of the throat and almonds and is good in times of infection especially used with salt and hinders defluxions A fume thereof doth much help to cure the Falling Sicknesse and is good in the Pestilence made into powder and mixed with Honey
poyson and is good to cure wounds The herbe root and water are in use It is much used in the pestilence and other malignant diseases as small pox measles spotted feavers and purples driving forth by sweat any contagion especially if a flux of the belly be joyned with these diseases It is usefull in Catarrhes to dry up rheumes and in the French disease It cureth the bloody flux and all other fluxes of the belly and stoppeth the spitting of blood pissing of blood vomiting and the over-flowing of womens courses The powder of the root or the decoction thereof is very available against Ruptures bruises or fals and dissolveth congealed blood and easeth the paines that happen thereupon It helpeth also the stoppings and hurts of the lungs and liver and is good against the Jaundise and cureth the tertian Ague The decoction of the root in wine being drunk hindereth abortion or miscarrying in women with childe the leaves killeth wormes in children and it is a great help to such as cannot keep their water if they put thereto some juyce of Plantain A dram of rhe root in powder taken in water wherein red hot iron or steel hath been quenched is a good remedy for such as have the running of the reines especially the body being first well purged The leaves seeds or roots are good to put in decoctions for wound-drinks In a word it is most excellent in â—he time of the plague or pestilence The distilled water of Tormentill taken in a morning fasting is lent against venome or any contagion and is a good preservative in times of infection The dose is two or three ounces The same taken morning and evening cures all inward ulcers in the body stayeth the flux of the belly especially the Dysentery or bloudy flix It doth comfort the brain heart stomach liver and spleen as also the whole body and cureth most Agues The best way to still the water is to steep the herb all night in wine and then distil it Balneo Mariae The manner of administring it It is given in Powder Electuary Potions and Decoctions A powder against the Pestilence Take Tormentil root Dyttany of each a dram Sorrel and Citron-seed of each a dram and a half Ginger Cynamon Saffron white and red Sanders of each half a scruple Bole Armoniack and terra sigillata or sealed earth of each four scruples Make all into powder and give half a dram thereof or more in Carduus-water and let them sweat after it An Electuary against the Pestilence Take of Tormentil-root in powder two drams of the three kindes of Sanders in powder of each a scruple Wood-Aloes in powder half of a scruple Angelica-root in powder a dram conserve of Red Roses and of Rosemary of each two ounces and a half with syrup of Gillowflowers make an Electuary Give of it morning and evening about a dram A Potion against Infection Take of Tormentil-root in powder half a dram London-Treacle a Dram Carduus-water an ounce and a halfe mix them together and give it warm let the party sweat after it The outward use The decoction of the root is good to cleanse sores and wounds and to dry them up the root or the juice may be put into ointments for Wounds and Ulcers The root of Tormentil and Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity made up into a paste and put into a hollow tooth doth not only asswage the pain but stayeth the flux of humours which was the cause thereof The decoction thereof helpeth rotten Sores and Ulcers of the mouth or secret parts It dissolveth all Knots Kernels and Hardnesse about the Eares Throat Jawes and the Kings Evill if the leaves and roots be bruised and laid thereunto The same also easeth the pains of the Hip-gowt by restraining the sharp humours that flow thereunto The juice of the leaves and roots used with a little vineger is a speciall remedy against the running sores in the head or other parts scabs also and the itch or any such eruptions in the skin proceeding of salt and sharp humours the same is effectual for the Hemorrhoides or Piles if they be washed and bathed therewith or with the distilled water of the herb and roots It dryeth up sharp Rheumes that fall from the head to the eyes and cause rednesse pain and watering itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the distilled water hereof The powder of the root doth wonderfully stay the bleeding of the nose or any wound or vomiting The same mixed with Vineger Oile of Roses and a little Wax being made into a plaister and laid to the back doth prevent Abortion in Women or miscarrying If women sit over the decoction thereof it is a good help to prevent miscarrying especially if after the use thereof they make a plaister with the powder and Honey laying it to the navel and back The distilled water being injected doth much help to cure the Whites or Reds in Women The powder of the root mixed with Oil of Camomile easeth the pains of the joynts The distilled water doth cleanse Wounds Fistulaes Cankers and Sores being washed therewith and doth much help to the speedy cure of them and the water also alone doth cleer the sight and stay the flux of Rheume being washed therewith A Plaister to prevent miscarrying in Women Take of the plaister called Emplastrum contra rupturam two ounces the root of Tormentill in powder two drams Oile of Roses or Quinces half an ounce make a plaister thereof and lay it to the back warm The hurtfull quality It must not be given in very dry bodies nor to such as are much bound in their bodies The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to a dram in decoction from a dram to three drams Of such things as are made thereof The distilled Water Dioscorâ—ium c. CHAP. 65. De Turpetho of Turbith TVrbith is the root of a certain plant brought us from beyond the Sea neither have any set down certainly what it is The names It is called in Latine Turpethum Turpetum Turbitum Turbith in English also Turbith quasi turbatorium because it troubleth the stomach The temperament It is hot in the third degree and dry in the second or hot and dry in the second degree The best kinde The best is that which is white within and hollow like a Cane or Reed Gummy with an ash-coloured bark or out-side smooth and not rugged easie to be broken fresh not worm-eaten and not very great or thick which is not so good The duration It will keep good three or four yeers The inward use Turbith purgeth thick viscid and flegmatick humours from the stomach veins joynts nerves and breast moreover it draweth away water in the Dropsie It is profitable in the Gowt in long continued Agues comming from grosse and tough humours and in all diseases arising of thick flegm Some say it purgeth first and primarily flegm and then somewhat
adust humours therefore it is used in the French pox Elephansie Leprosie Morphew and also in madnesse The manner of administring it It is given in decoction or in substance In decoction Take of Betony a handful Turbith three drams Citron-seed Long-Pepper of each half a dram make a decoction in a sufficient quantity of water strain it and add thereunto Honey of Roses solutive one ounce and a half make a potion Massar f. 481. In substance Take of Turbith in powder a dram and a half mix it with posset-drink wherein hath been boiled Betony Ivy Anise-seed c. and give it It may be given in broth wherein hath been boiled Raisons and Figs. It will endure boiling indifferent well but especially if it be first infused it is better The externall use The powder of Turbith being mingled with honey and applyed eateth and consumeth dead flesh in ulcers and wounds and is profitable in Gangrenes The hurtfull quality with the corrective means Turbith hath three hurtfull qualities first it is slow and weak in operation so that except it be quickened with something it oftentimes draweth away thin flegme and leaves the thick behind Secondly it offends and troubleth the stomach bringing a nauseousness thereof and many times causeth vomiting according to the verse Nolo damnosum Turbith mea viscera turbet Thirdly it macerates or consumes the body and brings leannesse and Consumption It is corrected with Ginger Cynamon Anise-seed Mastick and the like Also oil of sweet Almonds is a good corrective for it especially in lean bodies it is not safe to give it to women that are with child old and weak persons or to children After the use of Turbith the eating of fish is forbidden and also you must avoid the South-winde Heurn Prax. Med. fol. 266. Tretag Auror. Med. fol. 322. Sennert Instit fol. 857. The Dose The Dose in powder is from a dram to two drams in decoction two drams to halfe an ounce The compound Medicines made of Turbith Extract of Twrbith Species Diaturbith with Rubarbe Pils of Turbith Vineger of Turbith Deo soli gloria CHAP. 66. De Agrimonia of Agrimonie The names IT is called in Latine Eupatorium from Eapator the first finder of it and Agrimonia some also call it Hepatoxium because it is a good help to the Liver In English Agrimonie and Egrimonie The Temperament It is hot and doth moderately binde and is of a temperate drinesse it cutteth and scoureth and is of subtill parts The Duration It will keep good a yeare being well dryed The inward use It openeth the stoppings of the Liver and cleanseth it it helpeth the Jaundise and strengthneth the inward parts and is good for the Bowells and healeth their inward woundings and bruises or hurts and qualifieth all inward distempers that grow therein A decoction of the herbe made with wine and drunk is good against the sting and biting of Serpents and helpeth them that have foule or troubled and Bloody Waters and is usefull in long continued Fluxes of the Liver especially in old people It is good for the Strangury and helpeth also the Collick it helpeth the Cough and clenseth the Breast It is good help to ridde a Quartaine or Tertian Ague if a draught of the Decoction be taken warme before the fit the leaves and seeds stop the the Bloody flixe being taken in wine The roots or leaves boyled in wine and drunke helpeth such as have the Palsey It is accounted a good herbe against the Spleene being stopt as also against the Pestilence and the biting of a mad Dog The distilled water helpeth the Jaundies Cough and killeth wormes if two ounces thereof be taken Morning and Evening and it is esteemed a secret experiment against the Quartaine Ague if foure ounces thereof be taken Morning and Evening for many dayes together but I rather approve of the Decoction The leaves or roots are good in the Dropsey and Green-sicknesse The manner of administring it It is chiefly given in Decoction A Decoction against the Jaundes Take of Hore-hound two handfulls Elecampane root Buglosse and Agrimony of each a dram and a halfe of Rubarbe and wood Aloes of each a dram Bruise the wood Aloes and the roots boyle them in three pints of white-White-wine to a quart Note that the Rubarbe must not be put in till the rest be almost boyled Take of this two ounces Morning and Evening If there be a feaver boyle it in Water The outward use It helpeth old Sores Cankers and Ulcers that are of hard Curation being stamped with old Swines grease and applyed for it cleanseth and afterwards healeth them in the same manner also applyed it draweth forth thornes or splinters of wood Nayles or such like that is gotten into the flesh and helpeth to strengthen Members that be out of joynt it helpeth also foule impostumed eares being bruised and applyed or the juyce dropped into them The leaves bruised and applyed to the biting of a mad Dog helpeth the same and the juyce mingled with Vineger taketh away warts being laid thereon The distilled water of the herbe is good for all the purposes aforesaid and to cure Ulcers and sores of the mouth and throat being gargled or washed therewith Of such Medicines as are made thereof These following are made of Agrimonie Syrup of Agrimonie Pils of Agrimonie Trosses of Agrimonie Water of Agrimonie The Dose The leaves are given in Powder from a scruple to a dram CHAP. 67. De Agno Casto of the chaste Tree The Names IT is called Castus that is chast because the Athenian matrons in their Thesmophoria did use these leaves as Sheets to lye upon thereby to preserve their chastity In Latine it is called Agnus castus and vitex also Salix Marina or Salix Amerina in English Chast tree The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree and of a very thin essence or substance sharp also and binding The Duration It will keepe good a yeare the seede will keep longer The inward use It is a singular good remedy for all such as desire to live chaste for withstandeth all filthy desires to Venery or Lust and dryeth up the seed of generation in any manner used and taken The seeds being drunke resisteth the bitings of venemous Beasts Spiders or the like and helpeth the Dropsy and those that are troubled with the Spleen it also procureth milke in womens Breasts it procureth their courses and urine stopped and helpeth the windinesse of the Stomach and Belly and is usefull in the stoppings of the Liver A dram of the seed given in Powder causeth sleepe The decoction of the herbe and seeds is good for women troubled with the paines of the Mother or inflamation thereof and is said to help an Ague if a draught thereof be taken before the fit The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction powder electuary Trosses c. An Electuary to coole and abate Lust Take conserve of Water Lillyes and conserve of mints of each one ounce
mixe them together lay it to the soles of the feet at night warme The hurtfull quality Garlick especially eaten raw maketh the eyes dim offendeth the head hurteth the stomach over liberally taken causeth thirst hurteth the Kidneys heateth and burneth the blood yeildeth no nourishment to the body and is hurtfull to Young men and to such as are hot and cholerick and in hot seasons and hurteth Women with Childe and such as give suck it is onely good for such as are cold and moist and abound with Flegmatick grosse and tough humours for old persons and in cold seasons The best way is to boyle it throughly and to eate it with Oyle Vineger or such like Of such things as are made thereoof The distilled water of Garlick The electuary of Garlick which is made thus Take of Garlick foure or five cloves bruise it well with two or three drams of Hony and as much Mithridate then adde of Parmacitty Juniper berries of each a scruple Castor two scruples Pellitory of the wall in powder a scruple with Oximell Squillitick make in Electuary and give of it Morning and Evening as much as a Nut. It is excellent in the Chollick and against winde Whether Garlick and Onions be convenient in the Pestilence Concerning Garlick and Onions there is some question whether they be convenient and profitable in the Pestilence Gallen 1. de Differ Feb. cap. 1. among foode of ill juyce and nourishment doth mention Garlick and Onions and many other Physitians doe forbid the use of them because they increase hot humours whereby a Feaver is soon bred But Galen also saith that Garlick is the Country-mans Treacle and doth commend it against the biting of a mad Dog and other venemous creatures But this may soone be decided thus If we say that Garlick and Onions are profitable and usefull not as aliment or food but as a Medicine For as it is certaine that it yeilds no good nourishment so it is as certaine that it is excellent against Venome and Poyson being used in a small quantity as before is shewed and very usefull in the Pestilence CHAP. 70. De Allumine of Allum The Names and kindes IT is called in Latine Allumen or Salfugo Terrae Antonius Musa mentions foure sorts of Allum Exam. Terrarum Fol. 459. Schroderus writes of five sorts Schroder Pharm Med. Chym. lib. 3. cap. 24. fol. 143. But we have but two sorts ordinarily among us Roch Allum and common Allum true Roch Allum is rare and hard to be got The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third or fourth degree The Duration It will keepe good many yeares The best kinde The best is that which is clearest white and pure and is brought out of Aegypt The inward use Plinie saith it is taken in Pills for the stoppings and hardnesse of the Spleene driveth away the Itch and bringeth forth corrupt blood by urine The vulgar use to make Possets of it as thus to take a pint of milke and a piece of Allum as big as a Wallnut and boyle it then take off the curd and drinke of the clearest a good draught before the fit of an Ague The outward use It is astringent or binding yet cleansing and is good in putrified Ulcers takes away proud flesh cureth the Itch and Scab cleareth the Sight and is usefull in lotions for the mouth throat or elsewhere mixed with a litle Vineger it cleanseth the Gums rotten Teeth and fastneth loose Teeth being washed therewith It stauncheth blood and used with Vineger into any place where the haire hath been plucked up it causeth that which cometh againe to be but soft and in manner of a downe With the juyce of Pomgranat it is good for the infirmities of the eares and amends the fleshinesse growing about the Nailes and helpeth Kibes Mixed with the juyce of Beets it cleanseth the Leprosie Boyled in water and used it kills Nits Lice and such venome breeding in the head and cures the Dandraffe In a Glister it is very good for the Bloody-flix Burnt Allum in Powder is chiefly used to take away spongious Flesh to dry up Ulcers and to procure a Cicatrize A Water against filthy eating Vlcers Take of Plantaine and red Rose water of each halfe a pound Alum two ounces Sugar one ounce boyle them together to the melting of the Sugar and Allum then reserve it to use A Water against the ill smell of the Armeholes and Feet Take of Allum one pound Boyle it in about a gallon of Water and wash the parts therewith Of such things as are made thereof Burnt Allum Spirit of Allum Magister of Allum c. Allum water Magistrall CHAP. 71. De Althaea of Marsh-Mallowes The Names IT is called in Latine Althaeae Bismalra because it is twice as good in effect as the other sorts are in English Marsh-Mallow Morish-Mallow and White Mallow from the colour of the leaves The Temperament It is moderately hot but dryer then the other Mallowes and of a mollifying and softning Nature the roots and seeds are more dry and of thinner parts The Duration The leaves will keep a yeare the roots longer The inward use The roots are in the most use A decoction thereof doth ease the gripings of the Belly bringeth away Gravell and the Stone easeth such as are short winded and is good in all diseases of the Brest and Lungs as Coughes hoarsenesse of the Throat and Voice Plurisy and such like The roots and seeds boyled in wine or water is usefull for them that have any Excorations or frettings in the guts or Bloudy-flix and this it doth by qualifying the sharp Cholerick humours that are cause thereof and by the Sliminesse easing the paines and healing the sorenesse and in some sort stayeth the further eruption of blood It it profitably taken of them that are troubled with Ruptures Sciatica Cramps or Convulsion of the Sinews The dryed roots boyled in milke and drunke are good for the chin-Cough The roots boyled in wine are good for such as have fallen and bruised themselves and for those that have any bone or member out of joynt and for such as have any swelling paine or Ach in the Muscles Sinewes or Arteries of the Body and cures such as are stung with Bees or the like The distilled water is good for the aforesaid purposes The syrop of Marsh-Mallow is chiefly used for the Collick Stone or Gravell in Blader or Kidneyes the Dose is a spoonfull or two in Posset drinke or with Wine in a morning The manner of Administring it Both leaves seeds and roots are used in decoction A decoction provoking urine Take of Marsh-Mallow root halfe an ounce Licorish two drams Fennell root and Parsely roote and Kneeholme of each one ounce Parsely seede and Gromell seede of each two drams Bruise them all and boyle them in a sufficient quantity of Water or Posset drinke straine it and adde Sugar to it Drinke a good draught thereof Morning and Evening warme The outward use The leaves or
