1. Of the Rob, Tincture, Extarct, or Essence,

TAke the ripe Berries of the Elder picked from their stalks, press the juice out of them, which being strained is to be thickned on a soft and clear fire. Some in time of their inspissating add a little sugar, that the pallat may rellish it the better; and this is called the Rob of Elder berries with sugar. Of the Rob, or inspissat juice of the Berries without sugar, the Tincture and extract is prepared after this manner.

Take a pound of this Rob, put it in a long and capacious Glass, called by the Chymists a Cucurbite, put thereon the spirit of Wine, or the proper spi­rits of the Elder, described in this [Page 12] Chapter, so that it be a handful high above it. The Glass being well clo­sed, that the spirit may not exhale; di­gest it in Balneo four or five days, sha­king the Glass twice a day: After that strain the whole matter contain­ed in the Cucurbit, through gray pa­per. Take the strained liquor (which is obscurely reddish, and is called of some, the Tincture of the Elder or Granorum actes, and may be kept with­out further distillation to good pur­pose) put it in a Glass Cucurbit, and having put on the Alembick, distil it on a slow Balnean heat, till the Men­struum, or that spirit, drop by drop se­parate, and the extract of the berries remain in the bottom like hony. If the Menstruum be not totally extracted, that which remains in the Cucurbit is called by the modern Chymists, the liquid extract of Granorum Actes. You shall find another extract taken out of Quercetan in the third Section, and 26 Chapter.

II. WINES.

Take the Elder Berries cleaned of their stalks, beat them in a stone mor­tar, or earthen vessel, with a wooden pestle, till all the Kernels be well brui­sed; with this succulent matter fill the 8, 10, or 12 part of a little barrel, as you will have it of more or less effica­cy, fill up the rest with Must, or new Wine, that they may work together.

Some boyle equal parts of this suc­culent matter and Must together, till the consumption of a third part of the whole, on a slow fire; then straining it through a thin linnen cloth, they put it (as is said) in a greater quantity into a Barrel, put Must thereon, and so suffer them to work.

Quercetans receipt thereof is set down in seat. 3. cap. 24.

This is an excellent way.

• R. Of Elder Berries well dried in an Oven, lib. 1.
• Cinnamon, the strongest and sharp­est, unc. 3.
• [Page 14] Caryophill. Aromatic. ounc. 1. and an half.

Being all grosly pulverised, sow them loosly in a knot; put them in a vessel that holds twelve English quarts, or thereabouts, fill up the rest with the best and most fragrant white Wine, and place it a fortnight or above in a Wine Cellar; which is to be used in time of repast, for tis an ex­cellent stomachical drink, most deli­cious in colour, taste, and smell.

III. The Spirit and Water.

Take the ripe berries, express the juice, at least break them together, and let them stand in a wood vessel till they begin to ferment; and that they may work the sooner, some add a little of the yiest of beer or wine: some add none, but keep the same process. D. Finck. keeps in the extracting of the Spirit of black sweet Cherries, En­chiridii, c. 6. After the fermentation let them be distilled in a Vesica, and rectified acording to Art.

[Page 15] The rectification is best accom­plished first in a Vesica, and then in Bal­neo; where in place of a Concurbit use a long-necked Viol, then the most spiritous part will de abstracted, the phlegm beating again the sides of the Viol will again fall down.

Others prepare it thus;

Take the ripe berries of the Elder dryed in the weak heat of an oven, be­ing pulverised grosly with a third part of Barley meal with them; being well mixed, put them in an Oken Bar­rel, and put boyling water on them, in which some hops have been before macerated; stop the Vessel close, and suffer them to ferment some four or five days: To hasten the fermentation and digestion add some dreggs of Wine or Beer, (as we have said before) distill and rectifie it.

But the first way is preferred de­servedly by most, as more simple and pure: The Purging water, as it is ex­tracted by Quercetan and others, out of the berries, is set down sect. 3. c. 24.

IV. The Syrup and Tragea.

The Syrup is thus prepared: Take of the juice extracted from the new gathered ripe berries, and clarified, lib. 1. Sugar clarified, lib. 1. boyl it a little on a soft fire in a double Vessel, or in Bal. Mar. to the consistency of a liquid Syrup.

You shall find the Tragea Granorum Actes, or the Tragea of the Bore-tree-berries set down in the 22 cap. of the third sect.

V. Oyle drawn out of the Stones or Kernels.

Take the grains, or stones of these berries left in the cloth after the juice is strained from them, wash them well, and dry them in the aire, bedew them with odoriferous white-Wine, and then in a press strongly squeeze out the oyle of them, as you do out of the seeds of the flaxes or line, rocked [Page 17] Poppy or Henbane, and such like; that being purified by residency, keep it for your use in a glass; for 'tis an ex­cellent Vomitive, and a good Balsam in externals.

The Dose to take it inwardly, is a drachme, or a drachme and a half in hot ale, or some other convenient li­quor.

This Oyl may be more Hematick and Cathartick, if instead of the Wine, the Kernels be bedewed with Malago, wherein Crocus metallorum hath been infused, and then Oyl ex­pressed out of them; which in the same dose will be much more effectual.

1. CONSERVES.

TAke the fresh flowers, pull them in little pieces, and to each ounce of them add two ounces of the whi­test Sugar, incorporate them well to­gether in a Marble Morter with a woodden pestle: Expose it afterward in a Glass, or earthen Vessel to the Sun for some dayes; it being thus prepared, reserve it for your use.

II. The SYRUP and HONEY.

Take of the recent Flowers lib. 1. let them macerate 12 hours in lib. 6. of warm fountain water; having exprest and strained the liquor, put in again recent flowers, yea do it the third time. Add four ounces of the whitest [Page 19] Sugar to each five ounces of the li­quor that is last strained, boyle them up to a Syrup according to art.

But if in place of the Sugar you add the same quantity of Honey, and boyle it to a fitting consistence, you have Mel Sambucinum, which is commen­ded by some.

III. The WATER and SPIRITS.

There is sundry wayes of distilling Waters from Herbs and Flowers set downe by Wecker, Euonimus, Querce­tan, and others; this is the easiest.

Takes as many of the Flowers of the Elder as you list, put a sufficient quantity of warm water thereon, let them marcerate a night, and then distill them per Vesicam.

That which distilleth first is excel­lent, the next is worse, beware then thou urge them not too much; poure the water on fresh flowers, distil them the second time; yea reiterate it the third time; so you shall have water fit [Page 20] for the uses set down afterward in the practice; for that which is extant in the Apothecaries shops, is nothing but meer phlegm, not worthy the name of distilled water. No wonder then the sick so seldom find the wished and ex­pected fruits therof. If from a part of this water in a long necked Viol, in a soft Balnean heat, you extract the more spirituous part, in quantity about the twelfth part thereof, you will have a most fragrant and pene­trating Spirit. Or prepare the Spirit as Quercetan hath set down in lib. 1. Pharm. Dogm. restitut. cap. 7. and D. Sennertus way, Inst. Med. lib. 5. part. 3. sect. 3. cap. 5. is it not much different.

The Cake which remains in the Vesica after the distillation of the wa­ter, called of the Chymists Caput Mor­tuum, is not to be thrown away, but to be reserved for the uses set down in the Practice.

IV. The VINEGAR and OXIMEL.

Pour upon the fresh, or half withe­red flowers of the Elder, the Vinegar of white Wine; let them stand in a close stopped glass Vessel in the Sun, or some other hot place; that the Vi­negar more exactly may draw out the vertue of the flowers, let the flowers remain in the Vinegar, till it have drawn out fully all the vertue from them, which you may easily know by its fragrant smell, and golden colour. After strain the Vinegar, and reserve it for your use.

An excellent and red Vinegar may be prepared of the flowers and juice of the branches, which is frequent in France, as Lobell and Pena witness in their Advers. stirpium nov. p. 434.

Take instead of the juice of the branches, the berries of the Elder dryed in the slow heat of an Oven or Furnace; and upon them put the Vinegar of the flowers, well [Page 22] purified by straining and subsidency; which being impregnant with the shining transparent purple, I pour it off, and put on new still, so long as they are able to give it a purple tin­cture. The sowre Syrup of the Elder is described sect. 3. c. 19.

The Oximel of the Elder, which Quercetan. in Pharm. Dogm. restit. lib. 1. c. 10. mentioneth, is thus prepared.

• Take of Honey scummed well lib. 1.
• Of Elder Vinegar lib. 5.
• Of Simple water, or water of Elder Flowers lib. 1.

Being mixt, put them in a Cucurbit, and let them be boyled in Balneo to a fit consistence. You may use here the simple Vinegar, either of the flowers, or that which is by the infu­sion of the berries of a purple die, as it shall please the phancy of the Physici­an or his Patient.

V. WINF.

Take of the Umbels of the Elder [Page 23] dryed in the shadow, as much as you will; which being pulled in little pieces, put them in a knot of fine thin linnen, with some little clean white stones (to make the knot sink) throw it into a vessel full of Must; let the wine work. Some bid take a pound of the flowers, rightly dried and picked off their stalks, to 60 Congions or 70 Gallons of Wine, and promise after the working of the Wine it shall be of an excellent Muscadel taste and smell.

Mark, that whatsoever Apples or fruits are covered and wrapped in the flowres of the Elder Tree, shall ac­quire a taste and smell much like Mus­cadel Pears.

VI. The OYLE.

1. Take as much as you will of the fresh flowers beaten, put them in a Vessel of glass, pour on them a suffici­ent quantity of clear Sallet Oyle, ma­cerate them in the Sun, or some other [Page 24] hot place for 15 dayes; then decoct it in a double vessel; strain the flowers, cast them away; put in fresh ones; proceed as you did before, reiterate your practice the third time, and ha­ving strained it, keep it in a conveni­ent vessel.

Mark, that those gross dregs of the flowers, and of all other things that are macerate in Oyle, and strained from it, is called of the Physicians, Stymma, which take notice of now, that you may remember it when 'tis mentioned hereafter.

