CHAP. I. What Pharmacy is, and its use.

PHARMACY is the second part Cor. Cels. cap. 1. lib. 1. of a curing Medicine, which is Gal. com. ad part. l. 6. effected by Drugs; or it is an Art, shewing the way; first, to select; secondly, to prepare; thirdly, to mix Medicaments: for in these three things consists the whole Body of Phar­macy; which affords a wholsome Remedy to every Disease; for Nature (the best Parent) in her Physical operation hath opposed a Contrary to every thing: but through imbecillity; or some other accident, cannot alwayes attain to the end for which it was Fernel. prae­fat. 4. l. ad Meth. ordained; for mans life being short, sooner yieldeth to Fate, than it can attain to Art; which was the reason why Hippocra­tes complained, (Epist ad Dameget) that he was an old man, and had not yet acquired the end of Physick. And truly no wonder; for this Art is very long and difficult, treating of all sublunary things crea­ted for mans supportation; Aristot. l. 5. polit. primarily, for nutriment; secon­darily, for cure, or any help conducing to health.

The Materials therefore of Medicine are many, The matter of Phyfick is large. and almost innu­merable; insomuch that the Bowels of the Earth do swell there­with, and its superficies deck'd and adorn'd with variety of Herbs [Page 2]and Flowers, as with an Ornament; nothing flyeth or doth move in the Air, nothing groweth or doth swim in the Seas, which may not be made use of to humane remedy; for health many times is main­tained and procented by most vise and contemptible things, as by a Gal. c. 1. l. 2. de simplicib. Snail, Snake, Dung, &c. From Medicaments we often receive nutriment, and Nutriments often become Hip. lib. de aliment. The dignity and antiquity of Pharmacy. medicinal.

Pharmacy then is to be deemed praise worthy, and esteemed of honourably, which affords and ministers the Instruments of Medi­cine, to wit, Drugs; for the sacred Scriptures shew, that they were not onely extant from the beginning, but also Eccles. 38. chap. created of the most High for the good of man: for God created all living Creatures, Vegetables, and Medicinal materials, purely for the service of man; out of which, our Fore fathers, by their industry, (out of regard to their healths) found out many occult virtues, and thereby prolonged their lives to old age.

King Cap. 20. l. 4. Reg. Ezechias was sick even to death, and was recovered by the prescript of Isaiah, with a Plaster made of Figs, and applyed to the place affected.

Mithridates freed himself from all pestilence and poyson, with an Antidote of his confection, which derived its name from him; inso­much that being not able with Poyson, he put a period to his dayes with his own Sword.

Emperours in time past thought it a Princely thing to prepare and carry about them certain convenient Medicaments upon all occasi­ons and accidents, Reges olim multa medica­menta parasse. and withall to present them to those persons, of what degree soever, whose favour they sought for, as a sufficient in­ducement to an obligation of gratitude. For this end and purpose Cambyses sent Unguents and Spices to the King of Egypt, (as a Pre­sent becoming so sublime a Person) therewith to preserve his health. For it is more safe for a King or Captain in his Tent to want his Backler and Helmet, than salubrious remedies fit and convenient for all accidents of Ware hence many wise men have more estermed of wholsome Medicines, than a rich Treasure. It is reported of Dariue, that he so much valued a certain Balsam, that he not onely reposed it amongst his pretious goods, but preferred it before all his outward enjoyments. We reade the same of the Emperour Tiberius, who alwayes carried with him Trochisks, a certain epidemical remedy.

Kings also are wont not onely to command a Box or Bottle of Oil and Balsam, to be ready in their Tents, but also a whole Apotheca­ries Shop, furnished with variety of operating Medicaments for help and comfort, whereby they have oftentimes freed themselves and Army from great perils that would otherwise have accrued, and sometimes from death it self.

Hence Physicians are called. Dii Tutelarii, Medici Deorum­filii. Tutelary Gods; or; as Galen hath it, L. de med. c. 3. the Sons of Apolle: hence Heraphitus calls L. 6. comp. med. locis. Me­dicaments, Gods omnipresent hand, which frees the fick from the danger of their diseases, and restores perfect health; whence a cer­tain [Page 3]Antidote is called [...], i e. equal to God, because it is en­dued with power to operate, as from a Deity. And in Mirepsius, another Antidote is called L. 2.45. Sanitas, i. e. health. Another also by the same Mirepsius is called L. 2.14.2.15.2.16. Theodoretos, i. e. the gift of God, by reason of its excellent virtue incuring internal and external maladies.

This medicinal Art doth prepare and afford infinite Medicines of admirable virtue, and wonderfull operation, which no publick City, nor private Family can want, without manifest prejudice, and great detriment to the preservation of their healths; nay, it is of such a transcendent worth, that God would not have his Tabernacle desti­tute of this Art; and therefore Exod. c. 30. Unguentum sanctum. Moses anointed it with holy Oil, compounded of Myrrhe, Cinamon, Calamus, Cassia, and Oil.

Joseph also had Pharmacy in great esteem; for when his Father Jacob dyed, ( Gen. 50.) he commanded his Servants and Physicians to imbalm his Corps. Is this Art therefore to be contemned and de­spised, that is by Holy Writ thus honoured? which affords to the sound a preservative, to the sick a remedy, and to the dead honour and renown.

CHAP. II. What an Apothecary is, and ought to be; and what also is his Subject, Object, and End.

AS a Chirurgeon takes his denomination from his Vocation, Chirurgus quis dicatur, quid praestat. or Art, whereby he cures external distempers dexterously, quick­ly, safely, and easily: so doth the Pharmacopoean derive his name from the Physick which he makes, or rather aptly compounds into a convenient Medicine. So also is the Druggist nominated from those Simples and Drugs he sels; as the Apothecary from the Apothectes, or Shop where his Medicines are placed; who in times past was called a Seplasiary, from Seplasia, a Market-place in Capua, where the best odoriferous Unguents are made. But these names are often used indistinctly, and the concertation about the bare denomination, is vain and frivolous, when the substance is in handling.

Probity is not so requisite in a Philosopher as an Apothecary, Vitae probitan in Pharmaco­paeo desideratur. whose sole work is to prepare Medicines for the Physicians admini­stration, either for preserving, or procuring health, for in his hands consists health and sickness, life and death; and he hath free power in the composure of his Physick, not onely to obstruct the current of health, but also deprive us of life, when he is wickedly bent there­unto, [Page 4]either out of malice or ignorance; so that if Hippocrates be be­nest and upright, it's no matter if Socrates be a Knave.

But first of all, What conver­sation an Apo­thecary ought to be of. an Apothecary ought to be a Lover of Piety, one that fears God, voyd of Envy and Malice, of a found judgement, well skilled in Grammar, of a good competency; not covetous, pa­tient of labour, of great industry, not given to corpulency and epi­curism, one that makes conscienceof his actions; for an Atheist, as he doth not respect the Creator, so neither the Creature; and an en­vious man repines at another mans good; and a foolish man hath an inseparable property in him, viz. a desire to hurt; and the unskilfull thinks nothings right but what he doth himself; and the covetous man is good to nooe, worst to himself; and a poor man is easily cor­rupted, for need will compell him to deal distonestry.

They also are unworthy of the name and dignity of the Profession, who are by natural jaclination Scoffers, Drunkards, Jesters, Volup­tuous, Frroneous, Garrulous, Impostors, Jugglers, Day lurkers, and Deceivers, who with gilded pretences do deceive the Vulgar with trifles, guiles, boastings, vain promises, adulation, and lyes, cheat them of their moneys, deprive them of their health, and by their de­lusion bring their lives in jeopardy. Therefore nothingis more noxi­ous to the Republick, of a greater stain and blemish to the honour of the Profession, and scandalous to good Letters, than these kinde of men, who ought to be eschewed as the vilest of Creatures, and their company avoyded as pestilentious.

But whereas the subject of Pharmacy and Medicine is all one, viz. mans body, as it is capable of health or sickness, the Physician and Apothecary ought to participate of many good qualities, as pru­dence, experience, diligence, and knowledge of Medicaments.

The subject of Pharmacy is the Materials of Medicine; Pharmaciam medicinae in­servire. the end and scope thereof, the due composure of the same; and the Apothe­cary that dares to attempt or assay further, breaks his bounds and li­mits, and is to be accounted a Mountebank, a Quack, and Decei­ver.

I have known in France many Apothecaries, What Apothe­caries are to be looked on as Deceivers. amongst whom I found some bold Attempters in the practick part of Physick, who with flattery, and large promises of great wonders, did deceive the richer sort of women; whom they did not onely deprive of their money, but by exhibiting incongruous Medicines, operating contra naturaus, without method, or due observation, left their bodyes more diseased, than in statu quo prius.

And others also, who by their cunning sophistry did circumvent certain men of knowledge and repute, even the Senators themselves, ( Plin. c. 1. lib. 29.) by stiling themselves Phyficians, Learned men, and the like; they would feel the Pulse, look upon the Urine, and discourse of the Causes, Symptomes, Prognosticks, and Cure of Diseases; pretend to great things, promise far greater, and so assert many ridiculous things, and prescribe Medicines that rather augment [Page 5]than abate of the we he mency of the distomper; and this they impi­ously thrust their. Sickle into the Physicians harvest, and most unjust­ly exercise Pharmacy, to the great prejudice of many, by confiding in a bare Recipe; without either giving cause or reason why it ought to be administred; for we ought not to rest and rely upon the judge­ment of antient Sciolists, who assert meerly upon their bare testimo­ny, and single apprehension, certain Medicines, which may prove benign and agreeable to Constitution at some certain time; and thereupon presume to be safely exhibited at all times, without ad­vice. As for instance, Lactucae medicamentum esse potest, Ali­mentum & ve­nenum. Lettice unseasonably, and in too great a quantity administred, may as easily kill as Hemlock; it is both nu­triment and poyson, accordingly as 'tis used. Doth not daily experi­ence manifest, that more perish by surfeting, than any other distem­per? Doth not Wine (though most agreeable to our nature) destroy more than War? For though it be very cordial, and as it were the succus & sanguis senectutis, as it were old mens milk, and restorative to life, yet taken at an unfit season, and immoderately, proves noxi­ous and destructive.

The office therefore of an Apothecary is onely to exercise or compose certain Ingredients to a medicinal form, The duty of an Apothecary. and to adhibit them in a decent manner to salutiferous use, according to the prescript of some skilfull Physician: which, that he may with good success ac­complish, and answer the expectation of the Physician, he ought, first, to select his Ingredients; secondly; to prepare them; and thirdly, to compound them; of which we intend to speak in order. But before we treat of the first, let us enquire what a Medica­ment is.

CHAP. III. What a Medicament is, and what an Aliment, and what a Medium between both.

THE whole Man is a whole Disease, saith Hippocrates, (Epist. ad Damog.) for such is he when he proceeds into the world from the inquination of the wombe, that he is ready for the Phy­sician, by reason of his imperfections and diseases which he is liable to, either as a consequent from the dissent of the four qualities, or from the ill use of such things which Nature appointed for nutri­ment, but through the abuse thereof causes innumerable Diseases in the Body; which the medicinal Art (out of a due observation there­of) doth infallibly either prevent or cure, either by the prescript of [Page 6]a wholsome Diet, or by Medicaments, either internally assumed, or externally applyed, as Hippocrates describes; Lib. de diata, & Gal. de sanis.

And these are either simple, which for the most part Hippocrates used, or compounded according to Art; they are called Simples, which remain, and are as Nature produced them; as Cassia, Rha­barb, Polipody, Colocynth, with many others, which have onely ob­tained their natural composition of the four Elements. But they are called Compounds, which consist of many Simples of divers virtues noited together by Art and Industry.

Now a Medicament differs from Aliment, Medicamentum quid. thus: for that is called a Medicament, which being either internally assumed, or externally applyed, can work an alteration in our bodyes, as Pepper, Euphor­bium, Pelitory, &c.

And that is called Aliment, Alimentum quid. which internally assumed, doth nou­rish and augment the body, as Bread, Wine, the flesh of all flying and four footed Creatures, except ravenous and rapacious; for those Creatures that live by rape, are of an evil humour, and engender ill blood, and are to be rejected as unclean. And therefore in Divine Writ, the Israelites were forbidden to eat either Eagle, Vulture, Griffon, Raven, Hawk, or the like; and we, according to this Sa­cred Decree, do prudently abstain from the flesh of Foxes, Wolves, Lyons, and such rapacious Creatures.

Now the medium between both, Alimentum medicamento­sum. is a medicinal Aliment, which sympathetically partakes of both natures; for it partly nourisheth, and partly altereth the body, as Lettice, Radish root, Gourd, Gar­lick, and many such like. As there is betwixt Aliment and Medica­ment a certain medium, so also is there betwixt Nutriment and Poy­son; for the one preserveth, refresheth, and augmenteth; the other destroyes, kils, and corrupts; betwixt both there is a Medicament, which doth effect neither.

CHAP. IV Of the antient use of Simples alone, and of their admirable proprieties.

GAlen observes out of Hippocrates, Lib. de Elem. that a man could never be sick, if he consisted onely of one Element, for then every mans Nature would be one, the Effect one, the Cause of his return to his natural station one. But now the absurdity lyes in this, that whereas the species of diseases are infinite, so also the reme­dies [Page 7]both simple and compound, that are to be appropriated there­unto, are almost influmerable.

Those Medicaments that are compounded, and yet fearmed simple, are but comparatively and improperly so stiled, in as much as they are referred to others more compound, as Oximel simplex, Diapru­num simplex, and the like: but the Rose, Endive, Psantain, Mine, Wormwood, and all kinde of Vegetables that are created, which have received no composition or mixture by Art, are properly called Simples by Physicians; which they sometimes use alone, as the juice of Plantain for astringent Lotions; the juice of Water Lillies ad E­rysipileta, or St. Anthonies fire; the juice of Betony the Canker, with which it hath an admirable sympathy; the juice of Vine-ten­dress, by Galens advice, against the Shingles; the fresh or meat of Quinces, applyed plaisterwise to the region of the stomack, against choler, and assumed against the bloody flux, the body being first purged; as also Betony against Cephalalgia; as almost all Plants to the expelling of most Diseases.

That which is recorded of many Plants exceeds credit, which pro­duce admirable effects; for the root of Peony applyed to the head, or hung about the neck, doth cure the Epilepsy; Mint put into milk hinders its coagulation and condensation into Cheese, as it hath been proved by men of good credit.

The herb AEthiopis (if Fliny speaks true) cap. 4. lib. 26. Herba Ethlopi­dis. will pull off Iron if it be touched; which Matthiolus also asserts of the herb Lunary, or Moon-wort, which because it wresteth off Iron shoes from travelling horses, is called by the Italians Sferra cavallo.

The Author of Libri sanitatis doth aver with Tribius, that the Bird called Pye, shutting the orifice of her nest, can cause the doors to fly open onely by the touch of a certain herb; some attribute this vertue onely to the Bird, others to the herb. Theophrastus, a most skilfull Herbalist, makes mention of a certain herb, which so powerfully pro­vokes to Lustfull Couplation, that if the Noble Author speaks true, it is more than credible that Nature hath devoted this to the cold and weak constitutions, as the Nymphea to the lecherous.

Clymenum rubrum, or Pile wort, Herba Ficeria. hath such power in curing the Piles, that whoso carries with him the root of this herb, shall be pre­served safe from this Disease. It is scarce credible, that which Jose­phus writes of that admirable Plant which is called Baard, from Baa­ran a Valley of Judaea, which being sprung out of the earth, doth cast out a certain bright fulgur, and in the night shines like a burning Lamp; which cannot be touched by any, unless it be first wet with urine, or womans blood, for otherwise who ever toucheth it, presently dyed; but by the afore said sprinkling, it may be cradicated, by which it loses its destructive quality. And that which was most wonderfull, it cured Mad men, and Demomacks; which when the Inhabitants adjoyning perceived, they very discreetly tyed a Dog fast to it, which incited or compelled by hunger, or called upon, with much struggling pulled up the Plant.

Many other Miracles doth God work in this his Foot stool, the estimation whereof, Experience alone doth teach. Yet hath he pro­duced nothing any way noxious to Mankinde, to which he hath not ordained a convenient and wholsome Remedy; Contrario con­trarium Deus opponit. for he opposes one Contrary to another, and one Dissentany to another. As to the herb Wolfs-bane he hath opposed Aristoloch. Long. to Hemlock, Smallidge seed; to Henbane, Garlick; to Helmet-flower, Radish­seed; to a Viper, wilde Bugloss; to Scorpions. Trefoile or Jas­mine; the root of which doth vindicate and preserve the Bearer from bitings by Scorpions, or frees him from pain that is bitten; his hands also that are anointed with the juice of May weed, cannot be stung with Bees or Wasps.

It will not be beyond our scope here to take notice of the various natures of Plants; for some are green, and flourish in the middle of Winter, as Wolfs-bane, and black Hellebor; other Plants in the Equinoctial, or Spring tide; others in the heat of Summer, and some in Autumn; at which time all others are, for the most or greatest part, deprived both of leaves and flowers.

CHAP. V. Of the matter of Medicaments, and whence it proceeds.

THE principal differences of medicinal Ingredients, as well for­reign as domestick, are taken either from their matter or facul­ties. From the Matter, which according to Dioscorides and Galen, is three-fold; whereupon three general differences of Medicaments do arise, to wit, drawn either from Plants, Minerals, or Ani­mals.

In the first genus are contained all kinds of Plants, Medicamenta en plantis sumpta. their several parts, and what is deduced from them, as roots, barks, stalks, woods, boughs, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, gums, rosins, juices, drops, li­quors, missel-dews, mosses, cottens, nuts.

In the second are contained the Elements themselves, as Fire, Flame, Smoke; Air, serene, or turbid, hot, cold, moyst, or dry; Water, pleasant, salt, winy, saltish, clammy, sulphurous, tasting of Nitre, Brass or Iron; all kinds of Earth, as Bole, Terra Lemnia, Mellitea, Chymolia, Rubrica, Ampelitis, Erithrea, Ochra, Creta, and in a word, all Minerals which are digged out of the Bowels of the Earth; as the several kinds of Stones, as the Lapis Ethites, Cyaneus, seu Lazuli, Metalla septem. Judaicus; as also Metals, which are acknowledged by [Page 9]all to be seven, Gold, Silver, Tin, Lead, Iron, Copper, and Quick­silver, according to the number of the Planets, whence according to the Spagyrians, they borrow their names. These also are improperly referred to the Minerals, Bistumen Petrol, all kinds of Salts, Cal­chanth, and Amber.

In the third genus are contained all Animals, whether Integrals, Medicamenta ex animalibus sumpta. or In-parts. Integrals, as an old Cock in pottage, to make the belly laxative, and to nourish the body; a Swallow eaten, for to quicken the eye sight; a roasted Lark, against the Collick; Crab fishes, for such as are in Consumptions; old Scorpions, against their bitings; Cantharides, for Ruptures.

Parts of Animals, as the brains of Sparrows against Stimulum ve­neris, Hairs brain, against Tooth-ach in Children, Fox lungs against the consumption of the Lungs, Wolfs liver against the consumption of the Liver, an Asses liver against the Epilepsy, the intestines of a Wolf against the Collick passions, the back of Stinci marini against the stifness of the Yard, Goats blood against the Stone, Partridge or Kites gall to clear the eyes, Cran. Human. against the Falling sick­ness, the bone in the heart of a Hart against doting or roving, Boars tooth against the Plurisy, an Elephants tooth to corroborate the heart, Monoceros or Rhinoceros horns to infringe Poyson, an Elks hoof a­gainst the Falling sickness.

There are also yet many other parts of Animals, whence Medica­ments are assumed, as Marrow, Suet, the fat of Calves, Harts, Hogs, Kids, Ducks, Capons and Geese, the milk of Women, Asses, and Sheep, Cheese, Butter, Curds, Cream, Whey, Butter-milk, Hens eggs, Fish-shels, the hairs and other excrements of Animals, which we particularly prescribe in the composition of Medicaments in our Pharmacopoeia.

CHAP. VI. Of the faculties of Medicaments, and how many sorts there be accordingly.

THE faculty of a Medicament is a certain efficient cause, What the fa­culty of a Me­dicine is. on which its action depends, ( Gal. l. de plenitud. & lib. 1. de simp:) whence we gather, that the faculties are answerable in number to the actions, as it is demonstrable in Aloes, [Page 10]and many other simple Medicaments; Aloes facultas. for Aloes hath a faculty of purging, corroborating the Ventricle, killing and expelling Worms, and exiccating the humours of the head.

Every Medicament therefore, as to its faculty, is three-fold, altera­tive, purgative, and corroborative. That is said to be alterative, which is either internally assumed, or externally applyed, and so doth work a manifest mutation on our bodies, and that according to Fernelius, ei­ther in temperament, Tertia medica­mentorum alte­rantium. in matter or form; whence arise three kinds of alterative Medicaments; first, that which impensly heats, cools, moystneth, or dryeth; secondly, that which changeth the commo­deration and consistency of the matter: so as either too much to obdurate or mollify, too much to rarify or condense, too much to bind or loose, too much to thicken or attenuate; thirdly, which cor­rupteth or weakneth the substance or form it self, such as besides their manifest quality, whereby they heat, erode, refrigerate, or stupify, by a certain occult propriety, and so destroy the substance it self, and in­duce corruption with nauscousness, as Cicuta, Anchora, Napellas, A­conitum, Sublimatum, and many more; some are noxious to the whole body, as the fore-named; others to certain peculiar parts, as the Sea-hare to the Lungs, Cantharides to the Bladder, Wolfs-bane to the Womb, Hemlock to the Brain.

The roborative, Roborativum quid. or as vulgarly tearmed, strengthening Medica­ment, is that which with or by a certain propriety respects Corrobo­rates, and conserves some part of our body, as Cephalick medica­ments to the head, Otick to the ears, Ophthalmick to the eyes, Oden­tick to the teeth, Stomatick to the mouth, Stomachick to the sto­mack, Cordial to the heart, Hepatick to the liver, Splenetick to the spleen, Nephritick to the reins, Hysterick to the belly, Nervical to nerves; of which or most shall be spoken to in their places.

The Cathartick or purgative Medicament is that which extracts a vitious and excrementious humour out of the body. Catharticum quid proprie. Now that which promiscuously and generally expels all humours out of the body, cannot truly be called purgative, as Antimonium, Cataputia major, and the like, but such as educes and purges proper and congruent hu­mours, to which its faculty is directed and ordained; for those more violent Medicaments do often precipitate us to death, of which Galen speaks, when he Cap. 2. lib. de vict. acut. saith, that a Purge hath a certain deletary and poy­sonous quality; which Actuarius thus confirmeth; Purgative Medi­caments in a general notion (saith he) are accounted to be such as pro­create destruction, and by most adjudged deletary, poysonous, and morti­ferous: but they differ from those which are absolutely poyson, or of greater power to hurt, in that they kill rather by quantity, than cor­rupting.

And there is such an antipathy betwixt our nature and Purgations, that the very smell of them is inacceptable; which no sooner ap­proaches to the nostrils of some persons, but it affects the whole bo­dy; in some it subverts the Ventricle, and in others it contracts the [Page 11]belly. But of the faculty of Purges, how it acts, and whence it pro­ceeds, shall be largely treated of in the ninth Chapter.

CHAP. VII. Of the first and second Faculties of Medica­ments.

WHereas simple Medicaments have often two, sometimes three faculties incorporated, we will speak of them in order. The first is called Simple and Elementary, which arises from the commixtion of the four Elements. The second, substantial or ma­terial, which proceeds from a commoderation and consistency of the matter, in which the four qualities inhere in a divers proportion. And there is something found besides these, a third, namely purga­tive, which Fernelius calls an occult quality. And Sylvius, with o­thers of no mean knowledge, affirm four qualities to be universally resident in some Medicament, whereof he asserts the third to be little known, and the fourth altogether unknown, yet both these are often taken for one and the same: for whatever Medicament acts by any inexplicable, or not sufficiently perspicuous property, not proceeding from the first or second qualities, are said to act from the third qua­lities, or property of the whole substance, or occult virtue.

The first faculty of Medicaments is common, The first qua­lities of Medi­caments. and as it were the Basis of the rest, proceeding immediately from the Elements them­selves, and it consists chiefly in calefaction, refrigeration, moystning, or drying; in every of which it is seen either obscurely, as when it acts in the first degree; or apparently, as in the second; or vehe­mently, as in the third; or perfectly, as in the fourth; and that ei­ther in the beginning, middle, or end of every one: The several qualities of Medicaments. so that there are twelve orders of hot, cold, moyst and dry Medicaments, which take place amongst them that have conjugated faculties, which are either hot and moyst, or hot and dry, or cold and dry; for they produce these faculties not onely obscurely, manifestly, vehemently, and per­fectly, but also gradually, and that either in the beginning, middle, or end of their operation.

The second qualities are concomitants of the first, Elementary or simple, by whose help it is that they exist and manifest their virtues; for the faculty of Apertion, Rarefaction, Attraction, Attenuation, follows Calefaction; the faculties of Crassitude, Density, Occlu­sion, and Repulsion, follow Refrigeration; of Mollification follows Moysture; the faculty of Induration follows Siccity, for Siccity ob­durates, [Page 12]as it is plain with Clay hardned by the North winde, or Summers heat, and brick with fire. As also Humidity mollifies, while any moderate heat perseveres; for the moysture of Ice becomes hard, because it wants heat.

The second virtues and qualities are also apparent in austere, sharp, tart, bitter, opening, attenuating, resolving, contracting, repelling, mollifying, and casing Medicaments; and do as evidently perform their operation, as the first or elementary qualities.

CHAP. VIII. Of the third Jaculty, or occult quality of Medi­caments.

NOW besides the first and second qualities, there is a third; which being occult, and inexplicable, no certain account can be rendred of it, nor yet any exact knowledge thereof be apprehen­ded, but is known onely by experience. For why, the Jasper stone, saith Galen, by touching the wound, should stop the flux of blood, I know not; and if I knew perfectly how to find out the nature of e­very thing particularly, I should think my self such an one as I do conceive Esculapius was. But some properties can neither be known nor explained; for no man can bring any firm and invincible argu­ment or reason, why those Spanish flyes, or Cantharides, should vex the bladder with an inflammation, or hot disposition, being applyed far from it; The property of Sea-crabs. or why the ashes of Crabs, being of a drying nature, should have such an admirable property against the biting of mad Dogs; or why, being mixed with Gentian or Frankincense, it ope­rates better and more effectually than with other Medicaments.

Galen admiring the never failing success of this Medicament, bu­sied himself no little, to finde out the cause why, and at length pro­mised to publish a Book concerning those things that act by an occuit property; but performed not his promise, perchance fearing lest it might detract from his great Fame, if he should relinquish his Enter­prise imperfect, or not satisfie himself or his Readers, if he did not with his accustomed learning and dexterity replenish and accomplish it. The extent of the third fa­culty. Yet this third faculty is very ample, containing under it Purga­tives, curing distempers by a certain occult virtue, having respect to certain peculiar parts, of which we intend to discourse particu­larly. There is in A­liments an in­explicable quality.

Neither do we acknowledge this inexplicable property to consist solely in Medicaments and Poysons, whereby the one cures, and the [Page 13]other kils, and sometimes expels diseases: but also in Aliments, which repair the loss of strength by that continual Effluvium; for many abhor many meats, which others take with a greedy appetite; which though at first they are unlike, yet after many concoctions be­come like and proper to our bodyes; whence ariseth a great simili­tude betwixt the thing nourishing, and that which is nourished, which scarce can be defined; and why this man is more delighted with this meat, and that with another. The eating of fish and flesh is familiar to our whole Nation, yet have we known many, faith Amatus Lucia­nus, who altogether abstained from eating of flesh; and others, Historia notatu dign. to whom not onely the eating, but also the very smell of Cheese was as poyson. Another have we known, a Spaniard by Nation, who ne­ver tasted of Fish, but when he was invited by his Friend once to a Supper, and had eaten Eggs, with which the ashes of dryed Fish was cunningly mixed, he fell into such a pain and anguish by vomiting, that he was almost killed thereby. The same famous Author also saw another, a Venetian Monk, in whom the smell of Roses would cause Madness; which also I have observed in a Noble Lady. And Julius Scaliger, in a learned Cardinal, as he affirms in his Exercises against Cardan, viz. (Exercit 153. part. 10.) where he commemo­rates a certain woman of excellent virtue and beauty, named Francis, who could by no means be perswaded, before she was fourteen years of age, to eat Flesh. He affirms also, that one of his Children as much abhorred Cabbages, as himself did the Cressons. As also a maid in the City Mediolim dyed with a draught of Cassia fistula; for every mans peculiar appetite is proper to himself; and many eschew Wint as Poyson, others adore it as their God.

Moreover, this inexplicable occult faculty is observed in the food of other Animals. For who by reason can declare why the Ostrich delights in Iron? why the Hart desires Serpents; the Bear, Ants; the Ass, Ferula. Some Animals live onely by fishing, others by hunting, others by Corn, others by the natural increase of Plants. The Mallet devours the bird Hirron; the Beaver, little Fishes; the Hawk, the Eagle, and Fox, are nourished and fed upon little Birds; the Hen, the Partridge, and the Horse, on Corn; the Oxe, Deer, and Hart, on little Plants, or their tender parts. And why these do delight and grow fat rather with that Aliment than this, and those ra­ther with this than that, cannot easily be explained by reason. For the Vulture will sooner perish with Faraine, than touch Wheat; the Pheasant rather dye, than eat by stealth.

CHAP. IX. Of the faculty of purging Medicaments, whence it proceeds, and how it operates.

THE disquisition of the faculty of purging Medicaments hath been the exercise of many ingenious men; and yet neverthe­less, as many men as have endeavoured after its knowledge, so many several opinions have they left to us their Posterity. The Alcumists not without some pains endeavour to demonstrate, that it proceeds from the saltness of the Compounds; for they lay down this for a general Axiom, that all Salts are purgative. Others maintain, that this faculty is altogether occult, not apparently explicable by reason. There are others who judge, that it arises from the special tempera­ment of the mixture, or compound. Others look upon it as a fifth quality. Mesue would have its original in Heaven, and calls it a Heavenly Faculty. A purgative Medicine (saith he) is not such from its temperament, not as a Contrary acting upon its Contrary, not as a Simile attracting its Simile, nor as a heavy matter driving the humour downwards, nor as a light substance driving it upwards; but it hath this faculty alotted from above, acting by a Divine power.

This Celestial Faculty is also by some Medicks, (Fernel.) and Phi­losophers, (Scaliger) called an Occult Faculty; sometimes also the property of the matter alone, sometimes the internal principle of e­very thing, The divers de­nominations of this quality. sometimes an unknown cause, a super-elementary virtue, a property of the whole substance, and by some, a fifth quality; so that one and the same thing hath divers denominations.

But because that this purgative virtue, according to Philosophers of best note, must needs be deduced from the Stars, Mesue calls it most properly Celestial; but he aims amiss in judging that it draws out humours, not as a simile attracting its simile, contrary to the An­tients opinions, reason, and experience. For Hippocrates declares, (lib. de nat human.) that purgative Medicaments have a certain con­gruity with the humours: A Medicine (sayes he) when it is assu­med into the body, first attracts whatsoever is consonant, and most like to its nature in the body, and afterwards draws down and purges away the rest.

Which he proves clearly by this elegant comparison; As seeds and plants sown and eradicated in the ground, attract to themselves whatever in the earth is congruent to their nature, whether sharp or [Page 15]pleasant, bitter or salt, or whatsoever else they primarily or chiefly allure, as having propinquity with their essence.

Galen demonstrates this more clearly, illustrating it with many e­vidences, ( lib. 1. de nat. facult. & cap. 23. lib. 3. de simplic. & lib. de Ther.) writing in express words, that the operations are effected and perfected by the property of the qualities, which are in the substan­ces: therefore some purgative Medicaments, if perchance they be frustrated of their acquired purgation, do not hurt the body (as some foolishly have imagined) but become nutrimental; others are turned into corruption and poyson, yet a poysonous virtue is not alwayes mixed with them. Wherefore they do not alwayes hurt, when they do not purge, but they concoct and produce such humous as they should have educed, which never happens to stronger Medica­ments.

Therefore purgative Medicaments, by a certain similitude and congruity to the substance, attract and educe humours, and by the same principle that the Loadstone attracts Iron, and Amber Straw, not Iron the Loadstone, or Straw Amber: for although there be a great similitude betwixt the Loadstone and the Iron, yet every simile is not the same, neither is the Loadstone Iron, nor the Iron a Load­stone; yet the thing attracting should be more potent than the thing attracted, and therefore the Iron, as weaker, is drawn, and draweth not.

Objectio. Since Traction comes by the similitude of the substance, why doth not one Loadstone attract another, and one piece of Iron another?

Responsio. I answer; One and the same thing doth not draw the same, but such things as have an affinity and similitude with them; so Agarick draws flegm, Rhabarb choler, Senna melancholy, because there is betwixt them a certain conjugal quality, or rather a convenience or similitude; which conformity is not altogether manifest; for Rha­barb differs much from choler, Agarick from flegm, and Senna from melancholy.

Although all Catharticks do attract humours, Quae purgant trahendo. yet some of them do purge more especially by attraction, to wit, such as are of a more potent force, and have an excrementious humour, saith Mesue, as Scammony, Turbith, and Euphorbium; others by repression, Quae compri­mendo. as all the five Myrobalans, and Rhabarb; others by loosning and molli­fying the belly, as Cassia, Tamurinds, and others, Quae lubrican­do. which onely by le­niating and solving the belly, educe humours; as the herb Orage, Violets, Mallows, Sorrel, and many Pot-herbs.

CHAP. X. Of Medicaments, which besides their solution of the Belly cure many diseases, by an occult poperty.

MEdicinall Materialls, are as well innumerable as admirable, which assumed at the mouth, or applyed to the externall parts, by a certain occult vertue and specifiall propriety per­fectly cureth: and undoubtedly preventeth present, and future di­stempers: or produceth other admirable effects; as before in some few we have demonstrated.

This occult faculty also is not only discernable in plants, but also in animalls, and minerals. For it is recorded that Pirrhus his thumb, by touching such as laboured under the distempers of the spleen, cured them; and that most Christian, and potent Monarch of France, cu­red the Kings Evill, with the touch of his hand: this occult and most effectuall quality, Os Aurum tra­bens. is also seen in dead bodyes: for Simplicius affirmes, that the mouth of the fish Milvus, doth draw Gold, to which also Scaliger sets seal. Exercit 102. & 112: The reines of Scincus Marinus pulverized, and drunk, with wine, or commixed with fit conserves and so taken, doth cause stiffness of the yard, and powerfully provo­keth to Lechery.

A Harts pizzle dryed, pulverized, and drunk with Coltfoot or Car­duus water, is much commended against the Plurisy.

A Boares tooth pulverized and drunk, worketh the same effect, especially if taken at the beginning of the disease.

The Monocerces his horn doth admirably defend the heart from poysons, and is much available in pestilent distempers.

The same effects are performed in the use of Harts horn and Rhi­noceroes his horn. The huckle bone of an Oxe pulverized and drunk with Oxymell, doth mitigate the spleen.

The flesh of Hares burnt, sifted and drunk doth break and expell stones out of the bladder.

The skin of a Viper pulverized and Applyed to a bald place, doth admirably cause haires to grow where naturall humidity is not too much decayed. The same effect is wrought by rosted Mice, and a­nointing the place with honey.

A Cocks combe rosted, or boyled, and often eaten of, doth much and effectually help such as are possessed with Chollicks passions. Ga­len. lib. de Therias.

A Goates hoof or its bladder, or Egg-shells burned and taken in drink, help those that pisse their beds.

Galen. lib. 8. comp. med. Local. writes, that a Wolfs liver, by a certain specificall property, will helpe diseases in the Liver.

An Aspes skin dryed, and pulverized, and mixed with honey, will cleer the eye sight.

The excrements of animalls, by an occult property, Creatures Excrements. expell certain diseases; as the dung of Peacocks the Epilepsy; the dung of Swallows and Doggs the Quinsy.

Let these few examples suffice, that are assumed from ani­malls. That I may omit such as are hurtfull, as the Sea Hare, the Crampe-fish. For the one by an obscure vertue, affecting the Nerves stupifies them, the other hurts the Lungs. As Cantharides by Inflam­mation hurts the bladder, and stops the urine, or causes the stran­gury.

We may observe also (which is most to be admired) this same oc­cult quality in many vegetables, and plants: as Sarsaperilla, Lignum vitae, Sasafras and China, all which by a specificall property availe much in the cure of Lues venerea.

Ragwort or Satirion, and the hearb Kocket, The occult property of plants. causes the yard to stand; irritates Lust, and frequent copulations.

The Chast tre, Vitex aut Ag­nus Castus. and water Lyllyes on the contrary doth allay the ardor of Lust, extinguish seed, and hinder the excretion of the Stones.

Opium mitigates frensy and madness, and procures sleep, though it be taken in a very little quantity: Misleto of the Oak pulverised and drunk, doth effectually cure the Epilepsy.

Dry grapes by a certaine sympathy are very commodious to the Liver.

Staves-acre, by vertue not well known, kills Lice; so Fleabane Gantts.

Coleworth and Ivy cures Drunkenness.

Ptarmica provokes to sneezing. As also both kinds of Helle­bor.

Dittany by an occult property pulls out thornes and pricks, if thereunto applyed.

The Ash tree drives away serpents, and cures their bitings.

Stone-crop, Saxifrage, and Goates blood expell stones: Savine brings down the monthly tearmes, and the fruit of the wombe, whe­ther alive or dead.

The greater Comfrey doth speedily close wounds.

Betony doth search maligne ulcers, and accellerate their cure.

Turpentine is the best Balsam to wounds, and doth both speedily and easily cure them.

But that which is most strange is this: Variety of ef­fects in the selfe same plant. that one plant in a certain part should have one effect, in another, a different or contrary one: as Chamomile flowers which help the head-ach by smelling to them, [Page 18]whose leaves are very hurtfull, if we credit Galen. lib. 2. comp. Med. cap. 2.

Sorrell relaxes the Belly, the seed makes it costick.

The decoction of Colewort solves the belly. But the Colwort it self eaten, either binds it, or makes it more adust.

As also Cock-broth moves the belly, whilst its flesh binds, and Gal, lib. de Ther. cap. 6. assertes the same of Oysters and Cockles.

The wheyish or Butterish part of milk dissolves the belly, the chee­sy part constraines and makes it costick.

Gallen thinks it a miracle that the decoction of Trefoile applyed plaisterwise to the bitings of Serpents and Vipers should present­ly asswage the paine thereof, and take out the poyson; whereas being applyed to a sound part, it provokes paines, yet the reason of this effect doth not seeme very obscure, nor far different from the nature and temperament of other hearbs. For it is no wonder if the Medicine, by whose help, the corrupt part was cured, and from which it drew some malignity or other, being applyed to a sound part, should leave an impression there of that malignity, whereof it parti­cipated.

But we intend to discourse more particularly and largely of the specificall, and admirable vertue of Quicksilver, in curing the Vene­rian disease, and of the occult and almost divine vertues of other mi­neralls.

CHAP. XI. Of simple Medicaments, which by a specificall property have respect to certain peculiar parts.

MAny simples are adjoyned with such a sympathy to certaine Parts; that either assumed, or applyed, or often by their very smell, help, refresh and free us from diseases. Yet I cannot conceive, that they are for this sympathy and correspondency so de­voted to particular members, as thereon to spend all their effects, or not to confer any upon other parts, but that by a speciall faculty they respect this more than that, and that more than another part.

So that many are called Cephalicks, Cephalica. or head Medicaments that have their whole substance, congruent and familiar to the head; So fitted and prepared by the long experience and use of learned men, that with a certain kinde of sympathy, they may be with safety appropria­ted thereunto. As amongst aromaticks these following, Muske, Am­ber, Civet, Cloves, Mace, Cinamon, Calamus aromaticus, Squirant, Camphure, and amongst other more common simples, Betony, [Page 19]Rosemary, Sage, Marjorum, Balm, Staechados, the Mirtle-tree, the flowers of Betony, Clove-gilliflowers, and Orange.

Ophthalmick, or Eye-medicaments, are these, and such like, Ophthalmica. Eye­bright, Salendine, Fennil, Rue, and Clary; the grains whereof put under the eye-lids, for they are so small that they cause no sense or trouble, purge eyes exceedingly from corrupt matter.

Those are called Odonticks, which roborate the teeth, Odontica. and cleanse them, as the Mastick-tree and Mirtle, Sage and Bay.

All dulcid things are agreeable and pleasant to the Lungs; yet a certain herb, called Lung-wort, by a peculiar faculty is more espe­cially attributed to the pains thereof.

If Foxes Lungs help, or any way profit Mens lungs, Pulmonica. as many of the Antients believed, then it must happen through the familiarity of the substances; no other reason can be rendred.

Reysons, Figs, Jujubees, Pistac-nuts, Dates and Honey, do some­what refresh and benefit the Lungs, and that onely by their sweet­ness; Orrice, Maiden hair, Hyslop, and Horehound, onely by atte­nuation.