they sweat before the fit come will in twice or thrice taking rid it quite away it helpeth also digestion in the Stomach and is a good remedy for a Surfet It helpeth the Collick the Strangury and stoppings of the Urine procureth womens courses and expelleth the after-birth easeth and discusseth all inward tumours and windinesse it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene cureth the bitings of mad Dogs and all other venemous creatures The roote taken dry or in any other drinke will abate the rage of Lust in young pâ—rsons The root being used greene helpeth such as be short breathed and be troubled with stuffings in their Stomach The root also steeped in Vineger and a little of the same taken fasting is a good preservative in time of contagion The decoction taken helpeth inward bruises and congealed blood and strengthneth the Stomach and is effectuall for the suffocation of the Mother The distilled water is good for the aforesaid Diseases especially if the roots and leaves be steeped in wine and distilled in a glasse The Dose is two or three spoonfulls at a time and doth much ease cold or gripings that come of cold or winde so as the body be not bound The said water taken with a scruple of the root in powder helpeth the Plurisie being taken at the beginning as also all other diseases of the Lungs and breast as Coughs shortnesse of the breath and such like The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction in powder Electuary Potion c. In Decoction Take of the leaves of Angelica a handfull of Angelica roots two drams boyle them in a pint and a halfe of water or Posset drinke to a pinte straine it and give a good draught thereof Morning and Evening A Potion against the Pestilence Take of Angellica root in powder of London Treacle of each a dram Angellica water three ounces wine Vineger halfe an ounce mixe them together take it and sweat upon it A Potion against faintnesse of the heart Take of Angellica root in powder thirty graines Angelica water one ounce Cinamon water a spoonfull mixe them together and give it divers times if need require The outward use The juyce or the water dropped into the eyes cleareth them takes away filmes or skins therein and helpeth deafnesse if dropped into the eares the juyce put into hollow teeth easeth the paine The roots in powder made up with a little Pitch into a Plaister and laid on the biting of a mad Dog or any other venemous creature doth wonderfully helpe them the juyce or the water dropped or tents wet therein and put into old and filthy deepe ulcers or the powder of the roote in want of the other doth cleanse them and cause them to heale quickly by covering the naked bones with flesh The distilled water applied to places pained with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deale of ease The root smelled to or held in the Mouth is a good preservative in the times of contagion The Dose The root or leaves are given in powder from halfe a dram to a dram Of such things as are made thereof The distilled water The juyce The extract thereof The Stalkes and roots canded Oyle Balsam of Angelica CHAP. 75. De Antimonio of Antimony or Stibium The Names IT is called in Latine Antimonium Antimonium Hyacinthinum vitrem Antimonii Stibium and Stiâ—â—mi in English Antimony and glasse of Antimony The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree The best kinde The best is the clearest glasse without drosse or earthy substance and of a red colour and brittle or easy to breake The Duration It will keepe good many years The inward use Antimony is a strong Medicine and worketh strongly both by Vomit and Stoole It is profitable in old paines of the head Catarrhes or Râ—umes paines of the Stomack arising from Malignant humours in the Dropsey Green-sicknesse shortnesse of breath Palsey Falling-sicknesse in the Tertian or Quartaine Ague in the French-pox Melancholly and madnesse in stoppings of the Liver and Spleene in the Leprosy Elephansy Scab Itch and foule Diseases of the skin It is most excellent in the Pestilence especially at the beginning The manner of administring it It is given in Substance or by Infusion In Substance Take of Stibium or glasse of Antimony in fine powder three or four graines of Sugar in powder two drams or halfe an ounce mixe them together and take it in a Morning fasting with Physicall observation Or thus Take of Stibium in fine powder three graines Sugar of Roses two drams or as much conserve of red Roses mixe them togther and take it as before A Bole good in the Dropsey Take of Antimony in very fine Powder three graines London Treacle a dram conserve of red Roses two drams being well mixed take it as before In Pills Take of Antimony in Powder three graines Pilula Alephanginae a scruple make Pills and cover them with leafe Gold Sed fraus honesta latet By Infusion Take of Stibium in powder three or foure graines white wine four ounces let them stand all night in the Morning poure off the clearest and give it The outward use Stibium is used in Medicines to cleare the sight and against Ulcers Festulas thereof or also to take away proud flesh in sores and procureth a cicatrice in Ulcers Being mixed with sope used it helpeth to cure Cankers and the fleshinesse growing in the Nostrills Plinie saith t stoppeth the bleeding of any fresh wound being strewed therein and singular to heale the bitings of Dogs but this I conceive is spoken of crude Antimony Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 33. cap. 6. fol. 473. A water to take away spots in the eyes and to dry up superfluous moysture Take of cleare Antimony in powder ten graines red Rose water three ounces mixe them together and let them stand foure and twenty houres then drop foure or five drops of the clearest into the eyes twice in a day The hurtfull quality Stibium is a strong and violent Medicine and brings Convulsions Cramps Faintings of the Spirits and many times sodaine death therefore take these cautions Cautions in the use of Antimony Give it onely to strong and able bodies Let it not be given where the body is much bound till a glister hath been administred Give it not to women with childe nor to weake persons nor to any that are in a Consumption or to such as spit blood or have bad Lungs Give it not to any immediately before or presently after bleeding When any doe take it let them keepe their beds while it workes and take warme Posset drinke having a care they take no cold Fabricius mentions two Matrons that after the taking of Antimony the one lost her hearing and the other became foolish Cent. 5. Obser 12. If anâ— desire to know more of the nature of Antimony let them read these following Authors Matthiol in lib. 5. Diascor cap. 59. f. 837. 838. Massar lib.
7. de Med. Purg. cap. 30. fol. 485. 486. Schroder Pharmacop Med. Chym. lib. 3. cap. 17. fol. 42. 43. 44. c. Freitag Aur. Med. lib. 4. cap. 15. fol. 616. 617. 618. c. Basil Antimon Ham. Poppii Printed 1618. Crol Basil Chym. Printed 1631. fol. 211. 212. 313. c. Of such Medicines as are made thereof Hepar Antimonii or Liver of Antimony Flowres of Antimony Antimony diaphoreticke Regulus Antimonii Oyle of Antimony L quor of Antimony Tinctura Salt Spirit of Antimony with many others The Dose The Dose is from three graines to five or sixe CHAP. 76. De Aniso of Anise-seed The names IT is called in Latine Anisum in English Anise and Anise-seed The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree or hot in the second degree and dry in the first The Duration It will keep good two or three yeares but the newer it is the better operation it hath The inward use The seed often taken helpeth a stinking breath and to break winde in any part of the body be it the Head Stomach Spleene Bowells or Mother and to provoke Urine and sleepe to them that want it they helpe Nurses to store of milke for their Children to eate the seeds comfited or Anise-seed comfits fasting and last at night and is very good for teeming women or with childe they helpe those that are short winded or have a Consumption to take the Decoction of them with Figs Licorish c. They helpe to expectorat flegme in them that have a Cough or straitnesse in the breasts and is very conducible to the Stomach and being boyled in wine and taken it helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and the Dropsey that cometh thereby The same stayeth the Hickock and helpeth Digestion It stirreth up bodily Lust and boyled in wine it is good against all poison and biting of all venimous beasts It availes in Children that have the Falling-sicknesse being taken The chymicall Oyle taken in broth or wine three or foure drops at a time doth helpe the giddinesse of the Head the straitnesse and paines in the breast and stomach or the crudities and belchings therein the much desire to cast and the rising of the Mother as also all other griefs and paines inwardly that rise of cold or winde The Quintessence gives ease to those that are Phrantick or distempered in their braines and for such as are troubled with the Falling-sicknesse or have the Cramp or Convulsion A Decoction of Anniseed is excellent in the Chollick and easeth the Cough The manner of Administring it It is given in powder in decoction or the seeds are eaten whole A Decoction against the Collick and winde in the Belly or Stomach Take of Anisse foure ounces Licorish two ounces boyle them in three or foure pints of water straine it and drinke thereof a good draught at any time The outward use If Anise either green or dry be beaten and laid to their Eyes that have any hurtfull thing fallen into them it will soone draw it forth and likewise take away the venome of any hurt by the biting of venemous creatures and healeth them quickly the seeds boyled in Oyle of Roses and dropped warme into the Eares easeth the paine and noyse in them the seeds bruised and mixed with Storax and the fumes thereof taken being cast on quick coales will soone ease the continuall Head-ache Being boyled with Hyssop and a little Vineger and Hony added thereto it helpeth the Quinsey if the throat be gargled therewith Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water of the hearbe and seed Confections of Anis-seede Laxative both simple and compound Anisseede comfits Oyle of Annisseed and Quintessence thereof Salt of Anisseede Species Dranisu Anisseede water hot CHAP. 77. De Argento vivo of Quicksilver The Names IT is called in Latine Argentum vivum from its agility and moving nature also Hydrargyrum that is watery Silver in English Quicksilver or Life-silver but Plinie saith it might be called Death-silver because it is the death of so many Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 33. cap. 6. fol. 473. The Temperament Some will have it hot and moist in the fourth degree others say its cold and moiste others say it is of a mixt quality partly hot and partly cold The Duration It will keepe many yeares The inward use Some commend this to be given inwardly for wormes and against the Chollick for by the weight thereof the gut is unfoulded and the Excrements and worms are brought away Paraus relates of a Gentleman that when he could not be freed from the paine of the Collick by any meanes prscribed by a learned Physitian at length by the Counsell of a certain German his friend dranke three ounces of Oyle of sweet Almonds drawne without fire and mixed with some white-White-wine and Pellitory water and swallowed a leaden bullet besmeared with Quick-silver and that bullet comming presently out by his fundament he was wholly freed from his Chollick Par. l. 17. cap 58. fol. 441. But this must be onely done in desperate cases and in strong Bodies for the outward use is dangerous and must be done with great caution Others give it to women against hard labours and to facilitate or hasten the birth and to bring away the secundine or after-birth Paraeus Booke 21. Chap. 38. and Doctor Primrose in his poular errours Booke 4. Chap. 29. Translated lately into English by Doctor Wittie But this must be onely used in desperate cases as is before shewed The outward use It is chiefly in use outwardly against the Frence-pox Itch Scab and kills Lice and Nits dissolves hard nodes or bunches of the joynts and swelling behinde the eares cures also maligne Ulcers penetrateth and Purgeth for it drawes from the center to the circumference that is from the inward parts to the outward An Oyntment against the Itch. Take Quicksilver killed with oyle of Bayes one ounce Hogs grease twelve ounces oyle of Turpentine one ounce red Bole in powder halfe an ounce the yolkes of foure Egs. Let the yolkes of Egs be rosted very hard and beaten well with the oyle of Turpentine then adde the rest and make an Oyntment Let the Body be anoynted with it f o divers nights together Or Take of Quicksilver killed with Fasting spitle halfe an ounce of Stavesacre in powder as much of Butter or Hogs grease sixe ounces or halfe a pound beat them well together and use it as before this will kill Lyce and cure the Itch. The hurtfull quality Quick-silver is counted by most writers a dangerous Medicine to be given inwardly because it brings dangerous symptomes as Cramps and Convulsions Lethargy Apoplexy Falling-sicknesse Tremulations Stupefaction Torments in the bowells and paine of the whole body suppresseth urine causeth the body to swell hurts the Stomach and Belly causeth vomiting and brings faintnesse of the heart Petrus Forestus de venenis Observat 8. in Scholia mentions an Apothecary who in stead of a glasse of water being dry to quench his