2. The following Oyl of the flowers is commended of many.

Take a Cucurbite or Glass of mid­dle capacity; fill a third part thereof with Elder flowers gathered in a clear pure day; put so much Malvatick Wine thereon, that the third part at least of the glass may remain empty; having stopped the mouth well, ex­pose it to the Sun a fortnight: then putting the whole matter in a glaspot on a slow fire of Charcole, heat it a [Page 25] little; then strain it with great force into another clean vessel, above which within a little while you shall see a yellowish Oyl to swim, which by a funnel or separatory, you are to sepa­rate from the rest of the liquor accor­ding to art.

The liquor that remaineth will serve for the maceration of fresh flow­ers, which you are to reiterate some­times, and in divers vessels, seeing at one time you will get but little Oyl.

3. The Oyl is prepared by distil­lation, after the manner Sennerte and others prepare the Oyl of Roman Cammomile flowers, and of other sweet smelling flowers; thus, Take the flowers of the Elder dryed betwixt two linen cloaths in the aire, being pulled in little pieces, put them in an earthen vessel, or large Cncurbite; to every pound of flowers add an ounce and half of common salt, and having a span high covered them with warm water, leave them in digestion ten dais, or [Page 26] more, after distill them in Vesica; and according to art separate the Oyl from the water.

I. The POWDER.

TAke as much as you will of the buds, or first breakings forth of the leaf of the Elder; being dryed in the shadow, pulverise them: either keep this Powder by it self, or mix it with equal parts of Sugar.

The many Medicinal Powder of the Buds is described sect. 3. cap. 3.

II. The CONSERVE.

Take the fresh tender buds smally cut, lib. 5. of the purest Sugar, lib. 1. upon a slow Charcole fire, mix them [Page 72] well together with a stone pestle, and expose them in an earthen pan eight days to the Suns rayes.

III. The SYRUP.

Take of the Juice prest out of these first buds and breaking of the Bore­tree out of the tree and ground, and by subsidency purified from the dregs lib. 11. of fine white Sugar lib. 1. s. or q. s. let them be concocted with a slow balneal fire to the consistency of a Sy­rup; which being aromatised with half an ounce of choice Cinnamon, and two drachmes of Cloves, is to be reserved in a glass vessel.

I. The WATER.

Take the fresh leaves of the Elder, and they being grosly beat or cut, fill the half of a Vesica with them, and put a sufficient quantity of warm wa­ter on them; macerate them therein for a night, and distill them; put the distill'd water on fresh leaves, distill them again. After the same man­ner, of the green and succulent bark water is prepared.

There are some that of the succu­lent roots, pith, and spunges by them­selves, or mixed together, doe distill waters, which they much commend in Hydropsies, which first are to be well shred and macerated a night in­convenient liquor, that their vertues [Page 29] may be more easily drawn out of them.

II. The SYRUP.

As of the Juice of the Buds, so from the Juice of the middle bark, or roots, a Syrup may be prepared for the nicer sort, if a sufficient quantity of Suger be put to the juice, well clarified, and on a soft fire boyled to a syrup; and after the same manner aromatised.

These syrups indeed are esteemed less efficacious then the crude juices, seeing in their boyling they lose some­thing of their Cathartick faculty, which Fernele observed. Neverthe­less they are more safe, and less noy­som to the stomach, and the rest of the intrals. Therefore their dose is ac­cording to their strength to be aug­mented.

III. OYLES and LINIMENTS.

1. An useful Oyl is prepared of the middle bark, macerated in old clear [Page 30] let Oyl, and expressed, as was spoken in the Flowers.

2. Of the Bark and Leaves prepare them thus; Take of the middle Bark and Leaves, equal parts, fry them in May Butter and Linsed Oyl, or in a­ny one of these, with a soft fire; when they are a while fryed, press out the leaves and bark; put in fresh leaves and bark again, fry them, and express; do so the third time.

3. The Liniment or unguent which is set down in Matthiol. super Diosc. l. 4. c. 168. Take of the green bark of the Elder which is next the outward ash coloured rine, being of an hearb colour, lib. 1. of Oyl washed off in the water of Elder flowers lib. 2. let them warm a while together, then strain and press them; to this add of new well smelling wax, of the juice of the twigs of the Elder ounce 4. then suffer them again to boil till the juice be consumed. Take it then from the fire, stirr and mix all together; and at last add of liquid Varnish ounc. 2. of [Page 31] white Frankincence beat to dust, ounc. 4. likewise add two whites of eggs, first well beat; mix all diligently, and keep it in a clean vessel.

4. Another Liniment wich the most happy Plater. used to prepare. Take of the middle bark of the Elder one ounce and half; of the juice of its more tender leaves one drachme, Linsed Oyl washed in the water of Elder flowers two ounces; of Barrow­grease so washed onu. 1. of good yellow wax one ounce and half, of Frank­incence one ounce, boyl them in the water of the flowers of the Elder, in a closed pot and when they; are cold, gather and keep the Oynt­ment that swims above. Of all these we will speak in burning, and other external affects.

The rest of the Medicines that are prepared of the parts of the Elder, are copiously set down in the places that handle the diseases to which they are appropriate, and there they are to be found.

I. The SALT.

SAlt is prepared not only of the flowers and leaves after the distilla­tion of waters, and expression of juice; but of the bark and whole tree For all are to be dryed, burned in a clear and open fire, reduced to ashes; of these ashes make a Lie with pure and clean water, still pouring on firesh water, till all the saltishnes be ex­tracted; boyle the Lie, being filtrate, in an earthen vessel on a soft fire, till the water exhale, and the salt be left; which by a reiterate solution, filtra­tion, and coagulaion, is to be purified.

The most gallantway of purifying such like Salts, by the means of the spirit or Oyl of common Salt, is set down in the 19 Chapter of Finckius Enchirid. Hermet.

[Page 33] Some praise this process, R. of the burned ashes of Elder and Sulphure, equal parts, being mixt, calcine them with a reverberatory fire, or in a Pot­ters Furnace; after extract a Lie with the water of the flowers of the Elder; which being filtrate and boyled to a half on a slow fire, is to be placed in a Celler, that the salt may run in Chri­stals.

II. The Spirit of the Salt of the Elder.

R. Of the Salt of the Elder, lib. 1. of common Bole lib. 3. being well powdered and mixt together, put them in well Luted Retort, fit to it an ample Recipient, and having closed the commissures, add fier by degrees. First there shall still a waterish liquor, then the spirits shall follow; augment the fire, and keep it in the same de­gree, lest the spirits remit, so long till no more spirits flow, and the reci­pient become clear; the vessel being cold, and the clay that luted them together [Page 34] being with a wet cloth for an hour to­gether softened, that the recipient may be separate without breaking the glasses, you shall find the spirit of the Elders salt, which is separate from its phlegme by distilling in Balneo.

The Lute, for arming your glasses, and luting them to their recipients, is set down by Begwine, l. c. 6. Tyrocin. Chym. By Libavius l. 1. Epist. 24. E­pist. Chymicarum, and others.

Others use other ways of distilling the spirits of vegetable salts, which the famous Senart. mentions by the by, Instit. Medic. pag. 1215. but we may use all things we use in distilling the spirit of common salt: of which see Sennert. and Begwine, l. 2. c. 6. Tyros. Chymio. and others.

The Cure of Children.

To Infants new-born, before you give them any thing to swallow, you may give them with great profit. a [Page 46] spoonful of the syrup of the infusion of the flowers, or juice of the Elder­berries, to evacuate that putrid, yel­lowish, and sometime blackish water gathered in the stomach, and parts a­bout, while the infant is in the mo­thers belly.

For these Syrups do not only change and evacuate, but they also preserve from, and resist malignity.

Macerate a handful of Elder flow­ers well dried in the wine, which the best sort use to wash their new-born babes in; for it consumes the humors gathered about the joynts, and com­forts the members. This is also com­mended, Take of the powder of the simple buds 1 drach. of the whitest Sugarcandie 1 drach. of the berries of herb Paris Number 6. pulverise them most subtilly, of which give half a scru­ple for 9 days together, in the water of Elder flowers, or any other conveni­ent liquor you please.

In the Paroxisme, the least spoon­full of the spirit of the flowers given [Page 47] with three or five of the seeds of Peo­ny excorticat, is praised.

Or, of Peony excorticat 2 drach. of the best water of Elder-flowers one ounce and a half, of Linden flower­water half an ounce.

Make an Emulsion according to art, which being edulcerate Rotalis manus Christi perlatis, give it by spoon­fuls.

Let the Nurse sometimes take the Conserves, Syrup, or water of Elder flowers, or having taken the spirit, juice, or extract of the berries, let her provoke smell, that thereby her milk being clear of the sharper and more malignant serosities, may be the more wholsom.

I knew an infant, which being ta­ken sometime with Epileptick fits, each day, with a great deal of crying, and pain of belly, did dung a yellow­ish greenish matter; whom neither Clysters, nor cleansing Linctussies did any good. I counselled his mother, seeing I saw her milk more serous and [Page 48] thin, that she should twice or thrice a week take the rhob, or juice of the El­der-berries, mixt with burn'd Harts­horns; and drink a draught of the water of the flowers above it, and pro­voke her self to sweat in her bed, or couch: Which being done, not only the Epileptick fits, but also those pain­full wringings of the childs belly did cease; and by little and little, the ex­crements came to their natural form.

The cure of those that are come to age.

In those that are come to age 'tis first necessary above all things, to purge the body well.

In the Spring time macerate the bark of the roots of Elder in the whey of Cows milk, which being dulcerat with Sugar, let him each morning take a hearty draught thereof.

Or,

• Take the Polichrestick powder of the buds two scruples, or one drachme.
• [Page 49]Of recent Rob of the Elder, well thickned with good Sugar, as much as will make a bole.

Or take the prescribed bole; dis­solve it in the whey of Milk, add thereto the Syrup made of Juice of the buds and berries, ounce I. mix it; prepare a draught: But if the Patient be prone to vomit, give him the oyl expressed out of the kernels.