Cardiacks or Cordials, are these and such like; Gold, Silver, Cardiaca. pretious Stones, Cinnamon, and other suavolent Aromaticks; and also Borage, Bugloss, Carduus, Scabious, Goats-beard, Meadow­sweet, Violets, Roses, and Saffron.

Stomachick, or Medicaments belonging to the Stomack, Stomachica, are Nut­megs, Mastick, Wormwood, Mint, and Dill; for these by a particu­lar property help it; and also innumerable more benefit it, but that by heat rather than any special virtue, as Pepper, Ginger, Mustard, and Wine.

Hepaticks, or Medicaments proper to the Liver, are these; Tansy, Hepatica. Egrimony, Succory, Fumatory, Rhabarb.

Splenick, or Medicaments proper to the spleen, are Cetrack, Splenica. Ca­pars, Tamarisk, Epithymus, with many more, which for brevities sake I omit.

Sage, Rosemary, and Primrose, Nervalia. by a certain property corrobo­rate the Nerves, Ground-Pine the Arteries.

I shall not hereunto reduce such as respect several parts; for even a Critick Reader may be content with these; for a grain of Salt is sufficient for him that would know its virtue, and learn its taste.

CHAP. XII. Of Amulets, which carried or hanged up, do cure many Diseases by an occult virtue.

THose Remedies that are called Periammata, Periapta, and Amu­leta, that is, tryed and suspended Medicaments, appertain to such as cure Diseases by an occult faculty: Amulets are of two sorts. and they are of two kinds; one sort consists solely of characters and words, another of simple Medicaments hanged about the neck, or any other member of the body. Physicians laugh at the former, and reject it as a thing fabu­lous, delusive, uncertain, and incredulous: for we finde, that neither Physician nor Metaphysician ever spake thereof, unless some Caco­demoniack, that refers them to his Philosophy. But a Physician and Philosopher being a Moralist, and an Advancer of Nature, who in honesty of life and conversation, setting the fear of the Almighty before his eyes, assayes nothing, but by the just, good and lawfull rule prescribed by Nature, and doth not go about to deceive the ig­norant and illiterate people with vain toyes, and unlawfull Arts; but studies the knowledge of things by their natural causes: for Know­ledge is the understanding of a thing by its cause; and happy sure is he that knows the causes of things. Whence Galen concludes, that Medicine is not made for the Disease, but for the morbificous cause, which being removed, Periammata. the effect is hindred. But Amulets neither take away the cause, the disease, nor symptomes, as those falsly per­swade themselves, to whom they have been suspended, being deceived by their perswasion, who worship and invoke Devils; who also ima­gine, that all things may be done in their name, and by their virtue, without any other cause. Of which, and such like impious fellows, the Poet thus writes:

Which they perform two manner of wayes: for some by the vir­tue of most Divine names invoke and compell evil spirits, and that because every Creature fears and reverenceth his name that created: yet others more impious than these wicked men, submit themselves, offer sacrifice, and worship Devils.

The reason why Witches use onely evil spirits, is manifest; for [Page 21]good Angels are very seldome, Cur cacodaemo­nes ab improbis viris invocen­tur. and not without great difficulty ob­tained, because they wait on Gods command, and accompany none but such as are of a clear heart, and pious conversation. But evil spi­rits do yield themselves prompt and ready to be invoked, falsly fa­vouring and feigning Divinity, they are alwayes present, that they may deceive, and that they may be worshipped and adored.

Out of this Shop of Devil-adoring Witches issued all those Books of Darkness, which Ulpianus by no means will allow to be read, Libri improba­tae lectiones qui. but ordains that forthwith they be burned. The first Founder whereof was (as it is recorded) one Zabulus, that was addicted to the illicite Arts. Afterwards succeeded one Barnabas, a Cyprian; and in our times, Cornelius Agrippa, and many other impious men; amongst which Crew, Paracelsus deserves not to have the lowest seat, Paracelsi im­pietas. whose impiety was accompanied with the baseness of all vices.

Now since that these Characters and Amulets have issued out of these impious mens Shops, being grounded on no reason, Characteres in­de prodterint. and pesti­ferous to Mankinde, not onely Physicians, but also all Worshippers of God, ought to reject and abhor them.

Yet Fernelius, that excellent Physician and Philosopher, yea, the most famous of our times, attributes great virtue to Words and A­mulets. And certainly if we assent to the Hebrews, Vis verborum secundum He­braeos. the best Authors of Virtue and Discipline, they tell us, we shall finde greater power in words, than natural things; For (say they) whatsoever is in the minde, voice, word or speech, all that is in Scripture, the letters whereof are full of beavenly mysteries, are according to the position of the Stars; whence the great Creator of all things will have himself named by two letters, Λ & Ω.

Furthermore, the more critical Matchiavels of the Hebrews, Literarum figura. do profess and promise to explain all things by the figure of Letters, and by the simplicity, composition, crookedness, defect, abundance, col­ligation, revolution, coronation, apertion, order, and transmutation of letters, points, and pricks.

Words therefore and Characters are said to be powerfull in the curing of Diseases: and Trallian omitted not this way of curing. To cure the Gout (saith he) dig up the herb Henbane before the Sun rise, when the Moon is in Aquarius, or Pisces, and say, Adjuro te, herba sacra, per sancta nomina Jaoth, Sabaoth, Adonai, Eloi, Deus, qui terram fir­mavit, & fixit mare fluviis abundans fluentibus, & qui exsiccavit uxo­rem Loth in statuam salinariam. Adjuro, inquam, te, ut sistas fluxio­nem pedum.

For the Tooth-ach this ridiculous speech is given to some, Galbes, galbat, Galde, galda.

To stay an issue of blood, some use these words, Charat, Cara, Sa­rite, Confirma, Consona, Imaholite.

These words are given to some with a piece of bread, against the biting of a mad Dog, Irioni, Rhiciori, Estera, Rhuder, Fere; or these with a piece of an apple, Hax, Pax, Max, Deus, Adimax, which he presently eats up.

That of Quint. Serenus of Samos, against the semi-tertian Feaver, is well known, to wit, Abracadabra, which is so described, that it ends broad below, and strait above, like a Pine-apple, even to the last letter, and so it is annexed to the neck.

A thin plate of Gold engraven with these words, [...], and hung about the neck, cures bleared eyes, or purblindness, according to Marcellus.

That thou mayst stay bleeding, touch the part with thy ring­finger, and repeat these words, Socnon, Socnon, twenty seven times, or as oft as thou wilt, till the issue cease; it is good; and much pro­fitable, if you rightly consider it.

To cure the Felon, or soar under a mans nail, touch the part with thy finger, (saith Marcellus) and drawing thy finger back again, say thrice, Pu, pu, pu, Nunquam ego te videam per parietem repere.

So doth the same Marcellus foolishly perswade the cure of Lippi­tude, or Purblindness. Take (saith he) ( cap. 8. lib. de medic.) a Fly with thy left hand, and whil'st thou catchest it, repeat his name on whom thou art to work this cure, and say that thou catchest the Fly to cure his eyes; then binde her alive in a linnen cloth, and hang it about the neck of him or her that is affected, and look not behind thee.

Many examples of the like sort may be read in Mercury, Marcellus, Trallian, Albertus, Villanovanus, and amongst those in latter time, in Fernelius, lib. 2. de abdit. rerum caus. all which (most sage men) at­tribute such virtue to words, that they believe them to be able to sub­vert nature. Apuleius also, that learned man, asserts, that by a ma­gical susurration, swift running rivers are turned back, the slow sea gathered on a heap, the winds unanimously and with great force sent forth, the sun staid, the stars deduced, the day abbreviated, the night continued: of which the Poet saith,

But the power of words is most apparent in repelling Diseases; for either spoken, or engraven and carried, do dissolve many affecti­ons with wonderfull celerity, which, as Pomponatus relates, no little [Page 23]exercised a certain Physicians ingenuity and judgement, admiring such things; for when he had undertaken the cure of two boyes, Historiae notatis dignae. the one whereof laboured under a disease not unlike Erysipely, the other had fallen into the fire; now a certain man intervening, cured those boyes with words onely, and Charms. He adds moreover, that out of another who had a sword so fastned in him, that it could be got out by no medicinal Art, which notwithstanding the same man drew out by the same method of curing.

In almost every Town there are certain old women who can cure the diseases of the Matrix by words unknown to any; for so much they profess and promise, and sometimes perform, not without great admiration.

I could relate a thousand more examples, which because they are ridiculous and foolish, I judge them better to be omitted; for in those that are bettered by these words, either suspended or rehearsed, the cure comes rather by a certain opinion, than any virtue in them.

One was not ashamed to assert, that he was freed from a Feaver by an Amulet, in which these words were written, Sancti Petre & Paule stultum hunc persanate, that is, Saint Peter and Saint Paul cure this fool. Another was restored to health by this Amulet, Rapiat eum Dae­mon & similes ejus, that is, The Devil take him and such like. But I relate these sore against my will: we will now turn our discourse to others more approved. Those Amulets which consist of simple Me­dicaments, tyed or suspended, are not altogether disapproved of by Physicians; indeed they often produce salutary effects by an occult property. For Experience teacheth us, that the root of Peony hang­ed about the neck, cures the Epilepsy; Misletoe will do the same, as also a piece of an Elks hoof included in a ring. Wolfs dung ap­plyed plaister-wise about the middle, will mitigate the cholerick pains, saith Aetius, ( cap. 13. tet. 3. ser. 4.) Their intestines dryed, and applyed to the belly, have like effects; the root of Hounds­tongue hung about the neck, cures the blackness of the tongue, which the unskilfull Vulgars call Canker; for some things of small quan­tity and bigness, by contract onely produce greatest alterations, saith Galen, ( cap. 5. lib. 6. de loco aff.) Dittany being applyed, doth by an incredible property draw out Darts; Quicksilver carried about with us, frees us from many pestilent Diseases; the stone Aethites bound betwixt the paps, or on the ventricle, doth retain the young; but be­ing annexed to the thigh, precipitares the birth. Which also is re­corded of the root of Henbane. The gem Selenitis put into a ring, onely by touching the flesh, stayes blood flowing from any part. The green Jasper suspended, helps the stomack, and the mouth of the ventricle, as Aetius testifies, ( cap. 35. tet. 1. ser. 2.) The Heraclean stone, commonly called the Loadstone, besides its faculty of attr­cting Iron, being onely holden in the hand, it easeth the grief of the Gout both in the hands and feet. He that will carry the feet and the [Page 24]fore-legs of the Lobster, he shall not fear the coming of a Boar. See Democritus in Geopon.

The curing of the Jaundies is also to our purpose here; Icteri curatio miranda. which is then effected, when the diseased attentively beholds that Bird which Holerius calls Galbula, that is, Woodwall; the French give it the name of Loriotus. And it is wonderfull, that this Bird cannot endure the sight of him that hath the Jaundies.

Also the cure of the bitings of Tarantula, Curatio morsus venenati per musicam. a beast like a Lizard, hath respect to this discourse, which may not be cured by Medica­ments, but onely by Musick.

I have known and heard of many such like cures, which I omit for brevity sake.

CHAP. XIII. Of Poysons.

THere is also an occult quality in Poysons, of which Physiologers, and searchers of natural things, do sometimes speak, as also im­pious Witches: the Physiologers, that they might acknowledge the prudence and sagacity of the Omnipotent Nature, in good as well as pernicious things, and contemplate the Ornament of the World: but those Witches, more pestilent than Pestilence it self, and most per­nicious Enemies of Mankinde, that they might exanimate and extir­pate out of the world all those whose life and fortunes they envy or hate. For they most artificially adulterate the taste, odour, and co­lour of Poysons, which they so craftily convey into Meats and Medi­caments, that they may deceive the most wise and wary, and in stead of Bread give them a Stone, in stead of a Fish a Scorpion, instead of Sugar a sugared Poyson. And so good men are not so safe from evil men, as all men from Scorpions, and other destructive Beasts.

Of which the Physician speaks, as the Logician of Sophisms and Fallacies, which he admonishes us to observe and avoyd, as the Theo­loger speaks of Vice, which he perswades us to shun. Neither doth he treat of evil, that thence good might follow; wherein he differs from the Physician, who disalloweth of poysonfull Sorcerers, and yet treats of Poysons, either as they are generated, or by ill luck in­gested into our bodyes, or else as they are requisite to the curing of malign diseases; otherwise to discourse of them, or use them, is per­nicious. And indeed Galen, ( cap. 42. lib. 2. de Antidot.) reproves them that teach composition of Poysons, Improbantur, qui venena compenunt. as Horummendesius, Ara­tus, Heliodorus the Athenian, and Orpheus.

Yet doth he himself write largely concerning poysonous Simples, [Page 25]as before him Dioscorides, and after both Nicander, that they might be known, avoyded, and by the advice of a learned and skilfull Phy­sician, used in some diseases. For Arsenick is sometimes applyed to the dead flesh in Ulcers, Vipers oil to Pocks-marks, pimples, and corrupt swellings; Scorpions oil to their stings; a hair of a mad Dog to the wound made by his own teeth. Trochisks made of Vi­pers, both internally assumed, and externally applyed, to all poyso­nous affections and diseases.

Poysons also are not onely put into, Venena in cor­pore hominis interdum geni­ta. but sometimes generated in the body, as Galen, ( cap. 5. lib. 6. loc. aff.) which produces both like affections and effects, as those that come by pernicious poyson drunk, or otherwise assumed; for a Plague is a Poyson which is sometimes generated in the body without any manifest cause; and the Sperm retained in Histerick women, is partaker of a poysonous quality. Dogs also in the heat of Summer easily become mad. But these things are to be fore-known by Physicians, that they may preserve health without fault, and drive away all diseases.

And although Poysons be destructive, Venena ali­quando nu­trire. Historia. yet by custome they be­come nutritive; for I think the story of the Girl is sufficiently known, of which Avicenna, Rufus, and Gentilis speak, who being fed with Poyson onely from her Infancy, was so infectious, that her breath was pestiferous and destructive to such as came near her.

Another woman lived at Coleyn in Germany, who, as Albertus re­lates, did usually eat Spiders, whereas one Spider bruised in Wine would kill many.

One Porus, King of India, did daily eat Snakes and Poysons, Rex angui­rus. who being a long time nourished with this kinde of Aliment, was so poy­sonfull, that he would kill men by his touch or breath, or by his spit­ting, as a Serpent, or any other poysonous Creature.

There is a certain kinde of men in the Hellespont, Ophiogenes. who are nou­rished with Poysons onely; and thence they are fitly called Ophio­genes, that is to say, generated of Serpents.

The Marsians and Psyllians delighted much in the same nutri­ment, who feared not at all the bitings and poysons of Serpents; which was experienced in one of that Family, Exagon by name, who by the Decree of the Roman Consuls was put into a Hogshead filled with Serpents, who nevertheless escaped without detriment. ( Plin. cap. 29. lib. 6.)

Athenageras the Grecian, as it is related, could not be hurt by Scorpions. The same is affirmed of the Ethiopians that inhabit near the River Hydaspes.

Galen makes mention ( lib. 3. simp. cap. 13.) of a certain Athenian woman, which had often eat a great quantity of Hemlock, without any prejudice to her health. Sext. Emperic. hath the same story of another old woman.

'Tis generally reported of Lysis, that she would eat Opium in a [Page 26]great quantity, without impairing her health; and I saw a woman of Nemaxium, who daily took half a dram of the same.

A certain maid of Crete did kill several with her looks, and bring boyes into a consumption. What need of more? they that are ac­customed to Poysons, are free from the mischief of them.

Poysons are drawn either from Plants, Whence Poy­son proceeds. Animals, or Minerals. From Plants, as from all kinds of Poppy, from Henbane and Man­drakes; whose qualities, though they be poysonous, yet often times effectual for curing many Diseases. And those very things which sometimes are present poyson both to man and beast, yet being rightly handled, prepared, and applyed; they are a secure help.

The herb Wolfs bane is poyson, Poysons some­times are me­camental. yet it is added to Ophthalmick Medicaments; and Hemlock, though poysonous, yet effectual in extinguishing Tetters, Ulcers, and Leprous spots.

Nerium also drunk in Wine, is good against the bitings of Ser­pents. House-leek killeth the Ringworm, and spreading soars. All kinds of Night-shade, rightly applyed, doth mitigate any pain.

But all these, according to Dioscorides, are poysonous; as also Ra­nunculus, Esula, Hermodactylus; yet the use thereof is not onely wholsome, but effectual in many distempers. As also Aconitus, Herba Paris, yea Antimony and Stibium, and many others, are both medicamental and poysonous, for they both cure and kill.

Mushtooms also are not altogether Medicaments, but sometimes Aliment, and sometimes Poyson; for by the use of these, five young Students of Paris were killed; and yet Courtiers are much taken with such Dishes.

I shall not here renumerate other poysonous Plants, which are daily and fortunately put to medicinal uses, for it may suffice that I have touched upon a few, because it is not necessary, neither can they all be comprehended in one Chapter.

Medicaments also are taken from poysonfull Animals; Medicines daily assumed from poyso­nous Animals. for the flesh of Stinci marini is often given to decayed Nature to excite Ve­nery.

Vipers do admirably benefit such as are leprous; as also Snakes, whose flesh rightly prepared, is a sure Antidote against many Poysons.

That which is asserted de Dracone marino, Sea-dragon is both Poyson and Aliment. exceeds credit; for he hath a sharp pointed bone upon his back, so noxious to man, that whomsoever he pricks, is precipitated to death, unless he be helped in time; yet his flesh is both pleasant and wholsome nutriment, in­somuch that the common sort of Frenchmen call it Flesh of Life. And so it may seem wonderfull, that some Animals do at once sug­gest Aliment, Nutriment, and Poyson; for some part of them is life, in others death to the Assumers.

Yet 'tis very strange that poysonfull Animals, whose bodies are enemies to ours, and present death, should by application safely cure the wounds and bitings that they themselves have made; and they [Page 27]alone, in many cases, are able to free us from such wounds, and the perils ensuing. The reason is, because one simile attracts another to it; and as it were revoking its own substance, frees the part affected from Poyson. So Crocodiles grease cures those that are smitten by him; and those that are hurt with Scorpions, are cured by the same, bruised and applied plaisterwise; Mus Araneus will work the same effect, if pulverised when it hath bitten any.

It is also worthy our notice taking, that Poyson doth not onely at­tract Poyson, but also extract pricks and darts out of our bodies without pain, which can scarce be by any strength or art effected.

Many small Creatures are altogether noxious to humane bodies, and yet usefull and commodious to health; as Cantharides, the Ve­nemous Fly Buprestis, Salamanders, Palmer worms, a Sea-hare, a Toad, a Fen frog; for we use Cantharides, Lizards, Scorpions, and Ants daily and effectually to the outward parts, but not to the in­ward; for it is altogether unsafe to put those Creatures into the body which are naturally endowed with an evil quality. Thus did one Agyrta, a forreign and unskilfull Physician, Idem fecit ma­ledictus ille He­braeus Franco­furtanus, Aa­ron vocatus, qui ante bien­nium ad Caco­daemones suos abiit. apply Cantharides to a man well known to be honest, but not wise, who desired a Medica­ment to provoke him to Venery; which sent him not to the pleasant Fields of Venus, but to the Boat of Charon.

Yet there are some, although noxious, which hurt either by biting or touching; which being prepared by expert Artificers, and pre­scribed by skilfull Physicians, and opportunely applyed, do not one­ly no hurt, but produce admirable and salutary effects; for Wine, wherein by mischance a Viper had been suffocated and extinguished, cured a Leper, long before separated from the society of his Fellow-Citizens. A Snake may perform and effect the same. What then will their flesh do, skilfully prepared?

Many efficacious Poysons also are drawn from Minerals, Ex mineralibus venena multa. and these as well growing of their own accord, as Quick-silver, red Lead, Parget, Vitriol, Sory, Sandarach, the Loadstone, crude Antimony, also the Adamant: as those that are made such by Art, as Sublimate Chalk; Verdegrease, Ceruse, Aqua fortis, and almost innumerable others, which are much better unknown, than known; for it is e­nough to treat of some Simples beneficial to some Diseases, amongst which some are to be preferred before others, as less averse to na­ture, and more conducing to health.

CHAP. XIV. Of the faculties of those Medicaments in gene­ral, which are named from their effects.

WE have before shewed, that some Medicaments respect and corroborate some parts by a specifical virtue, as Cephalick respect the head, Ophthalmick the eyes, Pulmoniack, He­patick, the Lungs, Liver, Spleen, and others, other parts, from whence they had their denomination: Now we shall speak briefly and generally of such as are named from their effects, that the Apo­thecary may have in readiness the name and knowledge of Medica­ments, with their respective quality, to the proposed and desired ef­fects. For since names are the marks of things, if they be conveni­ently and rightly fitted to them, they will more aptly teach, guide, and direct the Artificer.

But almost all Medicaments retain their Greek idioms first impo­sed on them. Medicamento­rum appellatio a quibus. Some named from the Arabian Language, have scarce re-obtained their first and proper euphony; yet have they in process of time been somewhat refined. Medicaments therefore from their effects are thus named by Classical Authors.

A Medicament is called Cathartick, or purging, because by some way it draws noxious humours out of our bodies, as by vomiting, or secession.

Physicians call that Cholagogon, or a choler-purging Medicament, which extracts cholerick humours; that which purges flegm, Phleg­magogon; that which purgeth melancholy, Melanagogum; that which purgeth watry or liquid humours, Hydragogum; and that which purgeth all humours, Panchymagogon.

Another Medicament is called Polychrestum, because it is of much use.

Eccoproticon is reckoned amongst the benign Medicaments, and is so called, because it onely moves the dregs.

Those are called Hypercatharctica, or too much purging Medica­ments, which first purge that humour to which it is congruent and familiar, afterwards other humours more apt to follow; last of all, blood; so that they cause the Bloody Flux.

They are called Emetica, that provoke vomiting, and educe the humours by the mouth.

They are called Alliotica, that is, altering, which alter any distem­per, as hot alters cold, cold hot, moyst dry, Euchyma and Cacochyma, [Page 29]that is meats of good & evill juice, have respect to aliments, and those are called Euchyma, which get good blood, those Cacochyma, that get ill blood, they are called Epicerastica, which afford good juice by little and little, in stead of ill juice leasurely drawn out, whence comes Epicrasis, that is, a leasurely evacuation of vitious juice.

That Medicament is called Hypnotycum, which rather causes drowsi­nesse than sleep. (Galen. lib. 9. Method.) and that is called Narcoticum, which doth not only cause sleep, but stupidity, and oftentimes Ne­crosy or death.

That is called Ureticum, which by dividing, relaxing, and compel­ling the passages, moves the urine and gravell, and often expells them.

They are called Lithontriptica that is Saxifrage, which break or se­ver the stones or pebles in the bladder, and eject them.

That is called Anodynum which delineates and mitigates any paine with a moderate heat, it is called also Paregoricum, and some­times Lysiponium that is a labour easing, or pain mitigating medica­ment.

That Medicament is in generall called Chalasticum, which eases the part to which it is applyed, or refreshes it with moderate heat; but taken strictly it is that onely which relaxeth and cureth any swel­ling, without excesse of any quality, as fat, butter, grease, &c.

That poysonous Medicament, which divides and opens the orifices, and excites the blood to an issue by its heat or acrimony, is called [...], such as be Ramsons, Savine, Leeks, Sow bread, and ma­ny others.

The Greeks call a repercussive Medicament, [...], because by its refrigerating and binding power, it repells the humours breaking out into the members: as Plaintain, Sorbe Ayles, the hearb Mouse-eare: other repell by a refrigerating quality only, as water and other such repercussours, Galen. lib. 14. Method.) but according to Galen and Oribasius, all repelling Medicaments are onely to be used in the be­ginning of a fluxe.

That is called Helcticum or Epispasticum which draweth the humors downwards; and it is contrary to repelling Medicaments, for it is hot and thin, but repercussives, cold and grosse Galen. lib. 10. compos. Med. loc. cap. 25. lib. 1. sympos. c. 16. lib. 5. simplic. And every hot Medica­ment draweth, every cold one repells. That which is hot in the second degree, doth apparently draw; that which is hot in the third partly drawes, and partly disposes, and it is called [...]. Now there are foure different kinds of attracting Medicaments. Atrahentia quadruplicia. Some draw by an Elementary quality, which are hot in the second degree; Others by accident, as in putrefaction, and of this sort, Leaven hath the strong­est attractive quality, others by a certain similitude, as poysons at­tract poyson, others by an occult property, As Dittany attracts and extracts pricks and darts, the Loadstone Iron.

That is called [...], which whether internally assumed, or ex­ternally [Page 30]applyed, doth not only open the passages by attenuation and scowring, but which cutts, divides, and resolves obvious humours by sweat or breath. Of which there are two kindes, some weaker called [...] that is relaxing, which indeed are hot and subtill, but doe not dry up, which rather dispose the humors for resolution, than re­solve them: The matter of resolving Medicament is abundant, for all those that are moderately hot in the second, and hot in the third de­gree, and subtil, resolve.

That which is called [...], that is stopping or obstru­cting is contrary to that which is called Anastomoticum, for it ob­structs the entry of the vessells, and hinders evacuations, because its substance is grosse, and therefore obstructive.

That is called [...], that is closing, which hath power, but more unable and weak to obstruct, and it onely closes the pores of the skin as Stegnoticum doth the orifices of the veines.

That is called [...], that is clammy, which applyed to any place sticks tenaciously, and obstructs the pores of the skin, and fils them with much stuffe, as Rosin or Gum.

Some are also called Emphrastica, which obstruct the pores with a glewish humour, and fill them with clammy matter.

A condensing Medicament called by the Greeks [...], is that which makes liquid and subtill juices more grosse, its power con­sists in grosse and terrestriall matter, void of all Acrimony.

The Med. called [...], is contrary to this, which attenuates grosse and compact humour, and variously dissolves them. It is of a very subtill substance, whether cold, as vinegar, or hot, as Aqua vitae, otherwise called Aqua vini, and by many Alcumists an Elixir, or quintessence.

That is called [...], that is a pore-opening Medicament, which delivers the passages from viscid and clammy humors, & its faculty is various according to the various manner of the humour causing ob­struction, for that obstruction, which proceeds from a glewish juice, must be dissolved by an attenuating, and cutting Ecphracticke, that obstruction which is hard withall must be resolved by a mollifying quality.

That is called [...], that is, mollifying, which mollifies a hard body as (a hard boyle) and reduces it to its naturall state, and it is at least hot in the second degree, and temperate, both in humidity, and siccity, cap. 4. & 8. lib. 5. simpl.) that which is more temperate in heat is rather a cause of imposthumes. But that which is applyed to a hard swelling caused by siccity, should be both more moist and mo­derate, in heat, as oyle of much marrow.

That is called [...], or a suppuratory, which is most congru­ent and like to our nature, and as it were a symmetry of heat and moi­sture ( c. 5.7. & 8. lib. 5. simpl.) whence if our finger be put to any part, where we desire to change the matter into corruption, if it be long therein detained, it shall easily make a suppuration, but molli­fying [Page 31]Medicaments are hotter, yet not so hot, that they discusse by that quality their exuperant humidity, and therefore suppurating Medica­ments performe what they may, rather by quantity, and mollifying by quality than any other thing.

To the former [...], is very simular: but taken strictly, it is a Me­dicament which concocts the humour, Diapyeticum is that which changes it into corruption.

That is called [...], or cleansing, which purges out all grosse and subtill humours and all filth, whence it is called a purgative Medica­ment: It is altogether bitter of taste, full of salt, and drying; that is called, [...], which is applied to green wounds, it is also called [...], that is, a blood stenching Medicament.

That Medicament is called [...], or incarnative, which is effectu­all in regenerating flesh, and it is dry in the first degree, and cleanseth moderately, and without paine. ( cap. 15. lib. 5. simpl. & 3. Me­thod.).

That Medicament is called [...], or glutinatory, which conjoynes and agglutinates parts disjoyned, that they may returne to their na­turall unity, when it is applyed to bloody wounds, [...], & [...], by some Symphyticum & Aggregativum.

That is called [...], which is effectuall in solidating broken bones, and in conjoyning flesh-pores.

That is called [...], or Synuloticum, which makes a skar in the ulcer, which it doth by its most efficacious siccity and astriction, for this is dry in the third degree, Coleticum, in the second, and Sarcoti­cum in the first onely.

That Medicament is called [...], which consumes the superflu­ous flesh, to which it is applyed, and reduces the part to its native su­perficies, whence it is called of some [...], it is hot in the third degree.

That Med. is called [...], which by burning the part, to which it is applyed by its most vehement and fiery heat, it leaves a pill, or crust upon it, as sublimate, or a Caustick.

That Medicament is called [...], that is, putrifying, which par­takes of some maligne quality, and destroyes and putrifies the place it touches, by induring its stink and ill quallity, as Sandarach the Monks hood, and such like.

Some are called [...], which take away hard thick skin, and these may easily be used in their stead, which are called Catharetica, that is superfluous flesh-consuming Medicaments.

And since these are the chief names taken from the ffects of Me­dicamentall faculties, we will omit those that are of lesse use.

CHAP. XV. Of the choice of purging Medicaments in ge­nerall.

IF an Apothecary sufficiently know these three things, he is most expert in his Art, to wit to select, prepare, and compound Me­dicaments; now Election denotes knowledge, for no man can well select, and discerne this good from that evill, unlesse he have known both: preparation also presupposes an industrious artificer, who being long exercised in the Art, doth correct and amend maligne simples many wayes, as by fire, water, and his hand, making the good better, and weak stronger, and of more vertue. And there is no composition without election and preparation, for a confusion of many simples together is no composition.

Therefore to elect Medicaments, Delectus quid. should be an Apothecaryes first duty and imployment: which choise is thus defined. Election is a se­paration and distinction of that which is evill from that which good, of the noxious from the innoxious, and of the maligne from the benigne. Benignum Me­dicamentum quid. Malignum. Now that is a benigne purging medicament, which purges gently, and looses the belly calmely, as Cassia, Manna, Tamarinds and Rhabarbe; and that is a maligne and un­whole some medicament, which purges by a violent traction, and di­sturbes our bodyes, by reason of that adverse essence it hath to our natures.

This malignant medicament is twofold, Medicamentum malignum quo­tuplex. the one totally so, to wit whose universal genus is violent and unruly, of what sort soever it be, or whence soever it is taken, as Euphorbium, Laurel, Antimony. The other in some species, or by accident in some individual of its genus, which hath revolted and degenerated from its proper nature, as black Agarick, black Turbit, Colocynth, only in the Plant, or of one plant in the field, Mesue onely in Plants or of the Aple-trees in the field, because it is believed to take away all bitternes and malignity of the field and plants.

But we ought to abstain from both these kinds of malignant purges, unlesse in some great affections, Quando malig­nis purgantibus liceat uti. in which gentle, little or nothing pro­fit, for then a skilfull Physician may use malign medicaments duely prepared, because even poysons are salutary in some diseases, as Vi­pers flesh to the Leprosy, Scorpions flesh, to wounds made by them­selves, made doggs blood to them that are bitten by a mad-dogg, whence is that Proverb: Those that are wounded by Scorpions, seek remedy from the same.

We must also abstain from benigne purges, unlesse they be rightly, [Page 33]in a just quantity, and seasonably administred, and also exhibited to such as they may profit, for Hippocrates saith, Aphoris. 14. lib. 4. Quando à bi­nignis abstinen­dum. that a purging medicament is noxious to them that have their health according to that ( Matth. 9.) The whole need not a Physician.

CHAP. XVI. Whence the Election of purging Medicaments may be taken.

THe Election of a purging Medicament is made from its essence; Essentia medi­camenti quid. nature, and faculties, we call the essence of every Medicament, that very state, which arises from its matter and forme, or that all which is seen, or consisteth absolutely in a Medicament without any preparation.

And we call the faculty of a Medicament, that very vertue it doth, Facultas medi­camenti quid. or can exercise in our bodies.

Now the substance first qualities, or temperament, second qualities ensuing the temper and the disposition externally acquired, shew the good or ill essence of a Medicament, Substantiae me­dicamentorum. now we understand by the name substance, the commoderation and consistency of the matter, which flowes from the proportionable mixture of the Elements, whence some are said to be heavy, or light, others dense or rare, others grosse, or subtill, others clammy or friable, from which diffe­rencies a certain disposition and proper faculty is ingendred, whereby we may distinguish betwixt the good and evill in the same genus.

In the second place Election may be made from the prime quali­tyes, that is from the Temperament, Temperamenti quot differentiae of which there are eight diffe­rent kinds, hot, cold, moist, dry, which are called simple qualities, and as many compound hot and moist, hot and dry, cold and moist, cold and dry, to which may be added the mean temperament, in which consists the nature of man, from which flow divers other tempera­tures, some in one, some in two, some in three, and some in four degrees; and therefore the excesse of severall degrees is distin­guished.

Thirdly, the Election is taken from the second qualities, Secundae quali­tates quot dif­ferentiis inclu­duntur. which es­pecially differ in four kinds, for some are tangible, others odorable, others gustable, and others visible; audible qualities are omitted, be­cause no certain election can be made by them. Now those are ran­gible qualities which can be discerned by the judgment of the touch, some whereof are the properties of the Elements, to wit, in which the first qualities hot, cold, moist and dry, are discerned by the touch; others arise from the temperament, and are called second qualities; by whose means the Medicament is heavy or light, hard or [Page 34]soft, clammy, or friable, sharp or smooth as above.

Fourthly, Odor quid. Medicaments may be selected from their odour, which is a certain vaporous substance proceeding from an odorable matter, which brought into the nostrills, moves the sence of smelling, and there are as many kinds of them, as sapors: for odors concord with sa­pours in proportion, and for the most part borrow their demonstra­tions from them, yet are not the species of odours so distinct as them of sapours, because the sense of smelling in men is very dull; hence it is that there are a thousand kinds of odours that want proper names, and therfore all odorables are generally distinguished into well smel­ling, and ill smelling things.

Fiftly, the judgement in Election may be guided by the Taste of Medicaments, Sapor quid. Sapores quet. and that more surely than by Odours; because there are more distinct species of sapors than of Odours ( lib. 4. simpl. Med. Gal. cap. 21.) for sapour is a quality that may be perceived by the sense of Tasting, whereof there be nine different species, three whereof flow from over-powering calidity in a substance, grosse or subtill, to wit, sharpe, bitter, salt, three from exuperant frigidity, sowre, austere, unpleasant, and three from moderate heat, pleasant, fat, unsavory, Selectio medi­camentorum à dispositione ex­trinseca. the last whereof inclines to frigidity, pleasant & fat to heat.

Sixtly, Medicaments may be selected by a disposition extrinsecal­ly acquired, which arises from the season or place ( Gal. cap. 2. lib. 4.) Mesue, addes Magnitude, Parvitude, and Number, for by these the quality of the Medicament is of more or lesse force. A certain and universall rule cannot be given concerning the temper and choise of Medicaments by their colour and sound, that thereby the benigne may be discerned from the malignant: for seeing all benignity and malignity of Medicaments consists in the substance, temperament and faculties, cold, moist, hot, and dry, are found in all colours. Nei­ther do the colours themselves shew the temperament of the Medica­ments, for the colour of a medicament may very easily be changed by some externall accident.

The judgement also of the benignity & malignity of a medicament from its sound is as uncertain as from its colour: for there is no uni­versall, but onely a particular and accidentall knowledge thereof, as in Cassia, Carthamus, and some few more.

CHAP. XVII. How Election of Medicaments may be made from the things premised.

EVery Cathartick attracts the humour most like it self, but Mesne asserts that some purge more particularly by attraction, as all those that are more valid, some by repression as Styp­ticks, some by lenitude, as viscid and lubricating Medicaments, and [Page 35]some by mollifying, as most Malacticks. But of those that purge by Traction, those are to be judged better that are lighter, and the hea­vier malignant; for the levity of a substance shews its subtilness and rarity, gravity its crassitude and density. Eorum, quae trahendo pur­gant, quaenam meliora. Now those that consist of gross matter, do hurt more; as also those that have superfluous hu­midity; by how much they are lighter, by so much better, unless they be decayed; for those that are lighter have less superfluous hu­midity, which subverts the ventricle, and causes pain.

The state of those that purge by repression from a Styptick facul­ty consisting in the terrestrial matter, Quae compri­mendo purgant quomodo seli­genda. which through their native con­dition and temper are solid, not rare, is contrary to the former; which are to be judged of from their plenitude or vacuity, because these naturally should be gross, not rare; for by how much these are hea­vier, by so much better. As also those that purge by leniating, lubri­cating, and mollifying, because the faculty of mollifying and lubri­cating proceeds from humidity, which necessarily supposes gravity. But that humidity is natural, and of its proper temper, not excre­mentious, which makes the Medicaments better.

We may judge of rare and dense substances, as of light and heavy, for levity concomitates rarity, as density doth gravity, for the tearms are reciprocal: but thin and friable are not the same, for every friable thing is not thin, nor every pliant gross, nor on the contrary: but if any Medicament be thin and pure, it must necessarily be friable and tender; and if any Medicament be gross and impure, it will be viscid and clammy; these excepted in pliant humid substances, as Honey, Manna, Butter, Oil; that which is purer is better, and what impurer worse. That is properly called gross, which cannot easily be made smooth, or which cannot be bruised into thin parts; and that thin; which can easily be so reduced. That is called thick or dense, Crassum, Tenue. Densum. Rarum. Grave. Lentum. Friabile. that can pass through none or few Orifices. That rare, which is apt to pass through many. That is heavy, which being compact, is more conspicuous by weight than magnitude. That light, which is less in weight than bignesst That which is pliant is so much opposite to that which is friable, that the pliant can scarce be wrought upon by pulling or bruising; whereas the friable is bruised to powder, even with a touch or weight of a finger.

Now for matter of Temperaments; in simple Temperatures hot Medicaments are better than cold, and moyst than dry; in com­pounds, hot and moyst are most wholsome, cold and dry most dan­gerous. But if the election be made from degrees of intention, whereas mans temperament is moderate, by how much the Medica­ment comes nearer mans temper, by so much it is more wholsome; and by how much it is more remote, by so much more malignant. So that what Medicament soever is four degrees distant from the mean, that Medicament is worst; and those Medicaments that ex­ceed the extream of four degrees, are rather to be adjudged Poysons than Medicaments.

Now we may thus judge of Medicaments, De delectu in secundis quali­tatibus. by reason of their se­cond qualities, as of Tangibles; when one Medicament of the same kinde is hard, another cold; one sharp, and another smooth; in these the foft is to be preferred before the hard, and the smooth before the sharp or rough. Durum quid We call that hard, according to Galen, (cap ult. lib. 3. de differ. puls.) which is harder than our flesh, or to which our flesh yields; Molle quid. and that contrarywise soft, which yieldeth to our flesh; and both of them become such two manner of wayes, to wit, either by Nature, or by Art. That also is called smooth, that hath an equal superficies. Love & aspe­rum quid. That rough, which hath an unequal one, by reason of some parts higher, others lower in it; as in Prunes, Sebestens, My­robolans, and many more.

Now election of Medicaments may be made from Odour, Delectus ab odore. for this cause, because a sweet oppleasant smell refreshes the spirits, re­stores strength and vigour to them, exhilarates the principal mem­bers and parts, and corroborates their faculties. An ill and stinking smell on the contrary burthens and aggravates the head, vexes the heart, subverts the ventricle, infects the spirits, moves a loathing, causes grievous and laborious purgings, and oftentimes vomitings. And therefore such purging Medicaments are obdulcora [...]ed with cordial Electuaries, Omnia aroma­ta esse cardiaca. whereby their ingratefull odour is amended, and the principal parts fortressed against the malign quality of these Me­dicaments; for all odoriferous Spices are the fountain and principle of life. Wherefore a good smell is to be preferred before an ill; for an ill smell hurts the heart and brain, and a good one exhilarates both, ( Gal. cap. 25. lib. 4. de simplic.) for it is familiar to the spirit contained in the ventricle of the brain, which whil'st it is refreshed, it makes the faculties more operative.

CHAP. XVIII. A particular disquisition of Tasts.

WE have with Physicians of best note asserted, ( Oribas cap. 5. lib. 14. collect.) that three of the nine sapours are hot, three cold, Sapor acer qualis. and three temperate. Of all which, the sharp, tart sapour is hottest, which being incited by our heat, whereby it is reduced from a potency to an act, bites, corrodes, expresses the sense of a fiery qua­lity, and in a manner burns, as Indian Pepper, as Pelitory, or as a little flame.

There are of these sharp sapours many kinds, Aerium multa genera. ( Gal. cap. 17. lib. 4. simpl.) for some are hot and dry, exceeding the fourth degree of heat, and are poyson, as Sublimate, and Arsenicks. Others have much humidity mixed with a fiery heat, whereby they are made somewhat pleasant, and edible, as Garlick, Onions, Leeks, Garden cresses, and [Page 37]such like. Others are contained in a third order, as the herb Galin­gal, Pepper, Savine, Treacle mustard, Snap-dragon, Helicampane. Others are more moderate, as Thyme, Hyssop, Anise, Coriander, Radish-root, Origane. And others are sharp absolutely and simply, and some are mixed with other sapours, as such Medicaments as are sharp and bitter.