thirst he tooke a glasse of Quicksilver and drunke it up and dyed thereof and being opened his heart was found congealed as also his blood about his throat was congealed and frozen The like hapned to an Ape that had Quicksilver given him in beere Others say it is a safe Medicine may be taken inwardly without any danger In a word t is good t is bad it cures it kills according as t is used therefore I advise the vulgar not to meddle too much with it for it hath mastred mighty Giants and fool'd the best Artists See Fabric Observat Chin. Cent. 5. Observat 13. Revodaum de Mat. Med. lib. 2. cap. 15. fol 606. 607. Of such Medicines as are made thereof Vnguentum Neapolitanum Vnguentum Enulatum cum mercurio Vnguentum Catapsoras c. CHAP. 78. De Artemisia of Mugwort The Names IT is called in Latine Artemisia from the Queene Artemisia the wife of Mansolus King of Caria being good for womens Diseases in English Mugwort The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration It will keep good a yeare The inward use The leaves are most in use The decoction whereof made with water or wine and drunke provoketh the courses bringeth away the birth and afterbirth and helpeth the inflamation and stoppings of the Mother as also the stopping of the urine and is a good helpe against barrennesse in women It helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene from a cold cause and against the Jaundise being boyled with centory and taken Two or three drams of the leaves in powder taken in wine helps the Sciatica The juyce taken helpeth the bitings of a mad Dog The manner of Administring it It is given in Powder or Decoction In Decoction Take a handfull of Mugwort and boyle it in a pint and a halfe of water or White-wine to a pint Straine it adde Sugar thereto and drinke a quarter of a pint of it Morning and Evening warme The outward use A Decoction thereof being set over doth bring downe the courses expell the birth and afterbirth helps paines and stoppings of the Mother the juyce thereof made up with myrrhe and put under as a Pessary worketh the same effect and so doth the roote also being made up with Hogs grease into an oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard knots and kernells that grow about the Neck and Throat as also to ease the paines about the neck and that with more effect if some field Daisies be put with it The herbe or the juyce taken is a good remedy upon the overmuch taking of Opium A decoction thereof made with Camomill Agrimony and Sage and the place bathe therewith warme taketh away the paines of the Sinews and Crampe A Fomentation against the Arthriticall Gout Take of Git or Nigella and Mugwort of each foure handfulls boyle them in Sea water to tendernesse and let the parts affected be bathed therewith warme The hurtfull quality It must not be used in very hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given from half a dram to two drams in powder Of such Medicines as are made thereof Syrupe of Mugwort excellent to bring downe the courses if a spoonfull thereof be taken Morning and Evening The distilled water Salt of Mugwort CHAP. 79. De Betis of Beetes The Names and kindes THere are divers kindes of Beets and but two sorts are more generally knowne the white and red Beete the white is called Beta alba and the red Beta rubra The Temperament The white are temperate in heate and moisture but the others are dry and abstersive they have also a nitrous quality whereby they provoke to stoole The inward use The white being boyled in broth doth loosen the belly and provoketh to stoole but nourisheth little or nothing The juyce of the white Beets cleanseth and provoketh urine openeth the stopping of the Liver and Spleene and is good for the Head-ach the swiming therein and is effectuall against all venemous creatures The red stayeth the Bloody-flixe womens courses and the whites and helps the yellow Jaundise The manner of Administring it It is chiefly boyled in broth or in decoction The outward use The decoction of Beets is used in Glisters to loosen the belly The juyce put up into the Nostrills doth draw forth flâ—gme purgeth the head and helpeth the noise in the Eares the same applyed upon the Temples stayeth the inflamation in the Eyes and helpeth burning being used with Sallet Oyle and if a little Allum be put into it it is good for Wilde fire the same is good for all Wheales Pushes and other Blisters and Blanes in the Skin the hearbe boyled and laid upon Chilblaines on the hands or Kibes on the heeles helpeth them it healeth the Itch if the place be bathed with the decoction of the herbe in water and some Vineger the same doth cleanse the head also of Dandraffe Scurfe and dry Scabs and doth much good for fretting and running sores Ulcers Cankers in the head leggs or other parts It is much commended against baldnesse and shedding of the haire The root anoynted with Oyle and put up as a Suppositary into the fundament doth provoke to stoole and soften the Belly The juyce of Beete killeth Lice if the place be rubbed therewith The hurtfull quality Beets offend the Stomach and breed ill humours in the body Of such things as are made thereof The distilled water The juyce CHAP. 80. De Betonica of Betony The Names IT is called in Latine Betonica and Vetonica from people in Spaine called Vettones as Pliny saith in English Betony and wood Betony Pliny Nat. Hist lib. 24. cap. 8. fol. 224. The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration It will keepe good a yeare The inward use It is singular against all paines of the head proceeding from cold helpeth those that have weake Stomacks and loath their meat as also the Jaundes Falling-sicknesse Palsey Convulsions or Cramps the Gout and those that are enclining to the Dropsey the powder mixed with pure Hony availes for Coughs or colds wheesing and shortnesse of breath distillations of thin Rhume from the Lungs which causeth Consumptions The decoction made with Mede and a little Pennyroyall is good for those that are troubled with rotten Agues of any kinde arising from the Stomach and to draw downe and evacuate the blood and humours that by falling into the eyes do hinder the sight the decoction thereof made in wine and taken killeth wormes in the Belly is good to open stoppings of the Liver and Spleene and for stitches or other paines in the sides or back the gripings of the bowells and the winde Chollick and with Hony helpeth to purge the belly the same helpeth to bring down womens courses and is usefull for those that are troubled with the falling downe and paines of the Mother to cause an easy speedy delivery for those that are in travaile and helpeth to break and expell the Stone in the Kidneys or Bladder
against all hard swellings and paines or aches shrinking of the sinews or Cramps or paines in the joynts or any other part of the body and helpeth to dissolve winde and paines in the belly used in Glysters for that purpose anoynted also it helpeth Stitches and paines in the side A Potion to procure rest and sleepe Take Camomill and Marshmallowes of each three handfulls boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water let the Patients Thighs Legs and Feet be washed therewith for a quarter of an houre before the time orest Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water Oyle both by distillation and by infusion Salt CHAP. 87. De Capillo veneris of Common Maidenhaire The Names IT is called in Latine Capillaris and Capillus Veneris in English Maidenhaire and common Maidenhaire The Temperament It is temperate in heate and coldnesse opening and cleansing The Duration It will keepe good being dry a yeare or longer The inward use It is of singular use against the Diseases of the Brest the Liver and Reines especially the decoction thereof drunke helpeth the Cough shortnesse of breath the yellow Jaundise stoppings of the Liver and Spleene and urine helpeth to break the Stone provoketh the courses and stayeth both bleedings and Fluxes of the Stomack and belly especially when the herbe is dry for being green by the thinness of the parts it looseneth the belly causeth choller fleagm to be voided both from the Stomach and Liver and by freeing the Stomach by spitting it out wonderfully cleanseth the Lungs and by rectifying the Liver and Blood causeth a good colour to the whole body it is said also to resist and to cure the bitings of venemous creatures and to cure Ruptures The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction or in powder The outward use The herbe boyled in Oyle of Camomill dissolveth knots allayeth swellings and dryeth up moist Ulcers the lye made thereof is singular good to cleanse the head from Scurfe and either dry or running sores stayeth the falling of the hayrâ— and causeth them to grow thick faire and well coloured for which purpose some boyle it in wine putting some Smallage seed thereto and afterwards some Oyle The Dose The Dose in powder is from halfe a dram to a dram Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water Syrupe of Maidenhaire both simple and compound CHAP. 88. De Caprifolio of Hony Succles The Names IT is called in Latine Caprifolium and Periclymenum in English Woodbinde and Hony-succle The Temperament It is hot and attenuating or making thin and not colde The inward use It is of a cleansing resolving consuming and digesting quality as Hyssope Origanum and such like therefore used in decoctions with Figs and Licorish they expectorat fleagme from the Lungs and Chest wherewith they are filled The flowers and leaves are of more use then the seeds which is said to consume the Spleene and to procure a womans speedy delivery helpeth shortnesse of breath and cureth the Hicket they also cause barrennesse in women and make men unable to generation The manner of Administring it It is chiefly used in decoction as in the Chapter of Mugwort The outward use The leaves or flowers in powder or the distilled water of them is commended to dry up foule and moist Ulcers and to cleanse the face and skin from Morphew Sunburne Freckles and other discolourings of the skin The Oyle wherein the flowers have beene infused and sunned is good against Cramps convulsions of the Sinews and Palsies and any other benumming cold griefe A water for wounds Take Honysuccle Sage Celandine of each a handfull boyle them in eight pints of running water to a halfe then adde to the strained Liquor a pound of Hony set them on the fire and take off the scumme so long as any will rise then adde thereto of Roch Allum in powder foure ounces graines of Paradise bruised one ounce boyle them a little then straine and reserve it The hurtfull quality The Decoction thereof being drunke sixe dayes together will make the urine as blood although at the first they will but provoke urine onely neither are they good for inflamations of the mouth and throat but hurtfull therein as the burning heate of the leafe doth manifest The Dose The seeds are given from halfe a dram to a dram Of such things that are made thereof The distilled water Syrup of the flowers CHAP. 89. De Cardamomis of Cardamomes The Names and kindes THere are chiefly two sorts of Cardamoms the greater called in Latine Cardamomum majus and the lesser called Cardamomum minus The Temperament They are hot and dry in the third degree The Duration They will keep good two or three years some say ten yeares The inward use Cardamomes breake the Stone provoke urine when it is stopped or passeth with paine resisteth poyson and the sting of Scorpions and other venemous creatures They are good against the Falling-sicknesse the Cough the broad wormes and the gripings of the bowells and expelleth winde powerfully both from the Stomach and entrailes easeth those that by falls or beatings are bruised and broken those that have loose and weak sinews and the paine of the Sciatica or Hip gout It doth wonderfully strengthen the Stomach and helpe Concoction They are put in many of our compositions Cordialls Antidotes and such like The manner of Administring it They are given in powder Electuary and Decoction The outward use Being boyled in Vineger or steeped therein and used it is good against Scabs and Tetters A fume thereof used killeth the birth The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull in very hot and dry bodies The Dose They are given in powder from a scruple to two scruples Of such Medicines as are made thereof Oyle of Cardamomes A confection of Cardamoms CHAP. 90. De Carduo benedicto of the blessed Thistle The Names IT is called in Latine Carduus and Carduus Benedictus in English Blessed Thistle The Temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree and also cleansing and opening The Duration It will keepe good a yeare or longer The inward use A Decoction of Carduus being taken helpeth the swimming of the head strengthneth the memory and is a good remedy against deafnesse killeth wormes provoketh urine and the courses and driveth out gravell cleanseth the Stomach and helpeth the paines of the side It is most excellent in Pestilent Feavers and all contagious Diseases for it expelleth out by sweat all noxious or ill humours It is very good in any kinde of Ague either by Decoction thereof taken or halfe a dram of the powder taken in Posset drinke before the fit cometh for divers fits if need require and sweat after it It is very availeable against all venome and poyson The distilled water is usefull for the aforesaid Diseases but the Decoction is far better The extract thereof is good against the French-pox and the Quartain-Ague The manner of Administring it It is given in Powder
corruption of the ayre They are best fasting or when the stomach is empty Toasted Figs are good for women to facillitate or hasten the birth The manner of Administring them They are eaten as they come to us or toasted and so eaten but chiefly they are used in Dâ—coctions The outward use F gs bruised and applyed with Barly-meale and the powder of Fenâ—ugreeke seede doâ— moâ—lifie the hard tumours and kernells under the Throat and Eares and elsewhere as also the hardnesse of the Mother and if some Leaven and Salt be put to them it breaketh Plague sores They are mâ—xed also with Copperas against old sores of the Leggs and all other foule running Ulcers being boyled in wine with Wormewood and then applyed wâ—th Barly-meale are very profitably applyed to the belly of those that have a Dropsie and beaten with Salt and applyed taketh away the Itch and Scab and the Ashes also made up into a salve and applyed healeth K bes and Chilblanes Fâ—gs bruâ—sed and mixed with Fennegreeke Vineger easeth the hot Gout of the feet A Figgesâ—t and toasted doth often times ease the tooth ach being appâ—yed The hurtfull quality They ingender crude and windy humours in the body and soone corrupt in the Stomach whereby they cause the Itch Scab and breed Lice also They hurt such as have the Chollick and windy diseases and that have hot Livers and chollerick Stomachs they are best for old Flegmatick persons and in cold and moist seasons CHAP. 105. De Foeniculo of Fennell The Names IT is called in Latine Foeniculum in English Fennell The Temperament The seed is hot and dry in the third degree the herbe not so hot The Duration The seeds will keep good a yeare or two the herbe is rarely dryed but used greene The inward use It breaketh winde provoketh Urine easeth the paines of the Stone and helpeth to break it the leaves or seeds boyled in Barly-water and drunke is good for Nurses to encrease their milke and to make it the more wholsome for their children to take the leaves boyled in water but especially the seedes stayeth the Hicket and taketh away the loathing of the Stomach a layeth the heat thereof The seed boyled in wine is good for them that are bitten by Serpents or have eaten poysonfull herbs or Mushromes the seed roots help to open the stoppings of the Liver Spleene and Gall and thereby much conduceth to all the diseases arising from them as the painefull and windy swelling of the Spleens and the yellow Jaundes as also the Gout and Cramps the seede is of good use in pectorall medicines and those that helpe the shortnesse of breath and wheesing by stoppings of the Lungs it helpeth also to bring downe the courses and to cleanse the parts after delivery the roots are in most use for drinkes and broths that are taken to cleanse the blood to open stoppings of the Liver and to provoke urine and to amend the evill colour in the face after long sicknesse Both leaves seeds or roots are much used in drinkes or broths for those that are growne fat to abate the same and to make them more gaunt and lank the distilled water of the whole herbe is good for the same purposes The seed taken in powder doth quicken the eye sight and are often used to correct purging Medicines The manner of Administring it It is chiefly given in decoction but the seeds may be taken in powder The outward use It is chiefly used outwardly to cleare the sight as the juyce or water being dropped into the eyes to cleare them and to help their dimnesse See my help for the Poore in Pag. 41. and 43. The hurtfull quality It is bad for hot and dry bodies The Dosâ— The seede in powder is taken in broth or the like from one scruple to two scruples Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water A Chymmicall Oyle Salt of Fennell Fennell-seed Comfits CHAP. 106. De Faenugraeco of Fenugreeke The Names IT is called in Latine Foenum gracum and Foenugraecum in English Fenugreeke and Fenegreeke The temperament It is hot in the second degree and dry in the first The duration It will keepe good many years The outward use The powder of the seede taken with Hony driveth forth noysome humours out of the body mollifieth inward Impostumes and Ulcers of the Lungs and breast easeth the griping paines of the intralls and killeth Wormes The manner of administring it It may be given in powder or in Decoction but it is not usuall to take it inwardly yet many give it in powder with Otes to Horses for it doth fatten them and killeth Wormes in their Maw The inward Vse The meale or powder thereof heated with Vineger and applied to the Region of the Spleene doth mollify and wast the hardnesse thereof as also other hard tumours and swellings the Decoction thereof softneth likewise the hardnesse of the Mother and easeth the paines thereof if they sit therein as in a Bath or receive the hot fumes by sitting over it the Decoction thereof clenseth the head from scurfe dandruffe and the running sores thereof it helpeth the Disease called Tenasmus that is an often desire to the stoole without doing any thing as also the Bloudy Flux when the excrements smell strong A Pultis made with the meale thereof and Linseede and the Decoction of Mallowes and a little Oyl or Hogs grease put thereto asswageth the swelling and paines of the Cods or privy-parts of Women and generally all other swellings and tumours the same also helpeth the Gout and other joynt-Aches that come of cold the Decoction or muccilage applied to the forehead with clothes dipped therein stayeth the Flux of humours to the Eyes and easeth the paines in them used also in Clysters it is good in the Stone by opening and mollifying the inward parts A Pultis for the swelling behinde the Eares Take of the muccilage of Fenugreeke ten Ounces Cerusse in powder two Ounces Camphor halfe an Ounce make all into a Pultis and apply it The hurtfull quality Fenugreek taken inwardly doth overturne and breed a loathing in some stomacks especially if they be weake therefore onely to be used in strong bodies Of such Medicines as are made thereof Syrup of Fenugreek Muccilage of Fenugreeke CHAP. 147. De Fragaria of Strawberries The Names THe P an t is called in Latine Fragaria and the berries Fragra from the Fragrancy of the smell and taste in English Strawberries The temperament The Leaves are cold in the first degree some say hot and drying in the second the root is more drying and binding the Berries while they are greene are cold and dry but being ripe they are cold and moâ—st The inward use The Berries are good to coole the Liver the bloud and Spleene or an hot chollerick stomack to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits and to quench thirst they are good also for other inflammations The leaves and roots boyled in Wine and Water and drunke do