The spirit of the flowers and berries of the Elder in, and out of the Paro­xysm, is of great power; but it may be made more efficacious thus:

• R. Take of the middle bark of the Elder,
• Of the roots of Poeonie, of each six drachms,
• Of dried Elder leaves and buds,
• Of Lynden-tree flowers, of each one handful.
• Of Rew-seed two drach.
• Of the Berries of herb Paris, numb. 20.
• Of Jews-ears, numb. 6.

This being cut and pounded, put as [Page 50] much of the spirit of the Elder there­on, as will be a hand broad high above them, and in a hot place, and well stop­ped vessel, macerate them eight daies; distil them in glass vessels in B. M. till they be dry; mix with them the di­stilled spirits, the salt drawn out of its dregs, and keep it for the Anti-Epi­leptick Spirit of the Elder.

Whereof give a whole, or half spoon­ful to the Epileptick in the time of his Paroxisme; afterwards using it every quarter of the Moon, to dissi­pate the Epileptick corruption by sweating; or insensible transpiration▪ and to guard the brain.

With this same, in the time of the fit, rub the nostrils, gums, and pallat, adding thereto a Grain or two of Castor.

Herein likewise excels the tincture and extract of Granorum Actes; the preparation and using of which is set down in the 31 Chapter out of Quer­cetan.

Or,

• [Page 51]Take of Granorum actes scrup. 1.
• Of the berries of Herb Paris, pul­verised, half a scrup.

Mix them, and form pils thereof, numb. 15. or being dissolved in the Anti epileptick Spirit of the Elder­give them in the Paroxisme.

Mark by the way, That the berries of herb Paris, called by some Bear or Wolf grapes, is held by some Matrons, as a great secret against the Epilepsie: and they give them ever in an un­equal number, as 3, 5, 7 or 9, in the water of Linden Tree flowers or of the roots of Squamaria; which I my self have found effectual in some chil­dren. Seeing these berries are mixt with some Antidotes, especially with the Saxonian, and half a drachm of the seeds of these berries, as Matthiolus relates, being given, avail much a­gainst long sickness, and Witchcraft, it should not seem strange to any man, that they much help in the Epilepsie, if they consider seriously the maligne [Page 52] nature of the Epileptick vapor, and its enmity with the brain.

Some affirm, that the water of the flowers drawn up into the nose pre­vails much against the Epilepsie and Vertigo. In the same affects the eyes and face are to be washed oft with this water.

Anoint gently, in the fit it self, the contracted members, with the oyl of the flowers of the first description, that thereby the Acrimony of the hu­mors and vapors may be mitigate, that the matter may be dissipate, and the nerves comforted.

The oyl of the second and third description, or the distilled oyl, is much commended; if the palmes of the hands, and soles of the feet, if the temples of the head and nape of the neck be anointed therewith.

Amulets.

There is likewise set down a singu­lar Amulet, made of the Elder grow­ing [Page 53] on a Sallow. If in the month of October, a little before the full Moon, you pluck a twig of the Elder, and cut the cane that is betwixt two of its knees, or knots in nine pieces; and these pieces being bound in a piece of linnen, be in a thred so hung about the neck, that they touch the spoon of the heart, or the sword-form'd Carti­lage; and that they may stay more firmly in that place, they are to be bound thereon with a linnen or silken roller wrapt about the body, till the thred break of it self. The thred be­ing broken, and the roller removed, the Amulet is not at all to be touched with bare hands, but it ought to be ta­ken hold on by some instrument, and buried in a place that no body may touch it. Petraeus Nosilog. Harmon. l. 1. dissert. 6. Finkius Ench. Harm. c. 5. The cause of which is not abso­lutely hid, seeing the Elder and its grains help this disease. These are the words of Petraeus in the mention­ed place.

[Page 54] There are some that ascribe the same effect to the Bore tree, growing on the Tylia or Linden tree, seeing both by a peculiar property are anti­epileptick; some hang a cross made of the Elder and Sallow, mutually in wrapping one another about the chil­drens neck, Petr. Loco Allegat.

Albeit there be some that deny all specifick operation to Amulets of the Elder growing on the Sallow and Lin­den tree, and to all other Amulets. Nevertheless their reasons are not of such weight, that they satisfie the mind of a desirous learner; 'tis not impossible that so little a piece of the Elder bound to the skin should break the force of so stubborn a disease: for though it do not draw out sensibly the vitious humors, yet it may act against the morbifick cause, and rout it some other way, by alluring, and some other way expugning those vitious humors, and that malignant Miamse, most noisom to the brain, it having in little bulk great force; which being [Page 55] or removed, 'tis likely the Epilepsie will cease, though the humors re­main; if they be not altogther corrupt: which humors are to be purged, according to the diversities of consti­tutions, before you use such Amulets. Read Sennert. l. de Cons. & dissen. Gal &. Chymic.

Whereas they object, That in all these Amulets do not hold: This will not prove that they are not indewed with an Anti-epileptick faculty; o­therwise many famous Medicaments should be called in question, seeing many times they are disappointed of their actings in some subjects; because it may be they are not used in fit quantity, time, or after due prepration, or some other errours are committed, which may hinder the best, and most approved Medicine to take effect; nei­ther is it in the power alwaies of the Physician or Medicine, that the dis­eased should be releived: some times the evil excels the cunningest art.

Of the Palsie.

But if the Apoplexie end in a Pal­sie of the sides, or other members, as it useth, having observed those uni­versals, for the provision of whole bo­dy and brain, 'tis necessary oft in the week to provoke sweat.

Half an ounce of the Apoplectick Spirit of the Elder is useful here; also two drachms of the rob of the berries in Sage water.

Or,

• Of the extract of the Rohob of the Elder, drach. 5. and an half.
• Antimony diaphoretick, most white, half a drachm.

Of which every morning give to the Paralitick, they being exactly mixt, 1 drachm in 2 or 3 ounces of the decoction of the root of the great Burdock, and command him, that [Page 60] being well lapped in his bed, he swet for half an hour; and that he may sweat more freely and fully you may mix with the potion half an ounce of the Apoplectick spirit of the Elder.

Topicks.

The enervat, or hanging members are twice a day to be rubbed, first with hard sharp clothes; afterward with the spirit drawn out of the berries, and inebriate with the essence of Cepha­lick herbs. So those gross and viscid humors that trouble the nerves, and compresse them, and stop the passage of the animal spirits, will be attenuate, and dissipate, and the stupified spirits will be raised and allured.

Nevertheless, lest by these hot, and much drying spirits, the matter it self and nevres should be hardned, you are to mix with the oyl of the infusion of the flowers of the Elder a third of the oyl drawn from the Kernels of its berries, and this will attemperate the [Page 61] too too much exsiccating heat, and ne­vertheless digest and consume the matter. In this case likewise, the decoction of the root of the Elder and Ebulus in simple water is much praised.

And seeing oft times the Palsie of the tongue, and difficulty of speaking remains, the tongue is oft times to be rub'd, and humectated with a sponge, dipped in the Apoplectick spirit of the Elder.

Topicks.

We will onely prescribe here To­picks made of the Elder. Raymund Minder, in his Military Medicine, cap. 10. commends much the decoction of the roots in Wine and Vinegar, used to gargarise with, and protests that no one Medicine sooner easeth this great pain.

For Example,

• Take of the roots of Elder cut in slices, two ounces and an half.
• Of Elder, or simple Vinegar, of white Wine, of each six ounces.

Boyl them for a water to wash the [Page 64] mouth, which is oft to be spit out, and renewed.

Or,

• Take of the middle Elder bark,
• Of Elder flowers, of each an handfull,
• Of Jews ears one.

Boyl them likewise in a sufficient quantity of Vinegar and Wine, and use it. Where there is a suspicion of worms in the hollow tooth, the hol­lowness is to be filled with the spongi­ola of the Elder; at last it is to be held hard betwixt the teeth: Like­wise the vapor of the former decocti­on may be received through a funnel at the mouth.

They make Tooth-pickers, and Spoons of Elder, to which they attri­bute much in preserving from this pain. The common people take these tooth-pickers, being bloudy with pricking and picking the tooth, and glew them to the Trunk of an Elder, which is irradiated with the morning Sun beams; they pull away the bark, and cover the place with rosin of the [Page 65] Pine: and thus they cure all tooth­aches.

'Tis not apparent by what vertue this is done; when, may be, that is attributed to the incision, which ought to be attributed to the blood­ing, or time of continuance, wherein most diseases are eased. But we leave every man to his judgement, Scal. Exerc. 183. sect. 11.

If from a defluction, the gums and cheeks do swel, anoynt them with the oyl of the infusion of the flowers of the Elder, and put the dregs or crassa­ment of them to it, for they will di­gest and resolve it.

Pectorals.

For the expectoration of the mat­ter in the Lungs, use them that are weak, as the syrup of the flowers and berries inspissat with sugar, or Elder candied-sugar, likewise the water of the flowers inspissat, & supped down, [Page 87] you may mix with these some of the Tragea Gran. Actes for the spitting of blood.

Topicks.

Externally anoint with the oyl of the infusion of the flowers with the fat of a Capon, or saltless May-butter, or foment oft the side with linnen dipt in the water or decoction of the flo­wers and leaves of the Elder; for by ratifying the skin and parts, they di­gest & resolve those sharp vapors and humors: Or take Elder-leaves and flowers Camomile, of each an hand­ful; make a decoction in milde beer, which put in a Cows-bladder, and after the opening of a vein, being oft in the day applyed warm, it did won­derfully ease a Smith in my Country, whose wife I counselled to do so.

Of the Phthisis.

In preserving and curing the Phthi­sis, [Page 88] besides other things, the decocti­on for the wild cough, being taken by spoonfuls, and by little & little swal­lowed, is used with success, seeing it proceeds from the ulcer of the Lungs, which requires detersion, exsiccation, and consolidation; and the leaves and flowers of the Elder mixed with a lit­tle sugar or honey, work these effects; they think to satisfy all the indicati­ons by this decoction. But I had rather in this case, instead of simple sugar & hony, use tabled sugar-roset, or hony­roset strained, and mix a scruple, or half a drachm of this following pow­der, chiefly were much arterious blood with the spittle is cast up. Take of Tragea Gran. actes drach. 1. of Jews ears dryed in a Furnace. Oculo­rum Cancri praep. an. drach. and half, Saffron Oriental, scrup. 1. sugari ro­sat. tabled, drach. 2. being all pulveris­ed well, mix them together exactly; in the mean time you are to have an eye to the prime cause of this ulcer, whose knowledge is to be found else­where.