Next to the sharp sapour is the bitter, Amarus sapor. which proceeds from the assation of the subtil terrestrial parts; and it hath not the power of corroding as the sharp, but more cleansing than the saltish; so that it trouble somely exasperates the tongue, ( Paul. Aegin. cap. 1. lib. 7. Galen. cap. 10. lib. 4. simplic.) and it is two-fold; the one hot, spo­ken of before, which arises from the assation of terrestrial parts, by which sweet things are made bitter, either by concoction, or by age; the other cold, which comes by vehement congelation, as in Opium, wild Succory, Lettices, Hemlock, and some unripe Fruits; or which comes from an inchoated or imperfect coction, or rather from remiss heat which is accounted cold, as the other from an intense heat; for there is scarce any compound which is not endued with divers natures and qualities; whence it is no wonder, if Opium and Hemlock be partly hot, and partly cold. One scruple of Coloquintis may induce to two pounds weight of water bitterness, but no heat, unless it be ve­ry small and occult. Yet Schegkius thinks that some are hot, because of their bitterness, and that they refrigerate by an occult virtue, as Poppies and Succory, (lib. de occult. medic. facult.) Now a bitter sapour is such, either simply, as in Aloes; or mixed with other sa­pours, as in Wormwood, to which a stypticity or astriction is an­nexed. As also we may experience in many unripe Fruits, which not having as yet attained their perfect magnitude, are bitter sour; but being mature, they are bitter, and withall sweet, with a kinde of sourness.

Next to bitter and salt sapour, Salsus. which is not so dry because of its watry humidity, wherewith its terrene substance is tempered. ( Orib. & Gal. cap. 20. lib. 4. simplic. Furthermore, it cleanseth moderate­ly, yea, it washeth the tongue more moderately than bitter sapours, and it is pleasant enough to the tasters, endued with some astrictive faculty; yet not so much as to contract the tongue, as the austere or acerb sapour.

Now this salt sapour is two-fold; the one natural, the other arti­ficial; Natural, as in Salt, Sea-water, and many salt terrene sub­stances; Artificial, as in Lee, Lime, and in Chymick Salts.

All sour sapour is cold of it self, or so naturally; as in those things, Aridus. whose cold temper is conjoyned with tenuity of substance, as the juice of Limmons, Oranges, Sorrel, and such like; or so by acci­dent, as by putrefaction, ( Act. cap. 1. tetr. 1. serm.) by which means Wine is said to be sour, yet not so absolutely, for it hath some Acri­mony in it self, as Galen attesteth, ( lib. 1. simplic.)

Hence arises another division of sour sapour, to wit, into that [Page 38]which is exactly such, as the sapours before mentioned, and into that which is not exactly such, but is conjoyned with some other sapour, whether sweet, bitter, or sharp, as four-sweet Fruits, as Apples, Prunes, Mulberries, Cherries. Some Fruits have also bitterness joy­ned with their sourness, as Persian Apples, and some Cherries. Vi­negar partakes of Acrimony, and a mixed quality, as Galen saith, ( c. 19. 21. & 26. lib. 1. simplic.) because of its acquired heat; yet its fourness exceeds its Acrimony, as Acrimony exceeds sourness, in Oils of Sulphur and Vitriol, educed by Chymical Art, which cor­rode and bite the tongue; and taken alone, do greatly calefy. Fur­thermore, sour sapour, as to its impression upon the tongue, it cor­rodes, bites, penetrates, and exterges, and all without calefaction, unless it have some other quality mixed with it, as Galen asserts, ( cap. 2. lib. 4. simpl.) in which it differs from sharp sapour, although sour sapours ferment the earth for the tenuity of their parts with heat pro­duced by putrefaction.

The austere or styptick sapour doth moderately strain and exaspe­rate the tongue and mouth, Austerus. and in some measure dry and refrigerate; and it is very peculiar to many immature Fruits, as to Quinces, to the fruit of the Dog-tree, and many Pears, especially wild Pears. The matter consists in a mean, to wit, partaker both of a terrestrial and watry nature, in which frigidity is predominant. Wherefore all au­stere sapours are frigid, moderately astringing and repelling fluxes; and it differs from an acerb sapour, in that it is more humid, and astringeth and exasperates less. For Galen, ( cap. 7. lib. 4. simplic.) saith, that watry humidity doth much retund and dullify the strength of every sapour.

But when natural heat begins to domineer in the very matter, and the watry matter mixed with the terrene hath attained to maturity, then the austerity evinced and expelled, dulcity succeeds in the same matter; and so austere Fruits after mutation become sweet, which mutation is not of the matter, but quality.

Acerb sapour, Acerbus. sometimes called Pontick and Styptick, differs from the austere sapour onely by reason of more or less, ( Aet. cap. 1. tetr. 1. fer. 1.) for thereby it more grievously and strongly astrin­ges and exasperates the tongue and mouth, ( Aet. cap. 4. lib. 2.) be­cause it consists more of dry and terrene matter, not apertly parta­king of watry humidity. And in it cold with siccity is more predomi­nant than heat; for every acerb sapour is cold. Now this sapour is most conspicuous in Gall nuts, in unripe Medlars, and sorb Apples.

Sweet sapour is mild and pleasant to the tast, Dulcis. and familiar and ac­ceptable to the belly and stomack, saith Galen, ( c. 14. lib. 4. simpl. com. ad aphor. 37. lib. 5.) because it hath a mild calidity, and lau­dable temper: wherefore sweet things onely nourish, and the Infant in the womb onely draws the sweetest blood. Now sweet differs from oily, because an oily sapour is less pleasant, whereas otherwise their temperaments are one, and their impressions on the tongue [Page 39]alike: for that which is sweet, lenifies and dilates the little fibres of the tongue, takes away asperity, and cleanses away whatever inheres to the tongue. Now this sweet sapour is most apert in Sugar, Ho­ney, Manna, Liccorish, Milk, Reysons, Jujubs, and mature Fruits. Theophrastus constitutes four species of this sapour, to wit, milky, ho­ney, watry, and winy.

The unctious or oily sapour is sweet, and nourisheth, as Galen saith, ( cap. 9. lib. 4. simpl.) that whatsoever nourisheth is sweet, or of a kinde of sweet sapour: yet they are distinct; for watry humidity is of sweet things, aery of fat things; whence it easily melts in the fire, and is rather sauce than nutriment, ( cap. 10. lib. 3. de Aliment.) for it lenifies and fills the exasperate parts of the tongue, as Butter, Mar­row, Oil. Now unctious sapour is such, either exquisitely, as all oily and fat things; or moderately, as the root of Mallows and Lillies.

The insipid or unsavoury sapour is next to swell, Insipidus. and it deflects more to frigidity, by reason of its watry substance not well elabora­ted by its inbred heat; and it is evident in things not perfectly con­cocted and cold; for all unsavoury Aliments are pituitous, ( Gal. cap. 46. lib. 2. de facult. aliment.) but is more properly observable in Water, Citrul, Gourds, and such like; for it affects the tongue with no manifest quality, neither is it properly a sapour, but rather a pri­vation of sapour, as the name shews. The Latins call it fatuum, that is, foolish or unsavoury, because it moves the sense with no manifest quality, it leaves an impression much like to that of Hydraeolean.

CHAP. XIX. What election of Medicaments may be made by Sapours.

THE preservation of our nature consists in sanity, and sanity in temperament, from which those sapours that recede more, are to be adjudged more malign, and those that more agree to our nature are more wholsome. Now of sapours, sharp and bitter are most un­acceptable and averse to our nature, sweet familiar and gratefull. Wherefore by how much a purging Medicament recedes more from sharp and bitter sapours, by so much it is less noxious. For those that are exactly sharp, are to be thought worst, and most nocent, Exacte acria pessima. as Eu­phorbium and Thymelea, which by reason of their acrimony and ve­hement heat, exulcerate the bowels.

Next to these are sharp and bitter sapours, as the juice of Buck­thornberry. After these, that which is exactly bitter, as wild Gourds, and the juice of wild Cucumbers, called El [...]terium.

Those which are both sharp and bitter, Acria & ama­ra. Aloen venas occludere. and also styptical, as Aloes, which contrary to Serapio, rather shuts than opens the veins, are not so ill; and they are less ill that are both sharp and styptical, as Epi­thymus, ( Diosc. cap. 24. lib. 3. Gal. cap. 4. lib. 5. meth. Pint. cap. 4. lib. 27.)

Bitter and styptical are least of all ill, Amara & styptica. as Rhabarb, and Sea-worm­wood; for although bitter things putrifie least, and do not generate Worms, yet those that are exactly such, since they are not fit to be eaten of any Creature, much less of Man; Galen attesting the same, ( cap. 9. lib. 4. simpl.) by how much any sapour is less bitter, by so much the rather it is to be chosen.

Now of good and wholsome sapours, Dulcia salu­berrima. the sweet ones are most wholsome, as Cassia, Manna, Honey, Licorish, Jujubs.

Secondly, the unsavoury are next to these, as Mallows, Sorrel, Violets.

Thirdly, both sweet and sharp, as Prunes, Tamarinds.

Fourthly, sweet and bitter, as Polypody.

Fifthly, sweet, bitter, and styptical, as Roses; for those that have astriction, are adjudged most wholsome. And therefore where Na­ture hath not given astriction to purging Medicaments, Art adds it.

CHAP. XX. Of the time when Medicaments are to be gathe­red, how long their virtue lasts, and in what time it is most valid.

THat disposition of a Medicament which is extrinsecally ac­quired, and which gives better knowledge to their selecti­on, proceeds either from the time wherein they are to be gathered, or from the place where they are deposited. As to the time, three things are worthy to be known; first, when they ought to be gathered; secondly, to what time their virtue remains perfect; thirdly, in what time they are better and more usefull; for some are better new than old, others better old than new, others best in the middle of the time.

As to the first, Quo tempore colligenda me­dicamenta. we affirm that Medicaments are then to be gathered, when their virtue is better and more usefull. But nevertheless all parts of Plants are not equally, and at one time and season, effectual and wholsome: For Roots should be gathered at one time, Stalks at another, Leaves at another, Flowers and Fruits, Seeds, Juices and Gums, at another time.

And so Roots should be gathered in several seasons of the year, Quovis tempo­ve quaedam ra­dices colligenda not in Autumn only, as is asserted by Dioscorides, Avicenna, and many [Page 41]others. Nor also in the Spring alone, as Saladinus would have them: but some may be effoded and gathered at any time, to wit, such as are alwayes vegetive and juicy, although the stalks be dry, as the roots of Bugloss, Sorrel, Licorish, Saint Christophers herb, Smallage, Butchers broom, Cyperus, Sow bread, Lillies, Mallows, and many more. Others as soon as their leaves are fallen, at which time the virtue of the Plant goes into the root, and then the humour is more throughly cocted than at other times, as Enula campana, Angelicae, Peony, Briony, Bugloss. Others are to be pulled up and gathered ere the virtue of the Plant be diffused into branches, leaves, flowers, and seed, as Polypody, Flower-de-luce, Saint Maries seal, Gen­tian, Ragwort. And some are best to be gathered in Spring and Au­tumn, as the roots of Mallows and Lillies, Eringes, Galangal, Sour­dock, Radish, & many more which have store of natural Juice in them.

But the stocks and stalks are to be gathered when they are perfect; leaves and flowers before they fall of themselves, for then for the most part they are perfect. Fruits, when they are ripe; the juices of herbs and leaves while young branches are sprouting out.

Gums are to be drawn and pressed out of the stalks gashed while it is fresh, in the beginning of the Spring, or beginning of Summer, while the juice ascends into the stalk. And all Medicaments, by Dio­scorides advice, are to be gathered when the Heavens are clear.

Now how long the virtue of purging, altering, De duratione virtutis medi­camentorum. or roborating Me­dicaments endure, cannot definitely be shewed and determined upon. For since that every thing hath its proper age, and a peculiar antiqui­ty or recency consists in several Medicaments, the time of duration is not the same in all, for Rhabarb will keep fresh, potent and valid three years, others decay sooner, as of roots such as have thin sub­stances, as the root of Valerian, Asarum, Ragwort, which are effica­cious and valid onely one year.

Some endure five or six years, as Aristolochy; Butchers-broom, Cypetus; others ten years, as the greater Centaury; and according to Threophrastus, others thirty years, as Hellebore; others forty years, as black Chameleon; and some a hundred, as Elaterium: and if the same Author speaks true, Elaterium hath been found of two hundred years old, which was very good and pretious. Therefore we can scarce determine in general for what season or time the virtue of a Medicament, especially purging, is efficacious, but onely specially of some, and several; seeing we shall discourse in our Officina Pharma­copolarum particularly of these, wherein we shall most largely declare and treat of the composition of Medicaments.

Yet may this rule be laid down as general, if not altogether, Quando vis medicamento­rum praestan­tior. yet for the most part true: That all Medicaments consisting of a thin and rare substance, and all such as abound in much humidity, continue but a short time efficacious: but those that are gross and solid, and less humid, endure longer, because their virtue cannot so easily exolve and perish.

The third thing remains yet unapplyed, to wit, at what time the virtue of purging Medicaments is better and more valid, seeing some are better new than old, others on the contrary, and others in their middle age. Quando recen­tia meliora. Now that this dignotion may be certain, and that the e­lection may be good, it ought to be taken from certain differences of sapours, and from the variety of the substance, whereby we judge some new to be better than old Medicaments, as styptick and bitter, which being ill from their imbred siccity, become worse by age, be­cause siccity increases in these by time; but being new, they have hu­midity, which tempers the excess of heat and siccity.

Those also that have but weak virtue, as the flowers of Violets, Borrage, purple colour'd Lilly, Bugloss, Rosemary; or those whose virtue is posited in the superficies, and therefore easily resoluble, because of the rarity of the substance, are better new than old, as al­most all Flowers, especially those whose odour quickly fails.

On the contrary, Quando vetu­sta meliora. some old ones are better than new, especially sharp Medicaments, which are of thin parts, because the fiery heat posited in the superficies, which causes their biting and burning, by age expires. And what Acrimony remains within, in time waxes mild, and is broken, as Galen speaks of Eupherbium, cap. 2. lib. 3. de comp. med. gen.

In Onions and Garlick the case is otherwise, for their Acrimony proceeds from heat conjoyned with humidity, which taken away, they are more sharp, and therefore better new.

Secondly, those whose virtue is valid from the temperament, and hardly resoluble for the density of their substance not posited in the superficies, but shut within, are better old than new; for all ex­crementitious and superfluous humidity is absumed in these by time, and their natural humidity remains, because of their density.

Many are best in their middle age; Qua media a­tate meliora. first, sweet; secondly, un­savoury; thirdly, salt Medicaments. Sweet, because these newly gathered are flatulent, by reason of their superfluous humidity undi­gested; and being old, they are bitter.

Unsavoury Medicaments also being new, abound with superfluous humours, whereby they are flatulent and loathed; being old, they are dead and useless.

Salt Medicaments, lastly, ought neither to be too old, nor too new; for being too old, by reason of their ficcity increased, and their humidity absumed, they are bitter and sharp; and being new by reason of superfluous humidity, they trouble and subvert the ven­tricle.

Now they are antient or new naturally, Vetustum & recens non om­nibus aequum. from a like number of dayes, months, or years. Whence an equal age or newness cannot be given to all, because all do not endure altogether the same number of dayes; but some grow old sooner, and some later.

CHAP. XXI. What election of purging Medicaments may be made from the place.

A Good purging Medicament may be discerned from an ill one by the place; and that either from the native place where Plants grow; or from another place near to, or remote from the Plant; or from a place near to, or remote from the Sun; or from a place exposed to its heat, or obtenebrated and hindred of its heat. Neither is it of small moment to know the place from whence the Plant sprung up, because from thence together with its Aliment, it partook of such virtue as Nature had imparted to that place, ( Gal. cap. 1. lib. 3. de sympt. caus.) For a Tree transferred from Persia into Numidia and Egypt, doth not onely depose its malign quality, but conveyed to us, is wholsome, and may bring forth gratefull and wholsome Fruits.

Now the place in which Plants, and Medicaments taken from Plants grow, is either hollow, and polluted with dung, clay, and other naughty vapours, or free from all strong smelling inquinations, or hot or cold, moyst or dry.

In the free place, which admits of no heap, or filth of dunghils, Cloacarum soe­tor ac putredo plantas insalu­bres reddit. Medicamental Plants, as also Nutritive, acquire the property due and convenient to their nature, while by an attractive faculty they draw the humour familiar to them out of the earth, and convert it to their nutriment; as those that are nourished with sweet, attract sweet hu­mours; bitter, bitter humours; and such as are nourished by salt and nitrous humours, attract salt and nitrous humours.

But in a place not free, but inquinated, as the suburban Gardens, Hortorum sub­urbanorum in­salubria olera. which smell more of smoke and dung than earth, (otherwise unapt to nourish Melons and Cucumbers) do not acquire the property due to their kinde and nature, but to the mixture of dung, and other things; and therefore Melons, Lettices, and other herbs growing in such pu­trid places, are more unwholsome; and all Medicaments that grow in a free place, better, and therefore the rather to be chosen.

Now those that are hot immoderately, sprung in too hot a place, Calida loco ca­lido nata, qua­lia. are worse; as also cold in too cold a place: for the similitude of the place to the Plants intendeth and increaseth their quality and maligni­ty, diffimilitude tempers and represses them. Whence those that a­bound with excrementitious humidity, grow and are nourished in most humid places, as Turbith, Hermodactyls, Polypody, because through the humidity of the ground, siccity and acrimony are retun­ded, as it is known from Bartram, or Pelitory, Water-pepper, and others.

The vicinity also, and society of one Plant to another, makes the quality sometimes better, and sometimes worse, and is not to be re­jected in the election of Medicaments.

Lupines makes the Vine better; which if they be sown besides, it causeth it to bring forth sweet clusters. The Radish root also makes Hermodactyls better.

The Epithymus that grows about Thyme is good; that which is gathered about Basil is naught; Polypody of the Oak is very good, that which is gathered off old walls is naught.

The tree Cassia alone in the field is not worth a Pease cod. We have before, to wit, in the 8. Chapter, shewed the contrary of Colo­cynthis; for some become better by vicinity and number, others worse.

Now from a subsolar place, or from a place nearer to, or more re­mote from the Sun or Stars, some are better or worse: so the Ori­ental Senny, Illyrium and Florentine Flower-de-luce, the Spanish Angelica, the Cretian Thyme, the Judaical Bitumen, the Ethiopian Cummin, the Macedonian Parsley, the Mompelian Maidenhair, the Arabian Cotten weed, or Staechades, the Thebane Poppy, the Scythian Amomum, the Chian Mastick, the Damascen Prune, the Calabrian Manna, the Rhabarb, that is, the root of Barbary; those Oranges that are brought out of France are judged best, because of the property of the earth, and the virtue of the celestial cause.

But there can be little judgement given from the aspect and vici­nity of the Sun and Stars, and the selection of the malignant from the benign thereby is not safe, because we can hardly know from what place every Medicament comes, or whether they grow near others or no, or what good or malignant Star respects every one, we must credit those that effode the roots, and gather the other parts of the Plants.

And as the number in some doth change, intend, or remit their virtue and quality, as one onely Apple of Colocynthis manifests, so also doth magnitude or parvity; for the virtue of the Earth and Plant is diffused, and in many is more remiss, but coacted into one Plant, or one Fruit more valid. Yet many Fruits are commended for their parvitude, as Capers; and many Seeds for their magnitude, as Garthamus.

CHAP. XXII. Of the choyce of purging Medicaments taken from their faculties.

WE have briefly, but clearly, shewed how purging Medica­ments ought to be selected, by a judgement taken from their substance, proper temperament, second qualities proceeding from their temperament, from their disposition extrinsecally acqui­red, from the circumstances of place, time, number, magnitude, and parvity; it rests that we dispatch briefly what may be spoken, as to that choyce which is taken from their purging faculty; which though it be helped by the first and second qualities, yet (saith Mesue) its original is celestial; and it hath that specifical property, whereby the Medicament received into the ventricle, and solicited by our heat, attracts to it self the humour familiar to its nature, as we have noted elsewhere, from the veins and passages of our body, not perceived by the senses, into the belly; and then Nature laden with the burthen of the Medicament, and the humours attracted, prepares a way to excretion, either by vomit at the mouth, or by dejection at the infe­riour parts. Whence there are two kinds of purging Medicaments, the one a vomiting or ejective Medicament, the other dejective; which distinction is taken from the manner of excretion or vacua­tion.

Now the dejective is more desirable than the ejective, because Na­ture hath alotted the inferiour course to expell Excrements, the su­periour to receive Aliments. Whence it frequently happens, that Nature acting spontaneously, and provoked by no morbifical cause, doth abundantly carry and deject excrementious humours at the in­feriour parts; and sometimes irritated by the virtue of the Medica­ment of it self ejective, and by the force of the swelling humour, [...] quomodo pur­g [...]ndi. it ejects both Medicament and humours by the mouth. Whence it comes to pass, that ejective are sometimes better than dejective Me­dicaments, especially to those whose first region of the body or upper ventricle is stuffed with much choler, which by reason of its levity and the facility of the traction, may more easily and sooner be extru­ded by vomit. Hippocrates also commends vomit to them that are slender, especially in Summer, Because for the most part they are cho­lerick; slender folks, (saith he, Aphor. 6. lib. 4.) are prone to vomit, and are to be purged upward; but take heed in Winter. And ( Aphor. 40. lib. 4) in Summer it is better to purge upwards, in Winter down­wards: for the gross and cold humour collected in Winter, is more easily educed by the inferiour parts; and therefore the skilfull Physician uses sometimes ejective, and sometimes dejective Medica­ments, [Page 46]as the condition of the swelling humour requires, or the nature of the diseased will bear. For Galen saith, ( lib. 1. de loc. affect.) That no man should be compelled to vomit, unless he be prone to vomit; and that consuming men are never to be purged by vomit, nor they who have a strait Thorax, or narrow passage.

But if a Vomit be prescribed to whom it is convenient, Quae vomito­ria seligenda. then let it be provoked by those Medicaments which subvert the ventricle without great molestation, and not with white Hellebor, accor­ding to Galens advice, (lib. quos, quando, & quibus medicam.) lest any vessel of the breast should break. And much less by Anti­mony, whereby crafty beguilers kill many, and sometimes them­selves, as it is to be seen in that admirable Historie in Cornelius Gem­ma, c. 4. lib. 2. pag. 239. linea 14.

The same choyce is to be observed in other Purges, that we use the more benign, analogical to the morbifical humours; For we ought to give a choler purging Medicament to the cholerick, (saith Galen) a flegm purging Medicament to the flegmatick, and a me­lancholy purging Medicament to the melancholick; otherwise we of­fend Nature.

Now there is no blood purging Medicament prescribed either to purge blood by the mouth or fundament, because (as Galen saith, ( cap. 6. lib. de purg. medicam. facult.) that were to jugulate, not to purge men. Historia notan­da. Which the Historie of one Thracius, a Bithynian Rustick, who found a herb, which if any one assumed, he should first lose his blood, then his life. Now many dying by this means, the Magi­strate judging the offence worthy diligent inquisition; apprehen­ded the Malefactor; who being demanded of whom he had lear­ned this deletory Poyson, answered, that he learned it of none; but as he once carried a Hogs liver to a neighbouring place, his belly compelling him, he laid the herb down in a place where a certain herb grew while he had eased himself; Note. which after some respite, and interval, he took up again, and found that all the blood drew towards the herb: whence he conjectured, that the herb would attract blood from the body; and finding it true, by experience made upon one he met, as he had before imagi­ned, he afterwards transferred the herb to evil uses: yet he pro­fessed, he never did shew that herb to any, (of which there was much in that Countrey.) Now the Malefactor, amongst other his torments that he was to endure, was first to have his eyes put out, that when he was led along to the place of Execution, he should not shew the herb to any.

Medicaments therefore that draw blood being omitted as poy­sonous, others, not analogical to other parts, are to be selected, but such as respect certain parts by affinity. So Physicians pru­dently prescribe Agarick, Staechados, Betony, to many distem­pers of the head: Manna, Cassia, to distempers of the stomack and reins: Aloes, Myrobolanes, and Wormwood, to purge and [Page 47]corroborate the ventricle: Senna, Cetrarch, to the spleen: Hermo­dactyls, and Ground pine, to the Arteries: Sage and Rosemary to the nerves. Yet these simple Medicaments are not so much a­stringed to those parts, but they may be applyed conveniently to others.

And as many Medicaments, as well simple as compound, do pe­culiarly corroborate some certain part by some familiarity; and so some on the contrary do manifestly destroy and hurt some parts of the body, as the Sea hare the Lungs, Cantharides the Liver, Hem­lock the Brain, as it is well observed by Galen, cap. 1. lib. 1. compos. medic. per genera.

CHAP. I. Where we shall demonstrate, whether some prepa­ration be not required to all Medicines that tend to aliment.

A Compound Medicament that is united and made up of many simples by Art and Experience (be­fore it exists of a convenient consistence) re­quires not a distinct preparation alone, but also that vegetable or Medicament which is simple, as to its number, and such spontaneously and naturally may not be exhibited with successe (and not without some detriment) to the use of man without some altera­tion by a due preparation. For those aliments which we daily assume unto our bodies, if they want their acquired preparation, as rosting, boyling, or the like, are rather fit for beasts than men; because it is naturall, and therefore belongs to cattell to feed upon the fruits of the earth, as hay, pulse, &c. onely prepared by the worke of nature. As also the Sea affords necessary food agreeable to nature, both for [Page 49]great and small fishes. But the earth, unwilling to afford such a bene­fit of her selfe, doth render up her fruits somewhat incongruous to humane nature without a preparation, and will not afford either nu­triment nor aliment to man without the long expectation, and indefa­tigable labours of the Husbandman, who after much paines rending up the bowells thereof, and casting in his seed, proves as it were in­gratefull by bringing forth corne, which at the first sprouting forth becomes suitable nutriment to many birds of the aire, and four footed beasts of the field, but to man in no wise without preparation, by first making bread of it with Water and Leaven: For as that great Attorney Generall of Nature saith (lib. de veter. Med.) That the same meat and drink which suffices beast and Horses, and other crea­tures, as they proceed out of the earth, raw and undigested (viz.) fruits, hearbs, &c. by which these are nourished, and on which they live, cannot suffice man, nor agree with his constitution; For this is apparent, that one body differs from another, one nature from another, and one aliment another. As the same Author hath it (lib. de flatib.) for one and the same thing cannot be commodious and usefull, (as to Nutriment) to all kinds of living creatures, but some are more convenient than others.

Those meats and drinks which are our daily sustenance, Physicians out first Schoole­masters in teaching us to make bread. were in­vented and consulted of with mature deliberation by quondam Phisi­cians, who instructed us, their posterity, to make bread of Corne, by being first separated from the chaffe, then ground, sifted, kneaded and last of all baked.

If therfore meat and drinke being familiar, as it were to the tempe­rament and nature of man need preparation, before they be assumed, then much more simple Medicaments, or those Ingredients which are required to the making up of a Medicine. For there is no Question to be made of compound Medicines, because they cannot be such, till they be first conoited and fitted by art, and due preparation.

Now amongst simples, Lib. 3. cap. 7. that which we call Catharticke is most a­verse from, and inagreeable to our nature. Therefore according to Actuarius, 'twas ordained by nature to overcome, and not to be overpowered; hence it is, that every purging Medicine hath something offensive and ungratefull to the stomack, by consequence therefore it needs preparation and correction before it be exhibited, that its no­xious quality may be removed, and its vertues more approximated to the nature of our constitutions, and that its operation may be better and lesse trouble some to the Patient: For nothing is produced out of the wombe of Nature, which ought to be dished up to man without such preparation, as it requires.

Medicaments are prepared, The reason why Medicines are to be pre­pared. that they may be more cōmodious for use and composition, for thereby they become either more acceptable, more valid, more wholesome, or more miscible, according to the opi­nion of Sylvius. It is our custome to use roots and hearbs, washed and boyled, and not raw, as also powders, infusions, juices, distilla­tions, liquors, decoctions of certaine vegetables, and other materi­alls, [Page 50]and not integrall plants, for by this, either we take away some noxious quality or other from the medicine. As when vipers are made medicinall, we use first well to smite and bombaste them with rods, and then cut off their heads and tailes, and thereby they become lesse venemous, or else by it we detect the desirable faculty. As Goates blood is more efficacious in diminishing the stone, if the Goat be fed with Saxifrage and Grumwell, or else by it, we acquire a new fa­culty, as when we nourish a female creature, a she Goat, or Asse, with Scammony, Milkweed, or other purging hearbs, that its milkinesse may attaine a purgative faculty.

CHAP. II. Of the differences of preparations.

PReparation of Medicaments in generall is made three manner of wayes, Praeparationes tantum tres ge­nerales. either by addition, detraction, or immutation: by addition, and so Agarick is prepared, by adding Ginger and Wine, Coriander-seed with Vineger, Vipers flesh with Bread and Dill: by detraction Cantharides are prepared, their feet and wings cut off; Barly, by taking away its drosse and chaffe; Al­monds, by being blanched; roots by washing, cleansing, and cutting off the Fibres, their pith and woody substance taken out: by immuta­tion, when the Medicament it self, is so prepared by a certain artifi­ciall knowledge and Art, that its noxious faculty is either removed or corrected, and the substance thereby made better to use alone, or compound with others. But this artificiall preparation requires two other manner of wayes, either the adjection of those things that pro­fit, or the detraction of those things that hurt. So Castor and Saf­fron is added to Opium, that its maligne power may be amended; so Lapis Lazuli, is appointed to be burned before it be put into Confe­ctio Alkermes or Kermeticall confection, that its purging faculty may be taken away.

Old Mesue delivers foure other particular modes of preparation, Quatuor prae­parationes se­cundum Mes. coction, lotion, infusion, and grinding, to which our later Phy­sicians have aded many more, as lotion, purgation, infusion, hume­ctation, maceration, dissolution, clarification, emollition, cola­tion, extraction, solution, digestion, fermentation, tundation, pulverization, frixion, assation, liquation, putrefaction, insolation, extinction, refrigeration, despumation, exsiccasion, induration, distillation, digestion, mixtion, scapulation, extraction conserva­tion, duration. But in generall, humectation, maceration, dis­solution, emollition and what ever is humified or mollified, with water or moisture, is contained under infusion; Pulverization and scraping, and whatsoever is made smooth with scraping, rubbing, &c. is comprehended under tundation, calefaction, ustion, frixion, [Page 51]and what others are prepared with fire and heat, is comprehended un­der coction: and thus the infinite manner of preparing may be redu­ced to some few generall heads.

These subsequent modes of preparations are for the most part fre­quent with Chymists, calcination, digestion, fermentation, distilla­tion, circulation, sublimation, fixation, to distillation pertaines exa­lation, exhaltation, circulation, cohobation, rectification, they call a double distillation a cohobation, when the distilled liquor is pou­red upon the same Ingredient, and distilled over againe.

But to omit these Chymicall tearmes of preparations, which is better to know, than make experience of. We will prosecute more particularly the accustomed preparation of Medicines, the whole­some Remedies of Physicians prescript, that we may securely and without danger make use of to the depelling of our distempers, and the safeguarde of our families, which be such as Apothecaries prepare daily and openly before all mens eyes, and places them in conve­nient pots and glasses and other vessells in their shops, either for pre­sent use or perseverance, till occasion serves: and of those the Phy­sician selects for the necessity of the exigent, sometimes this, some­times that, and prescribes how much is most convenient to be admi­nistred for the expelling of the disease. Now the Physicians work is not to prepare these Medicins, but to prescribe them, hence it is, that Apothecaries are tearmed the Physicians hand (for it is better to commit our lives into the hands of two than one,) to operate ac­cording to Prescript, for if the Physician alone should prescribe, pre­pare, and afford Medicines, It were too great a trouble to ly upon one mans shoulders. Besides, he hath power to save or kill, and not to be liable to punishment, by Law. Which, is an Impious and Intole­rable thing, an act not to be indured, therefore it was ordained, that Apothecaries should be appointed, who ought to prepare and preserve Medicaments, and to distribute them out in certain quanti­ties, according to the Doctors Judgment and decree.

But I would not abrogate Chymicall remedies totally from Apo­thecaries shops, for there are many of them of excellent vertue, Chimica reme­dia non negligenda. to the dissipating of many crabbed distempers: but they are such as the learned and skilfull onely should use, and not ignorant Mountebanks, Qui debeant uti chymicis remediis. and wandering Quacks and deceivers, who scarce know how to pre­pare a Medicin, yet will proclaime themselves to the world to be more skilfull than Galen and Hyppocrates.

But to returne to our intended purpose, I say, there are di­vers modes of preparing Medicins, which that I may prosecute in order, I will begin with Lotion, afterwards I will extend my dis­course to those ingredients which are simply prepared with water, of­ten, when medicinall with juice or other liquor; then I will demon­strate what preparations are made with contunding, grinding, or scraping, afterwards I will explaine what preparation heat performes, and I will add to these, those that are finished with a mixed manner.

CHAP. III. Of Lotion.

LOtion by learned Sylvius is accounted the last manner of prepa­ration, Primus praepa­rationis modus & cur. by some, the middle; but by us the first; because most In­gredients, before they will serve our use, before any other preparation can be made, ought to be washed, though some, I confesse, are not to be washed till they be burned, rosted, or scraped.

This Lotion is twofold, Duplex Lotio. the one a superficiary Lotion, which de­tracts the adherent filth, from the superficies of roots, hearbs and o­ther Medicinall materialis, and It is common to all other things, which being inquinated with clay, or other pollutions, are to be washed: the other is more intimate, which dilates it self both without and within, and thorow the whole substance: Now this preparation is made in water or other liquor for this end and purpose, to remove some notious quality, or to introduce some good one, as the disease it self, the nature of the disease, or the occasion requires.

The Ingredient or materiall to be washed is either obdurate, solid, or stony, as the substance of shells, bones, stones, concrete Juices, dry gums and metalls; or such as are of themselves liquid, as Turpenttne, Oyle, or such as are easy to be melted, as wax, pitch, rosin, butter; or such as are dissoluble, as Lime-stones, Bole arme­niack, Lytharge of God or Silver.

Those things that are hard and solid, before washing ought to be pulverized, or burned, and so bruised, that they cannot be grinded without ustion, as Ivory, and Harts-horne, and so the water or liquor may reach, wash, and purge every part.

Those that will easily melt as Wax and Rosin, &c. ought first to be warmed, that being melted they may more eafily yield, or be made more pliable; if they will easily dissolve of themselves, they are to be sprinkled with some water or juice, and then washed, if liquid of themselves, they are to be washed by continuall stirring and commi­xing water or other liquor with the body of the thing to be washed.

The liquors in which this Lotion is made, is either pure water, as fountain, or rain-water, or medicinall, as sulphurous Sea water, or Bituminous or some other humour, as milk, honey, vinegar, the juice of Plants, distilled water and decoctions of simple medicaments. This Lotion is either much and hard, or little and light, or a medium, or mean: for the things that are washed for the detraction of their filth ought either to be washed strongly or lightly, and the water so off changed, till it remaines pure, and all its impurity segregated and eje­cted.

Those that are washed in a medicinall liquor, should lye in the same a certain space, according to appointment, as a whole night, or the space of some houres, that they may attract the greater power from the liquor, or loose their malignant quality: This preparationis in­juriously called by Sylvius, A Lotion, when it is rather an Infu­sion or Maceration, or rather as another hath it, an Imbution, Imbutio quid. for the liquor seldom or never adds faculties to the Medicin, but ra­ther detracts from it, as we see in Rhabarb and others steeped in wa­ter; whose purgative faculty remaines by being transmitted into the Liquor.

Yet are they not washed, that they may so lose their vertues, but increase them, Aloe cur ablua­tur. and so in Mesues judgement Aloes should be wa­shed in odoriferous water, that it may coroborate the more, or in some purging juice or decoction (as juice of Roses, or the infusion thereof) that it may with more celerity relax the belly; yet it is not alwayes washed, that its purging faculty may be intended, but rather that its heat may be remitted; as when it is washed in the water of Endive, Succory, or such like, that it may not too much exestuate the liver.

Lotion therefore ex consequenti, either adds to, or detracts from medicinall materialls, and causes not onely the filth to be wiped off, but also mitigates in some their acrimony, in others destroyes their malignity, and dulls their violence, and makes them better, either to be assumed or applyed.

Now that Metalls may be washed, Metallica ut abluenda. they ought to be pulverized ve­ry small, and then to be put into pure water, or any other Medicinall liquor, and to be continually stirred with a wooden Spatula for a whole day, and in the morning following the water to be powred out, and other water put on, and agitated as before, till the water thats pow­red off be cleere, and by this means Metalls lose their Mordacity and Acrimony (if they have any such quality) for Tutia washed thus is void of all mordacity, and therefore we use it, Tutiae lotic. for the fluxions of the eyes, so likewise many other Metalls being thus washed, lose their Acrimonious quality. As Galen shewes at large, (4. Comp. Med. Ge­ner. c. 2.)

The Ancients were wont to quench burnt brasse in Asses milk two or three times over, Cadmia lotio. then pulverized it in a morter with water powred on it, and so dryed it againe, and so preserved it to dry up ulcers of the eyes, and drive away fluxions.

Ceruss is often washed in milk, sometimes in rain-water, Cerusae lotio. and some­times in distilled water, as the Physician orders it.

The usuall custome of our Apothecaries in the preparation of steele is to wash or sprinkle its dust with vineger, Chalybis lotio vulgaris. according to the Arabi­ans custome, afterwards they dry it on a large marble in the hot Sun, dryed, they bruise it again, and put on vineger as before, and so they do seven times, but this is not simply Lotion, but a manifest prepa­ration, yet is the dust of iron more laborioufly prepared by Alcumists, [Page 54]of which they make their Crocus Martis, but of this we have spoken one where.

The Lotion of Lead is thus, Plumbi lotio. first burnt well in a Crucible, then pulverized in a Leaden morter, with a Leaden pestill, with rain-wa­ter, till the water wax thick, like blackish clay, then the liquor must be strained, dryed, made into balls and kept.

To preserve unctious substances, Adioum & me­ductarum ablu­tio. first the Adeps; or Medulla must be melted, then strained from the drossy Membranes, afterwards washed well in water, till it appears pure and cleere.

The preparation of a Wolfs Liver consists in ablution & siccation. Jecoris Lupi praeparatio. First, let it be washed over and over, in odoriferous wine; in which wormewood hath first been boyled, being thus washed according to Art; Let it be well dryed in an Oven, then afterwards laid in a dry place with dry Wormwood or Mint.

This Lotion is by some highly commended, as of sufficient robo­ration to ballance the weakness of the Liver, which is naturally so, by reason of its ill odor and insuavity.

The intestines also of a Wolfe must be washed and prepared after the same manner, Intestini Lupi praeparatio. save that they must be dryed in the North-wind, they are commended by some learned Doctors, for some speciall qualities in or against the Cholick passions.

Oyle, Olei Lotio. whilst it is in the water, must not be much beaten, least it be so mixed with the water that it cannot easily be separated from it clearly without some commixtion.

As for Rosin, Refinarum & picie Lotio. Wax, and Pitch; let them first be melted upon the fire, with a certain quantity of water, and purge away their dross by straining them thorow a cloth. Galen. cap. 14. libr. 1. comp. Med. ge­ner. cap. 58. lib. 9. de simpl. Med. fac. cap. 3. lib. 6. Meth.

Lime also, Calcis ablutio. though it burnes vehemently, yet twice or thrice washed its mordacity is taken away, and may be safely applyed to any part, whether Nervous or not, which is a place most exquisitly in­dued with sense, some wash it seven times over, and make it up into a round ball, which being dryed, they so preserve it for future uses.

To shew gradually the preparation of severall Medicaments di­stinctly, were superfluous and would be burdensome to the Reader both because Sylvius hath treated largely upon this subject, and also because we have added many Lotions to many Medicaments, in the Pharmacopoeia, with other preparations of those compositions prescri­bed in it.

CHAP. IV. Of the Purgation of Medicaments.

BY Lotion (of which we have treated in the former Chapter) the filth and corruption mixed with Medicinall materialls is washed off, but their superfluous and noxious parts are not purged thereby, for French Barley, though a thousand times washed, will scarce lose it hilling; nor other seeds their chaff and coverings; nor fruits their skins or barks; nor nuts their shells: neither can fat onely by washing be purged from its Membranes: therefore should be twice cocted, and no more, according to Hyppocrates advice, before it be used; in generall all Medicaments more or lesse, should be purged by detra­ction, which cannot be performed so much by Lotion, as by Section, Rasion and fraction, or some other Artificiall Industry of the hand. Thus the externall part of roots are scraped by cutting off their little fibres, or the heart of them (commonly so called) taken out of them. Yet sometimes they are not purged from their barks, but the barks from every part, as from superfluous and uselesse matter: for of the Cinamon-tree the bark only is most desirable, of Ginger the root, of Santall-tree the wood, of Canes the marrow or pith; of Maiden haire, the leaves onely; of the Rose-tree, the flowers; of Pepper, the seed; other parts since they are either lesse usefull, or superfluous are pur­ged away.