likewise coole the Liver and blood and asswage all inflamations in the reines and bladder provoketh urine and allaieth the heate and sharpnesse thereof the same also stayeth the bloudy Flux and womens courses and helpeth the swelling of the Spleene The water of the Berries carefully distilled is good in the panting or beating of the heart and good for the overflowing of the Gall the yellow Jandâ—es The manner of Administring them The Leaves and Roots are used in Decoctions The outward Vse The juyce dropped in to foule Ulcers or they washed therewith or with the decoction of the herbe and root doth wonderfully clense them and helpe to cure them the Leaves are good to be put into Lotions that are made for soâ—â—outhes or Ulceers therin or in the privy parts or elsewhere and also to fasten loose Teeth and to heale foule gums and to stay flowing of rheume into the Mouth Throat Teeth or Eyes the juyce or water is excellent for hot and red Eyes beeing dropped therein and also for all wheales or other eruptions or hot and sharp humours into the Face or Hands or other parts of the body to bath them therewith and taketh away rednesse in the Face and spots or other deformities of the skin The hurtfull quality Strawberries are hurtfull to cold watery and flegmatick stomacks and too many eaten soon putrify in the stomach Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water or the Leaves and fruit Syrupe Spirit and Tincture of Strawberries CHAP. 108. De Glycyrrhiza of Licoris The Names IT is called in Latine Glycyrrhiza Glyzirrhiza Liquiritia and Dulcis radix in English Licoris and Licorice The temperament It is temperate in heate and moisture The Duration It will keepe good a yeare The inward Vse Licoris is good against the roughnesse and hoarsnesse of the throat and is helpefull for Ulcers in the bladder and by its moisture it quencheth thirst and is excellent for any dry cough to digest flâ—gme and to cause it to be easily spit up to helpe shortnesse of breath and all other griefes of the Breast and Lungs the Tiffick or Consumptions caused by the distillations of Salt humours on them it is good also in paines of the Raines Strangury heat of the Urine especially boyled with Maidenhaire and Figs. The juyce of Licoris is as effectuall in all the Diseases of the Breast and Lungs the Reines and bladder as the decoction The manner of Administring it It is given in powder in juyce and in Decoction The outward use The fine powder of Licoris blowne through a quill into the Eyes that have a Pin and Wed or rheumatick distillations into them doth cleanse them and help them The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to two scruples Of such Medicines as are made thereof Juyce of Licoris Syrup of Licoris CHAP. 109. De Gramine of Grasse The Names IT is called in Latine Gramen in Enlish Grasse The temperament The roots are moderately colde and dry a little biting and of thin parts the herbe cold in the first degree The inward Vse The Medow Grasse and couch Grasse or quick Grasse are most in use and open obstructions or stoppings of the Liver and Gall and the stoppings of the Urine being boyled in white Wine and to ease the gripings of the Belly and inflammations and wasteth the matter of the Stone in the Bladder and the Ulcers thereof the seede doth more powerfully expell Urine and stayeth the laske and casting or vomiting The distilled water or the Decoction alone being taken killeth Wormes in Children especially if some Worme-seede be added to it The juyce of the whole plant being taken helpeth spitting of Bloud The manner of Administring it The rootes and seeds are given in Decoction The outward use The rootes bruised and applied healeth wounds that are fresh or greene and ease paines of the head as also in inflammations and defluxions of the Eyes Of those things that are made thereof The distilled water CHAP. 110. De Guajaco of Guajacum or Pockwood The Names IT is called in Latine Guajacum Lignum Indicum Lignum Sanctum and Lignumâ—vitae in English Pockwood and Indiall Pockwood The temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree and hath a cleansing faculty The Duration It will keepe good many yeares The inward use The chiefe use of this Wood is against the French Disease for it provoketh Sweate resisteth contagion and putrifaction and cleanseth the Bloud It is good also in the Dropsy Falling Sicknesse Shortnesse of breath in Catarrhes Rheumes and cold distillations of the Lungs or other parts Coughes and Consumptions the Gout and all other joyntaches and for cold flegmatick humours for the Diseases of the Bladder and Reines and for all long and lingring Diseases proceeding from cold and moist causes it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene warmes and comforts the stomack and entralls and is good in Scabs Itch c. The manner of Administring it It is chiefly used in Decoction A Decoction of Lignum vitae Take of Lignum Vitae or Pock-wood a pound of the barke thereof two Ounces steepe them in twelve or fourteene Pints of spring water foure and twenty houres then boyle them to seven or eight pints straine it and give thereof a good draught morning and Evening and let the party sweate upon it If you adde two Ounces of Licoris or more and some Anisseede it will be much more pleasant to take The barke may be given in powder from half a dram to a dram The outward use The decoction thereof doth make the Teeth white and firme being washed therewith The hurtfull quality It must not be used in hot and dry Bodies too frequently Of such Medicines as are made thereof Extract Chymicall Oyle Spirit and Salt of Guajacum CHAP. 111. De Hedera of Ivy. The Names IT is called in Latine Hedera and Hedera arborea in English Ivy. The temperament Ivy is of diverse qualities some sharpe and hot and some moist others cold dry and astringent The inward Vse A dram of the flowers drunke twice a day in red VVine helpeth the Laske and bloody Flix The yellow berries are good against the Jandise and to keepe from Drunkennesse and helpeth those that spit bloud the white berries being taken killeth wormes The juyce of the root is good to be taken against the biting of the Phalangium or deadly Spider the berries are held by many to be good against the Plague or Pestilence being made in powder and taken in wine they being taken in wine doe helpe to break the Stone provoke Urine and VVomens courses and brings away the birth and afterbirth The manner of Administring it The berries and flowers are given in decoction or in powder The outward Vse A Bath made of the Leaves and Berries doth bring down the Courses and bring away the dead birth and afterbirth being set in or a Pessary made and used doth the like but this must be done onely upon necessity
The Leaves boyled in Vineger and applied warme to the side helpâ—s the Spleene Ache or Stich in the sides the same applied with Rose-water and Oyle of Roses to the fore-head and Temples doth ease the Head-ach although of long continuance the fresh Leaves boyled in wine and used doth clense old filthy Sores and Ulcers and is effectuall for greene wounds to heale them quickly and foder up the L ps thereof the same healeth scaldings of water and burnings by Fire or blisterings in the body The juyce of the Leaves or berries snuffed up into the Nose purgeth the Head and Braine of thin rheume and cureth the Ulcers and stench therein and dropped into the Eares doth helpe the old and running Sores of them the Berries or Leaves used causeth the Haire to grow blacke The greene Leaves are commonly used to be laid upon Issues in the Armes Legs or elsewhere The gum of Ivy is used being dissolved to take away superfluous haire in any place and to destroy Nits and Lice in any place the same dissolved in Vineger and put into hollow aking Teeth doth ease the same and being often used will cause them to fall out Some use it as a bait with other things to Kill Fâ—sh The fume of Ivy branches being burned driveth away Gnats Battes and all other hurtfull and noysome creatures The hurtfull quality It bringeth barrennesse in Man or Woman being too often used and brings weaknesse to the braine and senses It is an enemy to the nerves and sinewes being taken inwardly but helpefull to them applied outwardly The Dose The flowers and berries are given from half a dram to two scruples Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water Oyl of the berries good against all cold infirmities of the joynts provokes the termes breakes and expells the Stone in the Reines clenseth and health foule Ulcers CHAP. 112. De Hedera terrestri of Ground-Ivie or Alehoofe The Names IT is called in Latine Hedera terrestris and Corona terrae because it spreadeth and is like a Garland upon the ground in English Alehoofe Ground Ivy Gill creepe by the ground Cats-foote Haymaids and Tunnehoof because the Country people use it much in their Ale The Temperament It is hot and dry sharp and bitter in taste it openeth also clenseth and rarefieth or maketh thin The inward use It is a good wound herb for all inward wounds as also for Ulcerated lungs oâ— other parts either by it selfe or with other the like herbes boyled together and being drunk by them that have any griping paines of windy or chollerick humours in the Stomach Spleene or Belly doth ease them in a short space it helpeth likewise the yellow Jaundes by opening the stoppings of the Gall Liver and Spleene it expelleth venome or poyson and the Plague also it provoketh urine and womens courses but doth not stay them as some have thought but the Decoction of the herbe in wine being drunke for some time together helpeth them that have the Sciatica or Hip-gout as also the Gout in the Hands Knees or Feet helpeth to dissolve disperse the peccant humours and to procure ease The syrupe of Alehoofe is usefull in Ulcers of the Lungs and Consumptions as also in â—humes flowing downe to the Stomach Boyled in broth and taken it provoketh sleepe and expelleth ill humours out of the body Being steeped in Aquavitee and taken it doth bring away the gravell and Stone The manner of Administring it It is chiefly used in Decoction See the Decoction of Mugwort The outward use A decoction thereof is good to gargle any sore throat or mouth putting thereto some Hony and a little burnt Allum as also to wash the Sores and Ulcers of the privy parts in man or woman it speedily healeth greene wounds being bound thereto and the juyce boyled with a little Hony and Vardigrease doth wonderfully cleanse Fistulas and hollow Ulcers and stayeth the malignity of spreading and eating Cankers and Ulcers it helpeth also the Itch Scabs Wheales and other breakings forth in the skin in any part of the Body the juyce of Celandine field Daisies and ground Ivie clarified and a little fine Sugar dissolved therein dropped into the eyes is a soveraigne remedy for all the paines rednesse and watering of the eyes the Pin and Web skins or Filmes growing over the sight or whatsoever might offend them the same helpeth beasts as well as men the juyce droped into the eares doth help the noyse and singing of them and helpeth also deafnesse The leaves are used in Bathes and Glisters to dissolve the Stone An oyntment to heale burnings Take ground Ivie foure handfulls Plantaine leaves a handfull Burnet halfe a handfull Bruise all these together and let them stand eight dayes then adde to them a handfull of Goose dung and one ounce of wax boyle them together till the herbes have almost lost their colour then straine and reserve it Or you may boyle them presently after they are bruised Of such things as are made thereof The distilled Water Conserve of the flowers Syrupe both simple and compound CHAP. 113. De Hordeo Gallico of French barly The Temperament IT is colde and dry in the first degree or cold and moist of a clensing faculty The inward use It is much used in pectorall diseases or diseases of the brest helpeth the sharpnesse of the throat and increaseth milke especially boyled with Fennell It provoketh urine and is very profitable in chollerick Feavers The manner of Administring it It is used onely in Decoction As thus Take two ounces of French-barly boyle it in two fresh waters then boyle it againe in a quart of water adding halfe an ounce of Licorish and a handfull of Violet leaves and as many strawberry leaves to a pint or a pint and a halfe strayne it and put thereto of syrupe of Violets two ounces or for the poorer sort you may sweeten it with a little Sugar This is good in a burning Feaver The outward use It is used outwardly to soften hard swellings and is good for inflamations and sorenesse of the throat being boyled alone or with other fitting Herbes and the mouth and throat washed therewith A bath good against the Scab Itch c. Take Mallowes Violet Beets black Hellebor Fumitory of each three handfulls of French barly sixe handfulls boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water for a bath The hurtfull quality It is bad for cold and windy bodies We have had of late yeares a Barly called Pearl'd Barly and is much in use for the forementioned Diseases CHAP. 114. De Junipero of the Iuniper-tree The Names THe Juniper tree is called in Latine Juniperus the berries are called Grana Juniperi or Baccae Juniperi the Gum that runneth from the tree being cut is callâ—d Lachrima Juniperi vernix or vernia quasi veris ros issuing forth in the spring as also Sandaracha and Sandarax of the Arabians but not of the Greeks Yet some will have Vernix to be made of Amber and Linseed
and Ulcers of the Lungs yea no remedy is found like it for the same it is excellent in the bloody flix or any other flux of the body where there is no Feaver nor choller abounding It mundifieth and cleanseth taketh away paines of the Breast Lungs Reines Bladder and Entrailes and very profitable in Ulcers of the bladder It is good for temperate bodies whose stomachs are free from chollerick and flegmatick humours for in such it is well digested aad engendereth good blood and maketh the countenance faire it asswageth heate and scalding of the urine furthereth Venus and is very good in times of infection The outward use It is used in Glysters against fluxes of the belly in the Gout to asswage paine and to soften swellings c. A Glyster against the Bloody-flux Take a pint and a halfe of new milke and adde theteto Barly a handfull Comfrey root and Linseede of each an ounce Boyle them therein to about a pint and being strained dissolve in it of browne Sugar an ounce the yolks of two Eggs and make a Glyster The hurtfull quality Milke is hurtfull for those that are troubled with the Head-ach or Feavers or Hypochondriacke winde or thirst or that avoid cholericke excrâ—ments downewards or have had some plentiâ—ull evacuation of blood as Hippocrates witnesseth It is also bad for cold windy and weake stomachs Gouty persons such as have the Stone and Livers stopt as also for the Palsie and Cramps for sore eyes and distillations of rheume hurteth the teeth and Gums and is unprofitable for old persons and such as have the Chollick Some boyle it and put thereto Salt Sugar or Hony others put in Mints In fluxes of the Belly let it be boyled or peeces of Steele quenched therein before it be taken and you may put some Cinamon therein or Sugar rosat Cautions to be observed in taking milke After the taking of milke the party is to rest lest by the motion of the body the heat be drawne from the Center to the circumference of outward parts After the taking of milke doe not sleepe lest head-ach heavinesse and drowsin sse follow onely very weake persons are permitted to slâ—epe after milke Let milke be taken fasting and take nothing after till it be concocted in the stomach Drinke no Wine after the taking of milke neither mingle any sharpe or soure things with it nor eate F sh with or after the taking of Milke Wash your Teeth and Gums well after the taking of Milke with Beere or Wine Of those things that are made of Milke Creame Butter Cheese and Curde Whey c. CHAP. 117. De Lactuca of Lettuce The Names and temperament IT is called Lactuca à Lacteo succo from the milky juyce which issueth forth from the wounded stalkes and Leaves in English Lettuce and Lettice It is cold and moist in the second or third degree The Duration It is rarely dryed for it will not keepe long but is used green The inward Vse Lettice is good for a hot stomack and yeeldeth good nourishment to the body Ant. Musa did by Lettice ease Augustus of the violence of his disease It procureth rest and sleepe being taken raw or boyled it helpeth to loosen the belly and the boyled more then the raw which eaten last performeth it the better and was generally so in ancient dayes It helpeth digestion quencheth thirst increaseth milke in Nourses and easeth all griping paines of the stomack or bowells that come of choller it abateth bodily lust and