[Page 89] George Amwald in his Panacea, p. 29. commends the unction of the oyl of Elder-flowers in a Phthisis.

Rohob, and the Extract Antile­mick of the Elder.

• R. Roots of Tormentillae,
• Buterdock,
• Of Pimpanels,
• Of Angelica,
• Leaves of Scordium,
• Berries of Juniper, of each half an ounce.

Macerate the roots 24 hours in Elder vinegar, afterwards dry them at lea­sure, and being powdered by them­selves, add the leaves of Scordium, and berries of Juniper, likewise in powder; mix them all together, and with the Vinegar that remained be­sprinkle them, and work them most exactly with a pound of Rob Sambu­ci, in form of an opiat: Of which give [Page 109] to the infected person two drachms in a convenient liquor, to provoke sweat, and thrust out the poyson from his heart. Of which also besprinkled with the spirit of Elder, you may pre­pare the extract that is set down in the second Section and first Chapter of this Book. The dose given to the infected is one scruple or drachm in convenient liquor.

The spirit of the Elder by it self is here very powerful, both in preser­ving, a few drops thereof being taken with a little white bread in a morn­ing, and likewise in the beginning of the disease, a spoonful or two being taken thereof before the feverish heat be powerful.

But that spirit is far more noble, which is drawn off by an Alimbeck in the preparation of the Antilemick extract; seeing from the volatile es­sence of those Bezoartick simples it hath carried much with it. Or at least infufe those simples in the spirit of the Elder; & being macerated therein [Page 110] for a few days, let it be strained, for the Antilimbeck spirit of the Elder, whose vertues in curing and preser­ving cannot be praised enough.

By the same Alexitaries, and chief­ly by the roots of Angelica and Juni­per-berries, if the red Elder-vinegar of my description be impregnat with them, it becomes Antilemick Elder-vinegar; which is not only a vehicle to other Alexipharmacal Me­dicaments, but moreover it may be taken by it self, when the intense heat and fever will not admit of the spirit, or other more hot medicines.

Some drops of the spirit of Elder­salt given in the broth of flesh is a preservative.

Neither is it unwholsom, if once or twice a week in the morning, an hour or two before dinner, a cup full of the wine prepar'd of the berries be taken but remember to take before it a lit­tle broth; for it loosneth the belly, hindreth putrefaction, and by reason of the Bezoartick vertue of the ber­ries, [Page 111] it preserveth the body from con­tagion.

At supper drink a cup full of the wine prepared of the dried berries, which strengtheneth the stomach.

A special Topick Oyl.

Some greatly commend in the Pleague this oyl.

Take the flowers of the Elder, fill therewith a Cucurbit, or a more am­ple Glass, to the middle; strew upon them Marsh Mallows, and tops of Hy­pericon, of each so much as only the fourth part of the Glass shall remain empty; powre thereon so much sweet clear Oyl-Olive as will cover the flowers; close exactly the mouth of the Glass sigillo hermetico, or lute it; and through all Summer or for three months set it in the Sun, that the heat of the Sun may draw the vertues out of the flowers into the oyl; then having strongly pressed the flowers, strain the oyl, and being purified by [Page 112] setling, reserve it in a well closed ves­sel; unto each ounce of which, before you use it, add a scruple of Sal Ni­tre.

Some prepare it suddenly thus, They take the oyl of infused Elder-flowers, as much as is necessary, in it they im­merge the flowers of the Marsh Mal­lows and Hypericon, and boil them together in Bal. Mar. for some hours; afterwards they express strongly the flowers, and strain it; in the strained oyl they immerge recent flowers, boil them, press them, and strain them; and afterward add Nitre.

The way of using it is this; The whole body of the infected person within 24 hours is to be anointed with this oyl warm, and being wrapt in warm sheets, he is to be laid in a warmed bed to sweat; for they af­firm that it is proved, that by this on­ly remedy many have safely escaped the fierceness of this poison: which unction, as it is not disapproved, seeing it openeth the pores of the skin, and [Page 113] by them draws out and dissipates the pestilential infection and malignity, and by consequence is used commodi­ously, not only in the plague and pesti­lential fevers, but also in other malig­nant and chiefly spotted fevers: So we are to be very wary, lest in this sharp and dangerous disease, we ne­glect to use the internal Bezoarticks & Alexiterix already mentioned; but rather ought to join them with these, that with united forces both ways, in­ternally and externally, they may vanquish the malignity.

It seems this hath come from the Egyptians, of whom Alpinus in his 4 Book and 15 Chapter relates, that they use this medicine in pestilential fevers, in which the spots are either begun to appear, with great profit, at least once a day using this hot lina­ment, after which, without delay, they cover the feverish with many cloths, endeavouring to draw the poi­sonous humor from the bowels to the skin.

Comforting and Altering Medicines.

Lest the diseased in sweating alto­gether faints, we ought to hold of­ten to his nose a sponge dipt in the Antilemick Vinegar of the Elder; for this Vinegar doth powerfully dis­sipate these narcotick vapours, and recreate the strength. It is likewise to be applyed to the temples with linnen cloths.

To ease the heat and thirst you are oft times to give to the diseased, in and after his sweat, some spoonfuls of the Julap which is set down in the Cure of burning fevers; or prepare this acetous syrup of the Elder, which in provoking sweat, in resisting putre­faction and contagion, in strengthen­ing the heart and other intrails, is far more excellent than the common ace­tous syrup, by reason of the Alexite­rous vertue of the Elder.

• Take clear Fountain-water lib. 3.
• [Page 115] White Sugar lib. 2. and an half.

Boyl them on a clear fire of Charcole, till the half be consumed, scumming them well in time of boiling: After add sharp Elder-vinegar lib. 1. and an half, boil them again on the consi­stence of a syrup: You may, to pro­cure a more sweet smell, in a knot of fine linnen infuse in it an ounce of Cinamon grosly powdered, and some­times wring it.

The syrup being cold, let it be kept in a galli-pot; of which give oft some spoonfuls by it self, or dissolve it in the distilled water of Burrage, sweet Ro­ses, Elder, Scabious, or such like.

The Cure of the Buboes and Carbuncles.

Apply to Buboes pestilential, and Carbuncles, a Plaster made of the meal of Elder-flowers and Hony, which is excellent in ripening these tumors.

Or take of the oyl more special, [Page 116] which just now was set down, Of crude Hony, of each half an ounce; of Salt Ammoniac drach. 1. of the Meal of the flowers and leaves of the Elder, of each as much as sufficeth, let them all be exactly wrought, till they become like a plaster.

Some apply the feces of the flowers macerated in oyl, and press it out, which they call Stymma.

Some rost Onions under the ashes, and pound them, and mix them with the Rob of the Elder, and apply them as a Cataplasm to the risings of the skin.

Amongst other vesiccatories, which is applied happily to these contuma­cious lumps, the famous Sennert. re­cites these following.

Take of Mustard-seed, of middle Elder-bark, equal parts, pound them with Vinegar in form of a Cataplasm which is to be spread on a white lin­nen cloath.

Or,

• Take of the leaves of the Elder, of Burrage,
• [Page 117] Of Mustard-seed,
• Of Rancide Nut-kernels, equal parts.

Let them be pounded and applied, having first anointed the place round about with Theriack.

The Apostume being open, and be­come an ulcer, a linament made of hony and the juice of Elder-leaves is to be applied; which every day, twice a day, being put in with lint tents, it dighteth away the quittous, and mun­difies the ulcer: the oyl pressed out of the berries kernels, and mixt with the third and fourth part of Turpen­tine oyl, is much praised. See the rest in the Cure of Ulcers.

The Stomatical spirit of the Elder.

Is more efficacious, and is this:

• Take of our Acorous roots and Gin­ger, of each half an ounce.
• Of Mynt Crisped, one handful.
• Of Fennel-seeds and Anise-seeds, of each two drachms.

Being cut and pounded, pour upon them the spirit of the grains of the berries of the Elder, that it may be four fingers deep above them. Let them infuse [Page 122] twelve or fourteen days, every day stirring them about. Afterward strain or distil from them the stomatical spirit, whose uses are many: For it is not only to be taken inwardly, as we have said; but likewise externally to be applied to the cold and weak sto­mach with linnen; for it helps diffi­culty of concoction, stops vomit, and mitigateth all pains and sobbings, which proceed from a cold temper or windy humor. If there be nauce­ousness or vomit, with oppressing of the heart, and difficulty of breathing; it is suspicious that these effects pro­ceed from tough phlegm, or some other putred humor gathered there; then give two ounces of the oil of in­fused flowers, or bark of the Elder, with black water; and by thrusting the finger in the throat provoke vo­mit; or give a drachm of the oil drawn out of the berries and kernels in a draught of warm Ale, & hasten vomit.

By which means any thing that's trouble to the stomach will be cast up, [Page 123] which being done, give a spoonful of the stomatical Elder-spirit or simple, well sweetned with Sugar, and im­bibed in the heart of the Rie-bread for strengthening the stomach.

That Wine which is prepared of the dried berries, as we appointed, is alto­gether stomatical, and greatly help­eth the weak and windy stomach; whereof you must drink oft, chiefly in time of supper a cup full or two.

Neither is it to be objected that Dioscorides says, That Elder is hurt­ful to the stomach, seeing he speaks there of the crude and unprepared, which we acknowledge is hurtful to the stomach, as some preparations thereof likewise are; but experience it self doth attest, that this wine, and other medicines thereof, have great vertue in corroborating and comfort­ing the stomach.

The spirit of Elder-salt, taken in six grains or more, weekly in flesh­broth, doth cleanse the stomach, and stir up appetite.