For this reason the Medulla or pith of Cassia Fistula is separated from its cane, Raisins from their stones; Dates from their shells; the Colocinth separated from its seeds; the hillings from many seeds, but from many fruits nothing, the Cortex, Medulla, juice, seed, and flowers of Citron and Orange are good and usefull.

Whereas Nuts and Almonds are involved in a threefold skin, wherefore they should be thrice purged, the skin which is thick in some, is taken away by the first; the shell is broken, by the second, and the cover next to the kernell is taken away by the third, wherein it is involved.

As a Child in a sheet in the wombe, the usuall custome is to put Almonds or Nuts into water, and when 'tis ready to boyle, rub them between your fingers, and they will easily be cleansed.

CHAP. V. Of Infusion.

INfusion is a preparation of certain Medicaments, whereby they are sliced into small peeces, or bruised and so steeped in a liquor fit and convenient to the Physicians intention, and that by the space of one houre or two, or more, dayes or weeks, according to the nature of the Medicament, or the Physicians Order: for those that have a hard compact substance, and a quality firmely inhering in the substance, ought to be steeped or infused longer; those that are small and tender, a lesser space.

The use of this Infusion is chiefly threefold, that the maligne force of the Medicine may be regulated, or altogether absumed, that the be­nigne or good quality may be made better, or their vertues transmit­ted into the liquor.

Turbith before 'tis used, Turpethi praepa­ratio. ought to be steeped in new milk, and af­terwards dryed, that it may not gripe the bowells, when it is assumed. Mezeorus & laureola before they be exhibited in any Medicine, ought to be steeped in white Wine, and afterwards dryed, that their crabbedness might be mitigated.

The five opening roots after Lotion should be steeped in vine­ger, Quinque radi­cum aperien­tium praepara­tio. that they might the easier cut viscid Phlegme, and sooner de­duce humors by the passage dedicated to the expelling of humor; Nettle-seed, Urticae semen quibus conve­niat. steeped in the decoction of the hearb Draconth, and as­sumed, helpes any stopping at the stomach, for it is exceeding good for those that are troubled with stoppages. It causes the throat, and o­ther parts, by which it passeth, to cease to burn or itch.

But purging ingredients, and odoriferous spices, are usually in­fused in Wine, or Water, or some suitable decoction, or some distilled water, or in juices extracted from vegerables, according to the severall ends and purposes of the Doctor, that they might lose their proper qualities, and transmit them into the liquor; thus Rha­barb and Agarick are wont to be infused, not onely that their vertue might go into the liquor, but that it might have a better and more effectuall operation of the body of him that assumes it.

The mixture of Vinum Hypocraticum is onely the infusion of Cina­mon in the best Wine, Vinum Hypo­craticum. with the dissolution of sugar, so much as will dulcorate it: There is also some Ginger mixed with it by the Apo­thecaries, that it may the better content and please the drinkers pa­late.

So also Gummi Ammoniacum, Gummorum in­fusio. Galbanum, Oppoponax, and Sagape­num are macerated, steeped or infused in Wine, or Vineger, to bring down their consistences, that the filth mixed therewith, may be sepa­rated [Page 57]from them by colature, before they are to be used in the com­positions of Electuaries or Plaisters, or for other uses.

So flowers of Violets, Roses, and Water-Lillyes, Florum Insu­sio. are infused in warme water, till their vertues be transmitted, and the colature dul­corated with a sufficient quantity of sugar, to bring it into the con­sistency of a syrup.

CHAP. VI. Of Humectation and other differences of Infusion.

HUmectation, Infection, or Triture are wont to be reduced to infusion or Immersion: And Irrigation, or Inspersion to Hume­ctation; for those Medicaments that are liquored, with Vineger, Milk, Water or other humor grow moist, or are humected, that they may more comodiously and conveniently be used and commixed with o­thers.

Now humectation, What Medi­caments need humectation. is absolute necessary to all forraign Medica­ments, which being brought to us from far Regions, are hard, and dry, their juice being evaporated, and therefore we resartiate their native humidity, or cherish and defend that small relique of it that is left, by a light immersion or irrigation, or oftentimes by reposing and keeping them in a coole place, as when we lay and preserve Cas­sia in a cellar, Venetian Treacle in a leaden pot, &c. that their ver­tues may not so soon be exhaled.

Many odoriferous simples also, should be moistned, The humecta­tion of odours. if they are or­dered to be pulverized, or grinded, as Amber, Bezoar, Musk, &c. least the more subtill and odoriferous parts should fly away.

Humectation also is very necessary for the preservation of fruits, and blaunching of them, from their skins and hulls. As Almonds, that they may be enucleated, are first to be scalded in hot water, Pine nutts and other fruits and nutts before they can be preserved, must be steeped, moistned, and macerated in water, that their acrimony and bitterness may be abated; for any fruit that hath any apparant quality of acrimony, by a frequent immersion in water or other liquor, doth waxe more mild.

Camphire, Colocynth, Euphorbium, How to pow­der Camphir, Colocinth, Euphorbium. How to pow­der Mastick. and many others that are to be pulverized, must be besprinkled with a little oyl of Almonds, or such other thing before their grinding, and Mastich humected with a little rose-water, which causeth it sooner to be pulverized, and its vertue lesse expire, or its subtler part be diminished by flying a­way.

Irrigation is reduced to humectation, Irrigation. which is as it were a little or [Page 58]sparing humectation, for those that must be used dry, ought to be irrigated or moistned, with a gentle sprinkling, that they may become more usefull, and their vertues more retained.

CHAP. VII. Of Nutrition.

MEdicaments in a rationall sense, cannot well be said to be nourished, but in a Philosophicall sense they may; as when a medicament is augmented, by the mutuall apposition of two, three or more Medicaments, which acretion, the vulgar Apo­thecaryes call Nutrition, and perchance it was indued with this name, because it is as apparantly altered in mixing, as Nutriment in nourishing.

Now nutrition is not unlike to Humectation, Nutrition is Cosin-german to Huniectati­on. for in both there must necessarily be mixed some liquor or other, which in Humectation is copious, but in Nutrition spare, for in the latter, the liquor must not be powred on with that quantity, that the forther requires; for when it is once irrigated or sprinkled, it must be presently dryed, and that either by the Sun, or fire; and againe moystned and dryed, and so ir­rigated three or foure times, Sarcocolla nu­tritia. as the Gum Sarcocolla which is nourished with a womans, or Asses milk, but if macerated with a copious quanti­ty thereof, it presently dissolves, and the milk will be soure before the Gumme can be dryed.

Alcumists usually nourish metalls by a congruent homour, to the thing nourished, prepared after an occult manner, either that they may the sooner be melted or dissolved, or nourished and augmen­ted.

And so to the making up of the crude unguent which is prepared with one part of Litharge, Triapharma­con. foure of oyl, and five of vineger, the Li­tharge by a continuall beating is so nourished by the foresaid oyl and vineger, that it growes to the consistency of an unguent, without the help of fire, or addition of other hard bodyes.

Many roots are irrigated sometime with Wine, sometimes with other liquors, that they may swell. As Mirabolans with milk, or with any other liquor, correspondent to the Physicians purpose and in­tent.

So likewise Aloes is sometimes nourished with a decoction of Aro­maticks, The way to wash Aloes. or some other fit and convenient liquor answerable to the doctors intent, but oftner with the juice of hearbs, leaves or flowers, as with the juice of roses, red or damask, of red, to roborate, or da­maske to purge, both which do augment the aforesaid qualities, and sometimes in the juice of Endive, to mitigate the heat of the sto­mach, but first it should be dissolved in some of the aforesaid juices, [Page 59]afterwards dryed, then pulverized, againe washed and nourished with the same proportion of juice, and dried as before, and this reite­rated so often, till the Aloes have drunk in the determinated quanti­ty of the juice or liquor.

CHAP. VIII. Of Maceration, Infection and digestion.

MAceration is so neere a kin to humectation, that they are often used for one and the same manner of preparation; for Medi­caments are infunded, humected, and macerated for the self same purpose, and by the same way and art. Yet notwithstanding Mace­ration requires a longer space of time, than the two former, Oleum Acopum. so Flores Populi and semen Abietis, ought to be macerated in oyle, according to Galens advice. cap. 14. lib. 2. de samt. tuend for, three, four or more moneths together, and then the oyl to be pressed out, for the commixtion of the other ingredients. Ginger with other hard roots, green Almonds with other fruits are to be macerated so long till they the wax soft, or loose their unprofitable or ungratefull quality.

In the making of syrup of Poppyes, Syrupus de pa­pavere. the heads of the Poppyes are to be macerated in water for a day or two, or sometimes three, till they wax tender, and their quality transmitted into the water.

Lignum Pali sancti, and that Peregrine root, Guaiacum Radix Chinae. which the Easterne Indians calls Lampatan; will scarce emit their vertues without a long maceration before their coction.

The same method must be observed with other woods and roots, which ought to be macerated in some or other convenient liquor, answerable to their propertyes, that their vertues of what kind soever they be, may be transmitted into the water or decoction.

Dates must be macerated three whole dayes in vinegar according to the prescript of Mesue before they be pulped, Dates. for the composition of Diaphaenicon, Tamarinds, and Mirabolans also must be macera­ted in whey made of Goates milk, that according to the opinion of the same Author their bad and Nocumentall qualities may be amen­ded, and that they may no wayes offend the stomack.

Tincture or infection is neere a kin to humectation and maceration, Tincture of Insection. for those that are to be infected, must be immerged into some certain juice, yet not alwayes for the colour or tincture only, but that it may acquire a more excellent quality,

As Sericum Crudum, tinctured in Succo Cocci Baphicae, Cochaneel, or with a deco­ction of Kermes Ber­ries. before it go into the composition of Confectio Alkermes, that it may more increase its Cardiack quality, and give it a more delightfull tin­cture.

Digestion also may be reduced to Maceration, by which Medica­ments [Page 60]are occluded in some convenient vessell or other close shut, as meat in the stomach; and so macerated, adding thereunto Wine, Vineger, Oyle, or some other convenient juice.

Chymists make a more ample discussion of digestion, but nihil at­tinet ad nos, under which they comprehend rectification, insolation, and sometimes nutrition.

CHAP. IX. Of Triture.

WHen Medicaments of themselves hard and solid, cannot con­veniently be assumed or applied, therefore they are prepared and changed by Apothecaries with such Art, that they may easily and wholesomely be assumed, for they breake and pulverize them, and that either grosse or fine, as the occasion requires.

Now this breaking of Medicaments is chiefly for three ends. The reasons of pulverization. First, That they may be exactly mixed with others. Secondly, That they may acquire a new faculty. Thirdly, That their malignity may be corrected.

The manner of breaking of Medicaments, The divers manner of wayes of Tri­ture. is different and various, for many are brayed in a stone morter, as in Marble, others in Me­tall morters, as Iron, Brass, Lead, and sometimes glasse, others in a Wooden morter, as of Box, or Guajaicum, with pestells usually of the same matter, for an Iron pestell is most apt for an Iron morter, a Wooden one, for a Wooden morter, a Leaden, for a Leaden mor­ter, and a glasse pestell for a glasse morter: Some cannot nor will not be so exactly pulverated by beating as by grinding and rubbing, and that upon a smooth marble made hollow for that purpose, where in­stead of a pestell, we use a little marble stone called a Mannipulus, which we hold in our hand, and circumduce it this way, and that way, round the stone, Gemms. so that we leave no part of the Medicamet unrub­bed; and after this manner Gemmes and pretious stones are made in­to powder, till we can perceive no knobbs with our fingers, which powder so brayed, the vulgar call marbled dust, after which manner also those powders ought to be attenuated, which go to the making up of Ophthalmick unguents.

Some are brayed and ground with turning stones, as Wheat and Barly in a Mill, and so a great quantity of hard seeds may easily and speedily be bruised, and grinded to powder.

Those Medicaments we prepare onely for coction need but little bruising, and those also that are of a thin substance, whose vertue is dissipable, need but little bruising also, as almost all flowers.

And those require much bruising, that are hard, thick solid, ner­vous, and not easy to be broken, as also such as partake of a malig­nant [Page 61]quality, as Colocinth, the grosser part whereof assumed being not well powdered, inheres in the turning of the Intestines, and exul­cerates the part, causing the bloody flux.

Those that confist of a meane substance, as many odoriferous sim­ples, must be bruised moderately, least their more subtill, and odori­ferous parts should exhale, and be dissipated, yet they must be bea­ten very small, when they go to the confection of any electuary; and when we would have them to search and penetrate to the remotest parts, then must they be beaten very fine, when we would have them to stay long in the body; then they must be courser, provided they be not indued with any maligne quality; some must be bea­ten very fine and small, that they may sooner performe their opera­tion, and manifest their power.

Roots and hearbs are sometimes beaten green, and sometimes dry, sometimes raw, sometimes boyled, for their different ends and uses, but those must alwayes but be bruised mode rately, that are to be boy­led; for alwayes observe, Note. that a greater Triture is requisit for roots than leaves, lesser for fruits, and a meane for seeds: For seeds require but a contusion betwixt roots and hearbs.

So likewise many Medicaments can scarce be redacted to powder, unless something be mixed with them. The husks of Silkwormes. As Coloquintido fericum cru­dum, Camphire, and many more, which onely dilate by beating them alone, unlesse there be some unctious or liquid matter superad­ded; sometime we use to sprinkle some with wine, other with wa­ter, some with oyl and vineger, that they may not only sooner be brought into powder, but also better serve our intention.

The harder part of Animalls as bones, hornes, clawes, nailes may be more easily pulverated, if they be first filed, or burned in a Crucible.

There are some who also burn Sericum Crudum, Sericum must not be burned. wooll and the haires of severall Animalls before they powder them; but thereby they loose their former vertues, and acquire new ones, and therefore it is better to cut them small, and dry them in an oven, and so beat them strongly till they returne into powder; some unctious seeds, as the four great coole-seeds are to be excortiated before they be powdered, because they clog, and sticke to the pestell; many gumms, dropps and juices, conveighed to us from far Countryes, are full of tender fibres, and as it were covered with a coare, which are so hard to be broken, and dissolved (the innermost not dry of it self) that they cannot be beaten to powder alone, but must first be cut into small peeces, and then beaten, with other dryer Medicaments; Gum Traganth, Arabick, Mastick, Franckincense, Sarcocolla, and juices that have a pliant humor, cannot easily be pulverated by bea­ting, but rather by a gentle rubbing, circumducing the pestell light­ly round the bottome of the morter, and some others, not till some drops of water be sprinkled upon them.

And some are so friable, as starch, white Agaricke, and many [Page 62]kindes of earths, that they may be easily even with a light rubbing, be brought into powder: other have so gross, hard, and compact a substance, and such a strong and lasting vertue, that they must be long, and laboriously beaten, before they will be sifted.

Those in generall that require strong concoction require much Triture, and those that require lesse concoction, also lesse Tri­ture.

And when any Aromaticke Ingredient, or odoriferous simples, or Gemms and precious stones, are pulverizing, the morter should be covered with a convenient cover, either of wood or leather, least the more subtill part should exhale, and their odour decay, and they more should be closer covered, when Euphorbium or Hellibore are beaten, least the fume should offend the nostrills, and cause importu­nate sneezing.

Learned Sylvius hath appointed this order and method to be ob­served in pulverating Medicaments, that thick, hard, and pliant Me­dicaments be first put into the morter, and then such as are not so so­lid, and last of all those that are most unctious.

Lead, How lead is to be powdered. according to Fernelius cap. 16. lib. 6. method. may be pul­verated after this manner: First, it must be beaten into small and thin plates, which being cut very small must be macerated in the strongest vineger for three dayes together, the vineger changed every day, af­terwards taken out and dryed, but not burned, which, if laboriously beaten in a morter, will quickly be brought into a very fine powder, the vertue whereof is excellent in concreting, purging, and curing of maligne ulcers.

CHAP. X. Of severall kinds of Triture.

AS the matter to be powdered is manifold, so also is the man­ner, for they are not only diminished by beating, grinding and rubbing, but also by crumbling, breaking, knocking, filing, whence there are many kinds of Triture not performed by pestell, or morter, but by other instruments, as rubbing-stones, Malletts, chopping-knifes, hammers, files, whence arise attrition, confrica­tion, section, fraction, rasion, and limation.

Attrition is by Sylvius taken for a certaine manner of preparation, Attrition what it is. whereby some certaine Medicaments were grated or rubbed on a stone, such as are brought to us from Naxia, an Isle of Cyprus. As La­pis Judaicus, or Collyries made into the forme of a pill, and so dryed, which being rubbed upon the stone with some convenient humor, and so the matter by this preparation is made so fine and small, that [Page 63]will not hurt, or exasperate the eye, to which it is applyed. Galen. cap. 4. lib. 4. comp. Medicam. local.

Butter is sometimes so rubbed and fretted in a leaden morter with a pestell of the same, till it acquire and obtaine the same colour, which is effectuall in curing the itch, and such distempers as require mitifi­cation, and so the quality of the butter is not comunicated to the lead, but the quality of the lead to the butter, and so we way expect the like from other liquors and juices, fretted in the like matter and manner.

Confrication is a certaine remiss attrition, Confrication. by which such things as are easily pulverable, are levigated by the crumbling betwixt ones fingers, and such as are more solid by rubbing, as Ceruse, which assoone as it is rubbed, crumbles to powder, so that confrication and attrition, differ onely in more and lesse.

First, the roots, woods, and barks of trees, Section. are cut off with sawes and hatchets, and afterwards cut less to repose in shops, and after all reduced into fine powder, that they may serve to our use; bones, nailes, clawes, hornes, are also divided by the same instruments, that they may be sold by male piece, and now of late, rasped and shaved.

But this preparation made by Section may seeme remote from the Apothecaries purpose, since it rather hath respect to the seller, than the buyer: yet that more nimble Section, by which the unctious seeds of cucumbers, citrulls, mellons, pepons, pistakes, and such like, are excorticated by a knife, neerely concernes them.

Many roots stalkes and leaves of Plants are cut with a paire of sheeres before they be bruised. That they may be boyled for Medi­camentall uses.

Tender hearbs are broken from their stalks by twineing and pul­ling in the hand, but their dryer parts are not broken till they be ben­ded together; Mineralls sometimes are fractured by a fall, oftner by tender knocks and percussions.

Many roots and stalks are cloven after the same manner that Coo­pers cleave their twiggs, Fission. but their thicker and harder parts are divided either with an axe, saw, or wedge and mallet.

Many roots are scraped, aswell to take away their barke, Rasson. as to purge them from their decayed parts, but wood and harder substances, as Box and Guaiacum, or those substances that are not so compa­cted, as Lignum aloes, Sandalls, Boares-teeth, Harts-horne, Unicorne, and Rhenoceroes horne, Elkes clawes, and dryed yards and peezles, and many more are rasped, that they may transmit their force into humors by coction, and more easily be pulverated: Rhabarbe, Aga­ricke, Ginger, Nutmeggs, and sugar are oftentimes abraded upon a grater, and sometimes Quinces (saith Sylvius) because by this means a greater quantity of juice is gotten out of them, than by bruising of them in a morter.

Metalls, especially are filed, Limatio. because otherwise they could [Page 64]not be pulverated by rasion, or beating: for they either not yield at all, or else dilate being beaten, and are no wayes levi­gated.

Gold and silver are filed, and their dust exhibited without fur­ther preparation, Steele, Iron, Brasse, and Lead, are for the most part filed, that they may be burned, and afterwards pulverated for future uses; Teeth also and hornes, and mens sculls, and some hard woods are filed, that they may be divided smaller than by rasion; for that which is filed is smaller than that which is scraped.

CHAP. XI. Of Coction.

THAT gentle Medicaments might become more whole­some, and fitter for use and Composition, they are wont to be altered by convenient Coction,

For Coction ( Probl. 7. sect. 12. Hip.) is an Alteration, What coction is. and Commutation of the thing boyled: now there are three diffe­rent coctions. Maturation, Elixation and Assation, but because Ma­turation called by the Greeks Pepansis, is a naturall kind of Coction, we will omit it, because we intend onely to treat of Artificiall Co­ction; to which Elixation, Ustion, Calfaction, Frixion, Despuma­tion, and what ever acquires mutation by heat may be referred as to its Genus.

Now Coction is small, or great, or moderate according to the substance or vertue of the thing cocted, for some, whose vertue is dissolved by long coction, either because tis weak and posited in the superficies, or because the substance of it is contained in a rare texture, as some seeds, many odoriferous spices, and most flowers, require a light and small. Coction, others on the contrary, whose vertue is not easily resolved, either because it is vallid, and firme, or because it resides in a grosse or dense substance, or because it is posited in the middle, as in Roots, Woods, Gumms, Stones, and sharp Medicaments, as Oni­ons, and Garlick, which grow sweet and mild by Coction, require long and valid Coction; others whose substance, and vertue is posi­ted in a meane between these two extreames, as all the three San­dalls, Jujubees, Tamarinds, mellow fruits, and many seed, en­dure but a meane and moderate Coction.

Now that Coction that is made in liquour of a moderate heat is called Elixation. What elixa­tion is. And that liquor, in which the Medicament is boyled, is for the most part water, and that either simple, as common wa­ter, or Medicinall or compound, to which Lees of Wine, Hydro­mel, [Page 65]Milk, Buttermilk, Wine, Vineger, juices of plants, Salt­water, or sulphureous waters, and all liquors, in which Medicaments are put and boyled, may be reduced.

The use of this elixation is manifold, The benefit of Elixation.

First, because it resolves the excrementitious humors of a Medica­ment in boyling, and hence Colocynth and Turbith are boyled, that they may not gripe, and torment the belly; but it is quite con­trary with those Medicaments that purge by Leniating, and Lubrica­ting the belly, and with those that are best when they are fullest. As Cassia and Tamarinds, for such become worse by Coction; because thereby their native humidity is diminished, and their purgative fa­culty destroyed.

Secondly, It dissipates all those flatulent grosse, and corroding hu­mours that provoke the ventricle to loathing of the same, as in Senna Polipodie, Carthamus, Walworke, &c.

Thirdly, It breaks all acrimony, violence, and ulcerating facul­ties; as Mesue writes of Scammony, which by his prescript will be better if it be boyled in a sorbe apple, or in a quince, or rose water, as all other sharp sapors, which become better by Coction.

Fourthly, It bridles and corrects, the more vehement and maligne attraction of the Medicament, and therefore we boyle white Hellibor, and most valid Medicaments, that their violence may be broken, and experience hath taught me, that they become more be­nigne, when they are boyled in water, or juice of hearbs, seeds, or fruits.

Lastly, Elixation doth very comodiously mixe the different quali­ties of Medicaments, that one quality, as it were concrete, might re­sult from them all, which if it be weak in any plant, it must be boy­led easier and lighter; if more potent and valid, more and harder, by how much the substance of the Medicament is grosser, and more solid: Therefore we first boyle the woods, then roots, then seeds, then barks, then fruits, and last of all flowers on a gentle fire free from smoak.

This order of Elixation is to be observed in the preparation of all Medicaments, especially Apozemes, which are made of the de­coction of roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers, dulcorated with Sugar or Syrups.

The punctuall time of Coction cannot be defined, as some vainely have limited, but left to the judgment of the Artist: for some require much time of Elixation, others lesse.

CHAP. XII. Of Assation and Frixion.

ASsation is the coction of Medicaments in their own juice; What Assati­on is. after which manner of preparation, flesh, roots, and fruits are co­cted, without any adventitious humour.

Now this Assation is made divers wayes; The manner of Assation. for flesh is decocted at the fire on a spit, or in an oven, or an earthen pot, or carbonaded on the coals.

The roots also of black Beets are roasted in the ashes, Beta Romana. and Ches­nuts in a frying pan: but those rather appertain to a Kitchin than a Physician.

Now many Medicaments are dryed before the fire, that they may depose their useless, and retain their salutary quality; others, that they may become more mild; others, that they may be easier and sooner pulverated. Rhabarb is sometimes dryed, that it may be less purgative, Scylla. and more astrictive; as also the Sea-onion, that its vehe­mency may be obtunded; whereby Dioscorides saith, it offends the Intrals. The brains of Sparrows ex­cite Venery. So also Sparrows brains are dryed, that they may be sooner pulverable, fitly to be mixed with those Medicaments that incite to Venery.

Many also are prepared by Assation, The benefits that come by Assation. that their copious and excre­mentitious humidity may be thereby washed. Now they ought to be stirred or moved with a spoon, or spatula, while they are broyled on a hot tile, oven, or frying pan, lest they be burned; and they must be taken out before they grow black.

Assation and Frixion differ thus; The difference of Assation and Frixion. Assation is with its own juice, Frixion with an adventitious humour, as with Butter, Oil, Wine, Vinegar, or other juice or liquor; after which manner many Ali­ments are fryed and broyled, as Beans and Pease, both that they may be more pleasant, and also that they may more depose their bad qualities, Gal. 29. lib. 2. de Aliment.

Coriander seed is fryed, Coriander seed. that is, it is prepared with Vinegar, that its quality, which is noxious to the brain, may be obtunded. Semina viticis are also to be fryed, Agnus [...]stus. that the flatulent humour may be dis­cussed, and that they may inhibit Venery. Now some are fryed in the oil of sweet Almonds, Myrab, Citrin. Chebul. & Nigri, for the composition of Tripherae Persicae, some in the juice of unripe Grapes; others in Wine, or other Liquor, according to the Physicians pur­pose and scope, that they may acquire a better quality, or lose their noxious or ill qualities.

CHAP. XIII. Of Vstion.

MAny Medicaments, especially such as are more solid, as Mi­nerals, or such as are indued with a malignant quality, are burned before they be fitted for mans use. Some also are burned, that they may be sooner pulverated, as bones, horns, claws, flax, and hairs of Animals; others are burned, that they may change their co­lour; others, that they may obtain a new faculty; and one fit for our purpose. Many sharp Medicaments are sometimes burned, that they may grow milde, and lose their Acrimony; others not sharp, that they may acquire Acrimony. And thus (as Galen, in prooemio, l. 9. simpl.) took notice, that many sharp Medicaments lose much heat by burning; and many not sharp, assume and acquire heat thereby. This he proves by the example of Vitriol, which becomes more milde and moderate by ustion; and some not sharp, become more hot and crude by ustion, as Fex vini, Quick-silver, crude Lime, Tartar. and many others.

Now how the same efficient produces contrary effects, The reason why sharp Me­dicaments by Ustion lose their Acrimo­ny. Physicians thus judge. Acrimony is acquired by heat increased to a certain de­gree, which degree sharp Medicaments exceeding, lose their Acri­mony. But such as were not sharp when they attain to the same de­gree, whether it be the second or third degree, acquire the same Acri­mony; which Galen forbids us to use; for he commends Brass bur­ned whil'st it is red, but rejects it when black, because too much burned.

Alcumists will have Acrimony to be lost by Ustion, because of the dissipation of Sulphur and volatile Salt, and acquired in such as are not sharp, because of the discussion of volatile Sulphur, wherein there is little or no Acrimony; and the remansion of the fixed salt­ness, whose Acrimony before Ustion was obtruded and obscured with Sulphur.

There are also many manners of burnings, The multifa­rious modes of burning. for some crude Medi­caments are burned in an oven, some on a dish, some on an earthen pot or furnace, others in an Alcumists Reverbatory and Crucible. The pouder of a Hare burnt is good a­gainst the Stone. The Ustion of Vipers.

A Hare must be burnt in an oven till it may be brought to powder which is most commodious and usefull for breaking the stone, and expelling the gravel in the kidneys.

Galen, (cap. 2. lib. 11. simpl.) advises us to burn Vipers in a new pot till they become medicamental; Salt, which is usefull and good to the discussing of saltish humours and tetters. But beware lest their noxious and poysonous vapour in their combustion overcome the brain, and so hurt the operation. So likewise integral Animals that are small, may be burned; but parts onely of great ones, as bones, [Page 68]horns, hairs, feathers, hides, claws, which must be done in a now carthen pot or furnace with burning charcoles, till they may more cafily be pulverated, ( cap. 33. lib. de Theriac.) Boughs, Shrubs, and Twigs of Trees, and many Simples, may be accended alone, or bur­ned in an earthen or metallick pot, or vessel.

Crabs are sometimes burned in a Crucible, The pouder of burnt C [...]abs effectual in many distem pers. sometimes in a pot, often among burning coals, till they become ashes, or at least may be beaten to small pouder, which is usefull to cure ulcerous affects, and good for those that are bit with a mad Dog.

Stone may be burned amongst hot coals blown with bellows, The Ustion of Stones. ex­cept the Saphyre, and other pretious stones, which should be broken into parts before Ustion, and then put into a new pot covered with a lid full of holes, that the exhalation may have an easy passage, which must be burned till they be ignified.

For Ignition in some is the end of Ustion; When Ustion is finished. in others, Ustion is not terminated till smoke expire; and yet many stones may be ignified three or four times, and still suffunded with a certain humour, till they be bray'd. Fex vini. Wine-dregs must be scorched till they become white, and acquire so much Acrimony, that as it were by burning, they bite the tongue and palate.

Egs, Oisters, and Snails shels, and Animals teeth and horns ought to be burned till they be inflamed, and made white and pulverable.

Rosins, Storax, Frankincense, Pitch, Turpentine, and such things, are sometimes burned and accended, that their fume may become me­dicamental for several uses.

Alume must be burned in a hot platter till it leave bubbling, Ustio Aluminis & Vitrioli. and Vitriol till it lose its colour.

Salt must be burned in a pot close covered, Salis ustio. lest it sparkle out; it is not enough burned till it leave sparkling and crackling. Nitre must be burned after the same manner.

Ceruse, Cerusae praepa­ratio. according to Dioscorides, ( cap. 103. lib. 5.) must be bray­ed and burned in a new pot daily set upon burning coals, till it be of an ashy colour, then it may be taken out, refrigerated, and used. Or it must be burned in a new dish upon-coals continually stirred with a wooden spatula, Sandaracha. Sandyx. till it be of colour like Sandarach; which so prepa­red, is by some called Sandyx, or ruddy.

Now Sandarach is not the gum of the Juniper tree, which the Vulgar call Vernix, and the Mauritanians Sandarax, but a kinde of golden colour'd Oker, ( Brasaval, in exam. simpl. cap. 66. lib. 9. simpl. cap. 53. lib. 9. simpl.) for Sandarach and Auripigmentum are digged out of the same pit, yea, they are mixed together, and possess the same virtue. Sandarach is by another name called by the Chy­mists, red Arfenick, as Gold, colour'd Oker, yellow Arsenick. Fur­thermore, Ceruse by burning becomes Sandyx, saith Gaben, but ne­ver Sandarach, which is of a burning faculty. But Sandyx calefies by no part, but rather refrigerates, which Painters use, as Ceruse, whose colour they can change by burning, and sometimes by mixing therewith Vinegar.

Gold colour'd Oker, or Auripigmentum, Auripigmen­tum. must be burned in a new earthen pot set upon burning coals, till it be inflamed by the fire, and change its colour. Sandarach must be burned after the same manner, and both their virtues are alike, (saith Diosoorides, cap. 30, & 31. lib. 5.) for by their vehement heat they cause scabs, repress excreti­ons, and discuss swellings.

Brass ore, or Lapis calaminaris, must be overspread with coals, Cadmiae praepa­ratio. and burned till it shine and bubble up like the dross of Iron, then it must be extinguished, ( cap. 45. lib. 5. Dioscorid.) some, when it is thus burned, beat it in wine, and burn it again, till it be hollow, and seem to be full of holes, and burn it the third time after it hath been again brayed in wine, till it be reducted to ashes.

The Pumick stone must be burned under most flagrant coals, Pumicis ustio. till it wax white and shine; then must it be extracted and quenched in o­doriferous wine, again burned and quenched, and after the third usti­on taken out, and refrigerated of it self, and so preserved for use, ( Dioscorid cap. 125. lib. 5.)

Verdigrease broken very small, Eruginis ustio. must be burned in an earthen dish set upon burning coals, till it change it self, and attain an ashy colour, ibid. lib. 5.

Red Vitriol must be burned in a new earthen pot set upon quick coals. Now its ustion in moyster matters is perfected, Chalciteos ustio when it cea­seth to bubble up, and is perfectly dryed in other matters when it is changed into a splendent colour, and hath contracted a bloody or Vermilion colour.

Chrysocolla, or Borax, must be hurned in a dish upon coals, Chrysocollae ustio and Oker after the manner of Brass ore; the virtue of Chrysocal is to purge wounds, and scars, to cohibit excrescent flesh, to astringe, ca­lefy, and wast the body by moderate biting and corroding. But Oker astringes, erodes, and dissipates collections and swellings.

Lead may be burned after divers manners: but before ustion, The way to burn Lead. it is for the most part attenuated either by filing or slicing; then put into a new earthen pot, and so to be burned, Sulphur being mixed with it, till it may easily be pulverated. Now this Sulphur must be interjoyned with the plates or slices, and so both inflamed together, and stirred with an iron spatula. In the interim, heware lest the most noxious exhalation of the Lead pierce the nostrils, Halitus plum­bi. for it greatly hurts the brain by its commixture with Quicksilver; because of which also, it offends the nerves and often causes stupidity, and the Palsey to such especially as work much in Lead.

Now Sulphur and Nitre is put to the thing to be burned, being a very valid and strong compage to the thing, whose volatibles would sooner be dissipated otherwise, than their fixed parts overcome by the flame, as Alcumists observe.

And Assation is related to Ustion, yea 'tis a certain way to Ustion; so is Ustion to Calcination, and Calcination to Cinefaction. but Cinefaction is most competent to Combustion, for all combustible [Page 70]things are ordained for flames. For in Minerals, where there is scarce any fuel for the flame, few or no ashes are left after Ustion; of wood, nothing but ashes: yet both combustible and incombustible things may be levigated; Combustibles, whil'st they are attenuated into ashes by burning; Incombustibles, whil'st after Ustion, by pulvera­tion or grinding on a Marble stone, they are attenuated into Alcool, or small dust. If these shall not satisfie the Reader, he shall finde a more special ustion of Medicaments daily used of us in our Book called the Apothecaries Shop.

CHAP. XIV. Of Extinction.

EXtinction is a suffocation of a matter hot or fiery in some Li­quor. Extinctio quid. Now this matter is extinguished either when often bur­ned, or when onely ignified or heated, as when Gems or Me­tals are extinguished in Wine-vinegar, pure or stillatitious matter, or some juice or liquor, till they be totally cold ere they have been per­fectly burned.

Many things are oft to be extinguished, as Lapis Pyrites: some but once, as Galls: and some are extinguished of themselves, without the affusion of any humid matter.

Weckerus saith, that Quicksilver may be extinguished with mans fasting spittle; yet things not ignified are improperly said to be ex­tinguished, but be mended and prepared by fasting Spittle, and men­ded by Sage; for Spittle makes it more apt to be incorporated with other mixtures, Sage amends, corrects and asswages its fierceness; for Sage is so called, from its preservative faculty, Salvia, as it were Salvatrix, for it much roborates the brain and nerves, which the ma­levolent faculty of Quicksilver offends, which should be mended with the juice of Sage.

A lump or mass of Gold often burned in the fire, Aqua extin­ctionis auri. is sometimes ex­tinguished in common water, which water is good for such as have the bloody Flux, to shut the orifices of the vessels, and for the le­prous to roborate their principal parts, and exhilerate their spirits; for it is not a rash conceit that Gold as well refreshes the internals, as the externals.

As the water wherein Steel hath often been extinguished, is use­full to drive away many affects, so Steel it self beaten to dust, burned and extinguished in Vinegar, is excellent for many uses; of which more elswhere.

The virtue of Extinction is such, that it attracts and retains the virtues of the humour in which it is extinguished. So Cadmia, or La­pis Galaminaris, is sometimes extinguished in Wine, sometimes in [Page 71]Vinegar, for the various institutions of the Physician; and Iron is sometimes extinguished in water mixed with oil, that it may be more doctile to be made into Helmets, or such pieces of Armour, some­times in water onely, that it may be the more fragil.

CHAP. XV. Of Calfaction, Insolation, and Refrigeration.

CAlfaction is a certain manner of preparing Medicaments, Calfactio quid. as well simple as compound, whereby they are neither boyled, nor burned, but moderately calefyed either in the sun, or by the fire, or by the heat of some putrid matter, that these may be strained, mollified, and mixed more commodiously, or that they may be used more easily and happily. So an infused Medicament is calefied be­fore it be strained, not onely that all its quality may be transmitted into the liquor, but that the liquor may more readily-permeate, and wholly draw out.

Apothecaries do successfully give hot Glysters prescribed for such as labour in the Collick, if it proceed not from choler; warm ones to such as are sick of a Feaver, not that their grief should wax hotter, but to mitigate it, and help the motion of Nature, and the exclusion of the humour upward may be more easy. Scarce any thing actually cold should be exhibited, whether the remedy be applyed or assumed. Also Baths, and the very Linnen sick folks use, should be moderately warmed. Many Medicaments also must be calefied, that they may more easily be broken, mixed, dissolved, and strained.

Insolation is so like and near to Calfaction, Insolatio quid. that the one may easily supply the others course and place, for they both promise the same effect. And it is like a certain coction, Hydromel vi­nosum quomo­do fiat. when Hydromel is ca­lefied by being set in the Sun forty dayes whil'st the Dog-star rules; for being more concoct, it may be a taste like Wine. Yet doth not this Art onely make it become like Wine, What Hydro­mel is. but that which is prepared of four pints of running water, and one pound of honey, must be so long cocted before Insolation, till a raw egge may swim above it; which we call Hydromel.

Now Conserves are insolated or calefied in the Sun, that all their parts may be fermented together, and their more humid matter dis­cussed; especially such as are prepared of cold leaves and flowers, and should be kept a long time, which will be a means to hinder their working up.

The juice of the herb Scylla, by Galens advice, ( cap. ult. lib. de puere epileptico) must be drawn out by Insolation or Coction in the Sun; when the Air is obscure, it may be extracted with fire; and such Medicaments as by the institution of Winter cannot be inso­lated, [Page 72]may be dryed by the Fire in Winter, by the Sun in Summer.

Many Oils may be made by the infusion of flowers, and permix­tion of other things, and may be insolated for the space of more or fewer dayes, as the quantity and faculty of the thing infused re­quires. For things more hot and dry need little or no Insolation, cold and moyst longer Insolation.

Vinegar altered by flowers, Vinegar of Roses. must be prepared after the same man­ner. For Rose leaves should be more insolated; Elder flowers a shorter time; as also that Vinegar which admits of Garlick, Mint, the flowers of Betony, and Gilliflowers.

The Refrigeration also of Medicaments pertains to the Apothe­cary; Refrigeratio. for he refrigerates such things as he would have to congeal as jelly; as also such things as are after coction hard, he reposes in his Shop, as solid Electuaries, dry Conserves, and Plasters. Now Refrigeration differs from Extinction in this, that all things extin­guished are refrigerated, not on the contrary, &c.

CHAP. XVI. Of Putrefaction and Fermentation.

GAlen out of Aristotle observes, ( cap. 9. lib. 2. de diff. feb. & comm. ad part. 1. lib. 3. epid.) that Putrefaction proceeds alwayes from external heat in a humid matter; as also the internal heat cocteth, and corrupteth not. So also whatever is in every part dry, doth never apertly putrifie, as we see neither Brick, nor Gold, nor Silver to putrifie.

And because things are putrid from an external heat, Mensis Philo­sophicus Chy­micorum. Putrefaction is a kinde of Coction; as when some medicamental matter is left in a Vial occinded in dung, or as Alcumists say, a Horses belly (for they give feigned names to their feigned art) for the space of thirty, and sometimes forty dayes, the last term whereof is called by them the Philosophical month; and the Liquor of this Putrefaction, menstruous, or Putrefaction finished in a months space.

The Alcumists own this kinde of preparation, Menstruum quid Chymicis. as peculiar to them­selves: but Galen, many years before they were hatched, taught how to putrifie the Gem Calcitis, and Litargie, obruted with dung after they were put into a new pot with Vinegar. And the Apothe­caries also of our time have in this owned Galen, who macerate and putrifie the branches of black Poplar for many months together, either with Hogs grease, for the confection of the Populeon Un­guent, or with Oil for the Medicine, helping weariness.

Fermentation is not so proper to Medicaments, Fermentatio. as to Meats and Drinks: for a lump of Dough is fermented, or leavened, that it may make more pleasant and wholsome Bread.