tempereth the Heate of Urine the seeds and distilled water are good for the virulâ—nt running of the Reines and for the heart of the Urine as also for the aforesaid purposes It was formerly eaten at the latter end of meales but now t is eaten at the beginning The manner of Administring it It is given onely in decoction as Take a handfull of Lettice and boyle it in a pint and a half of Posset drink to a pint straine it and drink a good draught at night thereof The outward use The juyce of Lettuce mixed or boyled with Oyle of Roses and applied to the forehead and temples procureth rest and sleepe and easeth the head-ach of any hot cause applied with camphor to the Cods it abateth the heat of lust or applied in the same manner to the region of the Heart Liver or Reines or by bathing the said place with the juyce or distillâ—d water wherein some white Sanders and red Roses are put doth abate the heate and inflammations therein as also comfort and strengthen those parts A Fomentation good in the Frensy Take Lettice Violets Plantaine Night-shade Housleeke Purslane of each a handfull Violet-flowers Water-Lillies and red Roses of each a Pugill that is as many as you can hold in three fingers or a small handfull of Mirtle flowers halfe a pugill make a decoction and bath the forepart of the head therewith The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull to phlegmatick and melancholicke bodies dimmeth the sight quencheth naturall heat causeth barrennesse maketh the body sluggish and weakneth the stomack being too much eaten and is bad also for those that are short-winded or have any imperfection in their Lungs or do use to spit bloud and hurts the Teeth It is good to eate Mints therewith or to boyle it and to eat Vineger and Pepper with it Of such things as are made thereof The distilled water Lettice-stalkes canded Syrupe of Lettuce Lapis Bezoar see Bezoar CHAP. 118. De Lavendula of Lavender The Names and temperament IT is called Lavendula and Lavandula and of some Lavanda because it was much used in washings It is hot and dry in the third degree and of thin substance The duration It will keepe good a yeare being dry The inward use It is of especiall good use for all the griefes and paines of the head and braines that proceede from a cold cause as the Apoplexy Falling-sicknesse Lethargy Cramps Convulsions and Palsies as also those that are given to faint often It strengthneth the stomack and freeth the Liver and Spleene from stoppings provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Childe and afterbirth Two spoonefulls of the distilled water of the flowers taken doth helpe those that have lost their Speech or Voyce restoring it them againe It helpeth also the tremblings and passions of the Heart and the swounings and faintings thereof The Chymicall Oyle is excellent for the Diseases before mentioned if a few drops thereof be taken in Beere or the like So is the Conserve made of the flowers and Sugar The manner of Administring it It is chiefly used in Decoction as Mugwort The outward Vse The flowers of Lavender steeped in Wine helpeth them to make water that are stopped as also that are troubled with the winde-collick if the places be bathed therewith It is good to gargle the mouth with the Decoction of the flowers against the paine of the teeth The fume or smoake thereof driveth away Lice A Lotion to strengthen the senses and Nerves Take of Sene
one Ounce red Roses and Lavender flowers a handfull Boyle them in water and make a Lotion for the head The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull for hot and dry complexions and where the body is repleate or aboundeth with blood and humours Of those things that are made thereof The distilled water Conserve of the flowers Chymicall Oyle Lignum Vitae see Guajacum CHAP. 119. De Lupinis of Lupines The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Lupinum and Lupinus in English Lupines oâ— flat Beane It is hot and dry and very bitter The Duration They will keepe good a yeare or two or longer The inward use By reason of their bitternesse they open digest dissolve and clense being steeped in water and afterwards dryed beaten and taken with some Vineger taketh away the loathing of the stomack to Meate and provoketh the appetite the Decoction or Infusion of Lupines taken with Hony and Vinegar killeth Wormes in the belly but if you mixe Rue and Pepper thereto it will the more effectuall the Meale or Powder taken with Honey and Vineger or in Drinke doth the same the said Decoction taken openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene provoketh Urine and Womens Courses If it bee taken with Myrrhe it expelleth the dead Childe The manner of administring it It is used in Decoction or in powder The outward use A Decoction or Lye made of Lupines with Wormewood Centory and bay-salt added thereto stayeth the running and spreading of a Gangrene being applied thereto very hot with stupes of Cloth or Tow A Decoction of them clenseth all Scabs Morphew Cancers Tetters and creeping or running Ulcers and Sores and boyled in Lie it cleanseth the head from Ulcers Scurfe c. breeding therein it also cleanseth the Face and taketh away the markes that the Pox does leave after their healing and all other markes and black and blew spots in the skin the meale thereof being boyled in Vineger and applied taketh away Pimples and scattereth the Rodes or Kernells that rise in the body and breaketh Carbuncles and Impostumes the burning of the huskes driveth away Gnats Flies c. whatsoever The powder mixed with Oyle of Sarin and applied to the belly killeth Wormes The hurtfull quality Being steeped some dayes in water untill they have lost their bitternesse they may be eaten but they breed grosse and crude humours are very hard to digest and slowly passe through the body Mace see Nutmeg CHAP. 120. De Majorana of Marjerome IT is called in Latine Majorana Amaracus Sampsuchum and Sampsuchus in English Marjerome and sweete Marjerome It is hot and dry in the second or as some in the third degree and of thin parts The Duration It will keepe good a Yeare The inward use Sweete Marjerome is comfortable in cold Diseases of the Head Stomack Sinewes and other parts it digesteth attenuateth openeth and strengthneth the Decoction thereof being drunke helpeth all the Diseases of the chest which hinder the freenesse of breathing it is likewise profitable for the stoppings of the Liver Spleene for it not onely cleareth them of those humours that did stuffe them but strengthneth the inward parts it helpeth the cold griefs of the Wombe and the windinesse thereof or in any other inward part the Decoction thereof helpeth such as entring into the Dropsy and such as cannot make water and provoketh the Courses in VVomen The Leaves in powder mingled with Honey and taken dissolveth congealed bloud in the body after falls or bruises it is used also against poyson A Decoction thereof made with Pelletory of Spaine and long Pepper or with Origanum or Acorus being taken helpeth the losse of speech by the resolution of the Tongue The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction or in powder The outward use The powder of the Leaves snuffed up into the nostrills provoketh sneesing draweth forth flegme and is very usefull in the Apoplexy Palsy and cold diseases of the braine it easeth the tooth-ach being chewed in the mouth the powder mixed with Honey and applied taketh away the black markes of blowes or bruises It is much used in sweet waters powders c. It is put into Oyntments and Salves that are made to warme and comfort the outward parts or members the joynts also and sinewes The Oyle made thereof is good against Cramps Convulsions and all aches proceeding from a colde cause A Liniment that easeth the Head-Ach caused by a Bruise Take the juyce of Marjerome and the juyce of Sage of each halfe an Ounce of Sack three drams make all into a Liniment with the yolke of an Egge and apply it to the part affected The hurtfull quality It must not be used in hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given in powder from a halfe a dram to a dram Of those Medicines that are made thereof The distilled water Oyle chymicall excellent in the Apoplexy Falling sicknesse losse of speech c. Oyle by infusion and boyling Conserve Balsame CHAP. 121. De Malvis of Mallowes The Names and temperament THe wild or common Mallow is called in Latine Malva and that quasi molva because it softneth the belly in English Mallow They are temperate in heate and moisture of a digestive and softning Nature The inward Vse The Leaves and the Roots boyled in VVine or in VVater or in broth with Parsly or Fennell-roots doth helpe to open the Body and is good in hot Agues and other distemperatures of the body for by the mollifying quality it not onely voideth hot cholerick and other offensive humours but easeth the paines and torments that come by stoppings of the belly the same used by Nurses increaseth Milke in their Breasts the Decoction of the Seeds made in VVine Milke or Posset drinke doth marvellously helpe all the Diseases of the Chest and Lungs that proceeds of hot causes as Excorations Pâ—isicke Pleurisy and the like if it bee continued for some time together the Leaves and the Rootes worke the same effects they helpe much also in the frettings of the Guts and harnesse of the Mother and in all hot and sharpe Diseases thereof the juyce drunke in VVine or the Decoction made in VVine doth helpe VVomen to a speedy and easy delivery They are counted also good against poyson or venome so as the poyson be presently voided by vomit The manner of administring it It is used chiefly in Decoction The outward Vse Mallowes are often used in mollifying Glysters The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eyes with a little Honey taketh away the impostumations of them the Leaves bruised or rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like taketh away the paines rednesse and swelling thereof A Pultis made of the Leaves of Mallowes boyled and bruised whereunto some Beane or Barly-flower and Oyle of Roses is put is an especiall remedy against all hard tumours and inflammations of impostumes and swellings of the Cods and other parts and easeth the paines of them as also against the hardnesse of the
Spleene or Liver to be applied to the places the juyce of Mallowes boyled in old Oyle and applied taketh away all roughnesse of the Skin as also the falling of the Haire the Scurfe Dandruffe or dry Scabs in the Head or other parts if they be anoynted therewith or washed with the Decoction the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings and to helpe wild fire and all other hot red and painfull Swellings in any part of the Body The flowers boyled in water and a little Hony added is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves Roots and flowers it helpeth the flowing downe of rheume from the Head which rose out of the stomack the greene Leaves beaten with niter and applied draweth out thornes or prickes in the flesh A Fomentation against winde Take of the Leaves and roots of mallowes a handfull of Camomill and Melilot flowers a handfull Linseede one Ounce Aniseede halfe an Ounce Figges in number forty Boyle them in water and fill a bladder with the hot Decoction apply it Once or twice to the side or part affected Of those things that are made thereof The distilled water The conserve of the flowers CHAP. 122. De Melle of Honey The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Mel in English Hony and is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration It wil keepe good two or three yeares The best Kinde The best Honey is very sweet pleasant in smell of a cleare yellowish colour indifferent firme and stiffe yeelding but little scum on the top when it is boyled The inward Vse Honey is profitable in many Diseases of the breast as Cough Shortnesse of Breath Pleurisy Cold Rheumes and doth cleanse the Breast and Lungs of flegmatick and Rheumatick humours it helpeth such as are costine or bound openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene strengthneth weake Parts helpeth the Bladder and Reines and is good in the Dropsey It resisteth putrifaction and as Pliny saith suffereth no dead Bodies to putrify and is very profitable for old Age and flegmatick persons The Roman Pollio being asked by Augustus the Emperour by what meanes hee had prolonged his Life to an hundred Yeares Answered that hee had used Honey within and Oyle without It is better boyled then Raw. Pliny Nat. Hist Lib. 22. Cap. 24. The manner of Administring it It is chiefly used in manner of an Electuary or mixed with other things An Electuary for the Cough Take of pure Honey foure Ounces oâ— Elecampane in Powder two Drams of Licoris in Powder a Dramme mixe them together and take often of it especially Morning and Evening The outward use It is good in the Quinsie Sore Mouthes and Throates being used in Mouth-water or otherwise but if choller abound forbeare the use of it It cures Burnings and Scaldings without Scarre and healeth Ulcers of the Eares and good also to cleanse and heale other filthy Ulcers Being dropped into the Eyes it helpeth the Dimnesse of them and cureth Cornes in the Feete If it be mixed with a little Camphor and used it taketh away Spots or Pimples in the Face It is used in Supposittories The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull for hot stomacks cholerick Bodies and young persons for it inflames the Bloud increaseth Choller and hurteth such as have hot Livers And though it bee of a cleansing and opening Faculty yet being too much used it stoppeth the Body puffeth up the Stomack taketh away the appetite to Meate and must not be used in very windy Bodies Of such Medicines as are made of Honey Oxymel simple and compound Water of Honey Essence of Honey Tincture of Honey Hydromel that is Water and Honey boyled together Meade Methegline and many others CHAP. 123. De Meliloto of Melilot The Names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Melilotus in English Melilot Kings Claver and Hearts Claver because if it grow where Stagges and Deere resort they will greedilie feede thereon Now it is called Melilot from a Lotus that smelleth sweete like Honey It is Hot and Dry in the first Degree and hath a binding Quality besides a Wasting and Ripening Faculty The duration The Herbe and flowers will keepe good a Yeare The inward use The Herbe boyled in Wine and taken provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone and asswageth the paine of the Kidnies Bladder and Belly and ripeneth flegme The manner of administring it It is given in Decoction The outward use It mollifieth hard Tumours and Inflammations that happen in the Eyes or other parts of the Body as the Seate or Fundament and the privy Parts of Man or Woman being boyled in Wine and laid to the place and sometimes the Yolke of a roasted Egge or the powder of Fenigreeke or Linseede or fine flower or Poppy-seede or Endive is added unto it It easeth the paine of the Side or Stomack applied either fresh or boyled with any other of the aforenamed things The juyce dropped in the eyes cleareth the sight and taketh away the Web Pearle or spots therein it helpeth also the paines of the eares being dropped into them and steeped in Vineger or Rose-water it easeth the Head-ach the flowers of Melilot and Camomill are much used in Glysters to expell winde and to ease paines as also in Pultises that are made for the same purpose and to asswage swellings or tumours that happen in the Spleene or other parts It helpeth Wens being applyed after it is boyled in water and also running Ulcers of the head if it be applyed with Chalke Wine and Galls The plaster of Melilot dissolveth hard tumours and swellings of the Spleene and cureth greene wounds A quilt or bag to ease the paine of the side Take Melilot flowers Camomill Rosemary and Elder flowers of each halfe a handfull of Branne a handfull of Anisseed Fennell-seed and Carawey seed bruised of each two ounces make a quilted bag for the side sprinkle it with wine and being made hot apply it Of those things that are made thereof The distilled Water Plaster of Melilot both simple and compound CHAP. 124. De Melissa of Baulme or Bawme The Names IT is called in Latine Milissophillum and Melissa because Bees delight much in it and of the effect being good for Bees in English Bawme and Baulme from the singular effects therein in imitation of the true naturall Baulme The temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration It will keep good a yeare The inward use It is excellent against the Diseases of the Braine Stomach Heart Wombe as in Melancholly troublesome sleepe Palsie Apoplexie Falling sicknesse Swimming of the head and to revive the fainting heart falling into swimmings It is good for a cold stomach and to help digestion as also among other things for the Plague or Pestilence and the water thereof is used for the same purposes It provoketh the courses helpeth a stinking breath and good for the rising of the Mother A decoction of