[Page 124] In the burning of the stomach and Cardialgia, proceeding from hot bi­lous humors, which hath flowed into it from other parts, or hath been in­gendred and corrupted there, if it be needful, you may give a vomit of the oyl pressed out of the kernels. The acetous syrup of the Elder described in the 19 Chapter, is profitable; whereof give an ounce for a dose, dis­solved in two or three ounces of Bar­ley-water. Or make this powder:

Take of

• Tragea Granorum Actes, ounces 2.
• Oculi Cancrorum prepared dr. 1.
• Sugar rosat. intablets.
• Sugar perlat. half an ounce, mix them.

Of which give a drachm in two spoonfuls of the syrup, which we now commended.

1. Of the Colick.

BEcause, besides a bare distemper, a pituitous humor, a vitrious or flatulent useth oft to be the cause of the Colick; therefore their encrease are to be cut off.

Wine prepared of the berries or flowers work this effect leasurely: Likewise the water of the bark and roots, mixt with a third part of the syrup of the juice of the buds and in­fusion of the flowers; which won­derfully mitigate pain; whereof take oft an hour before meat, for preser­ving you four ounces.

Or where nature is more strong, give a half or whole drachm of the Poly­chrestick powder of the buds in the syrup of the flowers made thin with Wine.

[Page 126] To dissipate wind, mitigate pain, and loosen the bound belly, use this Clyster.

• Take of Elder-leaves two handfuls.
• Of Elder-flowers and Cammomile-Roman-flowers, of each an hand­ful.
• Of the stones of Elder-berries dryed drach. 2.

Being cut and pounded boil them in pure wine, or wine of the Elder, till the Colature come into eight ounces; add,

• The oyl of the infused flowers three ounces.
• Of Elder-hony two ounces.
• The Yeolk of one Egg; mix them, and make a Clyster, apply it hot.

The spirit of the berries is of great vertue here, because it dissipateth not only in the stomach, but in the inte­stines also, all mescusness of pituite and other viscid humors. By its great diaphoretick vertue, it dissipateth all thin and serous humors in the inte­stines; it warmeth by its penetrating [Page 127] heat the intrails, made cold by drink, air, &c. and so taken, both inwardly, and anointed, it stilleth the huge pains that arise thence.

I know a Church-man, who by this spirit in a short time dissipateth the Collick, which is familiar to him, and upon the least occasion bred.

In place of this use the spirit of the flowers well purified from its phlegm, &c.

The distilled oyl of Elder-flowers imbibed in silk, and applied to the navel with a ventose, is a most gentle paregorick.

Whereof also give four drops in a spoonful of the spirit of flowers or berries. The spirit of Elder-salt, given in the water of the flowers, or in broth in the quantity of six, or seven, or eight drops, by his cleansing and dissipating vertue, preserving from the Collick: But if you perceive by the thirst in­tense heat, and constitution of the pa­tient, that these pains arise from the abundance of hot and sharp boylous [Page 128] humors, or some other hot cause; you are to use these things which I have set down in the former Chapter, in the heat of the stomach; unto which add the syrup of Elder-flowers, which is either to be taken alone, or made thin with the best stilled water of Elder-flowers.

II. Of Worms.

THe Chrystaline Salt of the Elder preserveth and freeth from worms: It robs them of their nou­rishment, kills them, and purgeth them out. The dose is, from half a scruple to half a drach or two scrup.

For those of riper years, which are troubled with worms, you are to pre­pare in the Spring-time a dish made of Elder-buds, delivered from their bitter naucious taste, by the effusion of boyling water, with oyl, salt, and vinegar, which is to be used as a sallet before supper: For the oyl closeth the breathing places of the worms, [Page 129] and maketh the belly slippery: Salt and vinegar cleanse, cut, and kill the worms. The Elder-buds do loosen the belly, purge the worms and thrust forth their fuel. That this sallet may be more pleasant, you may add some tender leaves of sorrel, which likewise resist worms. At other times the powder of the buds taken in the mor­ning for a few days, a scruple at once in broth, is commendable.

Give to more delicate persons fre­quently a spoonful of the syrup of the juice of the buds; with which mix half a scruple of prepared Hearts-horn. Some press out the juice of the recent leaves, and mix it with honey, or honey-roset, and give it sometimes before other meat, and by this means kill and purge out worms.

Where the stomach and intestines are furred and filled with a greater quantity of tenacious putrid pituit mucilage; give twice or thrice the Polichrestick powder of the buds in their syrup.

3. Of Lienterick and Celiaick Fluxes.

ALbeit at the first sight the Elder seem not fit for fluxes; notwith­standing in Lienteries & Celiaick flux­es, where the meat and drink are ei­ther in that form in which they were received, or else half concocted, and not much altered, voided out of the body sooner than was fitting, by rea­son of the weakness of the retentive faculty of the stomach and intestines, proceeding for the most part from a cold and humid distemper, the spirit of Granorum Actes, both simple and stomatical, is used with a great deal of profit. Therefore a spoonful or two of it is oft to be given with Rie or Wheat-bread; or being imbibed in a double linnen cloth applyed to the stomach or abdomen.

Moreover, Tragea granorum actes, & the cordial powder prepared of it, is profitable; whereof give twice a [Page 131] day, viz. morning and evening be­fore meat, a drachm in three or four spoonfuls of generous wine.

For drink in time of meat you may use wine prepared of Elder-berries dried, Cinnamon and Cloves.

4. Of the Dissentery.

IN the Dissentery, which is a blou­dy and painful emptying of the bel­ly. Oswald Crollius, from their signi­ture, commends the Elder-berries; of which the Chymists, but chiefly Quercetan, in lib. 1. cap. 2. of his Dog­matick Pharmacy, describes this Ta­geam, communicated to him by D. VVolfius, Professor in the University of Marpurg, so often mentioned and commended by me in this Treatise.

Press the juice out of the Elder-ber­ries when they are ripe, which is in Autumn; of which Juice and Rye-flower make paste, work it well, and thereof make little Cakes, which in a Oven are to be baked to the hard­ness [Page 132] of Bisket, that they may be redu­ced to a subtile powder; which pow­der is again to be imbibed in the juice and made in paste, baked and pulve­rised as before. And this is to be done the third time.

At last, all being done, reduce it a­gain to a subtile powder, it will keep long, and is a hid specifick against a Dissentery. Take a drachm of this, and as much of the powder of a Nut­meg, incorporate them well with a soft rosted egg, and sup it up.

This is called Tragea granorum A­ctes, that is, a powder of the grains of Elder. And thus far Quercetan.

Others prepare it thus: Take Rie­bread hot out of the Oven, moisten it with the juice of Elder-berries, and bake it again in the Oven; being dry again, moysten it with the juice of Elder-berries, and do so four or five times; then reduce this bread into powder, whereof take a drachm alone or a half, with as much nutmeg-pow­der. Of which see the famous Sen­nert. [Page 133] in the 10 Chapter of the Trea­tise of the Dissentery. But a care must be taken that the belly be not over soon stopped, but place must be left for the evacuating of sharp hu­mors, lest that befal which hapned to the Maid mentioned by the learned Fernel. in lib. 6. cap. 9. Pathol.

Therefore to purge the sharp hu­mors, and mitigate the cruel pain, give two or three days before you use the Astrictive, in the morning, one ounce or one ounce and half of the syrup of Elder-flowers, prepared by three infusions in three ounces of Bar­ley-water, or in the water of Elder-flowers. You may with profit add to this one scruple or half a drachm of white Mechoacan subtilly pulveri­sed; for it gently purgeth and bind­eth the belly.

After three days are past, and we have used all necessary evacuations, & clangings, and pain for the most part is ceased, then we may more safely use our Tragea; for it doth not only [Page 134] restrain the belly; but together with this gives a contrary motion to these sharp and salt humors, by little and little disposing them for sweat, if it be taken twice a day, morning and evening, mixt after this manner, yet with a fasting stomach.

• R. Tragea Gran. Actes, drach. 1.
• The Spirit of the flowers of the El­der Gutt. 35.

They being well wrought together in a Marble Mortar, pour on it by little and little;

• The water of Tormentil-roots an ounce and half.
• The Syrup of the juice of Plantain half an ounce.

Mix them and use them hot, they will dissipate the malignity by sweating and evaporation, and will bind the belly by stopping the flux of the hu­mor.

The same things may be used in a Diarrhoea or white Flux.

5. Of Constipation or Boundness.

THe leaves of the Elder are com­mended to those that are in health to open their womb, by Egi­neta, and Hippocrates in his second Book of Diet.

This same is performed by the di­stilled water of the leaves and bark, with which a third part of the syrup made of the infused flowers, or of the juice of the berries or buds, is to be mixed with it, to make them of a more pleasant taste.

The same syrups being taken alone loosneth the belly; or drink a draught of wine at your breakfast, or in the morning, having taken a little broth; or take a drachm of the powder of the buds in Plum-broth or a soft rosted Egg: Or use in the place of this the conserve of the buds. The recent Rob of the Elder spread thick upon a slice of bread, and eaten before other dish­es, is our Wives domestick Medi­cine, [Page 136] which they use likewise in their Infants and Children whose bellies are stopt longer than ordinary; for this Juice is most pleasant and fami­liar to children, chiefly if in time of thickning of it you do add a little Sugar, as hath been told.

VI. Of Hemmorhoides.

THere is nothing more excellent to ease the pain of the Hemmor­hoides than a stove or fomentation made of the flowers of Elder and Ver­basie or Hony-suckle in water or milk: for in a short time it easeth the greatest pain. I experimented this first in a Countrey Miller, then in a City Baker: which both did wonder at the sudden ease, and have great quantity of the flowers in readiness beside them, to use when necessity shall require.

The anointing with the oyl of the infused flowers, mixed with a third part of Unguent Populeon, is Ano­dine.

• [Page 137]Or take of the infusion of Elder-flowers, half an ounce.
• Of Elder-kernels and Yeolks of Eggs, of each two drachms.
• Of white Wax enough making, ac­cording to art an Unguent.