Wine and Beer are fermented when they grow cold, and when there is a segregation of the sincere Suck or Juice: Dregs, or Faces, Sirrups, Conserves, and Electuaries are also then fermented, when new made, they refrigerate in the Vessels.

Alcumists have their fermentation also, which they sometimes call Vivification, and sometimes Resuscitation; for thereby they say, that the matter perished is as it were resuscitated from the dead, and acquires new virtues.

The vain Gold-mongers also promise, that such a Fermentation will conduce to the transmutation of Metals: but they never yet knew the matter of the Ferment, nor the manner of its confection.

CHAP. XVII. Of Dissolution.

MEdicaments are wont to be variously changed before they be exhibited: for the most part, when whole Medica­ments will not serve, they are prepared by some triture, or dissolution in some liquor or other. [...]. Now this dissolution is a certain triture, whereby Medicaments, as well simple as com­pound, are dissolved in some fit humour to a moderate consistency, and sometimes smaller, sometimes thicker, according to the Phy­sicians purpose.

Now Medicaments are dissolved for many uses; first, Dissolutionis u­sus multiplex. that they may be easily assumed; secondly, that they may more readily be compounded with others; thirdly, that they may sooner be distri­buted; fourthly, that they may penetrate into the part affected, and if need be, remain there; as when liquid Medicaments are injected into the belly, bladder, intestines, or any Ulcer in the body; fifthly, Medicaments are dissolved that they may afterwards be strained, and that their virtues purged from excrements, may sooner enter the in­ward parts.

Thus Medicaments, which break the Stone, Dithontriptica. are dissolved sometimes in white Wine, sometimes in the juice of Limmons, in the water of Wall pelitory, Radish-roots, or such like, that they may more easily permeate the holes of the reins, and the passages of the ureters. On the contrary, such as are to be moved with the Spittle, are to be dis­solved in a thicker matter, as in Conserves, or Sirrup, Anachartasis quomodo mo­vonda. that they may appear rather as a Medicine to be sucked, than drunk.

And as Triture, so also Infusion, and oftentimes Calefaction are requisite to Dissolution; for such as are hard, pliant, and viscid, can scarce be dissolved till they be broken, or steeped, or calefied by the Sun, or Fire.

Thus many Medicaments may be dissolved presently after Tri­ture, [Page 74]and many kinds of Earth; others, not without long agitation, as all shels of Fishes, and many more. Some require both Ma­ceration and Calfaction, as many Gummes, which before disso­lution should be macerated with strong Vinegar, Aqua vitae, or strong Wine.

But Metals and Minerals cannot be dissolved in any juice or liquor, Non quavis in quovis liquore dilui. but in the juice of Limmons, in Vinegar distilled, or in such Watert as the Alcumists call strong Waters. Any Medicament therefore is not dissolved in any liquor, but in some fit and determinate one; for Turpentine may lie a whole natural day in water, or in a de­coction, and scarce be dissolved, without some Eggs yolks be super­added.

In general, Grease, Marrow, and Fatness are melted at the fire, that they may be more easily dissolved, and ingrede the composition of Unguents and Plaisters. All kinds of odoriferous Medicaments are dissolved in cordial Waters, or altering Waters, for moyst me­dicinal Plaisters. Pils, or other Purges, whether compound or sim­ple, are dissolved in Aqua vitae, or other convenient Liquor, by an ar­tificial sedulity in drawing out their extracts. Solid things also, which neither can nor ought to be exhibited in that form, are first to be broken and dissolved in some convenient liquor, that they may more safely and easily be assumed.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Liquation.

ALL Medicaments, after due preparation thereunto, may be dissolved, but few can be melted; for Stones may be burned, Wood accended, but in no wise melted, because not congulated with cold. Liquatio quid. For (saith Aristotle, cap. 6. lib. 7. meteor.) Liquation is a so­lution of those things which are congealed by cold into a more liquid and fluent consistency by heat; as Fatness, Marrow, Oil in winter, and such like, which with little cold are concreted, and with little heat diffuded.

But such things as are concreted with diurnal cold, are very hard to melt, as Gold, Brass, and Iron, the fusion whereof rather pertains to such as are exercised in Metals, and not in Medicaments, to an Artist, and not a Philosopher.

Liquation differs from Dissolution, Dissolutio non nisi fit cum hu­mere. in that Liquation is alwayes caused by heat, and seldome or never with any humour; Dissoluti­tion alwayes with humours, seldome with heat.

Lead is soon melted with heat; Sulphur, Pitch, and Rosin sooner; Salt, Manna, Sugar, Gums of Ivy, Prunes, Juniper, and other Trees, are sometimes worked in hot water, and so diffused, that they may be dissolved.

The Alcumists have illustrated a Pyrothecny, Quomodo me­talla facile li­quentur. and have invented many things, whereby the liquative or fusitive Art is enriched; as when Sal Ammoniack once sublimated with common Salt, then twice by it self, will make hard Metals forthwith fluid. Copper also may be easily melted otherwise, if onely a little of an Asses hoof be in­jected to it in melting.

Now the use of Liquation in Pharmacy is great, for it causes the Medicaments to change their form, and acquire a new one; and it also purges them, that their impure parts might be separated from the pure and mundane.

CHAP. XIX. Of Mollition and Duration.

MAny preparations of Medicaments hold such affinity with others, that they are often taken for the same, as Liquation and Mollition, which onely differ according to their degree of more or less: so that Mollition is the beginning of Li­quation. For all things that are melted, first grow soft; and many things after mollition, if they be longer calefied, melt; yet not all; for Ivory, Claws and Horns may be mollified, but not melted.

Now Mollition happens two wayes; Mollitionem fieri duobus modis. either by heat onely of the Fire, Sun, or Animal, or of some putrid matter, or by some affun­ded humour, as when wax is mollified in hot water, or some harder medicamental mass is steeped in some sirrup, or convenient liquor, till it be mollified, and yield to the touch, which according to Ga­len, ( cap. ult. lib. 3. de differ. puls.) is Judge of the hard or soft body.

Mother of Pearl, Shell-fishes, and Egge-shels macerated in distil­led Vinegar, are so mollified, that they may be wrought or drawn as you please. It is also thought, that Ivory may be mollified with Beer, or by being boyled for the space of six hours with the root of Man­drakes.

Horns rarefied by the fire, or long boyled in water, or buried seven dayes in dung, do grow soft. It is thought the Coral in the juice of Barberies, Pearls in the juice of Limmons, and many Stones in certain Liquors, rightly prepared, will be soft­ned.

Since according to Galen, ( cap. 1. lib. 4. de dignos. puls.) Duratio. those things are hard to which our flesh yields, and those soft which yield to our flesh; the doctrine of Mollition and Duration is as opposite in the same consideration. Duration takes place in Pharmacy in compound Medicaments, which being preserved [Page 76]for use, ought to be somewhat dryed and solid, as Electuaries, dry Conserves, Salves, Pils, Trochisks, and some Sirrups.

Now Medicaments are hardned by cold, Quot modis medicament a indurentur. heat, and the admixtion of dry things. By cold, as when such things as are melted, or onely mollified, are removed from the fire, and being exposed to the air, do refrigerate and harden. By heat, when Medicaments are boyled to their just consistency, and their humid part absumed; for so being dryer, they become obdurate. Medicaments also harden by the ad­mixtion of dry things, either that they may keep longer, or that in such a consistency they may be more easily and safely exhibited or applyed.

CHAP. XX. Of Siccation.

SUch Simples as are to be preserved all Winter, or such as are brought from forreign Countryes, ought to be accurately dry­ed before they be reposed in Chests, Boxes, or Bags; for their ex­cremental humidity coacted, and not dilated, soon corrupteth, and then their wholsome quality faileth.

Neither are Medicaments dryed onely for conservation sake, Quare medica­menta siccentur but often times that they may be pulverated, & that their virtues may be more effectual. Now whatsoever is moyst, and should be dry, it must be dryed in the sun or by the fire, or left in a very windy shade voyd of rain and dust, till it be withered, and its superfluous humidity al­together dissipated.

Those things are dryed to pulveration by the heat of the fire, which are burned in a furnace or oven, or on burning coals, as Bones, Claws, Horns, Shels; or in an earthen pot, as hairs of Animals, and such things as are put in a fire pan, or covered in a dish or platter set in or upon an oven where bread was lately extracted; for so Plums, Pears, Cherries, and such humid Fruits are wont to be dryed.

Leaves and flowers, Quae in sole melius siccentur whose colour should remain after drying, are best dryed by the Suns heat, especially in Summer and Autumn. Seeds also gathered before perfect maturity, or in time of rain, or when the necessity of the matter requires it, cannot be exactly dryed, but in the Sun, or by the fire.

Thick and juicy roots also, unless they be cut small, may be dryed better in a place exposed to the Sun, and North-winde, than in a shade not agitated with the winde; and the desiccation of many is to no purpose, unless insolation have preceded.

Yet small roots do easily dry in a shade, as also many great ones, if they be cut into little pieces, fixed on a thread, and exposed to the shady air, so it be windy, not wet. Leaves do more easily dry, [Page 77]which being bound in a bundle, are exposed to the externall air, partly to the heat of the fire, being suspended for the most part on the beames of shopps, flowers most easily; for being laid upon a pa­per or dish, and moved, they are presently dry.

Now leaves when dryed, are to be reposed in baggs of Canvas, or paper, roots, flowers and seeds, in vessells of glass or wood.

The flowers of water Lillyes, because more grosse and humid, Quomodo corti­ces & flores siccandi. must be put upon a thread, that so exposed to the air, they may more commodiously dry. The pills of Oranges, Limmons, and Pome­granates, as also spungy roots, are dryed after the same manner in shops.

Foxes Lungs washed in wine may be dryed in an oven not very hot, Harts peezles in the open air, Wolves intestines in the shade, figgs, and grapes in the Sun, as also solid Confections, which after their conditure must be preserved in sugar, or syrrup.

CHAP. XXI. Of Expression.

STrong compression is often requisite to separate the more pure and thin substance of Medicaments from the terrestriall and grosse, which since the hands alone cannot execute, Mesueus invented a presse whereby Medicaments put in a strong hempen or hairy bag, may be so strongly pressed, that the whole thin substance will be compelled to go out, the grosse and more compact re­maining.

Thus wine is compelled from the grapes into hogsheads, Pomaceus qui siat. Intinctus viri­dis. thus the juice of apples is educed to the confection of Sidar; thus Seplasiaries extract the juice of young corne for that condiment, prepared with a little vinegar, tosted bread and some such like things, Vinum ex her­bis. which they call the green intinct of some Greeks [...] wine made of hearbs.

Many are put in a cloth, then wringed in ones hands, Aqua alumnio­sa quibus con­stet. till they be sufficiently expressed, as the juice of Sorrell, Purslane, and Plan­tain, for confecting Alum-water, add whites of Eggs and Alum to the former.

After the like manner is the expression of Rhabarb, Agarick, and other Medicaments, in some decoction, or convenient juice or wa­ter, that what is usefull may be taken, and what is noxious, ejected.

Acacia is drawn by compression out of the juice of the seed of the Egyptian bramble or thorn dryed in a shade; it looks black, Acacia. if drawn out of mature seed, ruddy of immature.

Expression therefore is sometimes of the simple juice of some Me­dicament; sometimes of the same macerated in a decoction or wa­ter, as when the infusion of oyles, and decoction of syrrups is di­strained: Anacardian Honey is expressed out of small and young Ana­cards long boyled, for out of these thus tabefied, proceeds a thick li­quor, Mel Anacardi­num qui fiat. which they call Mel Anacardinum; which that it may be well made according to Arnaldus de Villa nova, Cap de memor. defunct. the Anacards should be beaten, and macerated in vinegar seven dayes, on the eight day boyled on a slow fire, till two parts be dissipated, then its Colature boyled with Honey is of many called Mel Ana­cardinum.

That juices expressed may be long preserved without putrefaction, Quomodo suci diu sine pu­tredine servan­di. it is requisite that salt be intermixed, or they reposed in a vessell of a strait mouth, oyl being superadded to a fingers thickness.

Infused Medicaments and juices are sometimes to be strained with a light, sometimes with a hard expression. And simple oyles can scarce be extracted without hard compression, whether with or without fire: for oyle of Almonds may be extracted either way, as also that which is drawn from Pistace nutts, and other oyly fruits.

CHAP. XXII. Of Extraction.

ALl expression is a certain extraction, but not the contrary, for many things are extracted without expression, as juices and rosins of plants cut or smitten; Euphorbium unde & quo­modo colligatur thus Euphorbium is extracted out of the Lybian tree wounded with a long speare, into sheep skins bound about the tree, that is smitten; for its Acrimony doth so infect the tast and smell, and stir up such ardour in the mouth and nostrills: The Rusticks are called to collect this juice, who allured, with the re­ward, smite the tree at distance, that they may be lesse hurt with the noxious fervour of the Euphorbium, who for all this never depart safe and without hurt.

Elaterium by Dioscorides his advise, Elaterium quomodo pa­randum. must be extracted out of the wild Cucumbers ( Cap. 148. lib. 4.) after this manner. The Cucum­bers being gathered, those which with touching fall off, let them be kept one night, the next day a small sieve being set upon a goblet, or basin, take the Cucumbers in thine hands, and cleave them one by one on a knife with the edge upward, and the point toward thy face, and then the juice will be expressed through the sieve into the vessell set under, and that the From that substance which remains upon the top of the fire, let the seeds be separated, and let it be added to the facula, for it is as effe­ctuall as the other. thicker part sticking to the sieve may send forth its liquor more easily straine it; let the humour be stirred in the basin, then let it stand, and covered with a linnen cloth, set it in the Sun, when it hath stood a while, poure out the water that swims [Page 79]at top without moving the feces, whereby part of it will be effuded, and part exhausted, then beat in a morter the settlements, and make it into little Trochisks, when it is dryed on a sufficient consistency.

Juices onely are not extracted from integrall Plants, or their parts, as Hypocistis, of the spriggs growing from the roots of Cistus, the juice of Liccorice and Cyrene Laserpitium, but severall other li­quors from the incisions of trees, and barks of shrubs and stalks, as Gumms, Rosins, Lachrymae.

Amongst extracted Gumms are counted, Gum Amoniack, Gummi. Saga­pene, Gum of Panan or Opoponax, Galbane, Bdellium, Myrrhe, Sto­rax, Frankincense, and many more, which for their severall natures are hard or easy to be extracted: Some flow out spontaneously without wounding the tree; when the bark in Summer gapes, by reason of the heat.

Rosins are more easily extracted, because more fluent, Rosinae. falling down without the help of hands, as that which runneth of Turpen­tine trees, which is the best of Rosines, as Dioscorides ( Cap. 67. lib. 1.) The Rosin from the Mastick tree is the second, those next that are extracted out of the Pine and Fir trees.

Amongst teares or exudations many things take place, Lachrymae. as the wa­ter that flowes from a vine cut, the milk of all Tithymalls, and the thick juice of Poppies, which when it is congealed is called O­pium.

In many plants therefore the barke onely is wounded, and thence distills [...], that is tears into a bason, or some such vessell hanged for the purpose, in many the roots are wounded, or quite cut, some­times also the boughs, thus Balsam is extracted out of the Phrygian shrub, its bark being slashed with an Ivory knife, for it may not be done with Iron or Steele without great damage to the juice.

The extraction of oyles is yet unhandled, which is done diverssy after an artificial manner. For they are extracted either by distillation, which is by ascent or descent, of which the Alcumists masse of books is full, or by expression, or infusion, of which we have spoken before, and shall treat more largely in our Medicamentall shop, or Pharmacopoea.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Chymicall Extracts.

THere is no little difference betwixt the extractions of Apotheca­ries, and those of Alcumists, for the Apothecaryes extract one­ly a certain liquor, as Rosin, Gums, or such fluid matters, and separate them from the more grosse and solid substance; but Alcumists do not onely desert the grosse body, but exhale the thinnest substance, till a very little portion, and that somewhat thicker, be left, to which the [Page 80]vertue of the whole doth adhere as united to its subject, whence they call it an extract, as it were the essence extracted and separated from the body.

For such an Extract doth contain most excellent vertues in a small quantity, a dragme whereof exhibited is of no lesse efficacy than a whole ounce of any Medicament with its grosse substance.

They are wont to give these extracts, to those whose ventricles loathed Apothecaryes Medicines, and who had plenty of wealth: for to prescribe the extract of Rhabarbe or Pearle to a poor man, were to take away his life.

Now these extracts of Medicaments as well simple as Compound, Extractum quomodo parandum. are often made after this manner, the Medicament is washed, being first small sliced, or if it be a masse of Pills or an Electuary, it is dissol­ved in the best Aqua vitae, or other fit liquor, so as it be covered two fingers, in a vessell well and close stopped, then it is left two or three dayes in a hot place, then they make a strong expression, which is af­terward put in Balneo Mariae, that the Aqua vitae may be separa­ted from the faculty of the Medicament, which lyes somewhat thick in a little quantity in the bottome of the vessell, then it is gathered and reposed in a glasse vessell, or an earthen one well glassed, and so evaporated on hot embers.

If any one will make a more valid extract, then he macerates ano­ther Medicament of the same kind, in the former expression, and after a daily and perfect infusion, he extracts it by compression, as before, and this he doth three or foure times, if he desire a more potent ex­tract, and at length the last expression being finished, he segregates the Aqua vitae from it by distillation in a hot bath, or he dissipates it by insolation, till the extract onely remain, which hath great and power­full vertues in a small body.

They do not cast away Rhabarbe, and other Medicaments of grea­rer value, after the first maceration or expression as the vulgar do, but infuse them twice thrice or four times in other Aqua vitae, till they have lost their colour & sapour, and what ever vertue was in them be left in the waters, for then ought the last expression to be made, which is mixed to the other, from all which the Aqua vitae is separated by Balneo Mariae, and the subsident onely or extract left.

These Extracts are not alwaies made by Aqua vitae, but oftentimes by the decoction of hearbs, stilled waters, and sometimes by rain or fountain-waters, Extractum pilularum. for some masses of pills are sometimes macerated in rain-waters for the space of eight dayes, the juice of Buglosse, Be­tony, or other thing, as necessity requires, being added, then it is boyled on a slow fire, strained and congealed.

After the same manner is one pound of the best Rhabarb, and of China sliced small, macerated by the space of one whole day in two pounds of the juice of Borrage and Fumitory, well purified: then it is boyled on a slow fire, Extractum rhei. till the juice be absumed, then is there made a strong expression, which is again boyled with a slow fire in a Bal­neum [Page 81]Mariae, to the Consistency of Honey; some adde two ounces of Sugar, but hereby the quantity is increased, and the faculty of the extract more dull.

Extracts are prepared after many other manners, which, to treat of at large is not our purpose, because we study to institute a method for Apothecaries, not Alcumists.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Cribration.

AS the husbandman with his fanne dissipates the straw and chaffe from his Wheat, so doth he with his sieve segregate the best seed corn from the dead and feeble cornes, to whom Cribration rather appertains than to an Apothecary; yet both of them use this instrument to separate the flower from the bran, which the vulgar call a searce, or sieve, sometimes a rangeing sieve, and sometimes a haire Tamise, which is made sometimes of the haire of a horses taile, sometimes of flax, sometimes of silk; now a sieve is made of a vellume pervious with many round or long holes, through which tares and small seeds may easily descend, the more succulent and good remaining: Cribration therefore is of use for that prepara­tion of Medicaments, which is performed in a sieve.

The use of this preparation is much, Cribrationis usus. for hereby the flower of grounded seeds, or the meale is separated from the branne: boyled roots are cleansed from their barks, and fruits purged from their grains and stones.

The Quintessence of Cassia fistula is put in a sieve made of horses haire, that the pith alone thus purged from the broken huskes and seeds may be extracted, which is called extract of Cassia.

Tamarinds and Dates macerated in vineger or other liquor, are af­ter the same manner put into a hairy sieve for many definite uses, and so pulped through with a Manipulus: many seeds are boyled till they crackle, as roots and leaves, till they be very soft, and then are trans­mitted through a sieve made of haire, to the confection of Cata­plasmes and other Medicines of divers forms.

Cordiall powders, as also others which are ingredients in a Medi­camentall composition, must be sierced in a small tamise or fine sieve, and especially such as are administred to loose obstructions, and move urine, or monthly flowers; for by how much such are finer, by so much the sooner are they carried to the places affected.

In sifting some powders, a hairy tamise is requisite, in others a sil­ken one, or one of pure and rare linnen.

Cribration is chiefly for the more commodious mixtion of things [Page 82]pulverated, or of small bignesse, and the separation of the smaller portion, which is often better, from the grosser portion, which is often worse.

Now as there are severall instruments that serve for Cribration, Varius cri­brandi modus. so is the manner of Cribration diverse; for properly Corn and Pulse are to be put in a sieve, stirred with a hand, and turning the seeds this way and that way in the sieve holden up, which ablegates the bad seed, and retains the good.

After the same manner Cordiall powders are sifted, Pulveres car­diaci quomodo cribrandi. the tamise being moved to and fro in a mans hands, not violently shaken, that the smaller part of the powder may be transmitted, the thicker part left.

Some, that they may be more easily transmitted, ought in the rang­ing of the sieve to be shaken into a round, or other solid body with many percussions, least the grosser parts be fastned in the sieve, and therefore almost all ought to be grinded before they be sift in the Tamise, and those that will scarce permeale the tamise or sieve, for crassitude, ought again to be grinded, and beaten till they may all passe through for tenuity and fineness.

CHAP. XXV. Of Colation and Filtration.

UPon what account dry Medicaments are sifted, upon the same are moist ones strained, for that the filth may be segregated, and the pure and sincere liquor onely extracted, it is transmit­ted through a strainer, and that either thick or rare, or of a mean tex­ture as the commodious use of the thing and exigency requires, therefore the practisers of Pharmacy hold it requisite to keep many strainers in their shops, both thick and rare linnen, wollen, hempen, or hairy, often old, but oftner new, that in a strong compression, all the juice of the thing strained may be transmitted without the rupture of the cloth.

That grosse and viscid matters may be rightly strained, Ad crassorum & viscidorum colaturam quid requiratur. three things are required, that they be washed in more abundance of humour, that they be put in a more rare and new strainer, and that they be longer calified before colation, for so their density being more rarified, they may more easily permeate; thus the juices of flesh and hearbs are to be calified before they be strained, and all kinds of Honey and Man­na eaten out of any liquor. That that which is extraneous and sordid, if any such thing be mixed with it, may be separated by Cola­ture.

Those that are thin as the juice of hearbs, Lemmons and many fruits ought to be strained warme, and often cold, for so their terre­striall and grosser part remaines, the purer and more sincere being [Page 83]transferred, as it were fined from their dreggs. But Milk and muddy waters are strained cold, that haires, if any be fallen thereinto, may be separated from the one, and mud from the other, yet all that which makes the water muddy is oft separated from it by residence, as we see in Cisternes, where water stands: Tent-wine also is three or more times strained cold in a linnen napkin very long and fine, for procu­ring the more pleasant mixture and consistency of the Sugar, wine, and sweet spices, wherewith it is compounded.

Some may not be strained unlesse very hot, others cold, others warme, and many need onely one colation, some two, and some three, till they grow cleer.

Apozemes are strained through common strainers, sometimes through a woollen bag, or linnen strainer, but syrrups which are more gross, because of the admixtion of honey, sugar, and their long coction, cannot so easily transmeate, and therefore require a thin lin­nen strainer.

Decoctions, whereof unguents are made, are strained after the, same manner, as also the unguents themselves liquified, till some thick thing, which hath escaped the stroke of the Pestell, and the heat of the fire, be segregated.

The thinner part of many Medicaments is segregated from the thic­ker, by the other kind of colation called filtration, Filtratio. which apparation those Medicaments onely use, which make up the compound called Virgins Milk, or which expostulate onely some smaller and thinner substance of some Medicament; for they assume linnen or woollen lists two or three fingers broad, and very long, and they dip the one end in the vessell wherein the Medicament to be strained is contained, the other end reacheth to another vessell that stands below it, and bending into it, doth cast out by drop and drop that humour into it, which it had continently drawn from the former vessell.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Spumation.

WHen scum swimming upon a liquor is detracted, Spuma quid. either with a spoon or feather, if it be small, or by colature, that same act is called Despumation, because scum is a certain viscid juice including flatulency; for all enumeration of scum proceeds from the mixture of two substances, whereof the one is spirituall, the other humid, it is moved and disjected by a various agitation as Galen saith, (Commens ad Aphor. 43. lib. 2.) therefore the segregation of scums is made by the whites of Eggs, which by their lentor and viscidity coact and col­lect the scum, as when juices of flesh, many syrrups and Apozemes are in boyling cleansed from their scums.

But seeing motion and heat are the efficient causes of scum, Spumae effici­entes cnasae. and nothing that is crude, and not moved is covered with scum, then de­spumation appertaines to such things as by agitation and coction ingender scum.

That Honey and Sugar may be cleansed from scum, an equall and sometimes a double portion of liquor is put to them, and in boyling the scum is taken off with a blunt spoon, least together with the scum, the liquor, in which the concoction is made, should be taken off; but if despumation by this rule seem unperfect, then adde to certain pound weights of liquor certain whites of eggs; which assoone as they are hardened by continuall boyling; they gather scum, so that the segregation of it from the liquour will be very easy, because in straining it will be left in the strainer together with the whites of the eggs, the sincere and pure liquour onely transmitted. If the honey be very impure, it must be boyled in a treble portion of liquor till it come to half, that the despumation may be perfect, which rule will hold in scumming other very impure Medicaments.

Honey may be purged and cleansed from scum by it self, Quando mel per se despu­mandum. when it hath no aliene quality, or when it cannot sustein so long coction with­out impairing its vertue, as those things that are mixed with it, for then it were better not to mixe it for despumations sake, than to des­pume it with the mixture.

Sugar to be purged of scum ought so long to be boyled, that af­ter despumation, that which was a pound before, may remain no more than a pound, though two or three ounces of liquor have been added to the coction.

Fruits that are to be preserved while they are boyled with sugar, or as some do better boyle them in a portion of sugar, are purged by some few scum onely with a spoon, as things full cocted are with a linnen strainer, for they are wont to be transmitted through a cloth extended, and fastned with nailes at every corner, that the scum and dreggs might be left above.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Clarification.

CLarification is a purging of liquid Medicaments from their grosser matter, for hereby they are more acceptable to the pa­late, and may more easily be distributed. Now many are clarified by themselves alone, as when the more feculent settleth, as the juice of Apples, Oranges, Lemmons, Bugglosse, Sorrell, some by de­spumation, others by colation, some also by coction, the white of eggs for the most part added, sometimes also without these, as when the juices of plants and fruits are cocted to the consumption of the [Page 85]third part, and then stand two dayes till they grow cleere, Clarificatio quot modis fiat. whence clarification is effected five manner of ways, by rest, by colation, by despumation, by the mixtion of vinegar, or some sharp matter, and by the agitation and coction of whites of Eggs with the thing to be clarified. For if decoctions and syrups partake of vinegar, they will be more and more purged by themselves through the vertue of the vinegar. And whites of eggs must be agitated with a spoon, till they be all froathy, then put to the syrups or decoctions, which must be boyled again: and when the scum is gathered about the whites of eggs by perfect coction, then must the scum be artifici­ally craded and separated, either by common trajection, which is through a four cornered cloath fastned at every corner with a nail, or by a more peculiar colation which is through Hyppocrates his sleeve. Colation should be iterated three or four times, till the syr­rup or decoction be plainly cleere.

Men of later times have made certain potions in the form of a Julep, which with their consistency being very clear, they call them Clarers, but such are made after the manners before nominated.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Aromatization.

ARomatization is an artificiall manner of preparation, Aromatizatio quid. where­by Medicaments are made more odoriferous, and suaveolent, to the better acceptation of the palate, and heart, and the grea­ter strength and oblectation to the vitall and animall faculties. For, Medicaments subverting the ventricle, are made lesse offensive, if they be seasoned with Cloves, Cynamon, and other sweet spices, and lesse mo [...]est the principall parts, and do more wholesomely e­duce excrementitious humours, by secession, or by vomit, if it happen.

And though according to Galen. ( Cap. 15. lib. 2. de aliment.) Quae aromata hanc velillam partem corporis magis respi­ciunt. all odoriferous spices are hot, and exhilarate the vitall faculty; yet some more particularly respect the brain, as Cloves; some the heart, the fountain of life, as Cynamon; others the ventricle, as Almonds; others the Liver, as Dates; and some the wombe, as muske, Amber, Civet; not that the wombe is delighted with these under the species of odors: for it hath not an organ of smelling, but is affected with smells, by reason that thin and subtil matters, or the aery vapour, wherewith the spirits are recreated, with which it is of all granted, that the geni­talls swell.

Mesue hath described many aromaticall confections, as Diaci­namomum, Aromaticum Rosat. Diamoschum utrum (que) diambra, the ele­ctuary of gemms, and many more, whose use is excellent in get­ting and preserving strength in the principall members, in preventing and correcting putrefaction, and in refreshing the spirits.

Those that from sickness recover health, or are very old, and are in riches able to resartiate their lost strength, by the prescript of Phy­sicians, are wont to use Confections made of Conserves, Sirrups, and cordial Powders, whose excellent virtue is attributed to the sweet odour of suaveolent Spices.

For the like cause, Cur medica­menta aroma­tizentur. many Sirrups are aromatized with the confecti­on of Alkermes, or Trochisks of Galliae moschatae, or with Musk, Amber, Civet, or other suaveolent Spices hung in a Nodula, and so tyed to the Vessel wherein the Sirrup or Liquor is contained, that it hangs about the middle of it; for so the aromatical virtue is equally distributed to all the Liquor. Which also Vintners have learned, who make the Wine more fragrant and sweet, by hanging Ginger, Cinamon, and such like, in the Hogshead.

Those of the Courtiers that are more rich, Quibus salaces ad venerem u­tantur. leacherous, and sloth­full, that like Beasts they may more potently hold on to their Ve­nery, and be more active in that exercise; sometimes they eat raw Eggs, sometimes fryed with much Musk or Civet, whereby they ra­ther destroy than refresh Nature.

Many Fruits also, as Nuts and Pears, are before Conditure stic­ked with Cinamon or Cloves, that they may be more gratefull and acceptable both to the palate and heart. Juleps also are often aroma­tized with Rose-water, as Apozems with yellow Sanders, Sauces with aromatical Confections, Cider with Amber or Musk, as many other Medicaments with Storax, Belzoin, Camphire.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Colouration.

THough Colour, according to Galen, ( cap. 2. lib. 1. simpl. cap. 30, lib. de Histor. Philos.) cannot shew the faculty of the Medica­ment, yet because it is a quality of a visible body, which because it hurts or profits, is more or less expetible: for as blackness and white­ness do obtund the faculties of seeing, so green colour exhilarates them, as besides quotidian experience, the Philosopher also testifies, ( Probl. 60. sect. 32.) Now some Medicaments are more desirable, being white, Coloratio quot modis acquiri­tur. others black, others red, or of other colour. And Co­lour is especially acquired four manner of wayes, by Lotion, Agita­tion, Coction; and Mixtion. By Lotion most become white, as Oil, Turpentine, Wax. Some also by Agitation, as Penedis, the white unguent of Rhasis, the plaister Diachylon, Galens refrigerating Un­guent; for all these, by how much the longer they are wrought, by so much they are the whiter; Bechical. as white Pils, Bechical confections, and all sugared Medicaments; for Motion and Agitation do get the desired colour to Medicaments. But this is not so manifest in the [Page 87]fore-named Medicaments, as in the crude Unguent, Unguentum crudum ex qui­bus constat. which is made of Lytoridge, Oil and Vinegar, for these are so long beaten in a morter, till they acquire the form of a white Unguent. Medicaments by Co­ction are more colourated, as more white, or more black, as the Co­ction is valid and long, or as it is weak. So the Plaister made of crude Ceruse is white, of burned Ceruse red. And the Plaister of crude Verdigrease is green, of burned Verdigrease white and yel­low. Lastly, according to the several colours of the things mixed, the colour of Medicaments is various; for such as admit Saffron in their mixtion are yellow, such as admit Cinnabrium are red, and such as have Ceruse are white, and such as have the pith of Cassia in their mixture are black.

CHAP. XXX. Of Conditure, Saliture, and Farture.

AS Saliture and Farture rather seem to appertain to a Cooks, than an Apothecaries shop, so doth Conditure to the Con­fectioners. Yet Medicaments sometimes need these; for Saliture conduces much to conservation, Farture to good sapour, and Condi­ture to both. For Flowers and Fruits are not condited onely, but also little stalks, barks, and tender roots, both that they may be lon­ger preserved, and also eat more pleasantly. Thus are the roots of tender Ginger, and husks of Cassia Fistula, which are not old. Nut­megs, Myrobolans, and other forreign Fruits, are condited while fresh, that they may be brought to us without any loss of their vir­tues and faculties, from far Countreys. Many of our own Coun­trey, sweet, sour, or Fruits of other sapours, pleasant to the palate, as soon as they are gathered, and if need be, their Cortes pill'd off, (for many are not decorticated, as Gooseberries, Barberries) and so are boyled with Sugar, or Honey, or both. Those that are bitter, very sour, and sharp, are so long macerated in water, till they have depo­sed their vehement quality.

Now Apothecaries do especially make humid Conditures, as they call them; as when they so long concoct Fruits or Roots with Sugar and Water, that they lose all their watry humidity, and after Condi­ture and Reconditure may be preserved with a Sirrup perfectly boy­led.

But Confectioners do not onely make such like Conditures as these, but also dry ones, as they term them, which are made of Fruits sugared, with Sugar extrinsecally boyled with them, and afterwards dryed by insolation. Now many Fruits are condited with Salt alone, as Capers; or with some Vinegar added to them, Salitura. as Cucumbers cut in pieces, Purslain, Lettices, and many Pot-herbs, that they may [Page 88]without decay be preserved till Winter; for Salt hath an admirable faculty in desiccating and conserving things. Hence Flesh and Fish salted are kept without corruption, not onely some months, but years. Wherefore by some Philosophers, Epicureis ani­ma pro sale. the Soul is called the Salt of the Body, because as long as it remains therein, it vindicates and defends it from putrefaction. It causes also, that Medicaments acquire ano­ther quality beside what is peculiar to them; and therefore Vipers flesh, and the parts of many Animals, are besprinkled with white and bay Salt, (for according to Galen, there is the same faculty in both) with a little, if it be used for sapours sake; with more, if for condi­tures sake.

Whatsoever Aliments are desired to be medicinal, Fartura. if there be any apparent cavity in them, it is stopped with Fruits, Herbs, or Roots, wherewith Aliments are often stuffed. Now many Aliments are stuffed before Assation or Elixation, that they may be more grate­full to the palate, and sometimes that they may more conduce to pro­cure or keep sanity; as when Polypody, Capers, dry Grapes, Bar­ley, or other parts of Plants are included in the belly of a Capon or Goose. An old Cock is wont to be stuffed with Barley, that besides its faculty of subducing the belly, wherein according to Galen and Oribasius, it is effectual, it may cleanse and nourish. Night-caps are of­ten quilted with Cephalical Powders put in a double linnen cloth: the topical remedy of the form of a Buckler is prepared after the same manner, but it receives roborating and stomachical Pouders, such as are wont to be prescribed to the weakness of the belly. But it is pro­perly called Farture, by which exenterated Animals, and excavated Fruits are stuffed with medicamental or alimental things, and some­times with aromatical, onely for jucundity sake.

CHAP. XXX. Of Distillation.

DIstillation is an education of a watry or oily humour out of any thing by heat. Distillatio quid And it is effected either by ascension, or descension, and that either by a humid or a dry heat. Di­stillations by humid heat are made in Balneum Mariae, or in a Vapour made of hot water. Balneum Ma­riae. Balneum Mariae, aut maris, as some say, is a Vessel containing in it heat, into which another vessel is put, containing the matter to be distilled. It was wont to be called Cucurbita, Cucurbita. or Boccia, upon which is put another Vessel with a beak, commonly called an Alembick or Capitel, which are most strictly closed together with a glew made of Bran, and whites of Eggs.

Distillation in the vapour of hot water is also made in two vessels; Balneum roris. the one contains the matter to be distilled, and in the other is put a [Page 89]long copper or brass vessel half full of water; so that there is space enough left between the Cucurbita and the boyling water, by the va­pour of which carried upwards, the matter to be distilled grows hot, and suscitates the vapours to the beaked Capitel, whence it descends into the Receiver.

Both these Bathes are described in various forms; for every one, Variae sunt for­mae balnei. according to his minde, changes, innovates, adds or detracts some­thing rather form the elegancy of the Boccia, than the facility of Di­stillation. But in all of them, the fire, which is the efficient cause of Distillation, must be made in such place, that with little labour it may calefie the water in the Boccia.

Now the fire should be clear, not smoky or filthy, Ignis in distil­latione qualis. such as is made of Charcoal or Cannel; and it must be so ordered, that it neither be too potent, and burn the matter, nor so small as to be extinguished before the work be perfected. Before the water begin to be cold, let other be made hot, or at least warm, and calefied according to that degree of heat which the condition of the matter requires; for some may be distilled with a benign vapour, others with a more potent, others best with warm water.

Integral fresh Plants, or parts of them cut into pieces, Plantarum di­stillatio. are conve­niently distilled in a humid Bath. If they be dry, they should be wet with some convenient liquor before Distillation; for so the waters distilled do better retain the strength and faculties of the Plants, though they cannot be so preserved, because more excrementitious. Yet many waters do not retain the sapours of the Plants, because they so inhere in their terrestrial substance, that they will not ascend with the most vehement heat.

The humid Bath is expedient in distilling waters; the dry one (if it may be called a Bath, as it pleases most) in educing oils and waters, Balneum sic­cum. Now it is properly called dry, because no water is put under the Cu­curbita, but fire onely, with dust, sand, or the filings of iron or steel sometimes interposed. Which that it may be commodiously done, Fornacis stru­ctura. the furnace must be built with such industry, that it may have a port open towards the bottome, through which the ashes may be taken out which fall from the burning coals laid upon the little gridiron. Above the gridiron there must be another port, through which the coals may be immitted; above the arch whereof must be inserted little iron beams or grates overthwart: then above must be placed the brazen, earthen, or iron pan, into which the Cucurbita is put, and it must be buried, sand or ashes being cast upon it, then the bea­ked Capitel may be placed above it. In the top of the furnace must be constituted certain holes, or wind-passages, through which the smoke may pass.

The use of a certain Instrument of Copper, called an Alembick, Alembicus. is here requisite and frequent; in whose inferiour cavity are contai­ned iron beams, sustaining the burning coals; in its middle, the Boc­cia; in its superiour part, the beaked Capitel, in form of a Helmet; [Page 88] [...] [Page 89] [...] [Page 90]and sometimes round with a Refrigeratory, formed like a Cauldron, that it might contain an abundant quantity of water; which when it grows too hot, is effunded by a cock placed towards its bottome, and new water and cold is poured in again.

The beak in some Alembicks is very long and strait, and oft times in some of the form of a serpent; whence it is called a twining beak, or worm, that so it may be transferred through a Hogshead full of cold water, whereby the water may be better congealed and tem­pered.

A certain Boccia made of glass, Retorta vesica. and crooked, commonly called a Retort, serves for that distillation which is made by sand or ashes; as also another strait one, which hath its name from a bladder, of oval form, made of glass or copper lined with tin, which serves for distil­ling those things which are easily sublevated, as roots, seeds, leaves, flowers, and suaveolent Spices; such as are not so easily sublevated, as farnesses, rosins and gums are to be extolled, and that more aptly in a Retort of very thick glass.

The forms of distilling are so many, Varia distil­landi formeae. and the instruments, as also their matter so various, that they can scarce be kept within certain Laws: yet is this old custome still observed, that Apothecaries do commonly distill young Plants, and other Medicaments in Pewter Alembicks, or Leaden, tinn'd within, which are not so noxious as many fear: yet them of Glass and Clay are better, but they may ea­sily be broken, and then useless. Now such things as may not endure the vehemency of heat, may be better distilled in Balneum Maria, afterwards in hot ashes, wherein, as in the Bath, some temperate and milde heat may be preserved and cherished; not so in sand and filing dust, for these will not be hot but with vehement heat; wherefore they are used in educing Oils by distillation. Now the wa­ters distilled ought to be insolated for some dayes space in Vessels co­vered with a paper full of little holes, Quomodo a­quaedist llatae insolendae. that the more pure and excre­mentitious portion may be resolved, and that the impression of the fire, which is wont to comitate waters distilled, may be extracted.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Distillation by descent.

DIstillation is made both by moyst and dry calour, as well by ascent a descent. By ascent, when by the force of the heat of fire, water, or other body interposed, the thinner part of the matter in the Cucurbita is elevated to the Capitel, where condensed, Varii distilla­tionis per de­scensum modi. by its weight it declines to the beak, and runs into a vessel set under the beak. And as the distillations by ascent are multifarious, so also them by descent; for one distillation is properly [Page 91]said to be by descent, to wit, when the humour educed without exal­tation distils downwards; another is by inclination, another by transudation, another by filtration.