bawme made in wine and drunke is good against venome and poyson helpeth the griping paines of the belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unlesse they hold their necks upright being taken in a lohock or licking electuary The syrupe of Bawme is a good cordiall strengthneth the heart and stomach resisteth Melancholly and is very profitable in burning and contagious Feavers A Candle made with Eggs and the juyce thereof while it is young putting some Sugar and Rosewater to it is often given to womin in Childbed when the afterbirth is not throughly avoyded and for their faintings upon or after their sore travells The manner of Administring it It is used chiefly in Decoction See the Chapter of Mugwort The outward use The herbe bruised and boyled in a little wine and oyle and laid warme on a Bile will ripen and breake it used with salt it taketh away Wens Kernells or hard swellings in the flesh or throat it cleanseth foule sores and easeth the paines of the Gout the juyce thereof used with a little Hony is a good remedy for the dimnesse of the sight and to take away the mistinesse of the eyes It is used in Bathes among other warme herbs to comfort the joynts and sinews It is a good remedy against the sting of Scorpions or other venemous creatures and against the stinging of Bees as also against the bitings of Dogs The decoction thereof is good for women to bath or sit in to procure their courses and for those that have the bloody Flix as also to wash the teeth therewith when they are full of paine It is very often put into oyles or salves to heale greene wounds A quilt or bag against the beating of the heart Take of Bawme dry foure handfulls of Roses Violet Borrage and Rosemary flowers of each halfe a small handfull make them in grosse powder and adde of Camphor two scruples then with red Silke and Bombace make a quilted bag and apply it to the region of the heart The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull in hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given in powder from a scruple to two scruples Of those Medicines that are made thereof The distilled water Extract Conserve of the flowers Syrupe both simple and compound CHAP. 125. De Menthis of Garden or Spearemints The Names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Mentha Mentha hortensis and Mentha acuta It is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree of thin parts bitter and binding The Duration It will keepe good a yeare being dry The inward use Speare-mints are good against vomiting weaknesse and rawnesse of the Stomach the Hickop and allayeth choller expelleth winde easeth gripings of the belly helpeth stoppings of the Liver and is good in any cold paine or giddinesse of the head being taken in powder or a decoction thereof made and taken The juyce taken with Vineger stayeth bleeding Mints stir up Venery or bodily lust killeth wormes stayeth the courses in women and helpeth the whites keepeth the milke from curdling in the breasts as also in the stomach It is profitable against the poyson of venimous creatures It is good for women in their hard and sore travailes in Child-bearing and against the gravell and Stone in the Kidneys and Strangury and helpeth a stinking breath The distilled water is much used against vomitings gripings in the belly c. It warmeth and strengthneth the stomach and dryeth up moist humours therein and causeth good Digestion The manner of administring it It is given in powder or in Decoction The outward use Being outwardly applyed it stayeth vomiting and easeth gripings of the Stomach and belly it dissolveth Impostumes being laid to with Barly meale it is good to represse the milke in womens breasts when they are swollen therewith and keepeth them from growing great applyed with salt it helpeth the biting of a mad Dog with Water and Hony it easeth the paines of the Eares Applyed to the Forehead or Temples it easeth the paines thereof and it is good also to wash the heads of young Children therewith against all manner of breaking out therein whether Sores or Scabs and healeth the chaps of the fundament It helpeth the stinging of Bees or Wasps being applyed A quilt against weaknesse and paines of the Stomach Take Wormewood and Mints dry of each two drams of Citron pill dry an ounce of Galingall Cyperus root and Cloves of each halfe an ounce of red Roses two drams make them all into powder and let a quilt be made for the Stomach The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull for hot and dry bodies and for chollerick persons The Dose The Dose in powder is from halfe a scruple to two scruples Of those Medicines that are made thereof The distilled water Syrupe Conserve Chymicall Oyle Oyle by infusion Balsam Salt CHAP. 126. De Mili osolis of Gromell The Names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Milium solis and Lithospermum from the hardnesse of the seede in English Gromell and Pearle plant It is hot and dry in the second degree The Duration The seeds will keepe good a yeare or two some say ten yeares The inward use The seeds are counted singular good to breake the Stone and gravell in the Reines or Bladder as also to provoke Urine to expell Winde and to helpe the Chollick The same taken is effectuall to procure a speedy delivery to women in travaile The seedes being taken in Posset-drinke before divers fits cureth the Quartaine Ague The manner of Administring it It is given in powder or in decoction The outward use The decoction or bath thereof being sit in helpeth the Stone and Strangury the Chollick and winde c. The hurtfull quality It must not be used in very hot and dry bodies The Dose The seede is given from a dram to two drams Of those things that are made thereof The distilled water of the leaves Holland powder c. CHAP. 127. De Moscho of Muske The Names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Moschus and Moscus in English Muske It is hot in the second degree and dry in the third The best Muske The best Muske is very odoriferous or sweet of a darke liver colour or yellowish The Duration It will keep good a yeare or two being kept close The inward use It comforteth the heart and fainting spirits and taketh away the passions and trembling thereof maketh it merry and joyfull and helpeth to expell sadnesse it comforteth warmeth and refresheth the braine and senses quickning the dulnesse thereof and is a helpe unto Venery It is put in many cordiall powders It is commended in the Chollick and maketh the breath sweet The manner of Administring it It is given chiefly in powder The outward use It helpeth moist and rheumatick eyes and ease cold paines of the head being mixed with Populean oyntment and the temples therewith anoynted It is much used for all sorts of perfumes and fits of the Mother to the lower parts It helpeth deafnesse
thereof being burnt maketh the Teeth white being rubbled therewith It is of excellent use to kill the Itch Scab Morphew or any foule Diseases of the Skinne if it bee mixed with Fullers Earth and Vineger and the Skin anoynted therewith A Lotion for Tetters or Ringwormes Take of Nitre three Drams of common Salt a Dram of the distilled water of Dockes foure Ounces Vineger of Squills one Ounce dissolve and mixe them together moisten a Cloath or Sponge therein being warme and rub the places affected Or against the Itch dissolve Niter and Alume with distilled Vineger or with Water of Scabions and therewith wash and rub the places affected The hurtfull quality Where the Body is loose it must not bee given in any great quantity The Dose The Dose is from a Dram to a Dram and an half Medicines made thereof Spirit of Nitre Tincture of Nitre c. CHAP. 132. De Nuce Moscata Maci. Of Nutmeg and Mace The names and temperament THe Nutmeg is called in Latine Nux moschata and Nux myristica in English Nutmeg The Mace is called in Latine Macis in English Mace They are hot and dry in the second degree and somewhat astringent The best kinde The best Nutmegs are the heaviest fastest and such as are fullest of juyce which being pricked with a pin or needle yeeldeth an oyly juyce The largest Mace is the best The Duration They will keepe good many yeares The inward Vse The Nutmegs are used in all cold Diseases of the Head for Palsies shrinking of Sinewes and the Diseases of the Mother they stay the Laske cause a sweete breath expell winde in the stomack or belly helpe to quicken the sight stay vomiting comfort the spirits and strengthen the stomack They are profitable for the Liver and Spleen cause such as are leane to grow fat help venery and increase sperme they helpe to procure sleepe being applied to the Temples Being mixed with Venice Terpintine washed and taken it helpeth the running of the Reines They provoke Urine say some The Nutmeg being greene is preserved in the Indies and brought over the which is not so hot and dry as our dry Nutmegs and therefore very comfortable for the Head and Stomack eaten Morning and Evening or after meales Mace hath the same property but somewhat more warming and comforting and is good against Vomiting Fluxes and Spitting of bloud The chymicall Oyle of either is excellent for the cold Diseases of the Head and Stomack but must be cautelously and sparingly used The manner of Administring them They are given in powder Electuary c. The outward Vse They are used outwardly to stop fluxes to stay vomiting and to make the breath sweet The thick Oyle that is drawn both from Mace and Nutmegs are good for the Cough vomiting to warme a cold stomack and to dry up Rheume and cold raw humours therein A Cap or Quilt against the paine of the Head arising from superfluous moisture Take Galingall Calamus Odoratus and Cyperus Root of each three Drams Nutmeg and Cloves of each two Drams Betony and Marjerome of each an Ounce Rosemary-Flowers and Stoechados of each half an Ounce Powder them and make a Cap. The hurtfull quality They are hurtfull to hot and dry Bodies and to melancholy persons The Dose The Dose is from a Scruple to two Scruples Of those Medicines that are made thereof Oyle chymicall and oyle by expression of either Salt of Nutmegs Balsome of Nutmegs and Mace Nimphaea see the 69. Chapter CHAP. 133. De Ocimo of Bassill The names and temperament IT is called in Latine Ocimum and Basilicum in English Basill and Bassill It is hot in the second degree The Duration It will keepe good a yeare The inward use It is good for those that are short winded provoketh Urine and the Termes in Women and brings a speedy deliverance to them in travile The seeds are used to helpe the trembling of the Heart and to comfort the same as also to expell melancholy or sadnesse A Decoction of the herbe made and taken is good against poyson and the sting of Scorpions and helpfull for those that are given to swownings and it provokes venery or lust The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction or in powder The outward Vse Used with Oyle of Roses or Mirtles and Vineger it is good against the paines of the Head and it is pofitably applied to those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Jandise and Dropsey It is good to be put into the Eares of young Children with a little Goose-Grease to helpe them of paines thereof the juyce or seede bruised put into the Nostrills procureth neesing Mixed with Honey and used it taketh away the spots in the Face The juyce put into the Eyes taketh away the dimnesse thereof and drieth up humours that fall into them Hollerius relates of a certaine Italian that by often smelling to Basil had a Scorpion bred in his Braine who after vehement and long paines Died thereof Hollerius Lib. 1. Cap. 1. Fol. 3. The hurtfull quality It dulleth the sight troubleth a weake braine and causetth headache The Dose It is given from a Scruple to thirty or forty graines Medicines made thereof The distilled Water CHAP. 134. De Nymphaea of Water Lilly The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Nymphaea and Nenuphar in English Water-Lilly The Leaves and Flowers are cold and moist but the root and seed cold and dry The duration The dryed Flowers will keepe a yeare The inward use The Flowers boyled and taken coole inflammations and all inward heats of Agues The Seedes and Rootes are effectuall to stay Fluxes of Bloud and Seede both in Man and Woman as also the running of the Reines and the involuntary passage of Sperme in sleepe and is so powerfull that the frequent use thereof extinguisheth lustfull or venerious actions the Roote likewise is very good for those whose Urine is hot and sharpe to be boyled in Wine or Water and the Decoction drunke The Syrupe of VVater Lilly or Conserve helpeth much to procure rest and to settle the Braines of Franticke Persons for it wonderfully helpeth the distemperature of the Head arising from heate The distilled VVater of the flowers is effectuall for the Diseases aforesaid The manner of Administring it It is used in Decoction The outward Vse The Leaves and Flowers are used in Lotions and Bathes against Heate and Inflammations as in the Frensey and Feavers The greene Leaves bruised and applied to the Back helpeth the running of the Reines The Distilled VVater used taketh away Freckles Spots Sunne-burning and Morphew from the Skin in the Face or any other part of the Body The Oyle made of the flowers as oyle of Roses is made doth coole hot tumours and the inflamations of Ulcers and wounds ease the paines and help to heale the sores Of Medicines made thereof The distilled water Syrupe both simple and compound Conserve Oyle and oyntment CHAP. 135. De Olibano of Olibanum The Names
and Temperament IT is called in Latine Olibanum and Thus Masculum in English also Olibanum or white Frankumcense It is hot in the second degree and dry in the first and binding withall The Duration It will keep good many yeares The inward use It restraineth bleedings stoppeth the Laske and running of the Reines helpeth the memory sadnesse and melancholly and comforteth the heart mixed with other things for that purpose it is also very pectorall and good for the Cough for thin rhumes and distillatious and the Pluresie also mixed with conserve of Roses and taken fasting The manner of Administring it It is given in powder electuary or taken whole in the pap of a roasted Apple The outward use The fumes thereof when it is burned being taken at the mouth and nose the head being covered is very availeable both for the Cough of the Lungs and those thin distillations thereon causing it the fumes thereof taken beneath or the applycation of it in oyntment helpeth the Piles and the Tenasmus which is a disease provoking noe often to the stoole without doing any thing It is a singular good medicine for the rednesse and paines in the eyes or in the eares Mirrhe and Olibanum mixed with the white of an Egge being beaten and laid to Temples helpeth the Megroâ—es and paines in the head it stoppeth bleeding of the nose or wounds and is of especiall use and account in Balmes Salves Plasters and Oyntments for Wounds and Ulcers after their clensing to incarnate or breed flesh and heale them speedily and in Fractures of the Skull most effectually so that the Piamater which is thin Skin that compasseth the Braine bee not perished It helpeth the falling of the Fundament being strewed thereon and the Fume on Coales sit over The hurtfull quality It is hurtfull to hot and dry Bodies and to such as are Frantick The Dose The Dose is from halfe a Scruple to a Scruple Medicines made thereof Electuary Diaolibanum ung Basilicon c. CHAP. 136. De Lavendula of Lavender The Names IT is called in Latine Onomis and Anomis also Aresta Bovis Resta Bovis and Remorum aratri because the roots are so tough that the Plough cannot easily cut them but cause the Oxen to be at a stand for a time in English t is called Rest Harrow Cammock and Petty whin The temperament The roote is hot and dry in the third degree having some cleansing and cutting faculty therein also The Duration It will keepe good a yeare The inward use The Barke or Roote it selfe in Powder taken in Wine provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone and driveth it forth The Powder taken in Wine for many Dayes together Cures the fleshy Rupture for it consumeth it by little and little The Decoction thereof is effectuall to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene and other parts and to helpe the Jandise as also to cure the Blinde Hemorrhoides or Piles The tender sprigs or stalkes hereof before they come prickly are pickled up to be eaten as a sauce or alone and are commended against a stinking breath and to take away the smell of wine in them that have drunke too much Boyled in Oxymell to the Consumption of the one halfe it is a singular drinke for the Falling-sicknesse Plini Nat. Hist Booke 27. Chap. 4. The manner of Administring it It is given in powder or in Decoction The outward use A Decoction thereof made with Vineger and gargled in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach especially when it commeth of rheume the powder of the roots strowed upon the hard callous brims of Ulcers or the said powder mixed with any other convenient thing and applyed doth consume the hardnesse and cause them to heale the better The hurtfull quality Hot and dry bodies must not be too busie with it The Dose It is given from a scruple to two scruples Med cines made thereof The distilled water from the whole plant CHAP. 137. De Origano of Organy or bastard Marjerome The Names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Origanum in English Organy or bastard Marjerom It is hot and dry in the third degree The Duration It will keep good a yeare The inward use The decoction of Organy with wine is good for those that are bitten with Serpents or venemous beasts and to be taken with sodden wine for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium It is given with Figs to those that are bursten or have a rupture Convulsions or Cramps or have the Dropsey The dryed herbe or juyce taken in honyed water purgeth downwards choller and melancholly humours It provoketh the courses and taken with Hony it helpeth those that have a Cough It provoketh those that have an Itch or are Scabbed and Mangy and those that have the Jandes are much holpen by a Decoction thereof taken when they are in a bath The Decoction thereof with a few Cloves and Sugar helpeth those that have the Hickop exceedingly it helpeth the stoppings of the Liver Spleene or wombe and all other stoppings provoketh Urine and is good for such as have soure belchings and Squamish Stomachs The manner of Administring it It is given in Decoction or in powder The outward use It healeth the Scab and Itch being used in a Bath and taketh away the yellow colour of the Jandise The juyce of the greene herbe healeth the swellings of the Almonds of the throat and the Ulcers of the mouth it draweth forth fleagme by the nostrills if it be infused in the oyle of Flower-de-luces It easeth the paines of the eares being used with Milke The powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-peter and Hony made into the manner of a thin electuary and therewith the teeth being rubbed often will make them white and firmer The hurtfull quality It must not be used in very hot and dry bodies The Dose The Dose is from halfe a dram to a dram Of those Medicines that are made thereof The distilled water Oyle Salt CHAP. 138. De Orobo of bitter Vetch The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Orobus because Oxen are fat therewith and Ervum in English Orobus and bitter Vetch It is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and by the bitternesse cutteth clenseth and openeth stoppings The inward use The meale or powder of Orobus mixed with Hony and taken is a good Medicine to clense the brest and Lungs of thick humours that offerd them the manner of the ancients preparation of the meale hereof was in this manner being steeped in water a good while they after fryed or parched them untill the rindes broke which then being ground and passed through a boulter they keepe this meale as of great use both to move the belly downwards and to provoke urine and to cause them that use it to be of a good colour If it be taken divers Mornings together fasting it consumes the Spleene and taken in Wine or Vineger it helpeth the bitings of Serpents and mad Dogs and Men and taken with Vineger it helpeth the