To stay the Hemmorhoides in a night a singular Cataplasm is made of Elder-leaves boiled in water, to the consistency of a Poultice, and mix­ed with Oyl-olive spread on a scarlet cloath, and apply it warm to the Hemmorhoides: being oft renewed through the whole night, the Patient lying on his face, is commended by Alexis in his Secrets.

By what means their flux is to be stopt is set down in the stopping of the Hemmorhoides in the nose, and monthly terms, and in stopping the blood in wounds.

Mark, that for the falling of the Anus, amongst other things, the out­most bark of the Elder is commend­ed by Mindererus, cap. 7. M.M.

Topicks.

EXternally anoint frequently the Hypocondriacks, where those bowels are placed, with the oyl of the infused flowers; which the ordi­nary and us'd Dispensatories affirm to cure the Jaundies, and help the stopt Liver.

In a hard and Scyrous Milt boyl the leaves of Elder in Wine and Oyl, to the consistence of a Poultice, which are to be put through a Searse or Se­tace, then mix therewith as much of the meal made of the flowers of El­der and Cammomile as will suffice; then apply it hot like a Cataplasm.

This Cere-cloth, or Serat, is com­mended for mollifying and digesting scyrous tumors.

First, boil twice or thrice recent Elder-leaves in the oyl of the infusion of Elder-flowers, still pressing the leaves well, before you put in new ones. Then,

• [Page 143]Take of the oyl so prepared ounc. 3.
• Of the powder of tender Elder-leaves one ounce and half.
• Of Turpentine and yellow Wax, e­nough.

Of which apply every day to the place affected some of this spread on a piece of Leather, cut like a Cowes tongue, and covered with a fine lin­nen cloth.

The Scorbutick persons, amongst other symptoms which I have neither time nor place to mention, are trou­bled with a pain in the soals of their feet and tops of their fingers, which the famous Sennert. affirms to be cu­red by this:

Take of Elder-flowers two hand­fuls, boil them in Wine, adding two drachms of sope spread on a cloth, and applied to the diseased part.

The Lithonthryptick Elder-spirit.

Take two ounces of the Elder-pith cut as is said: put thereon as much of the spirit of the berries well rectified as will cover it. Let them stand seven days in a hot place, in ves­sels well closed, that nothing evapo­rate. After pressing the pith, strain hard the spirit a few times: Put into the Colature some bruised Juniper-berries, viz. two ounces. Leave it likewise for two days in infusion, in a hot place, in a close vessel: After­ward press it again, & strain it. Again infuse as much Juniper-berries into the colature, and leave it for three days in the infusion, and again press it, and strain it, and purifie it from all the feculent grounds, as much as you are able. And so you have the stone-break spirit of the Elder indued [Page 166] with the essence of Elder-pith, and Juniper-berries; which you are to keep in a stopt close glass, whose use is excellent in breaking and expelling the stone, especially if it be used as followeth.

First, the nefritick person is to purge his belly with Polychrestick powder of the buds, or with the Cly­ster prescribed a little before; and ha­ving anoynted his loynes with Elder-oyle, he must go into a [...] made of Pease-straw and Mallows▪ the flowers of Elder and Cammomile; afterward let him drink a spoonfull of this spirit in white-Wine, and stay in the Bath till he avoid the Stone. And to avoid swouning, let him hold to his nose a sponge dipt in Elder-vinegar, and let him moisten his pulses with this same vinegar, or some cordial Epithem.

This Medicine hath its original from the experiments set down in the Dutch Matthiolus, and is called a wonderfull Medicine by Muller in his Mysteries Medicinal. Neverthe­less [Page 167] this is to be preferred to that in respect of the vertues it hath from the pith, or spirit of the Elder, to break the stone.

A Stonebreak Essence, or Extract.

He that pleaseth may prepare an excellent Essence, or Extract, against stony & tartarous diseases, as follow­eth:

• Take of the Pith of the Elder one ounce,
• Of the dryed Berries of the Elder,
• Of recent Juniper-berries, of each an ounce and half;
• Of Liquorice mundified, six drach­mes.

The Pith and Liquorice are to be cut in small pieces, and the ber­ries grosly powdered; being mixed, let them be infused in a sufficient quantity of Elder spirit; and let them stand in a hot place for a fortnight together, stirring each day the glass, and stopping the mouth [Page 168] thereof well; that time being ended, put them in a linnen bag, and in a press press them strongly; put the strained liquor in a Cucurbit, and putting to the Alimbeck thereof, di­stil that spirit in Balneo, till that which remains in the bottom become as thick as hony, having mixed be­fore with it two drachms of the Ma­gisterie or salt Ocular. Cancror. be­ing mixed, keep them in a glass ves­sel: whereof give from a scruple to a drachm dissolved in a spoonful of that spirit that was distilled from them, and in the water of Linaria distilled with Rhenish wine; obser­ving those things which were pre­scribed before in the administration of the stonebreak spirit of the Elder.

The salt of the Elder is commenda­ble in salt & tartarous diseases, given alone or mixed with the former ex­tract in a convenient liquor, 8 or 6 grains of the spirit of salt doth cleanse these tartarous muddinesses.

Dysuria and Ischuria.

In the difficulty of making water, and in the not making water at all, these Medicines are excellent; seeing these symptomes arise from a muddy and mucid humor, or from a glew­ish toughness that obstructeth the urinal passages.

But chiefly the stonebreak extract of the Elder is good in this case; whereof give a scruple in the water of the flowers of Vinaria, and the dis­eased is to be fomented about the se­crets with the decoction of the Ra­dish and Vinaria. Pliny saith, that the stones being drank in two ounces weight move urine.

Topicks.

A linnen cloth dipt in the distilled water of the leaves and flowers of the Elder, and applied warm, wonderful­ly asswages the pain, unlocks the pores, digests the matter, and streng­thens the nervous parts.

That it may more penetrate, and where the colour and heat is greater you may add in equal quantity Elder-vinegar. Where the matter is colder, and the pain longer, you may dip the [Page 188] same clothes in such a liquor as this, and apply them hot.

• Take of the spirit of Elder-berries, three ounces.
• The spirit of the flowers, drach. 2.
• Of Opium of Thebes, scruples two, mix them.

By its Narcotick vertue it mitiga­teth the pains, and discusseth the more stubborn matter, and refresheth the members.

The Goutish Anodine Water.

Quercetan in the first book and se­venth chapter sets down this Poda­grick water;

Take of the green leaves and flow­ers of Elder, of each lib. 1. more or less, as you please, to make it greater or less quantity; pound them, and mace­rate them well in B. M. then distill them in a Glass, or Copper vessel, till they be dry; with this water forment the pained place twice a day; yea you may use it constantly in that Gout, [Page 189] which proceeds from hot humors. So far he.

The Oyle, wherein the roots of the Elder or Ebulus, and the leaves or fine extract from them, hath been boyled, chiefly the oyle of the Dwarf-Elder-seed, from which the seeds of the greater differ little, is much praised here. It is prepared thus; beat the ripe and clean seeds in a paste, boyle it in water, and gather the scum thereof, put it in a long Glass, in a warm place for three or four daies, till the oyle, which is greenish, go to the bottom; the same oyle pressed out of the seeds is most powerfull.

These are the words of Plater, in the second part of his practice.

Or, take oyle of infused Elder-flowers, ounces two; and of it pressed out of the kernels, half an ounce.

Being mixt, apply them warm to the grieved place. Dioscorides affirms, that the recent leaves applyed, with the fat of a Goat or Bull, doth help the Goutish.

[Page 190] I know a man, that whensoever he is troubled with the Gout useth only this unction; He taketh new Cream of Milk, and he mixeth with it the Powder made into fine meal, of the and leaves of the Elder, till it acquire the consistence of a Poultice, or Cata­plasme, which being spread on a lin­nen cloth, he applyeth it hot to the diseased part; and from this easie and simple Medicine he exspects, and ex­periences with happy successe, great ease.

Gabel Shover, amongst others, hath this; Take the water of the Elder, and the spirit of Wine, of each ounces 2; mix them, and apply clothes moysten­ed therein: Some take two ounces of Elder-water, and one of aqua vite, and mix them.

The same man much commendeth in pains of the joynts, and other cold defluctions, from which the resolu­tion and Palsie of the joynts do pro­ceed, this:

Take a good quantity of Elder-pith, [Page 191] a quarter of a pint of Rhenish-Wine, and as much of your own u­rine, being mixed, boyle them in a new pot, till half be consumed. Then anoynt the grieved place with the spirit of Wine, and rub it well in. Af­terward apply a woollen-cloth hot, dipt in the former decoction. And when it is dry, dipt it and apply it again. And this is to be done before you go to bed.

Some praise this that follows, in Arthritick Diseases, chiefly which are hot.

A Mucilaginous Andonyne Liquor.

R. Of quick Snails, newly taken whole out of their shelly cottages; Of Elder-berries dried in the Oven, and pulverized; and of common salt, of each as much as you will; put it in the straining bag called Hippocrates sleeve, making one row upon another so oft as you please; so that the first [Page 192] be of the Snails, the next of the Salt, and the last of the berries, continning so till the bag be full; hang it up in a Cellar, and gather diligently the glutinous liquor that distils out of it by little and little, even to the Muci­lage; and being put in a stopt Glass, expose it four days to the Sun; and therewith anoynt gently the grieved part.

Purges and Vomits.

In delicate bodies and children, the water distilled from the succulent bark, by two cohobies, and sweetned with a little syrup of the juice of the [Page 194] berries, doth work this effect, being given in a few spoonfuls. Also the sy­rup of the berries juice, being given alone, from an ounce to an ounce and half.

In those of riper age, give the purging water made according to Quercetans descripton, from two oun­ces to three, with an ounce of the syrup of the buds or bark.

Or use twice or thrice the Polychre­stick Powder of the Buds in Whey.

Or incorporate it with the Conserve of the flowers for a bole; or reduce it into the form of a pill, with the syrup of them, or such like; for it is a good Medicine to purge the body from salt and feculent humors.