That cannot properly be called Distillation, nor referred to this place, which is made without heat, as by Expression, or Colation.

Distillation by descent is sometimes made without heat, Distillationem fiert interdum sine calore. as when a bag filled with Myrrhe or Tartar, is suspended in vapourish air, or in a Wine cellar; for these, as many more, long kept in a moyst place, become tabid, and as it were exude a pure juice, which they emit into a vessel set under them. Quomodo aqua educatur per descensum. But it is made more frequently by fire, by whose power not onely waters, but also oils are educed by descent. Thus the water of Roses, and other Flowers, may be well distiled. A pot of copper, brass, or clay, is taken and filled with Roses, or other Flowers, close covered with a head, and a vessel full of coals is set under the body containing the Flowers, out of which when they are calefied, very good water will exude into the glass subjected. But the fire is to be so ordered, that the Flowers may not be burned, and therefore many prudently put paper betwixt the vessel containing the fire, and the Flowers; for hereby they may better endure the heat. But this manner of distilling, as it is easy, so is it common.

Some distill waters in dung, or other putrid matter: Distillatio in fimo. but the Apo­thecary may easily want these modes, who should be neat, and pre­pare the most select remedies. Distillatio in calore solis. That distillation which is made in the heat of the Sun after this manner, is more commendable. A pot filled with Roses, or other Flowers, is firmly joyned to another pot set under it; then it is exposed to the Sun; for if its beams beat upon the upper pot, very good water will distill into the lower.

But the distillation of Oils by descent is more difficult, Oleorum distil­latio per de­stensum. and can scarce be effected without great preparation, labour, and time: yet is it very familiar to the Alcumists who educe Oils by descent after many manners; for they so prepare the vessels and instruments for distillation, that they give no passage by ascent, but the humour as it were melted and educed, exudes downwards by drops. Those Wa­ters or Oils may be thus distilled, which the ascending vapours would destroy, or the potent spirits dissipate, before they were brought to a consistency.

There are several modes of this distillation; Distillatio per transudationem one is in a furnace by transudation, whereby the humour provoked doth transude, and falls by drops into the subjected vessel, fire being placed above it. Another is made by transudation, but it is in the earth, when a ditch is diffoded in the earth, into which is put a pot, to whose orifice is fit­ted and joyned the bottome of another pot full of little holes, and the orifice of the upper pot is covered close, in which pot is contained the matter to be distilled; then the earth being adhibited, both pots are interred even to the belly of the upper pot, so that the conjuncti­on is covered: then the fire is put to by degrees, according to the [Page 92]nature and condition of the matter to be distilled; for a more solid matter requires greater heat, less solid a lesser.

There is another distillation, Distillatio per inclinationem. which is a mean betwixt the distilla­tion by ascent, and that by descent, which is by inclination, in which there is a little elevation, and afterwards a reflexion downwards. It is also called a distillation by retortion, because it is made in a bend­ing Boccia, in whose curvature the spirits united are compelled to de­scend into the receptacle placed below, and well joyned to the croo­ked beak. Now this retorted Boccia should lye in a furnace built ac­cordingly, the belly whereof must be buried in a pot wherein are ashes or sand, and the beak must hang out through some hole or chink.

The retorted Boccia is wont to be used in distilling such things as ascend with difficulty, Quand re or­tae in distilitatio­nibus usurpan­dae. as in the educing Oils out of Metals, and Spi­rits out of Minerals, to which most vehement heat is required, and therefore heed must be taken lest the Retorts be burst; therefore be­fore they be set upon the fire, they ought to be incrusted with clay, marl, or such convenient matter, if nitrous matters be contained in them; and they must immediately with ashes or sand be adhibited to the most violent fire. But because we purpose not to relate Chymi­cal Distillations, nor their Matrals, nor describe their Cucurbites, Handles, Vessels, crooked, round or long, their Dishes, Pots, and Furnaces, we will no further prosecute their precepts in distillation, for they may be sooner and easier learned with practice and exercise, than by description.

Alcumists prescribe not onely many Distillations, but also o­ther preparations, as Sublimation, Cohobation, Exhalation, Eva­poration, Exaltation, and many more, wherewith their Books are stuffed. Sublimatio. Cohobatio. Caput mortu­um. Sublimation is when the Extract attains to the sublime part of the Vessel, and subsists there. Cobobation is when that which is educed, is put again to the dead Head; now the dead Head as it is ta­ken by them, is as it were dregs without juice, or excrements voyd of any quality: yet sometimes this is the matter of the Chymical Salt. Exhalation is a dissipation of dry spirits in the air by heat. Exhalatio. Evaporatio. Exaltatio. Evapo­ration is a resolution of moyst spirits. Exaltation doth not design the same thing that Sublimation doth, for it is an artificial preparati­on, whereby the matter is after some manner changed and brought to a higher dignity of substance and virtue; as when some rude and crude matter is brought to maturity and perfection. Maturatio. Maturation and Gradation they say conduce to this, as Digestion, and sometimes Circulation do to Maturation. Digestio. Maturation is an exaltation from a rude crudity to a well cocted and elaborate perfection. Digestion is a simple Maturation, whereby things incocted and untractable, are cocted and made more milde and tractable by a digestative heat. Circulation is an exaltation of pure Liquor by a circular solution, Circulatio. Gradatio. by the help of the heat in Mercuries or Pelicans Cup. Gradation [Page 93]appertains properly to Metals, for it is an exaltation of them to a greater degree of bonity and perfection, whereby their weight, co­lour and consistency is brought to a more excellent degree. But that I may no longer digress from my purpose, I will leave their Chy­mical Preparations to themselves; for this Treatise of Distillation compelled me briefly to touch of these, and paint it on the margin as a Work by the by.

CHAP. I. Why Medicaments are compounded.

AS Simplicity in Nature is before Composition, so are simple Medicaments before compound; and the antient Physicians, as Pliny relates, ( cap. 2. lib. 26. Nat. Histor.) first prescribed onely Simples to cure Diseases, as Diocles, Pra­xagoras, Chrysippus, and Eristratus. Hippocra­tes also, who first laid the foundations of the medicinal Art and gave Laws thereto, cured almost all Diseases with simple Medicaments alone. Yet (saith Ae­tius, cap. 25. tetr. 4. serm. 2.) necessity constrained the exercised Medicks to seek new remedies, and compound some Simples, be­cause Simples cannot alwayes cure; for (saith Galen, cap. 5. lib. 1. comp. med. general.) if Simples onely could preternaturally cure all affections, there would be no need of Compounds; but this no Sim­ple can do. The use therefore of Composition in Medicine is necessa­ry, especially for such Diseases as require at once contrary faculties in Medicaments, which cannot be in Simples.

The causes why Medicaments should be compounded are many ( Serapio. cap. lib. 7.) first, Multas esse causas compo­sitionum me­dicamemorum. when in curing or expelling a disease there is no one simple Medicament altogether contrary to it; then must some compound be used, which may supply the defect of the simple, as when we would moderately cleanse an ulcer, we mixe two simple Medicaments: the one whereof would do it too potently, 1 the other too negligently, now from the concourse, 2 and commistion of these two will proceed one moderate detersory: the second cause of com­position is, that the violence of the Medicament may be obtunded, or its ignavy excited; now its violence is obtunded by the admixtion of a more benigne or an opposite Medicament, as when with sharp we mixe mild, with bitter sweet, with calid refrigerating, 3 & with maligne Cordiall Medicaments. The third cause or reason is drawn from the variety of the Maladies to be cured, for to every part affected and noxious humour, a Medicament that is Analogicall and destinated to the same must be prescribed; for it is meet that Medicament must be given to the Brain, Lungs, or other parts ill affected, which hath respect to such parts, and will free from such a mortificall cause: 4 the situation also and dignity of the parts affected demonstrate composi­tion to be necessary; for some part doth not onely require roboration, which indeed is a principall effect, as the brain by Cephalicks, and the heart by Cordialls, as Galen commands, Cap. 1. lib. 1. comp. med. ge­ner. But also oftentimes alteration, and a vindication from the noxi­ous humour, which one simple Medicament cannot effect: further­more a part situated farre from the remedy speaks composition to be necessary, for some attenuating Medicament must be mixed with these remedies, that the quality thereof may permeate to the part affected, as Galen declares lib. 1. de comp. per gener.

There are also other lesse necessary causes of composition, as when Medicaments are dulcorated with sugar or honey, that they may be more acceptable to the palate and heart, or when they are condited with Cynamon and other sweet spices, or washed in convenient de­coctions, or composed into the forme of a bole or solid Electuary; for many Medicaments are conjoyned, mixed and united together for odour, sapour, colour, or jucundities sake, and also for preserva­tion to future uses.

CHAP. II. Of Syrups in Generall.

WHereas many Plants cannot always be had in readiness and integrall, but either their leaves will be fallen, or their Roots hidden in the ground as in Winter, or their vertue decayed, their leaves and flowers being scattered, or they will not be found when [Page 98]urgent necessity requires: juices are extracted out of them for future uses, or their decoctions, condited with a sufficient quantity of sugar or honey, or both together, are prepared, so as they may be kept a long time without impairing their strength and vertue after great coction, till they acquire the the consistency of a syrup. Now a syrup is a certain liquid Medicament of juices, or decoctions, so long co­cted with honey or sugar, Syrupus quid. for sapour and conservations sake, till it at­tain a just consistency; which may be known, if one drop of it drop­ped on a marble stone, dilate not, but cleave together, or taken be­twixt ones fingers dwawne out in threads or teats.

Syrups were invented by the Arabians, which Avicena ( lib. 5. serm. 1. tract. 6.) calls decoctions, or juices thickned with sweetnes, according to the Arabick word Scarab, Sharab. [...]. which denotes a certain drink, but sweet or Srab, which signifies sweet wine, or rather a Syrup, or potion prepared after our manner; the Greeks call them [...], or [...], and sometimes [...], the ancients by all these often understood Oinomel or sweet potions, for the name syrup, and the preparation thereof was scarce known to antient Graecians.

But some hold that the name syrup is more probably derived from [...] juice and and [...] to draw, Nominis syru­pietymologia. as it were a juice extracted, or that they were derived from Syria, or from that which Alexander Aphro­diseus calls [...], wine boyled to the half, new wine, wine boyled to the third part, or a sweet potion of wine and honey.

Syrups are perfectly cocted with honey or sugar, that they may not corrupt, but be usefull for a whole yeare, and they therefore have a thicker consistency, a meane betwixt wine boyled to the third, and a julep; as an Apozeme betwixt a julep and a syrup; for a syrup is not so thick as sapa, nor a julep as a syrup, nor an Apozeme as a ju­lep, for as syrups, which because thicker may be kept longer & safer, so Apozemes and Juleps, being thinner, may not be kept long and safely, for they will not keep one week, and therefore Physicians are wont to prescribe them to present use, and have them made so oft as necessity requires: but we shall treat more largely of these in the next book, for now we shall speak of such as may be kept by the A­pothecaries for a long time, of which for present use are often made Apozemes, if they be dissolved in the decoction of Plants, or Juleps if in distilled waters: they often also ingrede the confection of Eclegmes, Opiates; and Condites both, that they may acquire better acceptation and vertue and also a consistency more convenient to our purpose. Yet they are sometimes prescribed alone and unmixed, es­pecially such as must be assumed by licking by little and little to move flegme, as all brown syrups, as the syrup of Colts-foot, the juice of Liccorish, Maidens-haire, Hyssop, or of some such like, which by reason of their sweetnesse coct the spittle.

Now syrups are made of the decoction of hearbs, Materia Syru­porum. roots, fruits, seeds, flowers, or their juices, and such like as may be well decocted, and the matters to be decocted are so chosen, as they may answer [Page 99]our intent, whether it be to corroborate some part, or mend some vi­tious humour, or educe it, thence we have such variety of syrups: for they are composed to calefy, refrigerate, moisten, dry, open, obstruct, cut, thicken and purge.

And the decoction of those things, whereof Syrups are made, Aqua optima quae. ought to be in water, either rain-water, or fountain water, or running wa­ter which is best, because void of all qualities: the quantity whereof must be answerable to the quantity and hardnes of the things cocted: for such things as are harder, as roots and wood can scarce be cocted, save with much time and water without adustion. And therefore the water must be augmented, when simples are long to be cocted, as also when they are too bitter.

The decoction strained and clarified is boyled again, with an equall quantity of sugar or honey, or both; and sometimes with sweet wine, as it will appear in our book, called the Apothecaries Shop.

CHAP. III. Of Propomates.

THe Ancients according to Aëtius and Paulus ( Aët. cap. 30. cent. 3. ser. 1. Paul. Aeg. c. 15. lib. 7. Propomata quid. de remed) called a [...]l drinks dulcorated with honey by the generall n [...]me Pro­pomata, for they, scarce knowing sugar, made all drinks plea­sant to the palate with honey, which we now make with sugar, that they may be more sweet and pleasant, yet some, not for want of su­gar, are condited with honey, both for the peculiar condition of the sapour, and the attainment of those excellent qualities wherewith it abounds: for honey besides that sweetness, which it hath, being most pleasant to the tongue, is such an excellent conservative, that many use it, instead of salt, for the Babylonians ( Dionys. Areop.) Melle qui cor­pora condie­bant. in time past buried their dead bodyes in honey, and Appius the Cook ( He­rod. in Thalia) covered flesh with honey, that he might preserve it without salt, many things also condited, and other Medicaments are dulcorated and confected with honey, both that they may be more pleasant to the palate, and also keep more safely without corruption, and acquire more notable vertues: Wherefore Galen ( Cap. 177 simpl. Medic.) writes well when he saith, that honey may safely be mixed with all Antidotes. For it is most sweet ( Cap. 11. lib. de alim.) and it produces most thin juice, and being mixed with Medicaments, it causes them to induce and keep better. ( Paul. cap. 14. lib. 7. de remed.) yet it is not equally wholesome to all, for as ( Cap. 8. lib. 2. de fac. nat.) it is good for old and cold men, for it is noxious to such as are feaverish and young men, especially chollerick, because it is soon changed, ingenders choller, and becomes bitter in hot bodyes, [Page 100]for if it be holden too long to the fire, it will be bitter; as also, if it be kept too long ( Cap. 16. lib. 4. simpl.) for Galens father ( Cap. 11. l. 1. de Antidot.) Pater Galeni mel amarum babebat. had a certain kind of honey, as bitter as if it had been made in Pontus, in that part where the Bees gather their honey from wormewood, yet he saith it was Athenian honey, and very good, but that it became bitter by diuturnity of time. Now Pliny ( Cap. 56. lib. 7.) saith, that one Aristaeus an Athenian first invented honey, and the Curetes first taught the use thereof, Mellis primus inventor. though Ovid makes Bacchus the Author of it, when he saith: ‘Liber & inventi praemia mellis habet.’

Furthermore, many Medicaments are made of honey, and also potions either more liquid, called by Paulus sweet Potions, as Hydro­mel that is watry, and not enough boyled, or more thick and longer boyled and insolated, as Hydromel of wine, as Oxymel, and other Medicaments which are nominated from honey, as the Medicamen­tall honeys of violets, Anacardium, R ses, and such like.

Many Medicaments are comprehended under this name Hydromel, as Muscadell, Melicratum, Hydromel of water, and of wine simple and compound; Quid hydro­melitis nomine intelligendum. yet none is so simple, but it consists of honey and water, as the name demonstrates, but it is called simple to difference it from the more compound, whereof many differences are described every where by the best Physicians, as by Galen (lib. de Dinamid.) and by Paulus. ( lib. 7. de remed.)

In the Confection of Hydromel, In hydromelite qua mellis ad aquam propor­tio. the proportion of honey to the water is various, according to the various scope of the Physician, the temper of the assumer: For in Summer it is prescribed most watry, as also to young men, but in Winter, and to old men, and flegmaticke, with a greater portion of wine or honey; and it seemes good to our Ancients properly to call that Hydromel, Hydromel vi­nosum. which is not very watry, but of wine, and perfectly cocted: for it seems to resemble in sapour and heat most noble Wine, as that of Malmesey; for it much excites spittle, concocts flegmes, cherishes naturall hear, and roborates the stomack, its genuine description, and the manner of its making, shall be handled in the shop divulged by us.

And although the rule of confecting Melicrated Mulsa, Melicratum, mulsa, & hy­dromel, idem. or Hydro­mell (which differ onely in name not in substance) be not one but va­rious, yet Mesue ( part. 3. distinct. 6.) delivers the most vulgar, and usuall rule, to wir the admistion of eight pounds of water to one of honey, which must be cocted together, till froth cease to swim above, which opinion the best Authors follow, though many mixe with eve­ry pound of honey ten of water; and sometimes twelve, according to their various intentions.

Rusticks in Summer decoct the Loture of honey-combes, Hydromel Ru­sticorum. first strained, and they despume it well, and repose it in ample vessells, and having hung a little lump of Leaven in the vessells, they leave it for two or three dayes, and then they drink it with great pleasure, to expell thirst; for this drink is sharp and sweet, and most pleasant to [Page 101]their palates; others boyle six pounds of honey in fifty pound of foun­tain-water and, scum it well, and then they dissolve an ounce and an half, or two ounces of Leaven, or Barm, and put in the Barrell, leaving a certain space, as about two or three fingers breadth empty.

Apomel is not very watry, and as in strength and vertue, Apomeli. it is equall to vinous Hydromel, so hath it the same manner of preparation, as we shall shew in our shop.

Amongst sweet potions is reckoned Oinomel, Oinomel. which is made of two parts of old wine, and one of honey, and sometimes of six parts of sweet new wine, and one of honey, according to Oribasius ( Cap. 25. lib. 5. Collect.) and because honey is of thin parts, and most sweet, those Medicaments that admit of its Commistion do conduce most to the attenuation, coction, and expurgation of grosse humours.

CHAP. IV. Of Syrups mixed with Honey.

THat which the Greeks call Oxymel, and the Arabians Secan­jabin; The Apothecaries, and not improperly call a tart sweet potion, for it is a sower syrup made of water and honey, or sweet wine, and vinegar, whence, the taste recerves it as soure and sweet, and as it hath a mixed and various sapour, so hath it mixed virtues as by reason of the honey to the vinegar, as of the vinegar to it self: for vinegar hath a purging faculty, and it is ( Gal. l 1. Acetum esse calidum & fri­gidum. simpl. & li. 2. Comp Med. loc.) cold and hot, discussive & repulsive, and therefore Oxymel is commodious for hot & cold diseases, it cuts, atte­nuates and cleanseth grosse and slimy humours, it educes spittle, Oxymelitis qualitas. takes away obstructions, it prepares cold humours for expulsion, it mode­rates hot humours, and quenches thirst: for honey is averse to cold humours, vineger to their lentour, and water to heat, and therefore causes that the honey be longer cocted better scummed, and the ver­tue of the Oximel, Mellis optimi nota. better distributed as Messue his Interpreter well observes. And the honey should not onely be very good, sweet, and sharp, pale of colour, neither too thick, nor too watrish, nor aboun­ding with spume, but the water also, being a common solace, both to the whole and sick, as Galen saith ( Cap. 27. lib. de renum dignot. Aquae bonit as qui dignosca­tur. & Medicat.) and most necessary to all things, ought to be most pure and good, and it may be tryed so to be by taste, sight, and smell: by tast, as if it be free from all qualities, indued with none: by sight, as if it be pure, sincere and exquisitely cleere: by smell, as if nothing can be smelled therein which is in vitious waters, and the vinegar al­so must necessarily be very good, rather white than red, Acetum quod­nam optimum. not stilla­titious, nor watrish, but most sharp, which hath a more potent faculty [Page 102]in cutting and attenuating. Now that Oxymel is reckoned amongst Medicines, is from vineger, for it is not of them accounted sweet wine, betwixt which Oxymel and Apomel takes place, called by Serapis Acumel.

But because all vineger hath not the same vertue, nor all men the same delight in its taste, the same proportion of honey to vineger is not generally used, for some would have more of vineger, others more of honey, whence Serapio thinks it should be made according to his mind that drinks, yet the confection described by Mesue and Ori­basius is most received and approved.

And it is made of one part of vineger, Oxymelitis prae­paratio. two of water, and four of honey, and all are boyled together to the consistency of a more liquid syrup, for if it be not perfectly cocted, yet because of the honey, it may be preserved long enough without corruption.

And this is called simple Oxymel, in respect of that which is more compound, which besides water, honey and vinegar receives many roots and fruits, whereof many formes are described by Nicolaus Myrepsus, and later writers.

CHAP. V. Of Juices mixed with Honey.

HOney is the Countrey-mans sugar, wherewith they often con­dite Cherries, Goosberies and Pears, Apothecaryes also, not for want of sugar, but by the Physicians advise confect cer­tain juices, fruits and flowers with honey, and make them into Con­serves, Galenjabin. Conserva Ro­sarum. sapes, and syrups: conserves, as honey of Roses called by the Arabians Geneljabin, and by the Greeks Rhodomel, which is made of one part of the flowers of red roses bruised, and three parts of ho­ney despumed: Mel passula­tum. Sapes as honey of grapes, which confected of one pound of dry grapes, clensed and macerated for a whole day in three pounds of water, then boyled to the half, afterwards strained, and mixed with an equall quantity of honey despumed: syrups, as ano­ther kind of honey of roses, which is made of an equall quantity of despumed honey, and red rose juice; the Mercuriall honey, or Mel Mercuriale, is also confected after the like manner, and cocted to the consistency of a thicker syrup.

And as the consistency of these conserves of roses is various, so is their description and preparation, for many take the same quantity of roses purged from their white and of honey, as Mesue also did, but they do not as he, Rhodomel. boyle them on the fire, but expose them to the heat of the Sun, Mel Rosatum foliatum. for the space of ten or twelve dayes before they repose them in their shops, thus also Rhodomel prepared without colature, is [Page 103]called by some of a later stampe Mel Rosatum foliatum, and by others, Conserva mellis Rosarum.

But that which is confected of an equall part of the juice of red roses and of honey, because of its sapour and consistency, is called the syrrup of the honey of roses; That same is a mean betwixt both, because made partly of the leaves and juice of Roses, with an equall weight of honey: yet the former manner of confection is more ap­proved, after which manner also other Medicinall honeys are confe­cted of other flowers.

Yet is it better that these be insolated than decocted with fire; Cur prastet hac insolari quàm coqui. be­cause the odour of flowers, being easily dissipable, perishes, and their qualities do not remain integrall after cocture, but they will easily endure insolation, which acting with a temperate and diuturnall heat, not short, and fervid, better mixes such Medicaments; yet that ho­ney which is made of fresh roses, is used to be cocted with a slow fire, that which is made of dry roses should be insolated.

Now, what way soever honey of roses is made, whether of flowers integrall or broken, it ought first a little to be calefied, that it may be strained, and it is called, Mel Rosatum Colatum.

As fruits are harder, more difficult to be cocted, and lesse dissipa­ble than flowers and leaves, so Medicinall honey is made of these af­ter a different manner, for insolation will not suffice, but they must be long concocted in water before honey be put to them, and that fruits may be rightly cocted, they must first be macerated four and twenty houres in thrice as much water as is equall to them, then they must be cocted to the third part, or half, then an equall weight of ho­ney must be added to the colature, and then the concoction must be perfected in the consistency of a syrup.

CHAP. VI. Of Sapes.

IUices educed out of fruits and hearbs, after colation, expurga­tion, and a consistency obtained by the benefit of the Sun or fire, are called Sapes, or medicinated juices, by the Greeks [...], Rob & Sapa quid. and by the Arabians Rob, or Robub. Sape is properly wine pressed out of white ripe grapes, and cocted to the consistency of honey, cal­led by the Arabians Rob. Now any other juice extracted and cocted to a just spissitude is by the generall name called Robub.

Yet these barbarous names are seldome distinguished, but Rob and Robub, are used without difference for any thick juice, as it is appa­rent in Mesue, who, not ignorant of the proper name, calls all con­crete juices, rather Rob, than Robub, though his interpreter judges o­therwise.

The Juices are extracted either with a press, or by the compression of ones hands, and then trajected through a napkin, that whatever of forditude is therein may cleave to the cloth, and the pure juice may onely be transmitted; which afterwards put in a pan or other vessel is insolated, or cocted on a slow fire till it grow thick, and acquire a solid form. And its watry humidity thus resolved, it may be preser­ved many months and years without putrefaction.

Some Juices also are simple, Sapae simplices & compositae. others compound. Of the simple, some have a friable substance, and a purgative faculty, which must be longer cocted, that they may acquire perfect solidity, as Aloes, Scam­mony, and such like; others have a lent and viscid substance, and for the most part an astrictive and acid quality, such as all Robs are said to be by Mesue, ( Distinct. 6.) Those are called compound Sapes or Juices, which besides their concrete Juices, admit of Sugar, as Rob condited of Barberries, Rob of Quinces, Mulberries, and such Fruits.

As therefore sweet Wine onely boyled to the third, Desrutum quid. and despumed, still remaining liquid, is called Defrutum; so Wine expressed in a harder Consistency, inspissated by heat, is properly called Sapa; which also may be called Rob or Robub. If any be more sollicitous about the name than the thing it self, he may equally refer the name Robub to all Juices.

The use of Sapes is commended to many things, Saparum usus. especially to di­seases in the mouth; and they are sometimes prescribed alone, some­times to be mixed with other Confections, as to Diamorum, Diacodi­um, and other Syrups.

CHAP. VII. Of Conserves.

SEeing the virtue of Flowers may be easily dissipated, it can scarce be long retained integral, but is much impaired with coction and time, and often resolved. Now that it may be retained, Flowers are wont to be condited in Sugar or Ho­ney, and a Compound is made, that may be preserved for many months and years, without any great impairing of virtue; whence it is properly called a Conserve; whereof we have two different kinds, Conservarum differentia. the one is liquid and soft, which will yield to the pressure of ones finger, wherein is left some lentor; the other dry, which is much more solid, and made into Pastils or Trochisks, to which our fingers rather yield.

But because all Flowers have not a like compact substance, or like temper, they are not all condited after the same manner, nor require the same quantity of Sugar in their conditure.

Those that are more humid should taleby a day or two in a place neither too humid, nor too hot, that their superfluous humidity may be resolved. Those that are dryer, by how much they are more fresh and succulent, by so much the better.

Amongst the more humid, whereof Conserves are made, we rec­kon the Flowers of Water-lillies, Roses, Succory, Violets, Borage, and Bugloss; amongst the dryer Flowers, of Sage, Hyssop, Rose­mary, Oranges, Jasmine, Betony, Peach-trees, and many other Sim­ples, which are seldome or never condited.

The more humid require a greater quantity of Sugar to their con­fection, the dryer a less; to some an equal weight of Sugar is suffici­ent, to other half their weight, to many twice their weight, to Roses and Water-lillies thrice their weight is requisite.

Some are integrally mixed with twice their weight, or a sufficient quantity of Sugar, and are set to be insolated one or two months, ac­cording to the crassitude or tenuity of the Flowers.

Others, as Roses, after their purgation from the white, Conserva rosa­rum qui fiat. whereby they are fastned to the bud, and their triture in a stone morter with a pestel of Box wood, are mixed exquisitely with thrice their weight of Sugar, and then reposed in an earthen pot well leaded, and are well covered with a paper not forated, lest the virtue of the Flowers should be dissipated.

This done, the vessel is insolated by the space of a whole month, or forty dayes, for hereby the Conditure is excellently fermentated, the heat of the Sun permeating every part thereof, if it be stirred twice or thrice a week with a Spatula, which is effected without any dissipation of its virtues or odour.

Some immerge and perfectly mix integral Flowers, sometimes and oft braying in Sugar melted and cocted to the consistency of an Ele­ctuary, which when it is cold, they put in boxes, and insolate it.

If in the conditing, a little juice of Lemmon be injected, Quomodo con­serva rubra fiat. it will attain a red and lively colour, that it will not lose in a years space, if it be reposed in a Vessel while it is hot; for afterwards refrigerating, a certain scum or crust arises upon the superficies, which preserves the colour, odour, and virtue longer.

Conserves are seldome made of leaves, because their substance is more compact, and quality less diffipable; for they may be brought from far Countreys, without impairing their virtues. Yet some, which have excellent faculties posited in their superficies, cannot be dryed without damage, as Sorrel, and Capillus veneris. And there­fore Conserves may well be made of them well purged, as of Mons­pelian, Maidens hair, which is accounted the best, as many other Simples abundant in that Countrey. Yet have I heard the City Monspelier more commended for Medicks than Medicaments.

However, excellent Conserves of Maidens-hair is carried from Monspelier to all the Countreys in France, which is made of an e­qual quantity of pulverated Sugar, and cleansed Leaves brayed and [Page 106]mixed together, after insolated so long as is convenient.

Some hold this Conserve to be better, if a Syrup perfectly cocted be made of the decoction of this herb and Sugar, and then mixed to other cleansed and brayed Leaves of this herb, for thus it acquires a more excellent virtue, and a more fit consistency.

Dry Conserve is made of dry Roses levigated very small with eight times their quantity of Sugar boyled in Rose-water to the con­sistency of an Electuary, Conservae ex rosis siccis. to which a little juice of some sowr Simple, as Lemmons or Sorrel, may be mixed; for this juice doth not onely make it sweet, and sowr, and pleasant to the taste, but of a more red and pleasant colour.

By the same art may other dry Conserves be made of dry Flowers.

CHAP. VIII. Of Condites in general.

ROots, Conditura cur fiat. Fruits, and other parts of Plants are condited either for conservation, or for sapour, or both. For Conserva­tions sake many are condited with Salt or Vinegar, and sometimes both, as Olives, Capers, Samphire, Cucumbers, and Broom-flowers. For Sapours sake, the pils of Oranges, Lemons, Almonds, Pine-apples, Cloves, Nuts, and many Seeds are confe­cted with Honey or Sugar. For both Conservation and Sapours sake, many Roots, Fruits, and Flowers, as the root of Ragwort, Pears, Plums, Barberries, and the flowers of Bugloss and Violets, both that they may taste better, and keep longer.

And such things as are to be condited, are first concocted in an apt syrup, and reposed and reserved with it in an earthen glass or vessel, which are called by Apothecaries, Condita liqui­da. liquid Condites. But if after per­fect Concoction they be exposed to the open air till their superficies be dry, and that viscid lentor, wherewith they cleaved to the fingers of such as touch them, Confecturae siccae. be resolved, then are they called dry Con­fectures.

Hereunto by a certain affinity may be referred a certain kinde of Condite, which is called Pasta regia, or a Mazapane: but we shall treat of that more positively in our fifth Book, in our Treatise of particular Remedies.

Those Delicates which the Confectioners call Tragemata, Tragemata. i.e. Jun­kets, may be referred to solid Condites; for they, as other Condites, are prepared by the help of the fire, and the addition of Sugar, but after a different manner. For examples sake; if Seeds are to be con­dited, the Sugar must first be cocted into the consistency of a syrup, then is it by little and little poured upon the Seeds; then are they [Page 107]moved with ones hand, and that so long, till the Seeds be covered and incrustated all over with the Sugar. Lemmons pils small cut, as also Cynamon, are condited after the same manner. Now Fruits being humid, they require a liquid Confecture, and Seeds being dry, a dry one.

CHAP. IX. Of Powders.

THE Medicinal Art can by no means want Powders; for when Medicaments are either too humid, or dry, by the Greeks called [...]; the dry for the most part are pulverated, the humid are made up and concinnated with these Powders, as Electuaries, solid Con­serves, Trochisks, Plaisters, and other Medicaments, both intrin­secally to be assumed, and extrinsecally to be applyed; for nothing in Chirurgery is more frequently prescribed than incarnating, astrin­ging, and closing Powders; Pulverum in Chirurgia fre­quens usus. and nothing so carefully prepared and kept of Apothecaries as cordial, capital, and roborating Powders, which are not onely mixed with other forms of Medicaments, but oftentimes prescribed alone to divers uses and affections, as to robo­rate the principal parts, preserve their strengths, extinguish Poysons, stay Fluxes, help concoction, to binde or lose the belly.

Many external passions are oft cured with these alone, Pulvis vulne­rarius optimus. seldome without them, as any Wound with red Powder compounded of two parts of Dragons-blood, and one of Frankincense, as a great Ulcer after detersion with incarnating Powder. Pulvis epuloti­cus optimus. Thus a slash or skar of a Wound is closed with an Epulotical Powder, the best whereof are the Powders of Pompholix, Brass oar, Ceruse, Spodium, Terra Lem­nia, and Lead, rightly prepared.

Now generally, Pulveres in medicina quid praestent. Medicaments are either given in the form of Powders, or of them other forms are made, borrowing their matter from Powders; for these do not onely serve for to be fitted to the forms of several Medicaments, but whether you look to the body, or the quality of Medicaments, these are for the most part their very Basis.

And Powders are made of the most select Medicaments beaten more or less, as the nature of the Medicament, or the exigency of the matter requires. And all that are levigated or redacted into Powder, are called of the Latines by a general name, Pulveres; which the Arabians call distinctly by these three idioms, Sufful, Alkool, Alkool, Sufful, Sief. and Sief. Sufful denotes any kinde of Powder, whether small or great. Alkool that which is very small. Sief denotes the attrition of certain Trochisks upon a Marble, mixed with Rose, Fennel, or other con­venient water, to the griefs of the eyes.

Now some Powders, to wit, such as are made by the Confectioners, are destinated onely to Sauces, as the Powders of Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cynamon, and such like sweet Spices; and they are called of the Seplasiaries, small Spices, which they used to keep in Leather bags. Other Powders are cordial, and roborative, which pertain onely to the Medicinal Art, as the Powder of Diarrhodon Abbatis, Diacynamon, Dianisi, Laetitia Galeni, and other cordial Powders, which should be reposed in boxes, glasses, or pots close covered, lest their virtue suddenly expire. Other Powders are also made, as Ca­thartick Powders, which are onely for present, not future uses, be­cause by keeping they are much worse and weaker.

Yet scarce is any Powder internally assumed alone, and unmixed, but is put in water, or some other liquor, though not so applyed ex­ternally, which we often lay to Wounds and Ulcers alone.

Perfumers, Cosmeticorum studium. Chamberers, and such as would take away wrinkles from old women with painting, and promise to fascinate and cure stinking breaths, make several Powders of suaveolent Spices, as of the root of Orris, of Roses, Sandals, Storax, Betzoini, sweet Cane, Cynamon, Cloves, Marjorum, Amber, Musk, Civet; of which, and other odoriferous Simples, they make two excellent Powders, which they call Chyprium & Violetum; and also many other and va­rious Powders for the delectation of them that desire them. They are wont to repose them in silken bags, and put them in chests with their cloaths. But the Apothecary need not be sollicitous about these, for whom it is more expedient to have good Pulvis Diamargaritonis, than Chyprium.

CHAP. X. Of Eclegms in general.

A Certain Medicament is made for the diseases of the Lungs, something thicker than a Syrup, and more liquid than an Ele­ctuary, which the Arabians call Lodoch; the Greeks, [...], & [...], and sometimes [...]; the Latines, Linctus: for it is assu­med by little and little, as it were by licking or sucking, that by stay­ing and lingering in the passage, it may deerre into the breast, or at least its cough-curing virtue may reach the cavities of the Breast, and the grisles of the Lungs concoct Spittle, and cause its exclusion, which by the strength of nature may easily be done after concoction of the humour by a Vomit, or Expectoration upwards.

Now they are not onely exhibited in a morning upon a fasting sto­mack, but also at evening, and sometimes betwixt meals, to several effects, and for several intentions, and according to the matter, in­tention and quality whereof the Medicaments consist; for they are [Page 109]given to leniate, deterge, incrassate, incide, expectorate, and stay blood. Eclegms also, according to the Antients, may be made of Medicaments of any sapour: yet very bitter and very sharp Medica­ments we do not approve of for this use; for besides that ingrate­full sense they bring to the palate, they exasperate the hollow artery, and the jaws, and greatly molest the lungs: yet are sour ones some­times prescribed for the attenuation of gross humours.

But use hath so far prevailed, that in the confecture of Cough­cuíing Eclegms, it is almost a Law, that nothing but sweet Ingredi­ents should make up the Compound, as juice of Liccorish, Pines, Ju­jubs, Sugar-candy, Dragaganth, and such like Electuaries, mixed in Honey, or some fit Syrup.

But if the condition of any affection preternaturally require bitter or sharp Ingredients, then must they be mixed with the other Medi­caments in a less quantity, both that they may be more easily assu­med, and also that in altering the humour contained, they may not hurt the part containing. Quae eclegma­ta conveniant Asthmaticis. Such Lohochs as these are for their notable faculty in inciding and opening, commended to the pursy, and such as breath difficultly, because of gross humours in their Lungs.

An Eclegm should be assumed upon a stick of Liccorish a little bea­ten, or out of some little measure, and holden in the mouth till it melt of its own accord, and till it slide down the mouth of the sto­mack, or insinuate it self into the Artery subjected.

They are reposed in earthen vessels leaded, and may be kept a whole year without impairing their virtues. Yet such as in their Confecture receive Almonds, or Nuts, as they grow mouldy soo­ner, so do their faculties sooner fail and decay.

There is to be sold in Shops a certain Electuary somewhat liquid for Glisters, and it is made of one pound of the decoction of Violets, Malva, the herb Mercury, Pelitory of the wall, Beets and Worm­wood, with the same weight of the Pitch of Cassia, and Honey de­spumed, which being thicker than any Syrup, and borrowing its co­lour and virtue from Cassia, is called Lohoch of Cassia. Lohoch caspa.

CHAP. XI. Of Electuaries in general.

SUch Medicaments as externally applyed can cure any Poyson, whether within the body, or inflicted on the body by some bite, are by the Greeks called [...]; and those [...] which introsumed help many grievous affections. The Latins do not onely retain and confound both these names, but also denote them by the name of Electuary to us; for the Antients called them Anti­dotes, the later men Electuaries. Whereof, according to their diffe­rent [Page 108] [...] [Page 109] [...] [Page 110]consistency there be two kinds, the one solid, which Apothe­caries make into little pieces, which they call Lozenges, the other more liquid made and formed into the consistency of an opiate.

But if according to Galen, the difference of Antidotes, or Electua­ries be taken from their quality and vertues, some are assumed be­cause of deadly Medicaments, others are prevalent against venemous beasts, others are prescribed to diseases contracted by ill victualls, and some are accommodated to all these uses, which may not only be wholsomley introsumed, but also, externally applyed, as Triacle Mi­thridate.

Electuaries according to their different solidity, are called Dry and Tabulated, Electuaria sic­ca ac tabulata. or Liquid, which have the consistency of an opiate, a mean betwixt an Eclegme and Pills, as all Antidotes, whose powders are subactd with sape, honey, or wine, which put to sugar righly prepared, and agitated with a woodden pestell do acquire the just con­sistency of a solid Electuary: So that wine, and the same Electuary may be formed liquid or solid according to the adjection of sugar or honey with artificiall mixtion, yet they can scarce be brought to a solid Consistency which admit of the extract of Cassia, and the in­ner part of fruits.

The proportion of honey to powders in liquid Electuaries should be the same with sugar to them in dry and solid Electuaries, which is that to one pound of honey or sugar should be mixed three ounces of Powder, yet either may be increased or diminished, as the power of the Antidote is requisite to be more valid or more weak, for by how much more sugar or honey is added to the powders, by so much is the Electuary weaker, and by how much the lesse, by so much the stronger.

In purging Lozenges, one dramme of powder should be mixed with an ounce of sugar cocted in water, or some juice, to a consisten­cy somewhat more solid than a syrup in Cord all Lozenges; two ounces of sugar often go to one dram of powder, the quantity where­of should be by so much lesser, by how much the quality is stronger, and the sapour more ingratefull.

But Physicians should define a just quantity of sugar or honey, Medicorum error. for while they prescribe onely according to their custome, as much as will serve of either indefinitly, they leave the Apothecary doubtfull in ma­king the Electuary, and they commit the sick persons safety to his judgement; for he may make the strength of the Medicament more weak, or more intense, as he pleases, and you shall scarce find two Apothecaryes who put the same proportion of sugar or honey to the same remedy, when the quantity is not prescribed.

In the Confecture of the liquid Antidote, Electuarium liquidum fa­ciendi modus. the honey is washed with a little water, and boyled by little and little on a moderate fire, and despumed, till the water, or other liquor be exhaled, then it is taken off the fire, and before it be absolute cold, three ounces of the mixed powders are sprinkled upon the honey, every pound of honey so pre­pared [Page 111]requires three ounces of Powder, and then they are mixed with a woodden postell, till the mixture be equall.

The weight of honey should not be changed, because of the mix­ture of the pulpe of Cassia, Tamarinds, or Manna, Dactyls, and Al­monds, or other fruits, for in confecting an Electuary of a Legiti­mate consistency, the weight of dry powders must be answerable to the sape, honey, or sugar.

A soft Electuary should not be reposed in a box, before it be tho­roughly cold, least its superiour part be extrinsecally incrusted in a certain Membrane, it is betetr to let it be fermented, and the crassitude equall.