Strangurie and that disease when one doth oft desire to goe to stoole but can doe nothing The said meale mixed with Hony and taken helpeth those that relish not their meate and are ready to fall into a Consumption The manner of Administring it It is given chiefly in powder with Hony or any Conserve The outward use The Meale hereof mixed with Hony clenseth foule Ulcers and take away the spots freckles and other discolourings of the face or other parts of the body it suffereth no Cankers Gangreens or spreading eating sores to breed in the body it mollifieth the hardnesse of the breasts The decoction thereof helpeth the Itch and Kibes being bathed therewith and made into a Plaster with wine it will break Carbunkles if it be laid thereon The hurtfull quality If too much thereof be taken it causeth head-ach and pains in the belly and causeth bloody urines The Dose The Dose is from a scruple to two scruples Medicines made thereof The Meale of Orobus CHAP. 139. De Passulis of Raisons The Names and temperament THey are called in Latine Passulae Vvae passae in English Raisons and Raisins They are hot in the first degree and moist in the second The best kinde The best are those we call Raisons of the sun The duration They will keep good a yeer The inward use They are much used in decoctions and drinks to help coughs hoarsness of the throat shortnesse of winde toughnesse of flegme causing it to be more easily spit out and do lenifâ—e sharp and nauseous humours that offend the mouth of the stomach they open the stoppings of the liver spleen and bladder and taken by themselves they nourish much by reason of their thick sweet and temperate substance whereby also they stay not long nor putrefie in the stomach The manner of administring them They are used only in decoction The outward use Being bruised and applied the stones taken out with Rue in manner of a Poultis it helpeth Warts Carbuncles Corns in the feet the Gangrene and the Gowt They take away loose nails being applyed Being mixed with a little Cummin-seed in powder and Oile of white Lilies it asswageth the swelling of the Cods The hurtfull quality Hot and cholerick persons must not eat too largely of them lest for their sweet meat they have soure sawce Medicines made thereof Lohoch de Passulis Mel passulatum CHAP. 140. De Poeonia of Piony The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Poeonia and Pionia from Poeon that famous Physician in English Piony or Peony It is hot and dry in the second degree and of thin parts The duration The root or seeds will keep good a yeer or two The inward use Peony procureth Womens courses if it be taken in honeyed Wine and it is good to open the stoppings of the Liver and Kidneys helpeth the Jaundise and Stone the root also made into powder and taken helpeth the Falling Sicknesse the body being first well purged and prepared it is effectuall for Women that are not sufficiently cleansed after childe-birth and for such as are troubled with the Mother for which likewise the black seeds being beaten to powder is given in Wine the red seeds being taken for Fluxes especially if they be boiled in red Wine and the same drunk the black also taken before bed-time and in the morning also is very effectuall for the Night-mare it is also good for melancholy dreames and restoreth speech to those that have lost it if thirty grains husked be made into powder and given in Wine It is good against the bitings of Serpents and helpeth Convulsions in children The root of the male is to be chosen and to be taken before and after a full Moon The distilled Water and Syrup are used for the same Diseases The manner of administring it It is given in powder or in decoction The outward use It is usually hung about the neck of children or others against the Falling Sicknesse either the root green or the seeds A Cap or Quilt against the Falling Sicknesse Take Orris Cypresse and Peony-root of each two drams Peony-seed and the skull of a dead man of each a dram Mace and Nutmeg of each a scruple of Camomile-flowers as much Powder them all make a cap and let it be worn continually The Dose The root is given from half a scruple to a scruple and a halfe and seeds from ten grains to thirty Of Medicines made thereof The distilled water of the flowers Syrup both simple and compound Extract of Peony conserve of Piony Salt Oile CHAP. 141. De Pentaphyllo of Cinquefoile The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Pentaphyllum and Quinquefolium from the number of leaves being five in English Cinquefoile Cinquefield and five-finger-grasse or five-leaved grasse It is moderately hot but dry in the third degree The duration It may be kept a yeer The inward use It is used in diseases proceeding from Rheume in the Palsey consumption of the lungs joynt-gowt and to correct the moistnesse of the Wombe against spitting of bloud or any flux of bloud bleeding of the Piles or bleeding at the Nose and any loosenesse of the body It is profitable in the cough jaundise stoppings of the liver spleen where sharp choler doth abound It is good against venome and poyson in all inflammations and Feavers whether infectious or not to cool and temper the bloud and humours in the body the juice hereof drunk about four ounces at a time for certain dayes together cureth the Quinsie and yellow Jaundise and to be taken for thirty dayes together cureth the Falling Sicknesse and all Fluxes the roots boiled in milk and drunk is held most effectuall of any other remedy and is good also against ruptures and bruises or falls the juice or the decoction is good to help the hoarsness of the throat taken with a little Honey A decoction of the root or leaves in Mead or honeyed water being taken before divers fits cureth the quartane Ague The manner of administring it It is given in powder or decoction The outward use It is used in lotions gargles and injections for sore mouthes ulcers cankers sistulaes and other corrupt and foule or running sores the roots boiled in vineger and the decoction held in the mouth easeth the tooth-ach The root boiled in vineger helpeth all Knots Kernels hard Swellings and lumps growing in the flesh in any part applyed thereunto as also all inflammations and Saint Anthonies fire all Impostumes and painfull sores with heat and putrefaction the Shingles also and all other sores of running and foul Scabs Sores and Itches the same also boiled in Wine and applyed helpeth any joynts full of pain and ach the Gowt of the hands or feet as also the Sciatica The juice dropped into the eies helpeth the inflammation thereof The root or leaves applyed to the Nose stoppeth the bleeding thereof as also of any Wound that bleedeth A Water to kill an Itch. Take Cinquefoile and Plantain of each half a
handful Roch-Allome half an ounce boil them in a quarter of a pinte of strong Wine Vineger to the wasting of half then add to the strained liquour a spoonful of Honey and two drams of white Mercury boil them a little and reserve it The Dose The Dose is from half a dram to two scruples Medicines made thereof The distilled water Extract of Cinquefoile CHAP. 142. De Pimpinella of Burnet The Names and temperament IT is call'd in Latine Pimpinella and Sanguisorba in English Burnet Pimpinell It is hot and dry in the second degree say some others will have it to be cold in the second degree and dry in the third The duration It will keep good a yeer being dry The inward use It is a friend to the Heart Liver and other principall parts two or three of the stalks with leaves put into a cup of Wine especially Claret as all know give a wonderfull fine relish to it and besides do quicken the spirits refresh the heart and make it merry driving away melancholy it is a speciall help to defend the heart from noysome vapours and from the infection of the Plague or Pestilence and all other contagious diseases for which purpose 't is of grear effect the juice thereof being taken in some drink and they either laid to sweat thereupon or wrapped and kept very warm It is available in all manner of fluxes of bloud or humours to stanch inward bleedings laskes or scourings the bloudy flix Womans too abundant courses and the Whites also and cholerick belchings and castings of the stomach and is singular good for inward Wounds The powder of the herb taken in Comfrey-water is excellent for such as have falne or are bruised The Water hath the same effects being taken The manner of administring it It is given in decoction in powder or in Electuary An Electuary against the Consumption of the Lungs Take of Burnet in fine powder two ounces fine Sugar an ounce with a sufficient quantity of Pimpinel-water make an Electuary of which take morning and evening the quantity of a Nutmeg The outward use It is an excellent herb for all sorts of Wounds both of the head and body for all old Ulcers or running Cancers and moist sores which are of hard curation either the juice of decoction of the herb or the powder of the herb used or else made into Oile or Ointment by it self or with other things to be kept The seed dryeth up moist sores being put therein in powder The distilled Water maketh the face and hands fair being washed therewith An ointment to dry over moist Wounds Take four good handfuls of Burnet of May-butter or fresh Butter a pound cut the Burnet and boil them gently at the fire until the herb wax black then strain and reserve it The Dose Take half a dram of the herb or root at a time Of those Medicines that are made thereof The distilled water conserve made of the seed the root candied Oile Salt of Burnet CHAP. 143. De Pipere of Pepper The Names and sorts THere are three sorts of Pepper chiefly in use white Pepper called Piper album long Pepper called Piper longum and black Pepper called Piper nigrum and this last is most in use The temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree or neer the fourth degree of a heating and resolving quality The duration They will keep good many yeers â—he inward use The black pepper is most in use for sawce and meats They are all usâ—d to warm cold stomachs and to stirre up an appetite and to consume â—rude and moist humours therein or distilling from the head they also help to break and dissolve winde in the stomach or bowels to provoke urine to help the cough and other diseases of the breast and are effectuall against the bitings of Serpents and other poisons are therefore put into the great Antidotes They are given before the fits of Agues to abate the rigour and shaking thereof and are used in the Quinsie with Honey They strongly heat the sinews and musâ—les and all cold parts Pepper must not be too small beaten for fear of inflaming the bloud and other profitable humours of the body â—hey help the dimnesse of the sight and stirre up Venery If five or six grains of black or white Pepper be taken for certain dayes together it doth help a cold and raw stomach and such as are subject to the Collick The chymical oile of Pepper is good for the aforesaid diseases and especially against a tertian Ague if three drops thereof be taken with a scruple of Myrrhe two houres before the fit commeth Pepper is best for cold moist and grosse meats for cold and moist seasons for the aged and flegmatick for such as have cold weak and windy stomacks and that are subject to distillations The manner of administring them They are given in powder or in Electuary An Electuary against winde in the stomack and belly Take black white and long Pepper of each a dram and a half of Ginger Amse-seed and Thyme of each half a dram make them into a grosse powder and with six ounces of Honey or conserve of red Roses make an Electuary and take often of it as much as a Nutmeg The outward use It is used outwardly against Agues mixed with Honey and laid to the Wrists and against the Quinsie and disperseth the kernels as well in the throat as in any other part of the body it easeth the tooth-ach being put into a clout tied up and chewed on and snuffed up into the nostrils it provoketh neesing A Medicine to help the tooth-ach Take of Mastich an ounce Pepper Pellitory of Spain of each a dram and a half make them in powder and with Honey make a paste of which take about the bignesse of a small Bean and hold in the mouth by the space of half an houre fasting The hurtfull quality Pepper is hurtful to hot cholerick and dry bodies in hot weather and hot Countreys consumeth the seed and burneth the bloud if it be immoderately used The Dose It is given from half a scruple to thirty grains Medicines made thereof Species Diatrion pipereon Chymical Oile Oile by decoction CHAP. 144. De Plantagine of Plantaine The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Plantage in English Plantaine It is cold and dry in the second degree The duration It will keep good a yeer The inward use The juice of Plantaine clarified and drunk for divers dayes together either of it self or in other drink prevaileth wonderfully against all torments and frettings in the guts helpeth the distillations of Rheume from the head and stayeth all manner of fluxes in man or woman even the courses also in Women it is good to stay spitting of bloud and all other bleedings at the mouth by having a vein broken in the stomach and that maketh bloudy or foul water by any Ulcer in the Reins or Bladder it is held also an especial remedy for those