Or take a cupful of Whey, macerate in that, half or a whole ounce of the middle bark of the Elder; the Cola­ture being strained in the morning, let it be drank warm. The wine of the in­fusion of the bark and root of the El­der, subtilly grated, is good to pro­voke vomit, and empty the belly of [Page 195] evil humors; it doth this when they have infused together for a night. These are the words of Vigo in his Chirurg. part. 1. lib. 7.

Or take a drachm of the oyle pres­sed out of the berries kernels, more or less, according to the strength of the patient; give it in a cup of luke-warm Ale.

It were likewise profitable for the Scabby, if they made a Sallet of those young buds, who in the beginning of the Spring, together with those out­breakings and pustles of the skin, by the singular favour of Nature, as con­temperanious, doe bud forth; being first macerated a little in hot water, with oyle, salt, and vinegar; and sometimes eaten, it purgeth the belly, and freeth the bloud from salt and serous humors.

Sudorificks.

These things being premised, that which remains yet in the skin, or [Page 196] mass of blood, is to be emptied by Su­dorificks.

The water of Elder-flowers and the clearer spirit of them may be gi­ven even to children. For to make it of a more pleasant taste sweeten them with a little syrup of the infusion of the flowers.

These Medicines following agree to those that come to years.

• Take of the Rob of the Elder two drachms.
• Of Harts-horn burn'd and prepared one scruple.
• Of the Water of Elder-flowers three ounces.
• Of Oximel of the Elder half an ounce.

Mix them, & make a draught of them.

• Or, take of the extract of Elder-ber­ries two scruples,
• Of Elder-salt half a scruple,
• Of the water distilled from its flowers two ounces,
• Of the Vinegar of the flowers half an ounce.

Mix them for a draught.

[Page 197] After taking of these sweat is to be provoked in Bath or Bed.

The Conserve of Elder-flowers with the Conserve of Cicory-flowers is commodious to change, alter, and strengthen the intrals or inward parts.

Or make this Julap, which you must use every day an hour or two before supper; or after you come from Bath or sweating, drink four ounces thereof.

• Take of the Conserve of Elder-flowers,
• Of Burrage,
• Of Cicory, of each half an ounce.

Dissolve them on a soft fire in a quart of Elder-flowers water; to the strain­ed Colature add of the sharp Elder-syrup two ounces, mix them.

Topicks.

In a more universal, filthy, and con­tinuing Scab, Tetter or Psora, &c. prepare this sort of Bath.

• [Page 198]Take of recent Elder-leaves, ten hand­fuls,
• Six whole Umbels of the flowers,
• Of quick-sulphure, two ounces,
• Of crude-Allum, one ounce.

Boyle it in a sufficient quantity of rainwater, unto which afterward add a sixth part of the Lixive. Let the diseased every day sit once in a Bath, to provoke sweat, not neglecting in the mean time the former internals. Or where only the hands or feet are scabby, the same decoction; but in less quantity is to be prepared; wherein daily the feet and hands are to be washed; yet nevertheless you may add other things, as the roots of Sorrel, and Alacampain.

After the Bath, the exulcerate and clift places are to be anoynted, to mi­tigate their pain, with the oyle of the infufed flowers; to which you may give a more drying and healing ver­tue to the leaves of the Elder, subtil­ly pulverised till it come to the con­sistence of a Liniament.

[Page 199] Or, use the Liniament of Matthio­lus, or Plater. Or this:

• Take of the oyle of the infused flowers and bark of the Elder, of each 3 drachms,
• Of washed Ceruse, one drachm, or four scruples,
• Of Wax, enough.

Make thereof a Liniament.

Those black, round, and about very red pustles, which break forth fre­quently in the feet, chiefly of women, are oft to be washed with the water of the leaves, and mitigated with the foresaid unctions.

Mark, There was a Bakers wife in Heyna, which could not go out of dores by reason of the abundance of those Pustles, and was greatly disqui­eted by their heat, having premised what was fitting, she used for a Topick milk, wherein the flowers were mace­rated, in which, clothes being dipped, were applyed warm with great ease. Where the heat and redness is more intense, instead of simple milk, take [Page 200] sowre or Butter-milk.

Only sweating by taking the rob of the Elder sometimes doth cure the simple Herpes by the abstersive and siccative quality.

In this the oyl pressed out of the kernels of the berries reduced in form of a Liniament with Sugar of Saturn, is much praised by some: If it be an­ointed on the pustles, after they are opened with a needle, and cleansed from the matter, putting thereon a green leaf of the Elder, or one dried in the shadow. In an eating Herpes, having purged, sweat, and breathed a vein, this Cataplasm is commended, wherewith she-Montebanks have gained largely.

Pound in an Earthen Vessel, with a woodden Pestle, the green leaves of the Elder, adding to them in the time of pounding a little Elder-vinegar, af­ter that manner that women make sawces of the Watercress, Sorril, and such like: Mix with this pounded and succulent matter one part of the ashes [Page 201] of Elder-leaves, and two parts of the powder of the leaves, that it may be­come like a paste or thick Cataplasm. Add to it, that it may stick the bet­ter, a little Turpentine dissolved with the yeolk of an Egg; apply it twice a day to the ulcerous places, being first wiped with clean linnen.

Neither is this a mere new inventi­on, for John de Vigo in the first part an 7 ^th. book of his Chirurg. saith, That Elder-leaves pounded with Hel­lebore and Oximel Scillitick, doth cure Ringworms, Itches, and Scabs.

Topicks.

The Topicks here should not be cooling, repelling, or fat, which ob­struct the pores of the skin, lest that sharp and malignant matter be thrust to more noble parts, or closed up in the diseased; whence oft times the part hath been gangrenat: For which cause the common people by all means avoid moystening of the part, & when any evil here ariseth, ascribed it to it, though not rightly; for all moysten­ing is not to be avoided, but only that which is made of restringent, repel­lent, & things that obstruct the pores; [Page 204] but those which unlock the pores and digest the humors and consume them. Though they be liquid, they are so far from hurting that they greatly help.

John de Vigo testifieth, that the Elder hath the vertue of resolving, drying and opening, by reason of the subtilty of its parts: wherefore these following made of it may be safely used.

Shave the bark from the trunk, and apply it every day three times round about the part diseased of the Rose.

Or, R. of white Sope ounce 1. dis­solve it in lib. 3. of the water of the flowers of the Elder, apply it warm to the diseased part, and when it drieth renew it.

Some dry them before, and apply them dry, that they may satisfie the peoples desire, that much fear moy­sture in this disease. This is com­mended:

• Take of the water of Elder-flowers five ounces.
• Of Theriack of Andromache one [Page 205] drachm. Mix them.

Dip linnen cloths in it, and wring them in your hand, and apply them warm to the place, and when they are dry dip them in the liquor and apply them.

Or, R. The dried berries of the El­der ounce 1. the flowers of the same M. 1. Having pounded, cut them, boil them in lib. 2. of the simple-water, to the consumption of the third part. Add to the Colature ounces 3. of a thin Lixive; mix them: Dip a lin­nen cloth in them, being warm, wring it a little and apply it to the part, as hath been shewn.

Taberna Montanus saith, he hath tryed, that the Rose being anointed with the Rob of the Elder doth ease and discuss it.

Lac Aureum, which is prepared of the Lixive and oyl of the Elder well stirred together, till it acquire a milky colour, is commended much; chief­ly here when the Rose enclines to ul­ceration and gangrenates: For by its [Page 206] drying and cleansing vertue, it hin­dereth further putrifaction and cor­ruption; and by mixing the oyle, it mitigateth the pain, and cureth the ulcer; apply it hot.

Those that avoid all moysture, let them use clothes dipt oft in these li­quors, and dryed; or which is com­mon, sprinkle upon the diseased part, small bran, mixt with the like quan­tity of the powder of Elder-flowers.

Specificks.

To prevent this disease, many wonderfully praise this following;

R. Of new Elder-flowers, or in de­fect thereof, of those well dryed, M. 1. of Milk of a red Cow, or at least with red spots; boyle them in a close vessel, and upon a slow fire. Let him drink once, twice, or thrice, when the Moon waineth; or if they will, through every month in the year, of this cola­ture in the morning; and they shall be afterward free of this disease. See Dr: Sennert. de febrib. lib. 2. cap. 16.

[Page 207] Neither is this Medicine destitute of reason; for it is probable that the fluxibility and accrimony of the bloud, being taken away by this Me­dicine, Nature is less afterward pric­ked by it; yea those malignant im­pressions stampt on the liver & reins, defiling the bloud by their contagion, are altogether wiped off, by the fre­quent use of this specifick Medicine.

An Amulet made of the Elder, on which the Sun never shined, if the piece betwixt the two knots be hung about the patients neck, is much commended; some cut it in little pieces, and sew it in a knot in piece of a mans shirt, which seems super­stitious.

I learned the certainty of this experi­ment first from a friend in Lipsick; who no sooner err'd in diet, but he was seized on by this disease; yet after he used this Amulet, he protested he was free; yea that a woman to whom he lent it, was likewise delivered from this disease. Notwithstanding I leave [Page 208] the whole matter to other mens judg­ments, who may easily try it, seeing there is so many secret works in Na­ture, whose operation is evident; yet their causes are hid in such deeps of obscurity, that they cannot be search­ed out by the sharpest sight of mens reason.

1. Of Inflammation.

DIoscorides writeth, that the green and tender leaves, being apply­ed with polent, mitigate Inflamma­tions.

The cakes of the flowers and leaves left after distillation, if it be wet with the oyl of infused flowers, is apply­ed fitly to an inflammation.

Or, R. Of Elder-leaves M. 3. of [Page 209] Barley polent M. 1. boiled in simple water, to the consistency of a Poul­tice: Being put through a Serce, add of the oyl of infused Elder-flowers ounces two; of the meal of the leaves and flowers of the Elder, of each enough. Make a Cataplasm, for it digesteth, resolveth, and if the In­flammation Apostemat ripeneth, the Aposteme being opened, cure it as an Ulcer. Of which afterwards.

2. Of an Oedema.

Its known by the cure of the Asci­tes how the Elder helpeth Oedema­tous tumors, chiefly in the feet. See there the fomentation for the feet made of the decoction of the leaves in a Lixive.