Sugar also must be prepared before it receive powders for it should be dissolved in stillatitious water, or other fit liquour, Electuarium siccum faciendi modus. and then be de­spumed, and boyled softly on a fire till it be thicker than a syrup, and till a drop thereof will not dilate it self, and after a little refrigeration the severall species must be by little and little added, confounded, and mixed with a Spatula till it have got its whose solidity and equa­bility, then it must be laid on a marble before it be cold, and with the Spatula dilated and planed, when it is cold, it may be cut into Lo­zenges square or round, of one, two, or three dramms weight, which after they be brought to the hardness of sugar must be laid in boxes or Chests.

Of what consistency soever the Electuary be; whether solid or soft, it preserves the strength of the simples, well and long. Yet doth the soft preserve it longer than the solid, because its humidity being grea­ter, it more constraines the faculty of the Medicaments, and hinders them from being dissipated by the air.

By how much an Electuary is more gratefull to the Palate, by so much the sooner doth its energy and faculty decay, for its efficacie will scarce endure a year, bitter; and ingratefull will endure two or three years, and the Antidote against wild beasts bitings, or poy­sons, sometimes ten years without damage.

CHAP. XII. Of Hiera.

HIerae differ little from the Opiate, Hiera pierae unde habeant nomen. Opiates from liquid Electuaries, for they have all the same consistency, and often the same purging faculty, yet Electuaries and Opiates do some­times purge, neither molesting the belly, nor displeasing the palate with their sapour, but Hierae besides their purging faculty which they alwayes have, are very bitter and unacceptable, which their name shewes, for they are called Picrae, for their exceeding bitterness, as Hiera. i. e. holy for their excellent effects. They are compounded of [Page 112]loosening and bitter, yet Medicaments good for the stomack, which incide and gently purge grosse, and flegmatick humours out of the first region of the body, Hiera picra Galeni dicitur, quod cam e­mendarit. and especially those that are called Galens Hierae, because changed and mended by him, ( Cap. 11. lib. 8. comp. med. local.) which (saith he) are the best remedy for the Melanchol­licke affections of the belly; for many stomachicall Maladyes have been cured by him in one day therewith; for since Aloes is mixed hereunto, which is very good for the stomack, and Cynamon, which is effectuall in opening, exterging, and attenuating (for it is of very thin parts) they may be exhibited usefully for all grosse and viscous humours, Quib us conve­niat, & quibus non. and all affections about the belly and stomach, proceeding from vicious juice, but not if they proceed from a sharp fever.

Hiera whose faculty is to calefy and exiccate, may not be securely used, in those fevers whereby humours are accended in the vessells, and whereby the whole body is inflamed, though by Galens advice, they may safely be used in fevers that are not vehement: there are be­sides Galens Picrae, Hierae varia descriptae. Hierae variously described, various compo­sitions, which from their effects are called Hierae, and from their sapours Picrae, as from that matter, which in composition, quan­titie, or qualitie is preheminent, one Hiera is called the Colloquinti­dan Hiera, others are confected under the names of Logadius, Pacchus, or Myrepfius, either because they first invented their compositions, or else altered, augmented and corrected them.

The descriptious composition and powers of every one shall be largely treated of, taught and explained in our book tearmed the shop: some Hierae, have their purgative power onely from Aloes, and that not potent, and Galen. cap. 2. lib. 4. de loc. affect. saith, that they scarce condescend to the places about the Liver, unlesse they be taken in a more ample weight, they may be commodiously given for the suffusion or web in the eye, because they rather educe noxious humours from the brain, than from the stomack; but such as admit of Coloquintida, or Agarick, or both, or scammony, do potently move the belly, and draw hurtfull humours from all the parts of the body, and purge them out.

CHAP. XIII. Of Opiates in general.

OPiates are reckoned amongst liquid Electuaries, and so called, because they have Opium in their mixture, or from their simi­litude to Hypnoticall Medicaments, or from their consisten­cy presently after their inspissation, or peradventure from their Colour which in Opium, or the juice of black poppy, and in liquid Antidotes, whether Cordiall, or opening, is the same.

And although the Ancients call those Medicaments onely Opiates, too strictly, which admit of Opium in their mixture, of what consi­stency soever, whether solid, as the Alcumists Ladanum, and Pills of Cynoglosson, or soft, as the Roman Philonium; yet are they in a larger sense taken for any soft Confections, Cordiall, altering, Opiatarum ap­pellatio amplis­sima. purging, or narcoticall, whether they admit Opium, as Antidotes against ve­nemous beasts, or they consist only in cordial and altering ingredients, as Alkermes, and the confection of violets, or of purging ingredi­ents as Triphera, Diaprunum, and such like, which are oftner called by the names of Electuaries, and Confections, than Opiates.

Now Opiates were invented by Physicians of ancient note ( Gal. Opiatae cur inventae. cap. 2. lib. 2. de loc. affect. Aet. c. 12. lib. 2. de sign. & caus. diut morb.) to leniate the rigour of griefes; for griefe being a sad passion, Dolor quid. grievous to nature, and hard to be indured, it doth variously exagitate hu­mours, corrupt the blood, accend a fever, and deject the spirits: Ejus affectus. so that the Physician is sometimes compelled, to relinquish the former disease, that he may cure this great symptome with these presidies, which though they take not away the cause of the disease, yet they so refresh the senses and spirits by conciliating ease and sleepe, that the strength of the symptomes being debated, they may afterwards ex­trude the causes of the disease more easily.

The vehemencie therefore of grief is to be deceived, Doloris vehe­mentia despe­rationis inter­dum parens. sometimes with Narcoticall Medicaments, which is sometimes so prevalent, that it drives men to that Madnesse, that they had rather dye than live, and therefore lay violent hands upon themselves.

Galen hath observed ( Cap. 5. lib. 7. comp. med. loc.) such vehe­hement vexations and torments in Colicall dolours, Confectiones Colicae. which might be leniated by severall Medicaments, that he described certain Narcoti­call Opiates, and left them to posterity, which he called Colical con­fections, which may mitigate the vehemency of the symptome, stay the motion of humours, and stupify the senses: hence they are called Narcoticall opiates, because they bring to the parts a certain necro­sy or mortification, and they are called Annodyna i. e. grief-absolving Medicines, because for present they mitigate and absolve from paine and griefe. For Anodynes are not all of one sort, Paregorica quae. for some are Pare­goricall or leniating, which are temperate, and most agreeing without heat, as Hydreole, the root of Lillies boyled in milk, and oil of Al­monds. Others are called Alliotical, which leniate the griefe, Alliotica. to which they are averse by some opposite quality, as oil of roses, of vio­lets to a grief moderately, oil of water lillies to a grief impensely hot, oil of Laurall, or Anisseseeds to a cold dolour, others are also called Narcoticall Opiates, Narcotica. which by stupifying the senses take away the dolour, which must not be used rashly, for lying too long to a place, they extinguish the heat thereof, resolve the nerves, and take away at once, both motion and sense: and as Galen observeth ( Cap. 18. lib. 5. simplic. med.) taken in too great quantity kills.

Which is evidenced by the most perillous experiences of jugglars [Page 114]and deceivers, who with their shining Stibium stir up torments and o­ther grievous symptomes, wherewith they may cover their errour with a worse, do indeed take away dolours, by their narcoticall Opiates, neither rightly made, nor applyed: For they easily conciliate sleep, but such a one as intrudes the diseased into Charons boate, Somniserum Empericorum. not in this world again to awake, whence it is true that Empiricks Hypnoti­call medicines is often the cure of all evills.

I will not here relate storyes well known to me of these impious periclitatours, least I should digresse too far from my purpose, and because the work would be immense, if I should here insert what I have received from men of credit.

Now Narcoticks are improperly, and onely as to their nomina­tion called Anodynes: for besides their Elementary quality whereby they refrigerate, they are indued with another that is hostile and dele­tary to our native heat, unlesse they be taken in a smaall quantity, and also then, and so prepared, as is meet, as Opium, Mandrake, Hen­bane, and Hemlock.

Anodynes proper so called, Anod yna quae. are paregoricall, hot in the first de­gree, or temperate, or little exceeding a simmetry, which may be safely, either assumed or applyed.

Medicaments therefore that admit, Opium, or other Narcoticks must be taken in a small weight, and are truly called Opiates of what Consistency soever they be. Yet other soft altering, purging, and roborating Cofections are now also tearmed Opiates.

CHAP. XIV. Of Pills.

PIlls have their name from the forme of a little ball or bullet, Pilulae cur ita dictae. Unde dicantur catapotia. which because they are not chewed, but swallowed whole, are called by the Greeks [...], for because of the ingratefull sa­pour, and odour of those simples, whereof they are confe­cted, as Aloes, Coloquintida, Agarick, Opoponax, Sagapenes and other sharp, stinking and bitter simples, they are formed in a sphericall effigie, in a solid consistency, and exhibited in a small quan­tity, that they may be assumed with more ease, and lesse trouble, for the exiguity of the Medicament makes it easier to be swallowed, and the solidity lesse to be dissolved; the round forme sooner to slide down, to stay longer in the ventricle, to draw more efficaciously from parts remote, and not so soon to passe into the intestines, or to be excluded by vomiting; for liquid Medicaments are often assumed and disgorged in the same instant.

Pills are frequently, because of their insuavity, covered with leafs [Page 115]of Gold, and many odoriferous spices are often mixed artificially with them, whereby they are made more pleasant and gratefull to the palate and bowells, yet if they be a little holden in the mouth, or compressed with the tongue or teeth before deglution, they will not onely affect the sense with an ill tast, but also as it were, incite the hor­rour and subversion of the ventricle; all Pills are bitter, save a few, Pilularum sa­por ingratus. as those that are prescribed to Coughs which are not presently, de­voured, but kept long in the mouth, that they may melt and be swal­lowed by little and little, and these are not so properly called Catapo­tia or pills, as pastills or trochiskes.

The bitternesse of Pills is attributed, especially to Aloes, which is their very basis, and which can scarce be assumed otherwise be­cause of its egregious amaritude, and because of its viscidity whereby it conjoynes powders, and compels them into pils.

Now this bitterness is increased by the commixtion of other in­gratefull things, as of Coloquintida, Agarik, Senny, and other pur­gative Medicaments, which will be so much the more unacceptable to the Palate, by how much more bitter ingredients are admixed, as are pills made of Coloquintida, Aloes, Agarick, Scammony and Gum Arabick, which Galen prescribes to purge many kinds of Excre­ments ( Cap. 14. lib. 5. Method.)

Now there are many kinds of Pills, Pilularum magna varie­tas. partly drawn from the diversi­ty of the members, to which they are destinated, and partly from the diversity of humours, which they draw from the parts: some are called Capitall pils which purge flegme out of the head, as Cochiae, and such as are made of Agarick: others Opticall, because they con­sist of many things that are thought good for the eyes, as Pil. Lucis majoris & minoris: others stomachicall, as pils before meat, and made of Rhubarbe: others Artheticall, which educe humours from the Ar­ticles, from the diversity whereof some are called Phlegmagogall, which purge Phlegme, others Cholagogall which purge Choller, other Melanagogall which purge and move Melancholicall succe, & from their operation they are said to loose the belly by astringing, as Pils of Rhabarb and Myrobolanes, or by moderate drawing, as Pils of Agarick, or by drawing and expurging together, as pils of Eu­phorbium.

The greatest part of simples to be mixed in the Confection of the lumpe for Pils should be beaten into small powder, Pilularum com­positio ut rectò fiat. then put into ho­ney despumed, or into the slimy matter of Tragaganthum dissolved in some convenient succe, or rather into some convenient syrup, which hath some viscidity fit to make the confused seeds stick in the mixture, and not gape for siccity, that also the simples may be fermented being included in such a mixture, and that their faculty may not so soon ex­hale: for this cause, saith Sylvius, all kinds of Pils should be compre­hended in cocted honey, for being comprehended in water or succe, they do not cohere, but like bread made of bran they are presently ex­ficcated, made friable, and decay.

But if Pills admit gumms, and inspissated juices, those juices should be mollifid before in some thine Liquor be moved, with a hot Pestell, and then be put to the mixture of the powders, and last of all be confusedly mixed with as much honey or other viscid hu­mour, as the mixture requires, that it may be made into dough, or a soft lumpe; for it will daily harden, which after two or three dayes must be liniated with a little oil of Almonds, and then obvolved in fine leather, or some thin bladder, it must at last be reposed in a tinne or leaden box.

When a part of that masse is to be used, Crassities pilu­larum qualis esse debeat. it must answer a definite Dosis, and if need be, be beaten with a fit juice, that it may be mollifi­ed, and pills may thereof be made greater, or lesser, or mean, as we desire they should stay more or lesse time in the belly.

Pills, Pilulae validio­res quando ju­mendae. that draw humour strongly from the head or other remote parts, should be exhibited foure or five houres after a slender supper, or about midnight, and it is good to sleep after they be assumed.

Such as purge benignly, Benignae quan­do. may be safely swallowed an houre or two before any meale, such as are in a mean are most safely used upon a jejune stomack in the morning.

Halfe a dramme is enough to move the belly, Pilularum do­sis. often a whole dram is given of the valid to purge more potently, and to strong bodies a dram and half, which purge grosse humours; some there are who are averse to all pills, others to none, some will assume none, but the greater sort, others none but little ones in a spoon with much syrup, many will scarce assume any, unlesse they be involved in cherryes or the skins of dry grapes, some will swallow them hidden in the yolk of an egge, or in the leaves of spinage or lettices cocted; others will swal­low then after some other manner, for their ingratefull sapour hath invented a thousand wayes to assume them.

CHAP. XV. Of Trochisks.

SOme Medicaments are from the forme of little wafers called [...], as it were little round bread like lupines, or sometimes [...], by the Latines, Pastills, Orbicles, and they are thus for­med for the Medicaments conservation, and sometimes corre­ction; for Medicaments are more safely kept in that solid forme, than in powders.

Yet they must be pulverated for use, Pilulae bechicae. if they cannot be assumed whole, such onely excepted, as by some are called Bechicall pills, which must melt in the mouth, for Trochisks of Scilla, and vipers, in in the confecture of a Treacle, lose the forme of pastills, and are pulverated.

And they are made of Medicaments for the most part dry or beaten, [Page 117]and dissolved with wine, water, or other liquor, till they acquire the consistency of pills, and then they are formed into orbicles, and then dryed in a shade before they be reposed in boxes where they may be kept a whole year, sometimes two or three, especially if they admit of Opium in their confection, or any valid Medicament, whose strength is not easily dissipated, Trochisks, therefore because of their obduri­ty and density do preserve very long that strength of those Medica­ments whereof they consist, and they more easily resist the injury of the air: which Powders cannot do, but being very small condescend to the air, and are therewith easily changed: yet are not all Trochisks made of Powders, but some of Medicaments which cannot be pulve­rated, as Scilla and vipers flesh.

Neither are Trochisks onely introsumed, but also externally ap­plyed, those that are assumed at the mouth, as they may be made of every kind of Medicaments, so do they receive from Medicaments their roborating, purging and altering faculties: those are said to robo­rate, which having respect to a particular place, augment its strength, as Trochisks of Galliae Moschatae roborate the brain, Trochisciro­borantes. of Terra lem­nia the heart, of Rhabarbe the Liver, of Diarrhodon the ventricle, of Capers the spleen, such as are confected of Catharticks retain the strength of their simples, and by moving the belly, Purgantes. expell the hu­mours, as Trochisks of Agarick, Alhanhal, and of Rhabarbe: we judge the same of altering Trochisks, Alterantes. which by their opposite quality change any distemper, as cold hot, or hot cold, dry moist, or moist dry.

Neither do we want Trochisks for externall affections, as those which from their forme, colour and Author are called white Tro­chisks of Rhases, and many other which are grinded on a marble, that Sief may be made for Collyries to many affections of the eyes.

The peculiar Confection of Trochisks shall be more largely ex­plained in our book intitled, the shop, it rests now that we treat of those Medicaments which are only externally applyed.

CHAP. I. Who first compounded Medicaments, and the reason of composition.

SEeing every Disease is the way to Death, all presidy must be used for its cure or expulsion, ere it be too far increased; and such sedulity must be used in finding and selecting Medica­ments, that we may have alwayes in readiness such as preternaturally conduce to the expugn­ing of several affections, and as it were a Wood of the more excellent Medicaments.

Yet may not these Medicaments, whether simple or compound, be exhibited till they be changed by Art, and after much preparation, as we have before demonstrated; wherein several Simples should not onely be washed, dryed, beaten, or infused, macerated, expressed, and made fit for commixtion, but they must be united with such care and proportion, that some new mixture may arise from their com­plexion in this concourse, their several virtues, if not integrally, at [Page 129]least preserved so, as they may perspicuously be seen while the com­mixtion is new, and not perfectly fermented, ( cap. 2. lib. 1. comp. med. gener.)

But because Medicaments exhibited alone sometimes hurt, and mixed with others, admirably advantage, when the qualities of any Medicament is proved, but the one may hereby be impro­ved; for certain it is, that even simple Medicaments have several and different qualities; and the other which is noxious, either ob­tunded or ejected, and so the best will be more effectual. And though some Simples hurt not, yet because they do not sufficiently help, they are not used without commixtion with others, as an Em­plastical Medicament, of which, according to Galen, ( cap. 13. lib. de Ther. ad Pis.) none is simple; and therefore the first and best Au­thors of Emplaisters have excogitated how to melt and make some of Oil.

Now composition of Medicaments is necessary, Quis primus medicamento­rum composi­tionem tradi­dit. for many reasons shewed in our former Book, which was first of all approved and de­fended by Mautias Herophilaeus, afterwards by Cappadox, Heras, Musa, Asclepiades, and Andromachus, ( cap. 2. lib. 2. comp. med. gen.) but chiefly by Galen, ( cap. 2. lib. 1. comp. med. gen. Epilogismo) who having shewed the reason of compounding Medicaments, teaches the legitimate proportion of the Compounds, and the manner of their exhibition: Not like those Empiricks, who refer all Medica­ments to imaginations, chance, or fortune, except some few, which (as it is apparent by the common suffrage of all) are bettered by composition, all consisting of one and the same faculty; of which also some are fitted by nature to cure; which tenent Galen, ( cap. 3. lib. 6. comp. med. loc.) denies, Sarcoticum op­timum ex fa­cultatibus op­positis. and proves by the example of the best Sarcotick, confected of Ceratum, and a twelfth part of Verdigrease; that Medicaments of two or more opposite qualities or faculties, may be best of all compounded; for Ceratum produces corruption, Aerugo erodes ulcerous flesh: yet the Medicament compounded of these is excellent, both for generating flesh, and filling the hollow ul­cer. Thus we mix hot with cold, weakning with roborating, and cordial Medicaments with Poysons, compounding our best Medica­ments of Simples endued with contrary or different qualities.

Galen ( cap. 29. lib 9. de facult. med.) Historia Gale­no nota. tells us of one of that num­ber, who hold that Medicaments should be compounded according to experience onely, (no reference had to reason) to whom a gouty fellow by chance came while he was boasting of his podagrical Me­dicament; who being so moderately pained before this Empirick ap­plyed his salve to his foot, that he could go, but was with pain after one sleepless night so handled, that he was so far now from going, as before, that he could not endure to be carried.

The event therefore of fortuitous Compositions is alwayes for­tuitous, and oft unfortunate, as Galen shews at large, besides the above-mentioned story, wherewith he derides the vanity and sloth­fulness [Page 130]of the Pseudomedick; who also judges it requisite that a Physician should not onely know the causes of Compounds, but the way and manner of their composition; and also that he should com­pound the best Medicaments for every Disease while it is time, lest that punishment be inflicted upon him which was upon two Physici­ans well known to Galen, ( cap. 1. lib. 2. comp. medic. gen.) the one whereof was starved with famine, the other not suffered to perform his function; and all for the loss of some forms of Compounds.

CHAP. II. Of the basis of Medicaments, and their collo­cation in Forms or Receipts.

IN prescribing a Medicament, we should first appoint a basis, that is, some simple Medicament, as the chief in that composition, and most fit for depelling the disease, upon which the rest may de­pend. As when we undertake to oppugn any disease, if it be simple, accompanied with no ill symptome, we choose onely a simple Medi­cament of an equal virtue, and just auxiliary: but if no Simple be apt for it, then we must compound one Medicament of many, the basis whereof must be averse to the disease; and adde others, which may corroborate the member affected, or carry the quality of the Medi­cament to the parts more distant. Others also we must adjoin to make it acceptable and gratefull to the palate, or to felicitate and fa­cilitate the work.

Now the basis is for the most part more prepollent in quality that in quantity, as in aromatical and purgative Confections; and by how much the disease to be depelled is more grievous, by so much must the basis be more potent in its virtue. Muitae bases a­liquando in uno medica­mento. Often also are many basis confusedly digested into some Compound, for the expugning of some prave affection; which conspiring with their mutual help, make up one perfect basis; as when we confound many anodynous Me­dicaments to ease some vehement dolour.

Therefore in compounding Medicaments, a basis must be first sought adequate to the affection, and the part affected, yet it must not alwayes take the first place in composition: for all the ingredients in a Composition must not be promiscuously and inordinately confoun­ded together, but one after another. And when this order is negle­cted, the Medicament oft times neither acquires its just virtue, nor its apt form; for if those receive little which require much and long coction, and those much which require little, their virtue cannot be integrally procured.

A due order likewise is accurately to be observed in describing [Page 131]forms of Medicaments or Receipts, Ordo servan­dus in descri­bendis formulis medicamento­rum. lest that be last described in the Receipt, which should have been first. Into which errour those hap­pen who are ignorant of the substance, qualities, and preparation of Medicaments; as also sometimes young Doctors, who not suffici­ently experienced by long use, describe confusedly what ever comes into their minds, whether they know their qualities, or not.

But they offend worse, who boyl those Medicaments long, whose virtues are impaired by fire; who give those Medicaments in drink, which because of their eminent bitterness should be made into Pills, and covered over; who administer those things raw, which should be cocted, those whole, which should be pulverated, and those dissol­ved without expression, which should onely be infused.

Those who through negligence omit these things, may scarcely eschew the censure of the more antient Apothecaries, who being taught by skilfull Physicians, have not onely found out the manner of compounding Medicaments, but many of them have attained the knowledge of the order wherein Simples should be severally collo­cated.

Let this then be the first rule to be observed in describing Medi­caments, that those which require a longer preparation, Prima Lex me­dicamenti de­scribendi. as diuturnal coction, or laborious triture, be first described; such as be roots and wood that is not odoriferous; those last which require least, as flowers, and aromatical simples; those in the middle, which require moderate labour and preparation, as herbs, fruits, and seeds. Who­ever do otherwise, mixing and concocting in the same instant, wood, roots, leaves and flowers promiscuously and confusedly, either lose the dissipable qualiy of the later sort, or acquire not the strength of the former; and by this improvident manner of mixture make up a Medicament, neither endued with the genuine virtue of the Sim­ples, nor answerable to the Physicians intent.

Let the second Law observable in Receipts be this; Secunda Lex. That if bre­vity of time be urgent, and some things are to be cocted or infused, and others to be pulverated, that you begin with those that require coction or maceration, that while these are in preparing, others may be levigated and brayed, and so in the same time their several prepa­rations may be accomplished.

The third observation is, Tertia Lex. That those which exceed in quantity or quality, be first described; yet so, that the manner of preparation and mixtion be not obverted thereby.

The fourth observation, which holds good almost continually, is, Quarta. That those must be described in the last place of the Receipt, which are as the matter of the Medicament, as Honey in great Confections, Sugar in solid Electuaries, Oil or Wax in many Unguents.

If this order be kept, it will leade the more recent Apothecaries into a readier and better way of preparing and mixing Medicaments, and their virtue will hereby remain more potent and firm; which if they be not rightly ordered by the rules of Art, do wax dull, and perish.

CHAP. III. Of the forms and end of Medicaments.

AS those that are sound in body do not need, ( Aphor. 37. lib. 2. Hippoc.) so neither do they desire Medicines. And those who had need of Medicaments, either to prevent an imminent, or depell a present disease, either never call the Physician till the ma­lady of the disease be at the height, or utterly refuse Physick; or they will have it prepared with such art and mixture, as in odour, co­lour, and sapour, it may please the nose, eyes, and palate. But Ga­len, ( lib. 2. de praenot.) saith, that a Cook amongst these children and fools is preferred before a Physician; and he is more commended and allauded, because he daily indulges their genius with unaccusto­med varieties and dainties.

But since every one is punished by that by which he offended, and gluttony and surfetting is the nurse almost of all diseases, it is as it were by divine ordination constituted, that a Medicament assumed by the mouth, should leave in the mouth the ultion of the fault there­in committed. For it is no wonder that almost all Medicaments, e­specially purgative, should so much displease our taste and smell, by their quality averse to our nature, since they are instituted, not as Ali­ments to be changed, but to change; and either to correct the noxi­ous quality of the humours, or to extrude it.

Such Medicaments as are insipid and inodorous, and being exhi­bited in a small quantity, do variously wrest and exagitate the body, and the humours, are not so good as those, which though ungrate­full, and assumed in a larger measure, do easily and with delight e­duce the vicious humours from the parts affected.

Now the forms of Medicaments do not onely facilitate their as­sumpsion, Forma medica­mentorum quid praestat. (for some onely like liquid, others solid Medicines) but produce divers effects, as they are in form divers; for an inciding or extenuating Medicament is better accommodated to its function by a liquid form, as also by a solid form to astriction.

Now I call not that same, which gives the essence, the thing; nor yet that faculty, by which it operates, the form, but the very consistency of the compound Medicament, whether it be solid, liquid, or in a mean. Besides which consistency, another figure is often put upon dry Medicaments by the industrious hand of the Apothecary, or im­printed by some sigil; as when the matter is formed into Pils or Tro­chisks, or planed into Tessels; and that either equilaterally cubal, or drawn out into an unequal angle.

But this external impressed form or sigillation is of little moment, [Page 133]as nothing conducing either to promote or felicitate the effect of the Medicament, as some superstitious fellows have imagined, that I may omit what some Alchymists dream of, the external signature of some Plants, whereby they profess to accommodate the virtues of those Plants to the parts affected, with which their Medicaments by certain marks and external forms agree. But the form of a Medica­ment, whereby it is dense, rare, or liquid, is usefull for many pur­poses, for the same Medicament will sometimes provoke urine, some­times stools, according to the manner of its composition. Galen, cap. 13. lib. 4. de sanit. tuend.

Such Medicaments as are levigated to powder, Crassities aut tenuitas pulve­rum quid effi­ciat. are quickly car­ried to the reins and bladder; such as are grosser, subsist longer in the intestines, and give stools. If any would be freed from obstru­ctions, and move monthly flowers, they can neither successfully exhibit solid Medicaments, nor yet liquid ones, if they would educe the noxious humour from the brain, or parts more dissite.

And as grosser Medicaments are requisite to roborate some parts, and depell some affections, and liquid to others: so some require Me­dicaments of a middle consistency, as amongst internal Medica­ments, Electuaries, and some Antidotes amongst external Unguents, mucaginous Salves, and Pultises.

We have abundantly before declared what form is fit for several Medicaments, we shall hereafter speak in special of those which should be variously formed, as the condition of the place requires, to which they are fitted; as when a scutum or signature of a Buckler is fitted for the region of the ventricle, of a stomachical Emplaister, a Pessary for the secrets, a Suppository for the fundament, a Tent for a wound.

Some upon no grounds do not onely desire a set form, Nimis sumptu­osa medica­mentorum con­ [...]ectura plerun­que vana. but also a sumptuous confecture of Medicaments, otherwise rejecting them as vile and useless; as a certain rich man, who desired and received of Galen ( cap. 10. lib. 3. comp. medic. gener.) a Form or Receipt of a cure for a malign ulcer in his servant; who seeing all the Ingredi­ents of a vile price whereon the Medicament consisted, bid Galen keep that for Beggars, and give him a costly Medicament.

So many little regard excellent Medicaments, if they know them, but make much of vile ones, if they know them not, admiring them as some celestial remedy. Artis arcana non detegenda. They therefore act to the in­dignity of Medicaments, who detect the secrets of so Divine an Art; and that they may please the people, describe their Receipts in the vulgar idiome.

For it is better to make a Medicament gratis, and give it to the poor, than prescribe them any thing of small price, or teach and shew the composition thereof; which they having once with success tryed upon themselves, they will experience on others to their undoing; for many Medicaments, especially purgative, are both good and evil, and heals or kils accordingly, as they are well or ill used.

Now the end of composition of Medicaments is the cause for which such composition must be undertaken; Finis compo­sitionis. or that same purpose to which all things necessary in composition are referred, that the Medicaments compounded by Art may be of use, either to preserve or roborate health, or to profligate difeases.

CHAP. IV. Of the Weights of Medicaments, and their marks.

EVery Nation and Countrey had, and have still their proper Weights and Measures; the Constinopolitan Merchants two pounds Weights, twenty six ounces; the Mediolanians 24. the Parisiensians 16. the Lugdunians 15. the Hispanians 14. the Genevians, and many more 12. the Goldsmiths onely 8. common­ly called Markum.

The antient Greeks, Arabians, and Romanes also, had not onely their proper Idioms and Characters, but Weights also; and unless the Supream Authority forbad them, they would buy with the great­est, and fell with the least Weights, there being no certain Standard.

But because in Medicine one cannot erre twice; and errours in prescribing Weights and Measures are often very perilous, all Me­dicks should have common and definite Weights, that there might be a mutual consent in their operations.

The Medicks pound alwayes weighs 12. ounces, which is thus de­scribed, lib. j. their ounce eight drams, whose note is this, ℥. j. their dram three scruples, thus marked, ʒ. j. so that in one ounce they have as many scruples as there be letters in the Greek Alphabet, to wit, 24. according to the Poet Faunus:

By which words, Scruples seem to be Vicegerents of Letters, Drams of Syllables, Ounces of Words, Pounds of Speeches, or at least Sentences. But there are less Weights than Scruples, for a Grain or Minute is the least of Weights, of which is made an Obolus, or half Scruple, thus noted, ℈. ss. and a Grain with two letters con­joyned thus gr. or sometimes with one letter thus, g.

When we would describe a pound and a half, or an ounce and a half, we mark the greater number thus, lib. j. ss. the lesser thus, ℥. j. ss.

A grain is the most small, indivisible and minute of weights, Granum. and therefore called a mite, by the Greeks [...].

Chalcus, or aereolum weighs two mites or grains.

Siliqua or Ceration in Arabick Kirat, two chalci, or 4. grains.

A Semiobulus weighs 3. aereola. i. e. one siliqua and a half, one obolus weighs 3. siliqua, or six Chalci; or 12. grains.

A scruple weighs 2. obuli, or 12. chalci, or 24. grains.

A denarius is the eighth part of a Romans ounce, and weighs 3. scruples, or six obuli, or seventy two grains.

A dram is the eighth part of a Greek ounce, lighter than a dena­rius, weighing onely 60. grains, that is, 3 common scruples, every of which should weigh 20. grains.

A denarius was accounted formerly for ten pound weight, whence Sylvius saith it had its name; now it amounts onely to the 84. part of a pound, as a dram to the 96. I mean of a Medick pound, which weighs 12. ounces.

Many for a denarius puts a dram, not much lighter, and for a dram a denarius, according to the version of the Greek interpreter, who having no weight that might exactly respond to the Roman de­narius, put a dram for a denarius.

Sicilicus amounts to two drams, and it is the fourth part of an ounce, a semiuncia, or half ounce contains two sicilici.

The Medicks ounce weighs 8. drams, the Merchants 8. denarii.

I find a dram called sometimes by the ancients Hexagion, the Mer­chants commonly call it grossum.

Bes contains 8. ounces, and hath as much as the Medicks mina, which contains 16. ounces, and amounts to the Merchants pound. Ex Dioscor. & Gal.

But the Medicks [...], i. e. pound is lesse, containing onely twelve ounces.

We may contract them all thus, that so they may be better accom­modated to memory.

A pound, oft called pondo, or As, weighs twelve ounces, deunx eleven, dextans, ten: dodrans, nine: bes or octunx, eight: septunx, seven: semis, six: or the half part of any weight, quincunx, five: qua­drans or qurtarium four: triens, three.

An ounce contains four sicilici, sicilicus two drams, a dram, three scruples, a scruple, two obuli, an obulus, two filiqua and a half, siliqua, two Chalci; Chalcus two grains.

I would not in silence have passed over names or weights familiar to the Arabians, but that I found so many, as made them seem un­certain, who call an ounce adar, alsatil, sacros & assathis, Nomina pon­derum Ara­bica. a dram some­times alchi, sometimes nabach, and sometimes darchamet, a scruple also guanthus, often gormin, and sometimes kermec & arme, an obulus Seminen, Seminet, Onolos, Onolosat, Ologinat, indiscriminately, as half a one Danich, the third part Kirat: but we will leave them to their words, and use our own.

When hearbs must be measured by Maniples Medicks note it with this letter M. when flowers by Pugills, with this letter P. now a Ma­niple with the Medicks, is as much as can be contained in a hand; a pugill, as much as may be holden betwixt three fingers.

When an equall weight of measure or two or more Medicaments are prescribed together, Ana quid signet. they adde this word Ana, which shewes that an equall portion of every Medicament must be assumed.

Amongst other notes of weights, or rather definite quantityes in prescribing receipts, this letter. N. is plac'd to denote that some num­ber should be assumed, as of many fruits which cannot by weight or measure be better described, but how great a number, the note of weight thereunto annexed must shew, as for example of Almonds, Plums, or the like, two, three, four, five, or six, more or lesse as the Medick sees cause, should be prescribed, figures should be added to indicate their number, whereunto according to Rondeletius, the notes of the ancient Romans numbers are more accommodate, which are thus described I. II. III. IIII. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. than the other characters called Ciphers, and thus descri­bed. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Least some ignorant tyro for two or three drams, thus designed ʒ. 2. ʒ. 3. read thirty two, or thirty three drams.

CHAP. V. Of Physicians Measures.

NOt without reason doe the holy Scriptures attest, that God created all things with weight, number, and measure; for number being an act of reason, therefore Plato asserted man to be the wisest animal, because he could number; And God comman­ded all this to be trutinated by just weight and measure Levit. 19. & Deut. 25.

By measures I mean certain hollow instruments like boxes there­unto accomodated by certain receptive & mensurative shapes, where­in Apothecaries or Merchants may measure simple or compound, dry or liquid Medicaments.

But they are made cheifely to measure liquors, as oyl, vinegar, de­coctions or the like, and they are so fitted by industry, as to respond to weights, for some will contain one ounce, some two, some three, some one pound, others five, others ten, others more and lesse.

The least measure will contain ʒ. Cochlearium. j. and ℈. ss. of wine of a mean consistency, and is called cochlearium.

Another is called Cheme, Ligula. twice as capacious as the former, which containes of wine ʒ. ij. & ℈. j.

A third is called Ligula, Mistrum. or mystrum, and contains of Wine ʒ. ij. ss. or ʒ. iij.

Concha contains two mystras, or twice as much as Cheme, Concha. that is ʒ. v.

Cyathus contains twice as much as Concha, that is ʒ. x, or ℥. j. ss. Cyathus. Acetabulum.

Acetabulum, which the Greeks call Oxybaphum contains half as much again as a Cyathus, that is ℥. ij. & ʒ. ij. or ℥. ij. ss. at the most.

Quartarius holds twice as much as Acetabulum, that is ℥. iiij. ss. or little more.

Hemina or Hemisextarius holds twice as much as Quartarius, Hemina. that is ℥. ix.

Sextarius holds twice as much as a hemina, that is lb. j. ss.

Choenix lb. ij & ℥. iij. Choenix.

Chus or Congius six sextaries that is lb. ix.

Urna four Congli, that is lb. XL. Urna.

Amphora two Urns, that is lb. LXXX. Amphora.

Metretes, in Greek Geramium, in Latin Cadus, an amphora & a half. Metretes.

Culeus, twenty Amphorae or forty Urns. Culeus.

Thus we proceed from the least of measures of liquids to the grea­test by degrees, as from grains, to the greatest of weights in dry things, and as the greater number contains the lesser, so doth the greatest measure or weight the lesser.

Some measures therefore are great, some small, some meane, and amongst those some are destined to measure liquids, others solids, o­thers both.

Culeus, Amphora, Urna, Congius, and Quartarius serve to measure liquids, modius and semimodius solids, sextarius, hemina, acetabulum, cyathus, both.

CHAP. VI. Of the quantity of Medicaments to be exhibi­ted.

IT is not onely worthy our inquisition in compounding Medica­ments to enquire after the quality of simples onely, but also to know in what quantity each simple should be mixed, & what quan­tity of a compound should be exhibited. For as too little brings small emolument or profit, so too much brings more harme: for a Lettice may kill as well as Hemlock; and wine kills more than Woolfe­bane.

Now if superabundance of Aliment be as noxious as poyson, Alimentorum nimia quanti­tas periculosa. it is the greatest perfection of the Art & Artificer to describe the just quan­tity of Medicaments, and to define what and how much is convenient for every sexe, age, nature, and time: For Turpethum, colocynthis and Hellebore purge strongly; Polypody, Tamarinds, and the broath of an old Cock weakely: Cassia, Senny, Rhabarbe, moderately: [Page 138]old and melanchollick men must be purged hardly in Autumne, boyes and moist men must be purged easily in Winter, and Spring; and cholerick men easily in Summer, such as are of a middle nature, must be moderately purged.

And since mutations of ages and seasons change the condition of the humours, Idem medica­mentum non eadem semper praestat. it happens that one and the same Medicament, taken in the same quantity, hath not alwayes the same effect and operation, for when the humours swell, and are turbulent, then nature, with the help of a gentle Medicament, will worke out the excretion of the trouble­some matter, excluding it either by stoole or vomit. Whereas on the contrary, if the matter by its lentour be more tenaciously fixed, and no way provokes nature by its quality to its exclusion; the strongest Medicament will not be of power to relaxe the belly, being only able to move, not to remove these redundant humours.

This diversity of humours often deceives the non-cautious, who having by experience found, that Cassia should be prescribed and ex­hibited by ounces, and not by grains, Scammony by grains and not by ounces, and Rhabarb by drams; think they have prescribed a conve­nient dosis according to the efficacy of each Medicaments acting, when yet they often see that the Medicament either not at all, or too impensely and strongly moves the belly: For when nature coope­rates, and the superfluous humour swells, a few grains of Rhabarb will relaxe, yea, the very odour alone of some catharticke, will suffi­ciently exagitate the ventricle.

Wherefore the Physician does wisely, who being called by some patient never before seen of him, askes him whether his body needs a weake and gentle, or valid and strong purge, and whether he be most commonly laxative, or restringed, that he may the better ac­comodate his purgative Medicament; neither too much, nor too little to exagitate his ventricle, nor yet to exclude more in quantity or qua­lity than he should. Yet if the body wholly abound with ill humours, he may not at once, but by little and little, not on one day, but many remove them, for nature cannot beare great evacuations of any humours whatsoever, but delights in graduall actions, wherein is no violence.

CHAP. VII. A just quantity of Medicaments can scarce be de­fined, yet a little in excesse or defect, is not perillous.

THE Medicinary Art is indeed conjecturall, yet much hel­ped by experience, augmented by reason, and confirmed by reason, and confirmed by the authority of Doctors, who trying effects by the indagation of causes, and being more skilfull and prudent by long observance have left Theorems to po­sterity, grounded upon many strong and necessary reasons, where­by diseases may be known, remedies invented, and a quantity of Me­dicaments described, if not just and definite, yet so accomodate to nature and the disease, that one may triumph, and the other be capti­vated: For what perill can be doubted or expected? If where an ounce of Cassia is convenient, seven or nine drams be exhibited, if where oue dram of Rhabarb is requisite, two or four scruples be assu­med, a small errour should not cause great feare, and as all excremen­titious humours cannot alwayes be educed by a Medicament without indangering sanity; so we shall not need to suspect any harme by the eduction of some of them onely that are not of an offensive quality: since meat and drink are not alwayes ingested after the same measere, and at the same time. Nor yet ill humours always bridg diseases with them. Many have often eaten Hemlock instead of Persly in Pottage, which the maid hath mistaken, because of their convenience in ex­ternall form, those also who love Froggs eat Toad stools often with­out harm.

Yet we must with all judgement and artificiall conjecture, endea­vour to make the quantity of the Medicament, respond to the strength of the nature, and the burthen to be educed, which if it be copious, and a proportionate Medicament, cannot with safety be exhibited at once, it is better to wash it away in severall dayes than at once, both deject strength and humours.

Its sad to reiterate purgative Medicaments, Suppurgatio [...]imenda. where one will accom­plish the design, or to minister a violent one where a gentle one would sufficiently exonerate. For suppurgation is dangerous, which by too much opening the veins sometimes excites the dysentary, evacuates blood, and prostrates the integrity of natures strength to danger. Its better therefore to relinquish some of the superfluous humours, than by immoderate vacuation to protrude both necessary and excremen­titious ones.