naturall seed of generation and quickeneth the sight The leaves of Rue first boiled then laid in pickle is by some eaten as sawce for the dimness of sight and to warm a cold stomach The manner of administring it It is given in powder in decoction and electuary Mithridates his Antidote against Poison Take twenty leaves of Rue a little Salt a couple of Wal-nuts and a couple of Figs beat them together into a masse This is for every day The outward use It helpeth tht swelling of the cods if it be boiled with Bay-leaves and they bathed therewith The juice mixed with Honey and the juice of Fennel helpeth dim eyes being dropped therein being boiled or infused in Oile it is good to help the winde-collick or the swelling hardnesse or windinesse of the Mother and freeth women from the strangling or suffocation of the Mother if the shares and parts thereabouts be anointed therewith It helpeth the Gowt or pains in the joints of hands feet or knees and also the Sciatica applied thereunto the same with Figs helpeth the Dropsie It cureth the Morphew and taketh away all sorts of Warts on the Hands Face Nose or any other parts if it be boiled in Wine with some Pepper and Nitre and the places rubbed therewith and with Allome and Honey helpeth the dry Scab or any Tetter The juice dropped into the eares easeth the pains thereof It is good against the bitings of venomous beasts and to be laid to Carbuncles A fomentation against the running Sores of Childrens heads Take of green Copperas two ounces of Rue and Sage of each a handful boil them in a quart of water to half and wash the head therewith The hurtfull quality It is hurtful for women with childe and destroyeth the ability of getting children The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to thirty grains Medicines made thereof The distilled water Chymicall Oile Oile by infusion Salt Vineger of Rue and Balsame CHAP. 154. De Saccharo of Sugar The Names and temperament IT is called Saccharum Sacchar Succharum Mel Arundinaceum Mel Cannae it is Honey of the Cane because it grows in Canes in English Sugar It is hot and moist in the first degree or temperately hot and moist and is abstersive or cleansing The best sort Some commend the coarsest or brownest Sugar before the other but sure the whitest refined Sugar being made up without adulteration or deceit is the best and most wholesome for nourishment The duration It will keep good many yeers The inward use Sugar is good for the diseases of the breast cleanseth and strengtheneth the Lungs is convenient for the stomach helpeth the roughnesse and drinesse of the mouth and throat also thirst and drought in Feavers especially being mixed with water and so taken and it is very profitable for the Reins and Bladder The outward use Sugar or white Candy being put into the eye taketh away the dimnesse thereof and the bloud shotten therein and strewed into foul sores it cleanseth them A Water against an Ulcer in the Bladder Take of the water of Milk distilled half a pound of white Sugar five ounces mix them at the fire and inject it hot with a Syringe A Water against rednesse of the Eyes Take of white Sugar and Aloes of each five drams Tutia or Tutty in powder half a scruple White Wine rose-Rose-water and Fennel-water of each half an ounce Put them together in a glasse vessell and let them infuse six or seven houres then use it as need requires The hurtfull quality Sugar soon turns to choler causeth thirst and is hurtful to hot constitutions being over-much used it produceth dangerous effects in the body for it heateth the bloud breedeth the Jaundise Stoppings the Green-sicknesse and Consumptions rotteth the teeth and maketh them black withall causing also many times a loathsome stinking breath And therefore let young persons especially beware how they meddle too much with it lest they have for their sweet meat sower sawce I knew a young maiden whose mother was so indulgent over her that she gave her all the sweet meats she desired and that for many yeers together till at length her teeth were so corrupt and her breath so stanck that she was loathsome to company then followed Apostumation of her teeth and gums the Kings Evil and so continued a long time Of such things as are made thereof White Sugar-Candy Red Sugar-Candy or Brown Sugar-Candy Sugar-Pellets Sugar of Roses Sugar of Violets Oil and Salt of Sugar CHAP. 155. De Sale of Salt The Names and temperament IT is call'd in Latine Sal in English Salt it is hot in the second degree and dry in the third it is of a cleansing digesting attenuating drying consuming and somewhat also of an astringent faculty The duration and kindes Salt will keep good many yeers There are two sorts in use White and Bay Salt The inward use Salt may most justly be called Condimentum condimentorum Sawce of sawces as being necessary for seasoning and preserving of meats that we cannot well live without it For it is a custome among us to set it first at the table and to take it away last It maketh thin grosse and clammy humours resisteth venome preventeth and correcteth putrefaction by drying and consuming all crude and moist superfluities stirreth up Venery strengtheneth weak and loose parts helpeth digestion especially in a cold and moist stomach consumeth all corrupt humours and is very profitable in stoppings of the urine and belly as also in the Collick The manner of administring it It is used chiefly in powder A powder to help concoction Take of common Salt one ounce and a half Pepper six drams Cummin-seed half an ounce Caraway-seed Cynamon Zedoarie of each three drams Ginger and Mace of each two drams and a half make all into a fine powder and let it be eaten with meat The outward use It is used in rotten and putrid Ulcers as also in creeping Ulcers and simple Tumours in the Itch Scab Tetters or Ringworme in the Gowt cold Aches pain of the Teeth Head-ach Collick and to take away the skin growing over the Eye It is good also in Gangrenes and in Burnings to draw out the heat A Lotion against the Gowt Take of common Salt three or four handfuls boil it in water to the consumption of half with which bathe the parts affected warm Against pains of the Eares Take Salt and dry it make it in powder and being put into a bag apply it warm to the eares A Suppository gently to provoke siege Take of Honey half an ounce of common Salt a dram boil it gently to a due light and form and being cold anoint it with Oile or Butter and put it up The hurtfull quality Salt used too much dryeth up the humours of the body wasteth seed burneth the Liver and Bloud ingenders sharp and biting humours causeth Itch and Scabs annoyeth the stomach dimmeth the sight destroyeth the radicall moisture corrupteth and spoileth the habit of the
whole body making persons soon look old and wrinkled as may be seen in young maidens that eat much thereof It is very hurtful for lean dry and cholerick persons Of such things as are made thereof Oile of Salt or Spirit Tincture of Salt Flowers of Salt CHAP. 156. De Salvia of Sage The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Salvia because it maketh men safe and sound in health in English Sage It is hot and dry in the second or beginning of the third degree The duration It will keep good a yeer The inward use A decoction of Sage made and drunk provoketh urine bringeth downe the courses easeth paines of the head that proceed from cold and rheumatick humours as also all paines of the joynts and therefore helpeth such as have the Falling Sicknesse the Lethargy or Drowsie Evil such as are dull and heavy of spirit and those that have the Palsey and is in much use in all distillations of thin rheum from the head and for the diseases of the breast The juice of Sage is much commended for women that have moist and slipperie wombes and not able to conceive by reason thereof if they take a quantity of the juice with a little Salt for foure dayes before they company with their Husbands and it is good to prevent miscarrying in women If three spoonfulls of the juice be taken fasting with a little Honey it doth stay the spitting or casting up of blood It stoppeth the whites and reds in women It is of excellent good use to help the memory by warming and quickening the senses and the Conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose as also for all the former recited diseases It is of good use in the time of the Plague and good also against the Cough hoarsenesse paines of the side and Dropsie The manner of administring it It is given in decoction in powder in Pills Potions c. A Potion against Arthriticall paines Take of Sage and Hyssop of each two ounces infuse thereein for a nights space of Agarick trochiscated two drams Rubarbe foure scruples Cynamon halfe a dram then strain it and dissolve therein of the Electuary Diacarthamum two drams Syrup of Stoâ—chodas halfe an ounce make a Potion Pills against a Comsumption Take of Spicknard and Ginger of each two drams of the seed of Sage a little dryed at the fire one ounce Long pepper twelve drams all these being made into fine powder make it up into a masse with the juice of Sage the dose is a dram every morning and evening The outward use A decoction of Sage taketh away the itching of the Cods if they be bathed therewith it stayeth the bleeding of wounds and cleanseth foule ulcers or sores The leaves of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the Impostume that riseth behinde the Ears doth asswage and help it much The leaves boiled in Wine and the place bathed therewith helpeth the Palsey Cramp cold joints paines in the side comming of winde if the grieved place be bathed warme therewith and the Herb after the boyling be laid warme also thereto Gargles for mouth-mouth-waters are made with Sage Rosemary Honey-sackles and Plaintane boyled in water or Wine with foine Allom put thereto to wash Cankers sore mouths and throats or the secret part of man or woman as need requireth It is also commended against the biting of Serpents The often chewing of Sage in the mouth is profitable for the Teeth and sinews for it strengtheneth the one and preserveth the other from putrefaction The hurtfull quality The frequent use of Sage is hurtfull to leane and dry bodies and in hot and dry seasons The dose The dose in powder is from a scruple to thirty graines Of such Medicines as are made thereof The distilled water Chymicall Oil. Conserve and Salt of Sage CHAP. 157. De Sassafras of Sassafras The names and Temperament IT is called in Latine Sassafras in English also Sassafras and Ague-tree of his vertue in healing Agues It is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree The duration It will keep good many yeers The outward use The decoction of Sassafras is given in all cold diseases and stoppings of the Liver and Spleen as also in cold Rheumes that fall on the teeth eyes or lungs warming and drying up the moisture and strengthening the parts afterwards and therefore is available in Coughs and other cold diseases of the breast stomach and lungs and restraineth castings and helpeth digestion breaketh and expelleth winde the gravel and stone in the Kidneys and provoketh urine and Womens courses it also warmeth heateth and dryeth up the moysture of Womens Wombes which is the cause of barrennesse and causeth them to be more apt to conceive it is of good use in tertian and quotidian Agues that are of long continuance It is generally used in all diseases that come of cold and raw thin and corrupt humours the French Disease and other of the like foule nature The manner of administring it It is given chiefly in decoction as thus Take of Sassafras foure ounces steep it in a gallon and a half of water foure and twenty houres then boil it close covered till it be neer half consumed then being strained give a good draught thereof morning and evening for the diseases before mentioned The outward use It is thought to be good in the time of the Pestilence to weare some thereof continually about them that the smell of it may expel the corrupt and evil vapours of the Pestilence The hurtfull quality It is hurtful to very hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given in powder from a scruple to two scruples Medicines made thereof Extract of Sassafras Chymicall Oile CHAP. 158. De Sarsaparilla of Sarsaparilla The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Sarsaparilla Salsaparilla and Zarzaparilla it is hot and dry in the first or second degree of thin parts and provoketh sweat The duration It will keep good many yeers The inward use It is chiefly used in the French Pox in Rheumes Gowts cold diseases of the head and stomach expelleth winde both from the stomach and mother It helpeth all manner of aches in the sinews and joynts all running sores in the legs all cold Swellings Tetters or Ring-wormes and all manner of spots and foulnesse of the skin The hurtfull quality It is bad for hot Livers and cholerick persons The manner of administring it It is given chiefly in decoction see the fore-goin Chapter The Dose The Dose in powder is from half a dram to a dram CHAP. 159. De Scordio of Water-Germander The names and temperament IT is called in Latine Scordium because it smels like Garlick in English Water-Germander and Garlick-Germander It is hot and dry in the second degree bitter in taste harsh and sharp The duration It will keep good a yeer or two The inward use It is effectuall to provoke urine and Womens courses killeth Wormes in the belly or stomach is also a safe
from spots and morphew helpeth bruises being applyed warm and cleereth the sight It is also used in spreading and eating Ulcers The hurtfull quality It offendeth weak stomachs and causeth an inclination to vomit if it be often taken The Dose It is given from half a dram to a dram and a half Medicines made thereof Oile of Parmasitty good against bruises spots and strains in any part Stibium see Antimonie CHAP. 163. De Staechade of Stickadove The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Staechas and Stichados from the Islands called Staechades where it groweth in English Stickadove Steckado Cassidony and French Lavender It is hot and dry in the second degree or hot in the first degree and dry in the second The duration It will keep good two or three yeers The inward use It is chiefly used in cold diseases of the brain and nerves as in the Swimming of the head Apoplexie Palsie and Lethargie It is also as ffectuall for Colds and Coughs as Hyssope and for the diseases of the breast and provoketh urine and the courses in women resisteth poyson and helpeth the affects of the Hypochondres or windy Melancholy A decoction thereof openeth the stoppings of the Liver Spleen Lungs Mother and of the other inward parts and strengtheneth them also The syrup made thereof is effectuall for the aforesaid diseases and for the quartane Ague The manner of administring it It is given in decoction or in powder The outward use It is very useful in Baths or Lotions for all cold griefs of the head wombe and other parts It killeth Wormes and the fumes thereof taken into the nostrils open them when they are closed A Lotion against cold diseases of the Brain Take of Steckadove half a handful Sage Rosemary Organy and Calamint of each a handfull of Bay-leaves half a handful make a decoction to wash the head withall in the morning fasting and after to rub it dry The hurtfull quality It hurts those that are hot dry and cholerick offends the stomach and causeth thirst and fainting but because it worketh slowly some Sal-gem is added unto it to quicken it If it be boiled or steeped in Whey with a few Raisons of the sun it is lesse hurtful The Dose It is given in substance from half a dram to a dram and a half in infusion or decoction to half an ounce Medicines made thereof Syrup of Stechados both simple and compound CHAP. 164. De Sulphure of Brimstone The Names and temperament IT is called Latine Sulphur in English Brimstone and is hot and dry The duratihn It will keep good many yeers The inward use It resisteth putrifaction and venome therefore very useful in the Pestilence and pestilentiall Feavers as also in the Cough Defluxions of Rheume Consumption shortnesse of Breath Collick Itch and Scab and killeth Wormes it is good in the Jaundise taken in an Egg. The flower of Brimstone is much better for the aforesaid Diseases The manner of administring it It is given in powder or in Electuary The outward use It is of good use against the Itch Scab Leprosie and all foul Diseases of the skin being mixed with Vineger or Hogs-grease and used It dissolveth all hard tumors and nodes in the body and easeth the Gowt being mixed with Niter and Water and the place affected bathed therewith it helpeth also pains of the eares being mixed with Wine and Honey and dropped into the eares The fume thereof stirreth up such as have the Lethargie An Ointment against Scab or Itch. Take of quicke Brimstone and Salt of each halfe a pound in fine powder of Hogs-grease two pound make them into an Ointment Or Take of yellow Brimstone in powder foure ounces of white Ginger and Salt in powder of each two drams of the juice of three Lemons of sallet-Oile half a pound mix them well together and make an Ointment The hurtfull quality It is hurtful to such as have hot and dry bodies The Dose It is given from a dram to two drams flower of Brimstone is given from half a scruple to a dram Medicines made thereof Flower of Brimstone Milk of Brimstone Oil of Brimstone Balsame Essence af Sulphur c. CHAP. 165. De Valeriana of Valerian The Names and temperament IT is called in Latine Valeriana and Phu in English Valerian and Caporis-tail It is hot and dry in the first or second degree The duration It will keep good a yeer especially the root The inward use It provoketh urine and courses in Women helpeth the Strangury easeth pains of the sides and is used in Antidotes The root boiled with Licoris Raisins and Anise-seed is singulat good for those that are short-winded and have the Cough and helpeth to open the passages and to cause flegme to be easily spit out It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any venomous creature being taken in Wine and is of special vertue against the Plague and expelleth winde in the belly It helpeth the Jaundise and stoppings of the Liver Spleen and Wombe It cleereth the sight and helpeth Ruptures or any inward wound or bruise The extract of the roots is a good medicine against the difficulty of making water and the yellow Jaundise The manner of administring it It is given in decoction as the root is given in powder The outward use The green herb bruised and applyed to the head taketh away the pains and prickings therein stayeth Rheumes and thin Distillations and being boiled in White Wine and a drop thereof put into the eye taketh away the dimnesse of the sight or any Pin Haw or Web therein It is excellent to heal as well green as other wounds and draweth any splinter or thorn out of the flesh The distilled water cleereth the eyes being washed therewith The Dose The root is given in powder from half a dram to a dram Medicines made thereof The distilled water and extract of Valerian CHAP. 166. De Visco of Misselto The names and temperament IT is called in Latine Viscum Viscus in English Misselto It is hot and dry in the second or third degree The duration It will keep good a yeer or two The inward use The Misselto of the Oke is counted the best but that is rarely to be got and therefore we use that of the White Thorn or Chesnut-tree It is chiefly used against the Falling Sicknesse Apoplexie and Giddinesse of the head but it must be used thirty or fourty dayes together The manner of administring it It is given in powder or in decoction The outward use It is hung about the neck of such as have the Falling Sicknesse to mitigate their fits and the juice of the fresh wood drawn forth and dropped into the eares that have Impostumes in them doth help and ease them within a few dayes The Bird-â—ime that is made of the Berries hereof doth mollifie hard knots tumours and impostumes ripeneth and discusseth them and draweth forth thick as well as thin humours from the remote places of the body and