But seeing these fomentations are tedious, it is enough to carry the green and dry leaves of the Elder in the stockings. A great Lawyer was de­livered by the use of this simple Me­dicine, which he oft applied, at the [Page 210] desire of a worshipful Knight of Misnea.

3. Of a Schirrus.

The cure of a Schirrus is known by cure of the obstruction of a Schirrus Melt.

There are some that say the leaves only of the Elder doth mollifie and discuss Schirrus tumors by Signa­ture; because it groweth in dark and shadowy places: For which reason in the 23 Chapter, we set down a Splenetick Searcloth of them: Which may be fitly applyed here, the tumors being anoynted with this following.

Take of the oyle of Elder-flowers, ounce 1. of Amonick dissolved in El­der-Vinegar, drachms 2. boyle it on a soft fire, to the consumption of the watrishness. Add white-Wax; and according to art, make an oyntment.

The Cure of Wounds.

The common people keep as a great secret in curing wounds, the leaves of the Elder, which they have gathered the last day of April; which, to dis­appoint the Charms of Witches, they had affixed to their dores and windows; but seeing the Elder-leaves of themselves are found efficacious enough to heal wounds, this supersti­tious opinion of the people is to be laughed at.

A Vulnerary Balsam.

To cure wounds safely and sud­denly, take the green and tender El­der leaves; stamp them; and having put a little Wine on them, wring out the juice strongly. Take of this juice, being purified, as much as you will, add thereto in equal quantity, the oyle of the infused flowers; boyle it on a clear fire, still stirring it with a Spatula, till the wateriness be con­sumed; afterwards

• Take of oyle so prepared, four or five ounces,
• Of it pressed out of the berries kernels, two ounces,
• Of clear Venice-Turpentine, three ounces,
• Of Verdigrease, three drachms.

Being well mixed together on a slow fire with a Spattle, let them stand eight days in the Sun, or some other hot place, that the dregs may go to the bottom; from which separate [Page 213] the pure Balsam; which is to be ap­plyed hot to the wound with lint­cotton, and the wound to be bound up with linnen clothes; it doth imi­tate the vertue of the most precious Balsams; half an ounce of the Sugar of the Elder may be added.

A Plaster of the Balsam.

If you mollifie wax with a suffici­ent quantity of this Balsam, and ap­ply it according to art, it cureth wounds suddenly.

To stop a great Hemmorage.

Tragea Granorum Actes being mix­ed with an equal part of Jews-ears, is commended in stopping of bloud.

Or make this Powder;

• Take of Tragea Granorum Actes,
• Of dryed Jews-ears, of each three drachmes,
• Of the white of an Egg dryed in the Sun, two drachmes,
• [Page 214] Of the pith of the Elder,
• Of the purest Gum-tragant, of each one drachm.

Pulverise subtilly every one by it self, and afterwards mix them exactly.

The Use. The bloud being drank up of a sponge, and the wound being dryed as much as is possible, put therein a sufficient quantity of the Powder; if it succeed not at first, dry the wound again with the sponge, and put in the Powder, and keep it in with torne pieces of cloath put there­after.

The Puncture of Nerves.

In the Puncture and wounds of Nerves, the Learned Surgeon de Vigo in his seventh book, together with daily experience doth attest, that the oyle of the infused flowers is much praised.

The Oyle of the Flowers of the se­cond description; and the Balsam, or Plaister made of the Balsam, being put thereon, worketh effectually.

The Cure of Ulcers.

Dioscorides hath taught us, that the leaves of Elder do cure deep, per­verse, and Fistulous Ulcers.

An Uporist.

Apply then here either the juice alone, put in, being nevertheless wrung out with a little Wine or U­rine; and afterward lay upon it the pounded leaves like a Plaster; which is a Country-remedy.

Or make this Liniament;

• Take of Elder vulnerary Balsam, one drachm,
• Of the Leaves of the Elder subtilly pulverised, one drachm.
• Of Verdegrease, two scruples,
• Of Elder-salt, one scruple.

Mix all together exactly for a Linia­ment; of which daily you are to put some in with Tents in impure and Fi­stulous ulcers, and a convenient Pla­ster [Page 216] above it. Injections and washings of deep and putrid ulcers, when need requireth, are to be made of the leave sand bark; which do excellently cleanse and hinder corruption. Apply them before you make a new bind­ing, that the filth cleansed, and washed by the former Medicine, may be together with them washed out.

In those Ulcers which cast out that icor, which Paracelsus calls Synovia; the Vulnerary Balsam chiefly avai­leth, being hot put in; seeing it drieth moderately, and keepeth the sub­stance of the wounded part tempe­rate. You may sprinkle afterwards above it the Powder of the dried Pith and Jews-ears, which are much praised by many.

Gabel Shover hath this R. of Elder-Pith drachms two, of Orenge-Pills scruple half; mix them for a Powder, which are either to be sprinkled in, or to be taken with a fasting stomach in a morning.

The same man taketh as many El­der-flowers [Page 217] as is needful; he fryeth them in butter and applyeth them twice or thrice.

Or, instead of a Vulnerary potion in these and other Ulcers over-flow­ed; he giveth daily a drachm, or a drachm and half of following pow­der in warm buttered Ale.

• Take of Elder pith three ounces,
• Of dryed Jews-ears,
• Of prepared Oculi Cancrorum; of each two ounces,
• Of Orenge-pills,
• Of Citron Pills,
• Of Nutmegs, of each one scruple.

Make a subtil Powder of all.

In dilating of Wounds and Ulcers, and in keeping Issues open, the Pith of the Elder is convenient: For while that sponge-like substance drinks in the humors, it is dilated, and so dis­tendeth the lips of the Wounds and Ulcers.

The Cure of Contusions and Bruises.

In Contused parts, the juice of El­der-leaves, pressed out with wine, and anoynt on the place, or linnen dipt therein and applyed, doth discuss the black bloud, and strengthens the part.

Or take of the Meal of Elder-flowers, ounces two; of Camomile and Worm­wood-flowers, of each half an ounce; mix them with Elder-oyle, and work them together, that they may become like a Cataplasm; which is to be ap­plyeddaily to the contused part.

To take away the marks and im­pressions, anoynt them with oyle of infused flowers.

In intertrigoes, when the flesh, and not the skin, is infected, the unction of Plater or Matthiolus his Liniament, besprinkling it with the subtile Pow­der of Elder-leaves, is profitable.

Or make this Magisterial Powder, [Page] [Page] [Page 219] which with great commodity is sprinkled on the emunctories of new­born babes, viz. behind their ears, in their armpits and groines:

• Take of Elder-leaves half an ounce,
• Of the flowers of the same,
• Of Red-Roses, of each two drach.

Mix them for a Powder, which being sprinkled, consumeth the moysture, and drieth the place.

Topicks.

DIoscorides, saith, That the green and tender leaves, being applyed with Pollent, helpeth burning.

These following are commended by Authors: first, the oyle of infused flowers and bark: secondly, the oyle of the leaves and bark fryed in butter and oyle; thirdly, the two liniaments [Page 220] of Matthiolus and Plater; the receits of which are set down in the second Section in the second and fourth Chapters.

The Uses. A member being burn­ed with fire, gun Powder, boyling water, &c. is to be easily anoynted with these warm, and afterwards to be wrapt in soft and warm linnen: For each one of them hath the vertue of rarifying the skin, of drawing out hot vapors, mitigating pain, digesting and drying of serosity, and of curing the raised blabs in ulcers, and in restoring the diseased place, as much as is possi­ble, to its wonted beauty.

If the burning pierce more deep, so that the blabs being broken, and the skar taken a way, it degenerateth into an ulcer; besides these oyles and oynt­ments, you must sprinkle easily and lightly every day, the powder of the leaves and pith; which doth excellent­ly dry, and, by cleansing moderately, doth fill ulcers with flesh.

In this case oyles are more profitable [Page 221] then liniaments, as will be easily found by any that use them.

This following unguent, as a singu­lar experiment, is commended in all kinds of burning by the famous Don­ [...]relius, for easing pain, or quenching the force of the heat, and soon and safely curing the ulcers; also it is hap­pily applyed to Herpes Miliaris, and other out-breakings, which come from yellow bile, or salt humors.

• Take of the middle-bark of the Lyn­den-tree,
• Of the Elder, of each one handful,
• Of Linseed half an ounce.

The barks are to be cut in small pie­ces, & infused together with the seed in a sufficient quantity of the water of Elder-flowers, for the space of three hours warm; then add half an ounce of sheeps dung; mix them, and boyle them in a double vessel in May-butter unsalted, washed oft in fountain wa­ter, and at last in the water of Elder-flowers, till the humidity be perfectly consumed. Strain them: and add of [Page 222] yellow wax, as much as sufficeth; mix them: and according to art make an oyntment. They are Donerelius his words.

If the ulcer become more sordid, use the things in the precedent Chap­ter. Lac aureum drank up in Linnen clothes, and applyed, is profitable, of which we have spoken in the cure of Erysipelas.

Internals.

When many parts, or those situated next the nobler parts, are burned, and then the unnaturel heat spreadeth it self over the whole body, you are to use those things set down in the cure of the hot feaver. Or make this Ju­lap:

• Take of the water of Elder-flowers, half a pound▪
• Of the acetous syrup of the Elder, two ounces,
• Of Hearts-Horn burned and prepar­red, two scruples.

[Page 223] Mix them for two doses: for it cool­eth the heatned spirits, it extinguish­eth the thirst, dissipateth the Empe­reum, and roborateth the strength.

The Cure of Congelation or Brosting.

Apply to the frosted parts, the mid­dle bark of the Elder, or linnen moystned in their decoction. When they clif; the powder of Elder-bark, pith, and flowers, reduced to a linia­menth with the oyle of infused flowers, in commended, the parts therewith being anoynted daily. Ap­ply upon it linnen moystned in the Golden Milk of the Elder, for it drieth and hindreth a Gangreene. See more in the cure of Ulcers.