And as the same quantity of the same Medicament given to the [Page 140]same man at severall times, may produce different effects, so as its quantity varyes it acts variously, & one while is more proper for this, another while for that disease: for if ( Aphor. 1. lib. 4. Hippocr.) a woman with child be advised to purge, which she may without fear or danger do, betwixt the fourth and sixth moneth of her pregnancy, she may confidently assume a roborating Medicament in a small quantity, that the cause of that molestation, whereof pregnant women complain, may be gently removed, and the foetus receive no detriment there­by.

But when the quantity of Opium, Diagredium, or such Medica­ments which have great power, in a little bigness, is to be excoginted, let it be with great care and prudence prescribed, and pondered, that if a just quantity can scarce be defined, the exoberance or defect may be very small, for whereas the least thing is not reached by the Law, nor judged by the Praetor, yet we may cafily offend in the least ex­cesse.

CHAP. VIII. Of such Medicaments as may without harme be taken in great quantity, for whom they are convenient and when.

Every Medicament doth more or lesse offend nature, as its fa­oulty is stronger or weaker: by how much a catharticke is more grievous in odour or sapour, by so much it causes more mole­station; for all purges (saith Galen. cap. ult. lib. quos, quando & qui­bus) offend the ventricle, especially in its mouth, which, consisting of of many nerves, is of more accurate sensation, and therefore we either mixe benevolent lenocinyes with purgatives, or select, such as are not so ingratefull, nor so much disturb the ventricle. Which if they can be procured, must not yet be presently exhibited, save by those for whom they are convenient, and in such quantity, as may respond to the strength of nature, and be easily born.

Which quantity is various, according to the various faculties of the Medicaments, which if they be weaker, may be exhibited by so much in a greater quantity, if stronger in a lesse. Now I call them purga­tives weak, which by gentle and benign motion of the ventricle, cleanse the first region of the body, and are measured rather by ounces, than drams, as Mannae, the pulpe of Tamarinds, the pith of Caffia, or the like: Those valid or strong, which being small in quantity produce groat and violent effects, and which are rather weighed by grains and soruples, than by drams, of which hereafter: all them are accounted weak, which are measured by ounces; and they violent which are measured by grains; they indifferent which are [Page 141]measured by drams, as Rhabarb, Senny, Aloes and the like, all which, as also all lubricating and roborating purgatives, may be taken in greater quantity.

This also holds good in alterating Medicaments, Alterantium dosis. which by how much they recede lesse from the symmetry of our body, as being onely hot or cold in the first degree, may be prescribed in greater quantity; by how much they recede more, as hot or cold in the fourth degree, may be exhibited in lesser quantity; it is not then without perill copiously to assume Pepper, Bartram, Euphorbium, or Cicu­ta, Hedum or Water-Lillies, because by the former the intralls would be inflamed, by the later benummed and chilled.

But since roborative Medicaments differ much in their active pow­ers, they must be used in different quantities, as cordiall waters by ounces, conserves, roborating the principall parts by drams, more potent Antidotes, by scruples; Bezoar-stone, and Unicorns horn by grains.

Now such liquids as are assumed either to roborate, alter, or purge, may be given in a greater quantity.

Furthermore not only the efficacy of the Medicament, but also the state of the body and humours require an augmentation, Qui Medica­mentis vaitdis, qui benignis e­gent. or diminuti­on in quantity; a gentle and weak Medicament will not move a strong and firme body, which hath been either accustomed to labour, and frequent purgation, or pestered with many obstructions; whereas the soft and slender bodyes of women and children, which are either dry or macilent, as also of pregnant women and persons newly recovered from diseases, will not endure strong ones.

The species also, and plenty of the humour, Frigidus & crassus humor tardius purga­tur. varyes the quantity of the Medicament; for a viscid, grosse, frigid, Melanchollicke, pitui­tous and tenaciously adhering humour will hardly be deduced, but re­quires a more valid and potent catharticke for its exclusion, a thin, ca­lid, and chollerick humour will sometimes be ejected by spontaneous vomit, very easily by a purgative Medicament.

Furthermore, the state of the heavens, the nature of the region, and the condition of the season of the year require a different quanti­ty of Medicament, for seeing the belly is obdurate in a cold season, ( Aphor. 5. lib. 3) and a rigid Winter coartactes, and condenses the bo­dy, especially in the frigid region or climate, the humour then tena­ciously adhering, is not propelled, save either by a strong Medica­ment once, or a gentle one often and in abundance exhibited, and as the year for the most part causes diseases according to its own consti­tution ( Aphor. 5. lib. 3.) so according to the species of the humour causing the disease, and its greater or lesser progresse: it is requisite, that not only the kind, but quantity of the Medicament be changed, which must be more copious: if by reason of the body, humour, state of the heavens, region, or custome purgation be difficult, as on the contrary, if purgation be easy in lesser quantity, as shall appear hereaf­ter.

CHAP. IX. Of such as must be prescribed in small quantity.

EVery purgative Medicament hath either a strong or a weak facultie, which by a particular propriety respect the gentle or potent eduction of this rather than another humour. Now that Medicament I call gentle or weak, Blandum me­dicamentum quale. which assumed in an indifferent quantitie moves the ventricle benignely and educes moderately, but superfluously assumed, educes superabundantly. For if an immoderate quantitie of Rhabarb or Cassia, which are of the most familiar Medi­caments to nature, be assumed, as an ounce and a half of the former, or half a pound of the later, it will move either stoole or vomit, or both, with a great and immoderate turbation of the ventricle, and a­gitation of the humours.

That I call a potent purgative, Potenter pur­gans. which in small quantity, as that thats weighed by grains, causes a copious and great dejection, which must be given in small quantity; as also all such as are ingratefull, rare, dear, indued with potent efficacious vertue, or partaker of any malignant quality.

Those are ingratefull, Ingrata qua­lia. which by their odour grievously affect our nose or brain, as Castor, Sagapenum, and Assa-foetida which being a stinking gum the Germans call the Devills dung, or by their sapour, such as are bitter Medicaments as Colocynthis, the lesser Centory: sharp, as Euphorbium, Bartram; most acid, as the Oil of Sulphur & Vi­triol, a few drops whereof in a due proportion mixed with the syrup violets make it of a red shining colour, and somewhat acid of taste, and thereby very pleasant to the eyes and palate. A certain Court Doctor at his first coming, gave this syrup thus altered by Art, equally for all diseases with his own hands, who deceiving the vulgar with his osten­tations, called it the secret of secrets.

Those that are rare and dear, as Gems, Precious-stones, Pearle, Balsam, Precious Aromatas, Amber, Musck, Civet, and such as work an alteration in the body by their calidity or frigidity in the fourth degree, must be prescribed in small quantity.

Those which by a certain antipathy, Qua magna cautela sumen­da. and speciall potency impaire the principles of life, spirit and heat, consume the flesh, and destroy the integrity of sanity, must not be exhibited without extraordinary care and prudence; as Vipers flesh against the pestilence or leprosy, the reins, or rather the flesh of the loines of Stincus to provoke to Venery, Cantharides against the retention and obstruction of urine, for these Cantharides rightly prepared and mixed with fit Medica­ments, and administred in a small quantity, do move urine without [Page 143]harm; but in a great quantity they stay it, and impensly calefy the bladder. Rondeletius.

Minerals also, and all such as have more efficacious faculties, must be taken sparingly; such as are more remiss, liberally.

Furthermore, those that conduce to the dulcoration, correction, or deduction of other Medicaments, must be mixed alwayes in a small quantity, as Cynamon, Sanders, or Squinant, to conciliate suavity of odour or sapour in the Medicament. Ginger to the casti­gation of Agarick, Saffron of Opium, opening and mciding Medi­caments to the dilation of the quality of other Medicaments to the parts to be cured.

But nothing doth so much dehort from a great quantity of any Medicament, as its effrenate, prepotent, and malign quality; which as soon as it is educed into act, doth grievously disturb Nature, and excites a Troop of symptomes.

Those which are rare, and by their price fit Princes, and rich men, if necessity require, may be prescribed in small quantity.

CHAP. X. In what quantity Simples must be mixed for com­position.

FEW Compounds are found to confist of many Simples equal in proportion, but two or more exceed the quantity of the rest. They exceed, which are the matters Vicegerents, and induce an apt form to the Medicaments, as Oil, Wax, Li­thargy, in Salves and Unguents; or which are most potent in action, and constitute the basis in composition, as Aloes in many Pills; as also such as have but weak faculties in great quantity, or are adhibited for the preservation of others, as Honey and Sugar in Electuaries and Syrups.

This rule is chiefly to be observed in the proportion of Medica­ments to be compounded, that that which brings more utility to the Medicament, should be adhibited in greater quantity in composi­tion.

They which are symbolical, whose matter is equally apt to induce the form of the Medicament, and which are in their faculties equally averse to the cause and symptome of the part affected, should be mix­ed in equal weight: which seems to be observed in the Tetraphar­macal Unguent, which consists of equal portions of Wax, Rosine, Pitch, and Bulls fat. And also in Justinus his Electuary, which by Nic. Mirepsius his description, cap. 403. receives an equal portion of thirty Simples, all which are thought by a certain propriety to break [Page 144]stones, and clear the urinal passage. To these is added Honey and Sugar in a different proportion, that the Electuary may acquire a convenient form, and apt consistency, and be fitter for long preser­vation.

Some portion of simple Medicaments is measured by number, some by weight, others by both; some in measures, some in hand­fulls, others in pugils.

The quantity of roots are variously measured for their dosis, ac­cording to their various virtue and efficacy in operation. If their fa­culty gently move the belly, they are measured by drams; if potent­ly, by scruples; if they onely alter, by whole or half ounces; and when they make up a bath, by pounds or handfulls.

In making Syrups of a great quantity, they may be exhibited from ℥. j. to ℥. ij. or ℥. iij. in decoctions for one dosis, from ʒ. ij. to ℥. ss. or ℥. j. or more or less, according to the power of the roots. If the decoction be made for many doses, their quantity must be proportio­nately augmented.

When two, three, or more roots of the same, or very like quality are prescribed, a lesser quantity of each should be taken, that all con­joyn'd may make up the quantity of one, according to Rondolet. Which should also be observed in all other Simples that are similar in quality, if so be they equally conduce to the propugnating of one affection, and roborating one part. And briefly, such as are indued with some acrimony, or eximious faculty, must be mixed in smal quantities, such as weak and gentle, in great.

The same rule should be observed in recent and dry herbs, which are measured by one or more handfulls, according to their faculty, and the nature of the Medicament to be compounded; for to some dosis we measure them by whole or half handfulls, to a fomenting Medicine by two handfulls, to a bath by more.

Or sometimes bundles of little flowers, Flores. whether recent or dry, as the flowers of Rosemary, Violets, Bugloss, we measure sometimes by pugils, sometimes by weight. Great ones, if recent, as Lillies, Ro­ses, by handfulls; if arid, by drams or ounces in scales.

All seeds, Semina. whether hot, cold, temperate, sharp, acerb, bitter, or ingratefull, are librated by weight; but they ingrede the composi­tion in different quantities, according to the different virtue, or the Physicians scope.

Such as are most calid, most frigid and narcotical, if externally to be adhibited, may be given from ʒ ij. to ℥. j. if intrinsecally, to be assumed from ℈. j. to ʒ. j. or a little more or less, as the faculty is more or less potent.

Fruits, Fructus nume­r [...] & pondere [...]surantur. as well as roots, are different in magnitude and quality, whereof various quantities are described, which are known after seve­ral manners. The least, as Ribes and Barberries are prescribed by weight; the greater, as Sebesten and Plums, by number; some by both, as Almonds, Jujubs, and dry Grapes. Many, which because [Page 145]of their greatness are not integrally requisite, are cut into slices, pur­ged from their cores, shells, or stones, and then measured by drams or ounces.

And that I may consummate all, Liquids are prescribed by mea­sure, Solids by weight, Fruits by number, Leaves by maniples, Flowers by pugils, every ones dosis answering its quality. I hold it superfluous further to prosecute the dosis, measure, or weight which should be taken of Woods, Barks, Pulse, Animals, or things there­unto pertaining, since these may be discerned and judged of by their consistency and quality, as also by what hath been already said.

CHAP. XI. Of the reposition of Medicaments.

THat we might dilucidly explicate the accurate composition of Medicaments, we have largely discussed the manner of their confection, their basis, form, end, and quantity of every Ingredient, as also the reason of their equality or in­equality. Now it rests, that the Medicaments thus composed be re­posed in such places as may conduce to the preservation of their vir­tues integral.

Now a Medicament, whether simple or compound, (for both must be kept) must not be reposed in any but in a fit and convenient place, that it be not altered and corrupted, but kept in its perfect vi­gour till opportunity causes its delivery to such as it fits.

A Simple must first be selected, and purged from filth, and its ex­crementitious and useless parts, and then dryed, that it may be kept; for humid things will not keep without moulding and putrefa­ction.

Herbs must be dryed in a shade, Herbarum re­positio. or a place where the Sun scorches net, yet not marcid, but dry, and voyd of fumes and dust, and then bound in little bundles, must be reposed in canvass or paper bags, lest they take detriment by the aforesaid cumbrances. Flowers must also be thus dryed, reposed, and so conserved. Now Conservation and Reposition are related.

Dry and gross herbs take no harm from the rigour of cold, but liquid and humid are casily condensed; which appropinquating to heat, are thereby brought to their pristine state. Yet distilled waters by immoderate congelation lose much of their bonity, and are often effused by the abruption of the glasses wherein they are reposed through the vehemency of cold, unless the Confectioners care pre­vent it.

In January and February, 1608. while I was distilling waters, Saevitia Hy [...] ­mis, anno 1608. the rigour of the winter was so vehement for six whole weeks together, [Page 146]that it broke all my earthen, glass, tin, and copper vessels, (though very strong) wherein I had put the waters: And when bread was drawn hot from the oven, it presently acquired a stony obdurateness; neither were the wine-cellars free from frost. And when the vehe­mency of the cold asswaged, all the houses in Lutetia were white both within and without with horrid ice. In which time many were vexed with the disease of the Lungs, whereof very many dyed.

Fruits are repoled sometimes in Store-houses, Frullum. as Apples; some­times in Barrels, as Plums; often in glass or wooden Boxes closed with papers, lest fumes or dust should alter them, as Jujubs, and also lest Flyes erode and spoyl them.

Seeds after siccation are reposed in glass or wood vessels, Seminum. and kept in a dry place.

Roots after purgation and are faction are reserved in wooden Boxes or Chests, Radicum. wrapt sometimes in bombast; if pretious, as Chinean Rhabarb, lest the noxious quality of the air, or edacity of heat, spoyl their qualities, and corrupt them.

Liquid juices are reposed in bottles, Saceorum. or other vessels with strait o­rifices, whereupon Oil must be diffused, lest they be altered by the air.

Juices are also reposed in wooden Boxes, or glass or earthen Ves­sels, as also Water-drops, Gums, whole or parts of Animals and Mi­nerals.

Liquors, Liquorum & Oleorum. Oils, Liquidambar, and Balsam, are reposed in glass Bottles stopped with cork, or wax, and some bladder, that they may not be dissipated by the air.

Turpentine may not onely be well reserved in an iron or glass Ves­sel, but in a figuline also.

Some are best preserved in the highest part of the house, some in the middle, and some no where save in wine-cellars, or such madid place, as Cassia.

Compound Medicaments, according to their different consistea­cies and virtues, require for their Cepositories different Vessels, as Hydromel, a Barrel; Syrups, Potters vessels, and for carriage sake Boxes of white Iron or Tin; as the Syrup of Mompelian Maiden­hair, which reposed in such a vessel, may be commodiously conveyed to exotick regions; solid Electuaries, wooden Boxes; liquid ones, tin or earthen Vessels well leaded; Powders, glass; Unguents, tin pots. Thus every one requires a Repository convenient to its na­ture.

CHAP. XII. Of the conservation and duration of Medica­ments.

AS we do not use to confect Compounds, so neither do we ga­ther Simples for one dosis, but select and prepare a greater quantity of each for future uses: which that they may be safe from dust, fumes, putrefaction, or injuries by the air, or insects, as by Flyes, Mice, and the like, we repose in fit Vessels, or include in Bags, or involve in Papers, and keep all in our Pharmacopoly, ex­cept such as require a more humid, or more dry place, as Cassia, a Wine-cellar; Sugar, Conditures, Junkets, and most Sweet meats, an Oven, or Closet near the fire.

Many for their conservation must be condited with Vinegar, Salt, or both, as Cucumbers, Capers, Olives; or with Sugar or Honey, as all kinde of Medicaments, whereof Electuaries or Syrups are com­posed.

Decoctions will keep in Summer two or three dayes, in Winter a whole week; distilled Waters and Conserves, a whole year.

Syrups perfectly cocted, Electuaries; Trochisks, Pills, Oils, Un­guents, and Salves, will often keep two years; as also Roots, Woods, Barks, dry Juices, Tears and Gums, three years, and some­times four; Elateries, thirty years; Nails, Bones, Horns, an age.

Some can scarce be long preserved without the presence of those things with which they hold familiarity, as the Magnet with Iron, with whose limature it is nourished, and upon whose absence it de­cayes, and loses its vigour.

Others better preserve their faculties, if by the appropinquation of other things they be vindicated from the injury of the air and worms. Thus Camphyre buried in Linseed is safely kept, Limmons and O­ranges in a heap of Wheat will not so soon putrefy; and Mechoa­cams root involved in Wormwood keeps its faculties entire, and will not be so easily croded.

Musk and Civet are safely conserved in lead boxes: but that they should resartiate their lost virtue by suspension in the middle of a Bog­house, Platearius his advice deri­ded. Platearius his nose can only finde.

Saffron, Cloves, Pepper, Mace, and other aromatical Spices, are best conserved in leather bags; Storax, Belzoin, in glass boxes; Sanders, sweet Aloes, Mastick, Schaenantum, Seeds, and innumera­ble more, in Costers, or wooden Boxes; of which, more in our Shop.

Medicaments therefore, as well simple as compound, if they be thus sedulously conserved, will endure long; if not, they soon fade and decay.

But the greatest part of these should be changed every year; yet if any change not their colour, odour, and sapour, they need not. Now those keep longest which are of a gross substantiality, and whose qualities tenaciously and firmly adhere to their substances; as on the contrary, those do not endure long whose substance is rare, as Flowers, and those whose virtues are superficial and dissipable. Yet those are kept better and longer which are included in close Boxes, or Vessels well operculated, for so their virtue is retained more securely. Many think, that Antidotes against the poyson of Beasts are safest kept in leaden Vessels, which in Galen's time were reposed in pre­tious, and now in earthen Vessels.

CHAP. XIII. Of such as by a certain Antinomasia are preferred before others, from which their denomination is desumed.

THat God might free Man from those erumnies and egritudes wherewith he is daily pestered, he hath adorned the Earth like a little Paradise, or rich Garden with innumerable Herbs and Plants, that by their pleasant odour refocillate his spirits, by their variegated colours recreate his eyes, which in sanity allow him nutriment, in fickness resreshment, and liberty from the all commanding Tyrant Death.

In which plentifull Soyl, many of the same kinde fruicate and occur us, which being indistinguishable because of their similarity in form and quality, have obtained the same denomination. For who can distinguish of the infinite sorts of Flowers and Grass? who can define their number? or describe the differences of Gerania, Heria­tum, Anemones, Daffadils, and many more Plants, in whose various variety Nature seems to delight it self.

Now since some of these are absolutely described without any ad­dition of particular or peculiar description, those must alwayes be e­lected and used which Experience hath proved better. And this Theorem must be perpetually observed in such as have some analogy among themselves, that that be alwayes assumed which is best in eve­ry kinde; as when we describe Aloes simply, we mean Aloe succa­trine.

And that I may give you a few examples for many. When we put Vinegar simply, we do not mean that they may take Beer, but Wine­vinegar; [Page 149]when Balsam, we mean Egyptian Balsam; when Benioin, we mean that same which, from its white spots like Almonds, is called Amygdalite.

And when we put Cassia absolutely, Cassia Fistula must be exhi­bited; when Coral, red, which is accounted best.

So also the rest are understood of the best of that kinde: as

• Dittany Of The Cretensian Dittany.
• Aristolochy Of Round.
• Sweet root Of Liquorice.
• Endive Of Broad-leav'd Succory.
• Epithyme Of Woodbind growing about Thyme
• Fenicle Of Fennel.
• Earth gall Of The lesser Centaury.
• Gum Of Arabick.
• Pomegranate Of Acid.
• Hepatica Of Liverwort.
• Ivy Of Corymbiferous.
• Jasmine Of White.
• Henbane Of White.
• Lettice Of Garden.
• Lilly Of White and bulbous.
• Horebound Of White.
• Mint Of Garden.
• Githe Of The seed onely.
• Water-lilly Of White.
• Cresses Of The seed onely.
• Oil Of Olive.
• Opium Of Thebane.
• Poppy Of White.
• Polypody Of the Oke.
• The lesser Quercle Of Germander.
• The greater Plantain Of Ribwort.
• Rose Of Red.
• Meadow-green Of Meadow-sweet.
• Staechados Of Arabick.
• Santalum Of The Citron.
• Longwort Of White.
• Turpentine Of Venetian.
• Betony Of Masculine.
• Violet Of Black, or rather ceruleout.
• Xyloaloes Of Blackish.
• Iris Of Florentinian.
• Ginger Of Malvaticall, which is the best and most sought of by Persians, Arabians, and Barbarians.

CHAP. XIV. Of such Roots, Seeds, Flowers, Stones, and Wa­ters, as excell others in dignity.

MAny Simples of several kinds have symbolical qualities; and yet Experience hath demonstrated, that some of them excell others, and are more convenient for the profliga­tion of diseases, as being endued with a better altering, roborating, or purging faculty, and exhibiting more successfull ef­fects; of which are some Plants, or parts thereof, and some Mine­rals, which being absolutely described, put the Apothecary upon doubts, Radices aperi­entes majores. who is ignorant of the genuine dilucidation: whose tenuity, that we may auxiliate, we will give him the names of the five opening roots; Radices aperi­tive majores. and they are the roots of Smallage, Sperage, Parsley, Fen­nel, and Butchers-broom. Besides which, other five are much cele­brated, to wit, the roots of Grass, the greater Madder, Oenone, Ca­pers, and Eryngium.

The four greater or colder seeds are the seeds of Limons, Semina frigida 4. majora. Gourds, Melons, and Cucumbers; the four lesser, of Lettices, Purslain, En­dive and Succory.

The four greater or hotter seeds, Semina calida majora, & totidem mi­nora. are of Anise, Fennel, Cummin, and Carraway; the four less hot, of Ameos, our Ladies Rose, Smal­lage, Carret.

Cordial flowers are onely three, Cordiales tres. to wit, of Violets, Bugloss, and Borrage; which if they be such, are then most effectual, when re­cent and retentive of their colour and odour; for when they are dry, insipid, and inodorous, they have either quite lost, or much weakned their qualities.

And indeed the qualities of all flowers perish with their odour, sa­pour, and colour.

But I am of opinion, that Roses, which of all flowers retain their suavity longest, as also all such as by their gratious odour exhilarate the spirits, are most cordial; for all suaveolent flowers, whether her­bal, as the Lilly of the Valley; or arbustal or arboral, as the flowers of Orange trees are cordial, and may with success be used in medici­nary business.

The flowers of Chamemile, Melilote, and Anise, are accounted cordial: but I prefer as more excellent, the flowers of Oranges, Jas­mine, Deluce, Sage, Rosemary, Betony, Clove-gilliflowers, and many others, which with their fragrancy delight the nose, and recre­ate the spirits.

The hairs or capillary herbs are five, Herbe capilla­res quinque. Maidens-hair, commonly [Page 151]called Mompiensian hair, common Adiantium, Polytricum, Citrarch, or Wall-fern, Rue on the wall, without all reason called Salvia vitae, to which we may adde Epithymum and Woodbind.

The common mollifying herbs are four, Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Emmollientes berbae octo. black Violet, Garden Bear-foot, or brank Ursine; whereunto four more are adjoyned, Mercury, Pelitory of the wall, Beet, and Arache, all which are used in making the decoction of Clysters, and laxative Cataplasms.

There are many pretious Fragments, Fragmentae pretiosa quin­que. but five artificially in use a­mong Physicians, as of Saphire, Granate, Emerald, Hyacinth, Sardis.

The Vulgar know onely four kinds of Cordial Waters, and cannot be perswaded to a fifth, to wit, of Endive, Succory, Bugloss, and Borrage: but I finde eight besides these that are more cordial, to wit, the Water of Carduus, Scabiose, Marigold, Devils bit, Wood­sorrel, Goats-beard, Sorrel, and Water-lillyes.

Some conduce to the roboration of the brain, Quatuor aquae cephalicae. and are therefore called Cephalical Waters, which are four, to wit, the Water of Be­tony, Balm, Roses, and Orange tree flowers.

There are also in Shops four hot Unguents, as Ung. Aregon, Quatuor un­guenta calida, & quatuor frigida. Mar­tiatum, Altheae, and Agrippae; and as many frigid ones, to wit, Ung. Album, Rosatum, Populeum, Citrinum.

CHAP. XV. Of succedaneous Medicaments.

PHysicians should not use Succedaneous Medicaments, unless they be thereunto compelled, either having not knowledge, or having not trial of the requisite Medicament: yet an Apo­thecary by the Medicks advice may substitute a convenient Medica­ment instead of another that is so rare as it cannot be had, or so dear as it cannot be purchased: yet so, that the succedaneous be in species, kinde, and virtue very similar and answerable to the deficient; and if it may be, a simple Medicament should be put for a simple, and a com­pound for a compound: as

• A Plant for a Plant,
• A Root for a Root,
• A Bark for a Bark,
• Seed for Seed,
• Liquor for Liquor,
• Gum for Gum,
• Rosine for Rosine,
• Oil for Oil,
• Mineral for Mineral,
• Salt for Salt,
• Earth for Earth,
• Stone for Stone,
• Gem for Gem,
• Metal for Metal,
• Animal for Animal,
• Part for Part.

The same Law must be observed in compounds but not so strictly, for powder must be put for powder, eclegme for eclegme, electuary for electuary, syrup for syrup: Yet there is often such affinity in qua­lity betwixt Medicaments of different consistencies, that a substitu­tion may be easily admitted. For if any hath an aversation to a bechi­call eclegme, he may without danger assume syrup of jujubs, and he that refuses pills, why may he not assume some other catharticke of equall vertue in a potion? Thus Physicians do oft indulge their Pa­tients, by prescribing liquids to such as nauseate solids, and on the contrary.

Yet a simple Medicament is not always substituted for a simple one, for since one can scarce find two simples alike in all things: for the want of one, to which no single one responds, we substitute two or more, whose concourse exhibite the similar vertues, whether in elementary qualities, as heat, cold, humiditie, and siccitie, or in se­cundary qualities, which follow the modification of the matter: For it is enough, if the substituted Medicament effect that, which the ge­nuine and deficient promised. For one that wants a rare and preci­ous Medicament calefying or refrigerating in the seoend degree, and hath other two, the one hot or cold in the third degree, the other in the first; may by putting these two together, acquire one accommo­date to his purpose, to wit calefying or refrigerating in the second re­cesse, which rule is of use in mixing attenuating, incrassating and other simples.

But because the soile and the heavens change the qualities of sim­ples, as we have observed in the Persian tree; we must with dili­gence observe which are fittest for substitution, for there is much dif­ference betwixt our flower deluce, and that of Florence: for their is Cephalicall, and Bechicall, our Phlegmagogous and strongly purga­tive. And as Canary wine is more noble than Spanish, and Spanish than French wine: so the grapes from which they are expressed, are of distinct qualities, sapours and degrees of heat: and therefore sim­ples of the same kind and species have not alwayes got the same tem­perature and degree of qualities, for what growes in a hotter soil is hotter: and in a colder colder.

When therefore a Medicament, is prescribed, which because of its soil is hotter, Quamado gra­du tertio aut quarto cali­dum substitui­tur pro minus calids. and cannot be got, another of the same kind may be substituted, through the colder, if in greater quantity.

For that which is hot in the fourth degree may be taken in such a quantity, as it may only calefie in the third degree; as for example, if you take but about four grains of Euphorbium, it will calefy onely in the third degree, which in greater quantitie would calefy in the fourth; and by how much you take lesse, by so much it calefies lesse; but every Medicament hath a determinate dosis, else so small a por­tion might be given, that though it were fire, yet would it neither burn nor calefie; and Cloves, which are hot in the third degree, if lesse than three grains of them be administred, they calefy not [Page 153]to the third degree, and so of all qualities in their degrees.

Now there are in every degree three parts or mansions, Cujus (que) gradus tres partes. begin­ning, middle and end, which are so constituted, that the begin­ning of one degree coincidates with the end of another, as the be­ginning of the fourth with the end of the fift. So the end of Winter differs little from the beginning of the spring.

The usuall dosis of such as calefy in the fourth degree is of four grains, whereof there being three mansions; Dosis callido­rum in quarto gradu. the chief dosis which attains the end of that same grade, is of twelve grains: that which attains the middle, sixteen, and the beginning, twenty grains, which is the dosis of such as calefy in the end of the third degree.

Wherefore when any want a Medicament, that califies or frigi­fies in the end of the first degree, he may substitute one that is calld or frigid in the beginning of the second degree; he that wants a medi­cament hot in the end of the second degree, may exhibit one thats hot in the beginning of the third.

Now since the doses of compounds are deduced from simples, ac­cording to the deficiency of any simple, another may be substituted which is Analogicall to the deficient, in the mixtion whereof, if the a­foresaid Lawes be observed, the result in the compound will be no way deficient by substitution.

CHAP. XVI. What Medicaments, and when they are right­ly substituted.

LEast our Pharmaceuticall treati should be defective, or a pa­tient destitute of praesidy, when his auxiliatory Physician pre­scribes him something, that neither the Pharmacopolitans shops, nor gardens affoard, we will here describe the supple­ments of such defects, which the Greeks call [...], the Latins Succedanea & Substituta, or more vulgarly quid pro quo.

But as we before observed, such substitutes should be similar, What substi­tutes ought not to be al­lowed of. inivertue to those whose place they spply, and whose vicegerents they are; now if such cannot be found, then those must be elected which differ in little, and respond in many things. For its absurd to call those succedaneous Vicegerents, which are mdued with opposite not succedaneous and symbolicall qualities, and they write without reason, who substitute Euphorbium for Agarick, Pellitory for Sor­rell, and Melliote for a Quince, for these have no affinity with each other.

But when some weaker are substituted in place of better, their qua­lities must be augmented by quantity, for quantity reduplicated re­compenses the weakness of the quality, as on the contrary, if the sub­stitute be too valid, lesse quantity must be exhibited, that thereby its rigour may be diminished.

Now, this should not be done without the advice of some skilfull Doctor, which many do not onely despise, but themselves prescribe Medicaments to the great damage of their patients, but such are for the most part unconstant, importunate, and talkative knaves, who trimly apparelled intrude themselves to the sicks presence, and de­ceive them with fair speeches. I speake of that impious rabble, who deceive the incautious vulgar; but the skilfull and prudent, who take nothing rashly, but at a Phisicians advice and preception, may sub­stitute, legitimate Vicegerents in the place of such as want or are de­cayed.

Those that without choice and care repose for genuine and good, what ever Medicament comes first to their hands, will make dange­rous Medicaments, and substitutions.

One was wont pleasantly to inculcate that of the Ninivite to such a busy fellow, Saepe loco illius quid pono.

Least therefore any errour be committed in reposition of supposito­ries, we shall here place the substitute in opposition to the deficient. You may substitute.

• For Wormwood, Origanum or southernwood.
• For Southernwood, Origanum.
• For The juice of Acaoia, The juice of Cistus, or Hypocistis.
• For Bears foot, Mallowes.
• For Acorus, The root of folefoot, or Radix Asari.
• For The true Venus haire, The Common.
• For Ameos. Anise seed.
• For Amomus, Acorus.
• For Gum Amoniack, Propolis.
• For Bitter Almonds, Persian nuts.
• For Woolfs grease, Weasels grease.
• For Harts grease, Goats grease.
• For Alum, Fossile salt.
• For Althea, Mallowes.
• For Arsenick, Sublimatum.
• For Rain-water, Fountain water.
• For Sea water, Saltedwater.
• For Anise, Carret.
• For Round Aristolochy, Long.
• For The flower of Fomgranate, The rind thereof.
• For Balsam Limpid Turpentines:
• For Borrage, Buglosse.
• For Bettony, Parsley.
• [Page 155]For Spinach, Arache.
• For Butter, Oyle.
• For Calamus Arom. Squinant.
• For Cardamomum. Cyperus.
• For Calamintha, Wild mint.
• For Germander, Ground pine.
• For Cinamon, Common Cassia.
• For Cinabrium, Red Lead.
• For Juice of Citron, Limmons juice.
• For Daucus Creticus, English carret seed.
• For Dates, Massilian figgs.
• For Dittany. Sage.
• For A Bears tooth, A hogs tooth.
• For Diphryx, Burned Brasse.
• For Liquorice, Raisons.
• For Wallwort. Elder.
• For White Hellebore, Elaterium.
• For Blacke Hellebore, Lapis Lazuli.
• For Epithyme, Epithymbrum.
• For Eruca, Erisimum.
• For Agrimony, Liverwort.
• For Sea holly, Oenone.
• For Fenygreek. Orobus.
• For Fennell, Smallage.
• For Partridge gall, Cothurnix gall.
• For Verdigrease, Rust.
• For Fumitory, Sowthistle.
• For The hulls of Senny, Twice as much of its leaves.
• For Myrtle leaves, Its berryes.
• For Galangale, Acorus.
• For Galbanum, Sagapenum.
• For Gentian, Tormentill.
• For Liverwort, Agrimony.
• For Helecampare, Flower deluce.
• For Hysope, Savoury.
• For The juice of Cistus, Acacia.
• For Jasmins flowers, Rormary Flowers.
• For Jujubs, Raisons.
• For Sweet rush, Cardomomum.
• For Henbane, Poppy.
• For Lettice, Garden Succory.
• For Sorrell, Black Violet.
• For Laureola, Misletoe.
• For Lacca, Storax.
• For Sciatick Cresses, Cretian Cresses.
• For Loadstone, The Phrygian stone.
• For Mallowes, Arach.
• [Page 156]For Mandrake, Poppy,
• For Honey, Sugar,
• For Mumy, Pissaphaltum,
• For Spicnard, Schaenanthum,
• For Nep, Wildmint,
• For Nutmeg, Cloves,
• For Water-Lilly, Lettice,
• For Sheepsgrease, Calfes marrow,
• For Oyle, Butter,
• For The juice of unripe grapes, Juice of Limons,
• For Opium, Lettice juice,
• For Opobalsamum, Oyle of Cloves,
• For The juice of panax, Gum Amoniake,
• For Ryce, Wheat meale,
• For White thorn, Gooseberry tree,
• For Poppy juice, Mandrake juice,
• For Petty spurge, Sea Lettice,
• For Parsley, Smallage,
• For Plaintain, Mouse-eare,
• For Pompholyx, Burned brass oar.
• For Walwort, Ground pine,
• For Quinquenerve, Plantain,
• For Radish-seed, Its juice,
• For Rosemary, Majoram,
• For Gooseberryes, * Berberryes,
• For Rue, Tansey,
• For Sagapene, Pyne gum,
• For Sage, Calaminthe,
• For Elder, Wallwort,
• For Cantonicum, Southernwood,
• For New wine, Sweet wine,
• For Cuttlebone, A pumick stone,
• For Sutureia, Thyme,
• For Saxifrage, Burnet,
• For Houseleek, Nightshade,
• For White spike, Lavander,
• For Tansey, Feverfew,
• For Sowthistle, Succory,
• For Cuckow bread, Sower dock,
• For Thyme, Satureia,
• For Thimelaea, Chamelaea,
• For Tamariske, Citrarch,
• For Tussilage, Lungwort,
• For Garden Valerian, Wild,
• For Masculine betony, The famale,
• For White Hellebore, Turpethum.
• [Page 157]For Black Violet, White.
• For Red Wine, White.
• For Sweet Cassia, Cynamon.
• For Yylobalsum, Radix Ligustici.
• For Ginger, Pepper.
• For Civet, Musck.

But because it seldom falls out that one can erre twice in a Me­dicine, let junior Apothecaryes diligently beware, least they sub­stitute any thing without the Physicians advice; if they do other­wise, they may exhibite and sell spurious Medicaments for legiti­timate; as I have 1000. times observed in some ignorant fel­lowes who without discretion substitute any simple which of its self is deficient.

CHAP. XVII. Of Adulterate Medicaments.

MEns insatiable avarice hath rapt some to that heighth of ini­quity, that they exhibite Adulterate Medicaments for true and genuine; the dignotion whereof is of great moment in making Medicaments, and should be a Physicians and an Apothe­caryes imployment accurately to learn, that to be their patients may exhibited none but good, which may conduce to their adjument, and sanity; not adulterate, whose end is perill and languour.

These I thought meet to detect, least some unskilfull Apothecary be deceived by such circumforaneous prestigiatours, who often sell the flowers of Carthamus for Crocus, and Ivory for Monocerots horn; and similate many more, especially rare and precious Medi­caments, whose use is frequent, and vertues eximious.

Least therefore the Apothecary, in whose hand the life or death of a patient is, be imprudently circumduced by these wicked slaves, for lucres sake, to circumvent the patient, Ile shew him how to de­tect and avoid these impious frauds and deceits.

A lump of Kids blood kneaded in hot bread pulverised, Moschi adulte­rium and La­danum dissolved and kept in a box, after they are mixed, wherein true musk had been reposed, doth much similate musk: yet it may be detected by its consistency, colour and odour, which soon failes in the fictitious.

The powder of Xyloaloes, Benjoin, Storax, Ambra. and Ladanum mixed together similate together.

But the peculiar native odour of genuine Amber may be easily di­seerned from these: Moreover Amber by long attrition in ones hands becomes more friable, these more soft.

The barke of Tamariske, Cinamomi. macerated in Cinamon water; and dryed very much, similates Cinamon: but the taste will difference them.

Cloves that are inodorous by age will become fragrant by made­faction in wine, Caryo byllo­rum. wherein good Cloves have been macerated, but this acquired odour is fugacious.

Rosin, Belzoin. Frankincense, and a little Storax, mixed together, do fraudulently similate Belzoin: but as they differ in odour, so also in colour, the spurious being full of white spotts.

Some instead of Camphyre sell the gum of Juniper: Camshora. but none can be thus imposed upon, but such as are very ignorant, for any one thats conversant with Aesculapius may at the first sight detect the fraud.

Opobalsamum with a little oyle doth very much represent liquidam­bar, O [...]o [...]al [...]mo l [...] d [...]nb [...]r ass [...]e. wherewith it has affinity in its faculties, and this hath been so peritely adulterated, that it hath deceived the most experienced in Paris.

The Orientall Earth, Terra Lemmia orientalis. called Terra Lemnia, is represented by Bole, or common Argill dryed, pulverated, kneaded with Plantain wa­ter, made into pastills, and signed with the great Turks sigill, with which Character much comes from Bellonium: but the falsity will be deprehended, if both be washed with water, for the water of Terra Lemnia will be fatter, the other more limpid and tenuious.

They vitiate Bitumen also by the mixture of pitch, Bitumen. but the fire will discover it, for that which hath pitch in it, will emit a pleasant odour. Opii.

Opium is similated by Meconium, or the juice of the leaves, and stalk of black Poppy, but the errour may be discerned by the fat­nesse, which is much in the genuine, none in the adulterate.

Manna Thuris may easily be adulterated, Manna thuris. since the powder of Rosin doth much resemble it, but fire detects the fraud.

Tacamahaca, Tacamahaca, is adulterated with Gum Elemi, which is very like the true one, for they respond in colour, consistency, and odour, only the one is a little more pleasant to the nose.

Sagapene, Galbanum, Opoponax, and Serapinum, being common, are seldom adulterated. But Bedellium being more rare is adultera­ted by course Mirrh, and so imposed upon idiots.

Sassafras was unknown of old in Europe; which at its first allation was sold dear, and was thereupon much sophisticated. I knew a man that sold the powder of Box-wood and Fennell-seed for the pow­der of saffafras: but when plenty of the genuine was conveyed, the a­dulteration ceased.

Some knaves sell an Oxes heart-bone, for a Harts heart-bone, but they that know both approve of the Harts, and reject the other, as endued with no eximious vertue.

Some substitute great plums for Tamarinds; but they do ill in cal­ling them Tamarinds, since they differ so apertly in shell, pulpe, and sapour.

I could detect the adulteration and manner thereof of a thou­sand other Medicaments, out of Dioscorides and other, as well an­cient as modern Writers, but I hold it better toconceale them, since man is so prone to evill, and so perite to deceive: this Ile say by the way, that waters, liquors, juices and compound Medicaments may be easily adulterated, simples, especially integrall ones, not so easily.